I'm really a novice when it comes to walleye fishing but I'm trying to learn more about it. They sure are tasty little critters. I'm primarily a pan fisherman but there is room in my basket for them eyes too! I've really enjoyed these forums and hearing from guys who know a lot more than me about fishing. Fishing is one of those things that many guys are pretty tight lipped about sharing their success which makes it pretty hard for the new guys sometimes. I'm glad to be here and I'll just thank you all in advance for sharing. I recently read an article that talked about walleye fishing actually being good on a day with a little chop on the surface , overcast and maybe even a little rain in the mix. What is you guys experience with this, do you go fishing on a day like this ( don the rainsuit and fill up the thermos ), or just roll over and go back to sleep? I know you can't cath em from yer couch, but I guess you can dream about it.LOL
Avid outdoorsman NE Indiana

i mostly troll for eyes and yes i have had my best day wen it is cloudy and wen thear is a chop on the water i like about a 1 or 2ft chop seames to make it the best where i fish
art forrester

There's a reason they call it a "walleye chop". I find walleye ishing is best when the conditions are not so comfy for the fisherman. Shortly before or after ice. Fairly stiff breeze (a drift sock is a great thing to have). Overcast and drizzly (a good rainsuit is a must).
Be Fishers of Men, You catch, He Cleans Trophy Life Member

Wetaline,

 

         I live in Montana and find that some lakes produce better at night, some on cloudy windy days, but the lakes I fish most are producing 25-40 eyes day. During the day! Sometimes the morning bite is really good, but most fish are caught through out the day. It seems to slow down for the night bite! I guess it depends on the lake your fishing. So my advice to you is to fish any time you can; and see what is the best time,weather conditions, wind and direction etc. But it's better to stay off the couch and try to find out the best ways to catch em then to dream about them!

 

                          Joe   LM  03

I'm sure that if I hang around here long enough some of you all's knowledge might rub off on me. There is plenty of room for it, trust me *chuckle* I've taken a few charter trips to lake Erie and have caught about a dozen walleye ( Thats a 250 mile trip one way, ouch) We got em in many lakes to the north of me. One of these lakes is over a hundred feet deep and is so clear that you can see down at least 30 ft. I've been trying that one at night, but so far no luck. by far my best fishing success usually occurs in my dreams..... I usually tear em up.... LOL...
Avid outdoorsman NE Indiana

Light is a huge factor, but not the only one. Cloud cover and chop help to diffuse light penetration. To me, bottom structure is the most important part of walleye fishing. Find structure and you will find walleye. Morning fishing for walleye is over-rated. Evenings are usually better because of lower concentrated light than midday. Active walleye can be found most any time of the day...just be sure fish an area where they "should" be (rock piles, weedlines, reefs/humps, etc.). I fish midday mostly now because of other commitments and do just as well as most others. See attached for a midday catch in Northern Ontario...

Wetaline,

 

     I have to agree with WalleyeWayne 90%, (no offence Wayne)The 10% is that some Lakes do fish better in the morning and at dusk. I fish Montana and find that the morning is sometimes the best part of the day. Of coarse this is not always the case. As Wayne states location is key.

      Clear water can be lots harder to fish. Spooking fish may be the problem. If so try using planer boards or lead core line. Anything to keep you lines away from the boat. Long lineing may also help. And when fishing suspende fish keep lures back 175 - 200 feet back.

 

                                  Joe     LM  03

Long lining is effective but it sure makes the turns a lot of fun if you have more than 1 line out! Tom

The one I like about inclimate weather is no pleasure boaters! That opens up the main lake points and spot on the spot on main lake flats. It also makes it easier to long line troll without the jet skis and big boats crossing your lines. With the start of archery season the lake gets even more peacful, aaaaahhhhhh! Long line trolling tip with more than one rod out. Be patient and plot out your route well ahead. A lot easier in early spring and fall and during bad weather.

Anything that keeps the go fasts at home is good. Granted they are entitled to use the lake also, but I sure don't miss them when they are not out! Tom

It's not the courteous ones I'm talking about. You know the ones on jet skis that blast thru your spread ten foot behind the boat, taking a pole overboard. Or the penis envy cabin cruiser making full throttle passes just outside the launch ramp bouys trying to swamp his buddy who's launching at the time. Yeah those ones.

It definitely can be tough on a fisherman when the recreation boaters take to the lake. Thankfully, most of them don't get cranked up till about 10 am or so. In the summer months that gives you about 4 or 5 good hours. I wish you guys lived a little closer to me so you could help me out with this one particular lake. Clear Lake in stueben county , Indiana is a beautiful glacier made lake with a surface area of 800 acres. Max depth is 107 ft and the average depth is 31 feet. Like its name says its really clear when its not in the turning process and you can see down about 3o feet. I think you guys are right about the possibility of spooking the fish because of this. Its also the only lake around I know of that has pretty good weedbeds down around 45 ft deep in some areas. The DNR has stocked rainbows and browns and walleye for years and the numbers are pretty decent. Our state record rainbow trout 18 1/2# came out of this lake. I've also seen some hawg bluegills 12" plus reportedly caught in this lake ( of course he wouldn't tell me where). Do any of you know where to get detailed maps for a lakes structure? I've got a map but only has the contoured lines showing the depth. I really like this lake because of the variety and diversity as a fishery, but I haven't been on it more than a handful of times. I caught a 10 inch redear and a half dozen perch in the 8-9 in. range. Its gonna take a little time to learn this lake and I know a map would help out tremendously.
Avid outdoorsman NE Indiana

Your states DNR's website should have printable maps. Take map to the lake with you and when you mark interesting structure on your fishfinder, just mark it on your map. Good place to start is where your map shows sharp breaks and nearby flats and interesting spots nearby. To learn a lake quicker just go out with your map and fishfinder and check things out, don't worry about fishing, just learn the lake. As for baits and tactics, think planer boards, trout colored cranks and swimbaits. Oh and invest in some flourocarbon line. Hope that helps.

I think a GPS unit is worthwhile for this and you don't need a $400+ unit to do the job, a $100 unit will work just fine. Tom

when the weather is bad get out and fish as long as theres no lightning or huge waves that will throw your line around

Wetaline you mentioned weedlines that go to 45 ft deep. That would be a good place to start, there's a NAFC article on fishing weedlines with a jig and gulp minnows. Your best bet if you can't get out in the morning or evening is to fish the shaded side of the weeds during the day. Other than that I've been struggling this summer catching walleyes out of lakes. Been doing good in rivers but lakes eh. Been fishing deep humps and points and the water has been colored light to heavy stained with some mudlines. Best fish was caught on a bottom bouncer in 10 ft of water but it was only 13 inches.

You might want to check out the "Sportsman Connection Northern Indiana Fishing Map Guide"  I got mine at Wal-Ma*T.  You could see if it has the info you want before you buy.  It also has all, or most, of the lakes in the northern indiana area.  I do not know where you live but there are several lakes that have Walleye in them.  I just spent a week "chasing eyes" on Crooked Lake.  Did not catch any but I have heard they are there.

try Dragging Jigs with 1/2 a crawler too.....   as I was told, "if you are hanging up go faster... if you can not feel the bottom go slower"

my e-mail is   tmstclai@yahoo.com