UTERWalleye fishing in New York freshwater
In New York freshwater, walleye peak April–June and October–November and are around year-round, spawning in April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Oneida, Chautauqua and the Finger Lakes' rivers — spring season opens in May; check DEC.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Walleye in New York freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArriving
- AprilSpawningOneida, Chautauqua and the Finger Lakes' rivers — spring season opens in May; check DEC.
- MayPeak
- JunePeak
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish walleye near Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain
Oneida's walleye and perch, the Finger Lakes' lakers, Champlain and the St. Lawrence for bass and muskie, Catskill trout rivers, Adirondack ponds, and the Great Lakes runs (see the lake guides).
What to use for walleye
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- LeechesHooked once through the sucker end on a #8 to #4 hook under a slip bobber or on a live-bait rig — walleye and smallmouth can't leave them alone.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 34–78°F water, best at 55–70°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch walleye in New York freshwater?
Peak season is April–June and October–November, with fish spawning in April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Walleye are here year-round. April: Oneida, Chautauqua and the Finger Lakes' rivers — spring season opens in May; check DEC.
Where do walleye hold in New York freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, river, bridge, dock / pilings — around Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain, St. Lawrence River, Lake George, Catskill rivers.
What is the best bait for walleye in New York freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), leeches, nightcrawlers. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for walleye in New York freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and change — read the current rule at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/fishing-license.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores walleye for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about walleye · New York fresh water, the whole year