Edges and the Walleye Zone

Structure fishing theory proposes that fish like walleyes tend to concentrate along the edges of changes in the underwater environment. Depth changes, edges of cover, or transitions in bottom type form visible edges that fish relate to. Long edges are termed breaklines. Going a step farther, variations along such edges further concentrate fish. The tip of a point, a turn in a weedline, a rockpile along an edge—all are breaks on a breaklines, potential fish attractors. While basic structure fishing theory remains, many related concepts have been modified. We now know that active fish don’t necessarily move up and down structure, changing depth. And we know that fish don’t necessarily leave cover once feeding concludes; but may remain until the next foraging opportunity. Daily feeding-related movements may not exist in some environments, while in others, they’re common. Evaluate each body of water for what it offers fish, and how walleyes might adapt to it. Apply structure fishing theory where it’s appropriate. Remember, it’s a good guide, but not a hard-and-fast rule.

Also, walleyes may suspend in open water off a structure, moving inward and contacting a point or hump during prime feeding times at dawn and dusk. But they certainly don’t always make substantial depth changes on a daily basis. Their bodies aren’t capable of dealing with extreme pressure changes in rapid fashion, whereas horizontal movement within a limited depth range creates little additional stress.

Surprisingly, walleyes may simultaneously display radically different forms of behavior in the same body of water. Varieties of habitat and food sources lead fish to adapt differently to local conditions. Some walleyes may remain in shallow cover while others use the edges of classic structure; at the same time, other groups of walleyes may relate to deep structure, while suspended schools ply open water for suspended baitfish. Each group develops its own rhythm of activity cycles and behavior, perhaps appearing totally different from those displayed by other groups, yet totally logical in the big picture.

Walleyes or other gamefish simply adapt to their environment, and complex environments often display more than one pattern of fish use. This often confuses novice anglers, while veterans merely shrug and accept multiple patterns. Experienced anglers focus their angling efforts toward individual populations when they’re most catchable, such as under favorable weather conditions or more productive times of day—fishing shallow cover areas in low-light conditions, then focusing on deep-water populations during the day. To increase your odds for success, take advantage of daily activity cycles and select a presentation appropriate to conditions.

Reading Water

A good walleye angler, therefore, must not only be open-minded, but also versatile and adaptable. Once you establish potential options in different lake zones, it’s necessary to select and present lures or baits in those areas in an effective manner. And that can be a complex proposition. Walleyes no longer are simply considered fish of deep rocky structure. Today, they’re pursued everywhere from shallow weed and wood cover, to deep water structure, to vast offshore suspended locations, to river current, to huge impoundments with substantial seasonal migrations.

Before applying structure fishing theory, it’s necessary to determine the types of environmental options available to the fish and how they might adapt to them. Ask questions of local anglers or at bait shops. Determine what the locals do to catch fish. That’s a starting point, but not the finish line.

Begin by exploring options you know will produce. Then expand your search in other potential directions. You never know where that search might take you. But with such versatile and adaptable gamefish, at least a portion of the population isn’t receiving its fair share of angling attention. Untapped fish often provide some of the best trophy potential—from urban settings with lots of angling competition to wilderness destinations that attract only a few boats per year.

In all cases, the better you read the water, determine potentially productive patterns, and fish in an effective manner, the more and bigger walleyes you’ll catch. While structure fishing offers an edge, it’s not the only edge. Don’t simply use your depthfinder to fish edges for edges sake. Focus on seasonally appropriate areas and habitat, then look for breaks and breaklines. You must be in the zone before you have an edge, and there’s no better edge than structure fishing for catching walleyes.