Do Walleyes Hit Topwater Lures?

[ghost]

I used to live in the Midwest, Indiana.  I've caught walleyes, but always under the water.  I don't recall every catching a walleye on top water.  So do they hit top water lures?

[JeziHogg]

I'm sure they would, but its highly unlikely. More of a right place at the right time thing.

[Scott F]

It doesn't happen often, but I caught a walleye on popper. 

[flyfisher]

I haven't heard of it but i have caught catfish, carp and crappie and a whole lot of other fish species so why not.....

[Bluebasser86]

The old Bagley Bang "O" with the propeller on the back used to be a very popular bait to catch walleye after dark on top around here. I know a guy that swears he caught a 5 pound walleye on a spook in the middle of a bunch of schooling bass that were chasing shad over 30' of water. I don't know why he'd lie about it but I've never seen one hit any kind of topwater. I've caught a bunch on spinnerbaits burnt just below the surface when they get up shallow chasing shad though. 

[Tony L.]

I've seen a walleye caught on a tiny panfish popper while fly-fishing near some cat-tails. Weirder things have happened... certainly not a method I would use as a go-to for catching them, because that was probably a once in a lifetime thing. I could see maybe having some success with a larger topwater at night if they are moving really shallow, but I dunno.

[iabass8]

It is extremely rare for them to do so and if it happens it's basically a fluke. it's not a productive way to go out and catch them but it sure would be neat to see it. of all the years i've walleye fished during the spring and fall cold months when they are the most aggressive on the river, i've never seen or heard of it happening. i have had them just stop a rattle trap dead in it's tracks in a foot of water just under the surface though. 

[ww2farmer]

I don't know if they do with any regularity, but I caught one on a black Spro Frog a few years ago. All of my walleye catches are accidental, I don't target them, but all but that one have been caught on or near the bottom.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Yes, walleye will hit topwater. But like iabass8 said, it's not a very productive way to target them. I've only heard of a few people catching them on topwater, and none of them were actually targeting walleye. Walleye do feed above their heads quite a bit however, and usually when they hit a jerkbait/crank they are coming up to strike it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7CQXVs9QYM

[CoBass]

I've seen a walleye caught on a tiny panfish popper while fly-fishing near some cat-tails. Weirder things have happened... certainly not a method I would use as a go-to for catching them, because that was probably a once in a lifetime thing. I could see maybe having some success with a larger topwater at night if they are moving really shallow, but I dunno.

Well said. They will hit topwater baits but it is not the best way to target them.