Refined Tactics For Lakes, Rivers, & Reservoirs

In reservoirs that offer little or no natural walleye spawning habitat, riprap—rock placed along shorelines to prevent wind and water erosion along the faces of dams, causeways, shorelines, or roads—naturally draws walleyes, particularly in soft-bottomed reservoirs where spawning areas are scarce.

The key to effectively trolling dam or causeway areas is to stagger lines and lures at different depths to cover the sloping rock face. Select lures that run at a different range of diving depths. Troll the shallowest version closest to the dam, and stagger deeper-running baits farther out. Weaving in and away from the dam is unnecessary and usually counterproductive, since it takes bait over open water instead of skimming the face of the rocks. Make occasional contact with the bottom, but avoid pounding lures or you’ll eventually get snagged.

Use different rod lengths to spread lines on the same side of the boat. Use 7- to 9-foot casting rods on outside lines and 51⁄2- to 6-food rods on inside lines. On the line closest to the dam, longline troll a shallow-running minnow-imitator on a 7- to 9-foot rod. Use a slightly deeper-running lure on the same side of the boat on a 51⁄2- to 6-foot rod. Do the same on the opposite side of the boat, but consider the slope of the rock face and the lure’s running depth to reach near bottom.

In spring, key on shoreline locations with dirty water to find walleyes on windy days. Long points swept by wind often provide straight contour edges to troll. Windswept shorelines and bays with dirty water also can be good. Trace shoreline contours, points, and bays using shad baits, like the Excalibur Shad-R or #5 and #7 Rapala Shad Rap. Occasionally troll over deeper water for walleyes suspended off the contour.

Reservoir locations with constant depth, like flats, are easiest to longline troll, especially on windy days and at night when walleyes move up shallow to search for food. Visually study the shoreline to locate potential locations. A slow-tapering landscape adjacent to reservoir shorelines often indicates a nearby flat. Many reservoirs flats have a fairly constant depth, although flats generally get deeper toward the main river channel, shallower toward shore. Troll flats using an S-shaped pattern to contact scattered fish. Identify any structure, such as timber or brush, baitfish locations, depth changes, or hard bottom areas on flats that attract walleyes.

Longline trolling can be refined to match different walleye waters. It takes time on the water to gain the experience to recognize good longline trolling locations and the adjustments needed in longlining presentations. Once you get a feel for the basic mechanics of longline trolling—how much line to let out; how fast to go; and what style, size, and color crankbait to use—simply refine your trolling presentation to match the locations you fish.