Expert Walleye Fishing Guide
Experience professional guided fishing trips in the Brainerd Lakes area and Central Minnesota with Captain Nick Retka of The Fish Guyd Guide Service. With extensive knowledge of walleye biology, seasonal walleye movements, and proven fishing techniques, Captain Nick consistently puts anglers on fish throughout the year. Many trips take place on some of the region’s top fisheries, including Gull Lake, Pelican Lake, the Whitefish Chain, North Long Lake, and Mille Lacs Lake. This guide explains where walleyes move throughout the seasons, the water temperatures that trigger feeding activity, and the tactics experienced guides use to catch them. Whether you’re targeting trophy walleye, bass, northern pike, or panfish, our guided fishing trips provide the local knowledge, advanced electronics, and premium gear needed for a successful day on the water.
Biology
Understanding the species of fish you are targeting on a scientific level will aid in quickle locating walleyes as well as selecting the proper lure and presentation!
Tactics
Tactics can be one of the most confusing as well as important pieces of the puzzle to catching fish!
With So many options in lure selection, colors, weights, live bait selection, and retirieve styles, Here at The Fish Guyd Guide Service we are here to help!
Seasonal Patterns
As seasons and water temperatures change, so do the fish. Knowing What they are doing and Why during every season is a major key to successfully putting fish in the boat on a regular basis!
Walleye Biology
Walleye (Sander vitreus) are one of the most sought-after freshwater gamefish in North America, prized for both their challenging behavior and exceptional table quality. Native to the cool lakes and rivers of the northern United States and Canada, walleyes are highly adapted predators with large, light-sensitive eyes that allow them to feed efficiently in low-light conditions. They typically prefer water temperatures between about 60–70°F and often relate to structure such as rocky points, gravel bars, weed edges, and mid-lake humps where baitfish concentrate. Their seasonal movements are strongly tied to spawning cycles, water temperature, forage availability, and light levels. In spring, walleyes move shallow to spawn on gravel and rocky areas, while summer often finds them shifting deeper or suspending near baitfish schools. As fall approaches and water cools, they frequently return to shallower structure to feed heavily before winter. Understanding these biological patterns—along with how factors like wind, current, and time of day influence feeding behavior—helps anglers predict walleye location and apply the right tactics to consistently catch fish throughout the year.
Where to Catch Walleyes Each Month (Complete Seasonal Guide)
May Walleye Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 42–55°F
Where Walleyes Are:
In May, walleyes remain near spawning areas after finishing their spring spawn. Fish are commonly found on shallow gravel bars, rocky shorelines, river mouths, and wind-blown points, typically in 6–12 feet of water. Wind pushes baitfish toward these areas, making them prime feeding locations.
Best Techniques:
Jig and minnow worked slowly along bottom
Casting shallow crankbaits on windy shorelines
Pitching jigs to shallow rock structure
Guide Tip:
Wind is your best friend in May. Walleyes often position on the windward side of structure where baitfish concentrate.
June Walleye Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 55–65°F
Where Walleyes Are:
Walleyes transition away from spawning areas and begin using first breaklines, emerging weed edges, and shallow reefs near deeper water.
Best Techniques:
Slip bobbers with leeches
Live bait rigs with crawlers
Casting crankbaits over rock structure
Guide Tip:
Focus on wind-blown weed edges and shoreline breaks where baitfish and insect hatches attract feeding walleyes.
July Walleye Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 70–75°F
Where Walleyes Are:
During mid-summer, walleyes move deeper and commonly hold on mid-lake humps, deeper rock reefs, and sharp breaklines near the thermocline.
Best Techniques:
Bottom bouncer with spinner rigs
Trolling deep diving crankbaits
Live bait rigs along breaklines
Guide Tip:
Use electronics to locate baitfish. Where bait is concentrated, walleyes are usually close by.
August Walleye Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 70–78°F
Where Walleyes Are:
Walleyes often follow suspended baitfish like ciscoes or smelt, which means fish may suspend over deep basins rather than hugging bottom structure.
Best Techniques:
Lead core trolling with crankbaits
Open water trolling over basins
Targeting suspended fish on electronics
Guide Tip:
If fish disappear from structure, start looking over deep water where bait schools are located.
September Walleye Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 60–68°F
Where Walleyes Are:
Cooling water triggers walleyes to move back onto rock reefs, shoreline breaks, and feeding structure near deep water.
Best Techniques:
Jig and minnow presentations
Casting crankbaits along rock shorelines
Trolling breaklines
Guide Tip:
Early fall winds push baitfish shallow, creating excellent feeding opportunities on wind-blown structure.
October Walleye Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 50–60°F
Where Walleyes Are:
Walleyes move shallower and feed heavily before winter. Fish concentrate along rocky shorelines, wind-blown points, and shallow reefs.
Best Techniques:
Casting shallow crankbaits
Jigging large minnows
Slow trolling shallow rock structure
Guide Tip:
Many trophy walleyes are caught during low-light periods or after dark in October.
November Walleye Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 40–48°F
Where Walleyes Are:
Walleyes group tightly near steep breaklines, basin edges, and river channels close to wintering areas.
Best Techniques:
Vertical jigging with minnows
Blade baits
Slow bottom presentations
Guide Tip:
Fish are often tight to bottom and feed during short windows of activity.
December Walleye Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 32–38°F (early ice)
Where Walleyes Are:
Early ice walleyes often move back toward first breaklines, weed edges, and shoreline structure.
Best Techniques:
Jigging spoons with minnows
Rattle baits
Dead stick rigs
Guide Tip:
Most bites occur during sunset and nighttime feeding windows.
January Walleye Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 32–36°F
Where Walleyes Are:
Walleyes often slide slightly deeper and hold along basin edges and mid-lake structure.
Best Techniques:
Dead stick rigs with live minnows
Small jigging spoons
Slow jigging presentations
Guide Tip:
Subtle presentations are key because fish are often less aggressive during mid-winter.
February Walleye Fishing
Typical Water Temperature: 33–38°F
Where Walleyes Are:
As daylight increases, walleyes begin staging near river mouths, gravel bars, and traditional spawning areas.
Best Techniques:
Aggressive jigging spoons
Jigging raps
Minnow tipped jigs
Guide Tip:
Late winter can produce some of the largest walleyes of the season as fish prepare for the upcoming spawn.
Trophy Walleyes Caught on our Charters
We cover a large area in Central Minnesota, if you have any questions about a certain lake or a certain species of fish don’t hesitate to call. We are very accommodating and can come up with a plan to make any sort of trip work. If you need multiple boats we are also able to get more guides to handle larger group trips! Our goal is to make your fishing trip easy, comfortable, and full of fish catching excitement!