Indiana walleye fishing
When fast action and excellent taste matter, it’s hard to find a
better fish than the walleye. Although Indiana isn’t widely known for an
abundance of walleye
waters, the Hoosier state does offer some fabulous walleye fishing in
a number of natural lakes, reservoirs and rivers.
Anglers pursue walleye more than any other DNR-stocked fish. Surveys
indicate that of the nine fish species stocked by
the DNR, walleye is No. 1.
While the walleye is native to Indiana, its natural distribution has
been limited. As a result, the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife stocks
some lakes and rivers to provide walleye action for anglers.
One of the earliest recorded walleye stockings dates back to 1891.
During the ‘30s, fishing enthusiasts annually placed 15-20 million fry
(recently hatched walleye) in Indiana waters. The DNR began stocking
walleye in 1970.
Since natural walleye reproduction is very limited and contributes
little to fishing, biologists use both walleye fry and fingerlings to
stock several lakes and rivers with walleye and hybrid walleye (a cross
between a female walleye and a male sauger, commonly called a saugeye).
Each April,
biologists collect walleye eggs from mature fish at Brookville Lake. This
egg collection supplies Indiana’s entire walleye program. Biologists
seek some 30 to 35 million eggs. After DNR fish hatcheries work their
science, these eggs result in about 17 million walleye fry, one million
1-2 inch fingerlings and 60,000 hybrid walleye fingerlings for stocking.
The DNR currently stocks fifteen impoundments, six natural lakes and
one river with walleye or hybrid walleye. Fisheries technicians conduct
creel surveys by interviewing anglers. The surveys have documented good
walleye fishing at:
Fisheries biologists have also developed quality walleye fishing in the
tailwaters below dams at Monroe, Salamonie, Mississinewa, Cagle’s Mill,
and Freeman lakes. The St. Joseph River in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties
is stocked in Indiana with Michigan-raised walleyes. Recent concerns about
fish genetics in St. Joseph River motivated the cooperative walleye
stocking with Michigan. Walleye Rules Anglers have a 14-inch minimum size
limit on 
walleyes.
The 14–inch minimum went into effect in 1996 because previous
regulations allowed anglers to harvest stocked walleye before they could
reach their growth potential. Fishermen were harvesting many 1– and
2–year-old walleyes that were only 8 to 12 inches long. To provide an
opportunity for the fish to grow larger, fisheries officials created the
14–inch minimum size. Sport fishermen led the call for the size limit.
Almost half of the anglers questioned in a 1994 statewide angler survey
supported or strongly supported a minimum length limit for walleye. The
14–inch minimum length limit applies to all waters except the St. Joseph
River in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties, the Ohio River and Sullivan
Lake. The St. Joe has a 15-inch minimum size limit to duplicate
Michigan’s walleye regulations on the river. Since the St. Joseph River
originates in Michigan on its path to Lake Michigan, flows through parts
of Indiana then returns to Michigan, one size limit throughout the river
provides uniformity in fishing rules and is easier for anglers to follow.
Anglers in all Indiana waters may keep up to six walleye singly or in
combination with sauger or saugeye.
Walleye Fishing Techniques
Whether you are a boat or shore angler, you can catch walleye
successfully. 
Lake or Reservoir Fishing
Fisheries biologist Steve Andrews recommends very simple, common fishing
techniques for anglers who are just starting to pursue walleye. Dedicated
walleye anglers use a variety of tackle, but Andrews says that these
specialized rigs are not necessary when you’re just starting out.
Fishing shad imitation or chartreuse colored crank baits along shore
lines and points during low-light and dark hours, similar to bass fishing,
can produce excellent walleye action. Get your lure down close to the
bottom. Use six to eight pound test line.
You can also use crank baits to troll. Trolling is one of the best ways
to cover large areas of water in search of walleye. Since walleye school
together, you can generally catch several fish in the same area once you
locate a group. Use lead head jigs, fished with or without bait, to work
potential areas thoroughly.
The large opaque eyes of a walleye are very efficient at gathering
light. They tend to retreat to deep, dark water during the day and move
into shallower areas (5-10 ft.) to feed at night. Walleye tend to prefer
rock or gravel bottoms, drop off areas and points. Standing timber areas
in reservoirs can be a good place to fish for walleye in mid summer.
River and Tailwater Fishing
Similar to lake walleye fishing, crank baits and jigs with twister tails
can be successful walleye lures in rivers. Biologist Gary Hudson also
recommends using a spinner bait, or simply a hook with a nightcrawler or
minnow suspended below a float and drifted in the current.Concentrate your
efforts in slack water areas.Walleye will often feed right on the edge
between slow water and swift current.
Walleye fishing in tailwaters depends greatly on the discharge from
dams, but 
fishing can be excellent from
March through May. When flows from the reservoirs are high, fish migrate
upstream toward the dam. Some walleye are also flushed from the reservoir
and hang below the dam. Reservoir tailwaters provide ample shore fishing
areas.
Angler Rules
Anglers have a 14-inch minimum size limit on walleyes. The 14-inch minimum
went into effect in 1996 because previous regulations allowed anglers to
harvest stocked walleye before they could reach their growth potential.
Fishermen were harvesting many 1- and 2-year-old walleyes that were
only 8 to 12 inches long.
To provide an opportunity for the fish to grow larger, fisheries
officials created the 14-inch minimum size. Sport fishermen led the call
for the size limit. Almost half of the anglers questioned in a 1994
statewide angler survey supported or strongly supported a minimum length
limit for walleye.
The 14-inch minimum length limit applies to all waters except the St.
Joseph River in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties and the Ohio River.
The St. Joe has a 15-inch minimum size limit to duplicate Michigan’s
walleye regulations on the river. Since the St. Joseph River originates in
Michigan on its path to Lake Michigan, flows through parts of Indiana then
returns to Michigan, one size limit throughout the river provides
uniformity in fishing rules and is easier for anglers to follow.
Anglers in all Indiana waters may keep up to six walleye singly or in
combination with sauger or saugeye.
Provided by Indiana DNR
