Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013 - 15

Rocky areas and runs like this section of the Susquehanna River often hold walleyes in
water that is just a bit slower than that preferred by smallmouth bass, though they can be
caught side by side at times.

primary forage. Remember that the forage in rivers changes
in size with the season and grows as summer turns into fall.
Crankbaits work well for walleyes when water is higher,
in low light conditions and when fish may be aggressive.
They should be fished so that they bounce off and are in
some contact with the bottom. Jigs are a common option to
fish for river walleyes. They come in many weights, colors
and materials, depending on where you will be fishing.
Brighter jig colors work in off colored water and in dimmer
conditions. Muted, natural colors are good in clearer waters.
Jigs for walleyes should usually be fished as slow and deep as
possible. Hopping a jig along the bottom of a rocky pool has
produced walleyes all over Pennsylvania. Assume that you
will lose a number of jigs each time that you head out. This
will occur both with snags and when other toothy fish like
pike and muskies grab them. Tip your
jig with a fathead minnow or shiner
to offer a more tempting presentation,
and in colder water or for finicky fish.
Fishing with bait alone can also catch
walleyes once you find them, and
anglers often fish minnows, leeches,
crayfish and worms. Keep in mind that
if you fish with bait on the bottom, you
will also likely catch catfish, and your
fish will be harder to release.

River walleyes tend to concentrate around
rocky areas below river obstructions. Deep
runs and pools in these areas often produce
nice fish.

area, some wind on the water can often get walleyes biting.
For the truly adventurous, there are some great fishing
opportunities after dark. Late summer and early fall fishing
is one time that walleyes can bite well after dark. Since
walleyes prefer to feed in lower light conditions, the clear
skies and clear, low waters of later summer and early fall
will often lead to very challenging walleye fishing during
the day. Target the same rocky points, runs and other
structures that you have found to produce during other
times of the year, and you may have a feeding bonanza
starting at dusk. Live bait works well after dark, particularly
when fished on a bobber rig. Regardless of whether you
are fishing with lures or bait, keep your rigging as simple as
possible during the dark and maintain contact with the end
of the line at all times.

When to fish

It’s no secret that walleyes like low
light conditions. A bright sunny day
in a cloudless sky is a poor time to fish
for walleyes. Instead, try the mornings
and the evenings. Look for cloudy
conditions in both the river and the
skies to get walleyes in a biting mood.
If you’re fishing a larger pool or calmer
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

Western Pennsylvania rivers are great places to fish for walleyes. If you can’t find a
section of river that seems to harbor walleyes, try targeting river mouths like this section
of the Ohio River.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • September/October 2013

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2013

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