UTERWalleye fishing in Minnesota freshwater
In Minnesota freshwater, walleye peak April–June and October and December–January and are around year-round, spawning in April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Ice walleye — Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs, Upper Red at dusk.
Fall walleye on the rock reefs at night.
Walleye in Minnesota freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakIce walleye — Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs, Upper Red at dusk.
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArrivingInland season closed through the spawn (mid-Feb to the May opener); Rainy River open.
- AprilSpawningRainy River spring run — the best spring walleye trip in the state.
- MayPeakFishing Opener in mid-May: jigs and shiners on the shallow sand.
- JunePeak
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeakFall walleye on the rock reefs at night.
- NovemberAround
- DecemberPeakFirst ice on the shallow bays.
Where to fish walleye near Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake
The land of lakes: walleye, pike, muskie, perch and crappie on ten thousand lakes, half the year through the ice — Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Leech, Red — plus the Rainy River's walleye and sturgeon.
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 Minnesota freshwater?
Peak season is April–June and October and December–January, with fish spawning in April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Walleye are here year-round. January: Ice walleye — Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs, Upper Red at dusk.
Where do walleye hold in Minnesota freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, river, bridge, dock / pilings — around Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake, Upper Red Lake, Lake Vermilion, Rainy River.
What is the best bait for walleye in Minnesota 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 Minnesota freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota DNR) and change — read the current rule at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/fishing/index.html.
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 · Minnesota fresh water, the whole year