Collection: Walleye Fishing Lures

Walleye Fishing Lures: Proven Tackle That Brings in Big Eyes

Walleye are one of the most sought-after freshwater gamefish in North America, and for good reason. They fight hard, roam deep, and—most importantly—they taste incredible. But catching walleye consistently requires the right tools, and it all starts with choosing the right walleye fishing lures.

At Outdoor Junction, our collection of walleye lures is designed to help you catch more fish across all seasons and conditions. Whether you’re trolling expansive lakes or jigging deep river channels, this guide will break down the best types of walleye lures, how to use them, and why our handpicked selection gives you an edge over the competition.

Why Walleye Are Hard to Catch Without the Right Lure

Walleye have a reputation for being finicky. They’re light biters, often active at dawn, dusk, or under cloud cover, and they regularly suspend at different depths throughout the water column. That means using the wrong lure—or fishing it the wrong way—can cost you bites.

What makes our lures effective is that they’re tested on real waters and chosen to match the feeding habits of walleye in a variety of habitats. Our lures cover everything from high-action crankbaits to subtle soft plastics and deadly jigging spoons. The key is matching the right presentation to the right time and place.

Top Types of Walleye Fishing Lures

1. Jig Heads and Soft Plastics

The foundation of any walleye angler’s arsenal. A 1/8 to 3/8 oz jig head paired with a paddle tail or fluke-style plastic is deadly. Drag it along the bottom, hop it down ledges, or vertical jig it in deeper holes. In colder water, a slow presentation with a natural-colored minnow-style plastic is your best bet.

2. Hard Bait Crankbaits

Walleye love crankbaits, especially at night or when trolling. Use shallow-diving models in spring and fall when fish move up to feed, and deep-divers in summer to reach suspended schools. Shad colors, purples, and chrome finishes work well in clear water, while fire tiger or chartreuse are perfect for murky conditions.

3. Blade Baits

Blade baits offer flash and vibration that trigger strikes in cold or stained water. Vertically jigged near the bottom or hopped along drop-offs, they imitate fleeing baitfish and provoke aggressive bites, especially in spring and late fall.

4. Jigging Spoons

When fish are deep or tightly schooled, jigging spoons are incredibly effective. Use them for ice fishing or summer jigging over humps and breaks. A sharp snap-drop technique often gets the bite.

5. Live Bait Rigs (Paired with Floating Lures)

For slow presentations in current or when fish are finicky, float rigs with leeches or nightcrawlers can outperform anything else. Use with bottom bouncers, slip sinkers, or drifting setups for natural, subtle movement.

When to Use Each Lure Type

• Spring: Jig heads and soft plastics shine. Fish are shallow and aggressive during the spawn.

• Summer: Trolling deep-diving crankbaits and using bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses is a go-to.

• Fall: Jigging spoons, blade baits, and medium-diving cranks work as fish feed heavily before winter.

• Winter: Ice anglers rely on jigging spoons and small blade baits. Tip them with a minnow head for extra scent and flash.

Best Colors for Walleye Lures

Color matters. While conditions and water clarity vary, here are some general rules:

• Clear Water: Natural colors like silver, white, and perch patterns

• Stained Water: Chartreuse, orange, gold, and fire tiger

• Low Light/Night: Black, purple, and glow finishes

Having a range of colors allows you to adapt to changing light and water conditions throughout the day.

Gear Setup for Walleye Lures

You don’t need a massive tackle box, but having the right setup helps:

• Medium-light spinning rods (6'6" to 7'6")

• Spinning reels with smooth drags

• 6-10 lb fluorocarbon or braid with a fluorocarbon leader

This gives you sensitivity, stealth, and strength—everything you need for targeting light-biting fish like walleye.

Walleye Fishing FAQs

What depth do walleye feed at?

It depends on the time of year. Spring and fall typically see walleye in 4-15 ft, while summer can push them into 20-40+ ft depths. A good sonar unit helps you stay on fish.

Are crankbaits or jigs better for walleye?

Both are effective, but crankbaits cover more water and work well for active fish. Jigs offer precision and excel when fish are holding tight to structure or aren’t chasing.

Can I use live bait with these lures?

Yes. Tip jig heads and spoons with minnows, or use nightcrawlers and leeches on rigs for added scent and realism.

Do I need a boat to fish walleye lures?

No. Shore fishing with jigs, casting crankbaits near structure, or drifting live bait rigs can be very productive.

Why Buy Walleye Lures from Outdoor Junction?

Our walleye collection is built by anglers, not marketers. We hand-select lures based on real-world performance, not hype. You get:

• Proven lures that consistently catch walleye

• Color and size options for every condition

• Affordable prices and fast shipping

• Expert-curated selections for all skill levels

If it doesn’t help you catch more fish, we don’t stock it.

Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Walleye Game

Walleye fishing can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. With the right lures, you can consistently target and catch more fish in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Whether you’re finesse jigging or trolling the big water, our lures help you stay one step ahead of the bite.

👉 Browse our full walleye lure collection now and get ready to land your next trophy.