Best Baits and Lures for Walleye (And When to Use Each)
The best baits and lures for walleye, from jigs and minnows to crankbaits and blade baits, plus when to use each and how to fish them from shore or a boat.
Walleye are picky about where and when, but they're not especially picky about the exact lure. If you put a good presentation in front of them at the right time, many different baits work. The trick is matching the bait to the situation: the depth, the season, and how active the fish are.
This guide covers the best walleye baits and lures, when to use each, and how to fish them.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
How to Choose
- Where are the fish? Near the bottom, suspended, or shallow at night?
- How active are they? Active fish chase crankbaits and swimbaits. Slower fish prefer live bait on a jig or rig.
- What are they eating? Minnows, perch, shiners, shad, leeches, and crawlers are all common forage.
- How's the light and water clarity? Natural colors in clear water, brighter or contrasting colors in stained water and low light. Glow and chartreuse are common for night and murky conditions.
Jigs (The Core Walleye Tool)
A jig head tipped with live bait or a soft plastic is probably the most versatile walleye presentation, working from shore and boat, in lakes and rivers, and in every season.
Jig and minnow
- When: Almost any time, especially spring and fall and for slower fish.
- How: Cast or drop to the bottom, lift gently, and let it fall. Keep contact with the bottom.
- Weights: 1/8 to 3/8 oz is most common, heavier in current or deep water.
Soft plastic grubs, minnows, and paddle-tails
Soft plastics work well if live bait isn't available or allowed, and they catch plenty of fish on their own.
- When: Fall and spring, or when walleye are chasing baitfish.
- How: Steady retrieve along the bottom or lift-and-drop.
Live-Bait Rigs
Lindy rig
A sliding sinker rig that presents live bait naturally along the bottom.
- When: When walleye are on the bottom, especially in warmer months and around structure.
- Bait: Nightcrawlers, leeches, or minnows.
- How: Cast or drift, drag slowly, and let the fish take the bait before setting the hook.
Crawler harness with bottom bouncer
A spinner blade, beads, and a hook with a nightcrawler, fished behind a bottom bouncer weight. A classic boat technique for covering water.
- When: Summer and early fall on lakes with large flats and structure.
- How: Troll slowly, keeping the bouncer ticking along the bottom.
Slip bobber
Suspends live bait or a small jig at a specific depth.
- When: For walleye holding at a known depth, along weed edges, or in shallower water.
- How: Set the depth, cast, and watch the bobber.
Crankbaits
Shallow-diving minnow crankbait
A slim, minnow-shaped lure that's easy to cast and retrieve.
- When: At dawn, dusk, and night along rocky shorelines. Excellent in spring and fall.
- How: Slow, steady retrieve with occasional pauses. Strikes often come on the pause.
- Shore or boat: Both, and a top choice for shore anglers.
Deep-diving crankbait
Reaches walleye holding on ledges, humps, and drop-offs.
- When: For trolling or casting to deeper structure.
- How: Troll at a steady speed or cast and retrieve.
- Shore or boat: Mostly boat, via trolling.
Metal Baits
Blade bait
A compact metal lure that vibrates when ripped up and allowed to fall.
- When: Cooler water, in fall and early spring, and for fish near the bottom.
- How: Lift sharply, let it flutter back, and repeat. Most strikes come on the fall.
- Shore or boat: Both.
Jigging spoon
A heavy spoon that flashes as it falls, good for deep water and current.
- When: Deeper fish, river holes, and vertical jigging from a boat.
- How: Drop to the bottom, lift, and let it flutter.
Swimbaits
A soft swimbait on a jig head imitates a baitfish and can be fished at any depth.
- When: When walleye are actively feeding on baitfish, especially in fall.
- How: Reel steadily along the bottom or just above it.
- Shore or boat: Both.
A Beginner Starter Kit
A compact walleye kit that covers most situations:
- Jig heads in 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 oz
- Soft plastic minnows or paddle-tails (natural and bright colors)
- A Lindy rig with a few sinkers and hooks
- A shallow-diving minnow crankbait
- A blade bait
- Live bait if allowed, such as minnows, leeches, or nightcrawlers
Match the Lure to the Season
| Season | Strong choices |
|---|---|
| Spring | Jig and minnow, crankbaits along shallow shorelines, slip bobber |
| Summer | Crawler harness, Lindy rig, deeper crankbaits, jig and minnow at night |
| Fall | Jig and minnow, swimbaits, blade baits, minnow crankbaits at night |
| Winter (ice) | Jigging spoons, small jigs with minnows |
Color Quick Guide
- Clear water: Natural colors such as silver, perch, and shiner patterns.
- Stained water: Chartreuse, orange, and bright accents.
- Low light and night: Glow, white, and dark silhouettes.
- Bright sun: Subtle, natural colors and smaller baits.
Handling and Tackle Tips
- Live bait care: Keep minnows and crawlers cool and lively. Check local rules about live bait use and transport.
- Hook sharpness: Sharp hooks matter, since walleye have soft mouths and light bites.
- Leader choice: A fluorocarbon leader helps in clear water.
- Right gear for the bait: For rod and line recommendations, see best rod and reel for walleye.
FAQ
What's the best bait for walleye? A jig tipped with a live minnow is a classic and works almost everywhere.
What's the best lure for walleye at night? A shallow-diving minnow crankbait retrieved slowly along a rocky shoreline.
Do walleye bite artificial lures? Yes. Crankbaits, blade baits, jigs with soft plastics, and swimbaits all catch walleye well.
What color is best for walleye? Natural colors in clear water, brighter or glow colors in stained water and low light.
Related: Walleye Fishing for Beginners and Fall Walleye Fishing.