UTERWalleye fishing in Washington freshwater
In Washington freshwater, walleye peak February–June and November and are around year-round, spawning in April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. February: Columbia River trophy pre-spawn females below McNary and John Day dams.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Walleye in Washington freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryPeakColumbia River trophy pre-spawn females below McNary and John Day dams.
- MarchPeakBiggest walleye of the year on the Columbia.
- AprilSpawningSpawn on the rock in the Columbia pools.
- MayPeak
- JunePeak
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish walleye near Columbia River, Hanford Reach, Lake Chelan
The Columbia's walleye, smallmouth, shad, salmon and sturgeon, Puget Sound steelhead rivers, Lake Chelan's lakers and kokanee, and eastern Washington's lowland lakes.
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 Washington freshwater?
Peak season is February–June and November, with fish spawning in April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Walleye are here year-round. February: Columbia River trophy pre-spawn females below McNary and John Day dams.
Where do walleye hold in Washington freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, river, bridge, dock / pilings — around Columbia River, Hanford Reach, Lake Chelan, Skagit River, Banks Lake, Lake Roosevelt.
What is the best bait for walleye in Washington 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 Washington freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing.
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All about walleye · Washington fresh water, the whole year