Walleyes?

[PondBoss]

I've never fished for these toothy creatures, but aparently I live within 10 miles of 2 great lakes to fish for walleyes and saugeyes.  The only thing I know about these fish is they taste good.  Any tips and or techniques on how to catch them would be great.  Thanks in advance.

Oh yeah I guess it would help to know that I live in Oklahoma and both of these lakes have tons of rip rap and or rock/cement pilings to relate to.  I read in the paper last week that they should be getting ready to spawn soon.  I'd like to reap the rewards in possible.  Thanks again.

[Garnet]

Walleyes I know Oklahoma I don't.

Theres 2 spawning groups, current spawners will run up creeks to a barrier and spawn there.

Shoal spawners, areas of gravel and scattered small boulders and shallow water 4ft or less. They will spawn around trees and brush.

They don't nest like bass they broadcast there eggs in areas.

Jerkbaits will work more steady retreive with pauses, Jigs round head 1/4 with curly tails or minnow shapes Gulb ect. 3 to 5 inch.

With your jig hit the bottom everytime.

Cranks work stick to tight wigglers and long slender baits and keep them near the bottom.

Garnet

[Popeye]

Jigs and drop shot rigs should work for Walleyes. They are an easy fish to spook so I've been told.

[mibronzeback]

Have had my best luck drifting and bottom bouncing various jigs over shallow flats 4-12ft. A good broad flat with gradual drop on a point is great. Also, I look for rocks on the shore that will extend into the flat that are fist sized or a little bigger. Good luck and they do taste great so enjoy.

[Gone_Phishin]

In the spring it's tough to beat a jig and minnow. A floating jig/minnow on a Lindy rig is a great spring presentation as well. As the water starts to warm around here, we'll go with leeches.

If they are relating to the snaggy rock areas you mentioned, livebait on a slip bobber is definitely worth a shot. You can put that bait right in their faces, and make 'em eat. I catch the vast majority of my walleyes every spring on slip bobbers. If you are fishing at night, I highly recommend the Thill Nite Brite bobbers. Well worth the $.

As the water warms even more, I love to cast Husky Jerks, Rouges, and Ripsticks, Lil Rippers, Reefrunners, and Ripshads. As Garnet said, a steady retrieve usually works best for walleyes ( rather than the jerk jerk we are all used to for bass).

If you are covering a larger area, mibronzeback is right on: drift. Jigs or Lindy rigs with spinners or floating jigs for more shallow water, bottom bouncers for deeper water and/or larger/heavier lures like crawler harnesses.

Hope this helps.