Stocking of Walleye
While the walleye is an indigenous fish to the state of Indiana, its natural distribution has been limited. As a result, Indianas Department of Natural Resources stocks walleyes in many lakes, rivers and reservoirs throughout the state for food and recreational sport. According to Walleye Central, an Indiana state record walleye weighing 14 pounds 4 ounces was caught from the Tippecanoe River in 1977.
Characteristics
According to Take Me Fishing.com, walleye are the largest member of the perch family and can reach a mature length over two feet. However, Indiana walleyes are normally caught around 12 to 15 inches and weighing 2 to 5 pounds. Female walleyes grow considerable larger and weigh more than males. Walleyes are olive-green and have gold flecks. The lower section of the tail has a white tip. Additional identifying features of walleye are large, glassy eyes that gave rise to their name. Also, walleyes have a black rear base with spiny dorsal fin lacking spots.
Early Spring Techniques
In the early spring, walleye congregate close to shore and in areas with sandy bottoms. In addition, they are found in weeds or around rocky structures, which are near areas of sand. The presence of sand is very important when it comes to spawning. Walleyes desire sandy bottoms to reproduce, in addition to a strong current, which oxygenate walleye eggs. Anglers should cast lures onto the sandy bottoms as walleyes behave extremely aggressively as spawning nears and will hit just about any lure thrown in their direction.
Night Walleyes
Night fishing provides anglers great opportunity to catch walleyes. Late spring and early summer offers excellent walleye night fishing. In evenings, as darkness begins to set large females emerge from deep water and cruise shallow spots along the shore for easy prey. Slipping in and out of from the deep areas to shallow, walleyes utilize the cover of darkness to gobble up oblivious minnows and baitfish. With glow in the dark floating bobbers and small split shots and baited hooks, anglers can cast 10 feet from shore and allow their line to drift. Walleye eyes glow eerily under water when light is shined upon them. However, their eyesight provides them great vision in nighttime, as they can spot baits as far a 20 feet away.
3-Way Swivel Rig
Walleyes traditional cling near the bottom, so an angler&039;s best chance of catching a large walleye is to get bait close to the bottom. According to Twin Lakes Outfitters, anglers that use a 3-way swivel rig can position their bait right on bottom, where the walleye lurk. Anglers can fashion the 3-way swivel rig with a worm harness. A 3-way swivel has three connection points. One attaches the swivel to the line. Then tie a two-foot piece of line to a one-ounce lead sinker. Finally, attach several feet of line to a worm harness or fishing lure. This rig is intend for trolling, however it can be used while fishing from a pier or from a high vantage point such as a cliff in fast current.
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