Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 14
Fishing for
River
Walleyes
by Carl Haensel
photos by the author
Heading out on a river in Pennsylvania is an adventure in
fishing for different species. From crappies to catfish, there
are literally dozens of different gamefish species that can be
caught. Walleyes fall into this group of river fish, although
fewer anglers target them in Pennsylvania than in some
other states. When I come back to shore with good walleyes,
people often ask how, where and what I caught them on.
While there are no hard and fast secrets, here are some tips
to catching river walleyes.
Finding fish
River walleyes are not particularly finicky fish. Once you
find them, they often bite on a variety of baits and lures.
Finding them, however, can be a challenge for many anglers.
Begin by comparing them to other common river fish that
you may already target. If you fish for smallmouth bass,
walleyes will often be found in somewhat slower and deeper
water than smallmouth bass. Conversely, they often prefer
faster and shallower water than channel catfish. Walleyes are
rarely found holding suspended in rivers. They are usually
tight to the bottom in deeper runs and pools. Slow, stagnant
water is not where you will find river walleyes. Rocky or
woody areas with large amounts of cover and structure
are the starting point on almost all rivers. Dams on large
mainstem rivers also regularly hold walleyes. Wing dams,
riprap and other large rocky points are focal areas for walleyes
below dams. Pay special attention to safety and regulations
when fishing below a dam.
14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • September/October 2013
River walleyes are typically a bit darker and skinnier than their
lake counterparts, since they are usually working against the
current most of their lives.
Rigging for walleyes
Most anglers find that a spinning rod rigged with
6-pound-test line is adequate for walleyes in Pennsylvania.
Walleyes can be line shy, and larger lines can startle them
at times, though those lines may be needed to lose fewer
lures in snag prone locations. River walleyes can be caught
on many different baits and lures. Three primary categories
catch most walleyes: hard baits, jigs and live bait. Hard
baits that work well are generally types of lipped diving
crankbaits. These imitate different natural baits such as
minnows, young gamefish and crayfish. Pay close attention
to the river that you are fishing and choose the type, color
and size of crankbait that most closely resembles the
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013
Straight Talk
Contents
Fall River Fishing for Pike
Tying the Male Trico Spinner
Your Fishing Field Guide
Pork—Something Old is New Again
Fishing for River Walleyes
The First Big Wave of Steelhead
Pennsylvania State Archives Ceremony Honors Ralph W. Abele
Notes from the Stream
Reflecting on the Water
Pennsylvania State-Record Fish
Do-it-yourself GPS
Towing ABCs
Estrogenic Compounds in Waterways
Tow Vehicle Organization
Fall Feeding Frenzy Bass
Saving the Leviathan
Saving the Leviathan
Beyond Steelhead: The Other Lake Erie Tributary Runs
Beyond Steelhead: The Other Lake Erie Tributary Runs
2013 State-Fish Art Contest Winners
2013 State-Fish Art Contest Winners
What You Need to Know About Dropshotting
What You Need to Know About Dropshotting
Fall PLAY Newsletter
Fall PLAY Newsletter
State Wildlife Action Plan: Identifying Threats to Pennsylvania’s At-Risk Aquatic Species by Diana Day and Chris Urban
State Wildlife Action Plan: Identifying Threats to Pennsylvania’s At-Risk Aquatic Species by Diana Day and Chris Urban
Fall Trolling for Trout
Fall Trolling for Trout
Currents
Currents
Angler’s Notebook
Angler’s Notebook
Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Cast & Caught
Cast & Caught
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Straight Talk
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Fall River Fishing for Pike
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Tying the Male Trico Spinner
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Your Fishing Field Guide
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Pork—Something Old is New Again
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Fishing for River Walleyes
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - The First Big Wave of Steelhead
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Pennsylvania State Archives Ceremony Honors Ralph W. Abele
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Notes from the Stream
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Reflecting on the Water
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Pennsylvania State-Record Fish
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Do-it-yourself GPS
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Towing ABCs
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 27
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Estrogenic Compounds in Waterways
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 29
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Tow Vehicle Organization
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Fall Feeding Frenzy Bass
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Saving the Leviathan
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 35
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Beyond Steelhead: The Other Lake Erie Tributary Runs
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 38
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 39
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 2013 State-Fish Art Contest Winners
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - What You Need to Know About Dropshotting
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 43
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 44
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Fall PLAY Newsletter
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 46
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 47
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 49
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 50
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 51
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - State Wildlife Action Plan: Identifying Threats to Pennsylvania’s At-Risk Aquatic Species by Diana Day and Chris Urban
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 53
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Fall Trolling for Trout
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 55
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 56
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Currents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 58
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 59
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 60
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 61
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 62
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Cast & Caught
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - Cover4
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