Walleye question

[Redlantern]

Not much of a walleye fisherman but was wondering about the sizes. I was catching a bunch of smaller fish, 12-13 inches, and was wondering if they stay with fish of mostly their own size. Also, do the larger ones tend to stay deeper than the smaller ones? I was on a lake about 300 acres in size with a 35 foot max depth. The fish I was catching were in 12 feet of water.

[My_Key]

It's been my experience that they tend to school with others close to their own size. As for depth, I've caught some of my biggest walleyes in less than 10 feet when they come in shallow to feed. But then again, I don't fish alot of bigger/deeper lakes so that might play a part as well.

[Redlantern]

Thanks for the insights.

[ANYFISH2]

Just personal observation I think like sizes school. Depth is kind of lake specific, but on off shore structure I have found small fish usually are in shallower parts of structure most of the day, larger fish deeper. Shoreline structure larger fish are often IN the weeds while smaller fish hangout off of the edge for most of the day.

[Hot_tamale]

yes, year classes tend to stick together. if you are on smaller fish, chances are you'll have to move a little to get to the bigger ones. could be 10 foot of difference or the other side of the lake.

as for bigger ones being deeper...NO that is definitely not true. It all depends on forage and where it's at. It depends on whether or not the fish are active or not.

Different structures hold fish differently and no two spots are the same.

I've caught 10 lb fish in 3 fow during mid day and 13 inch fish in 20 fow during mid day as well.

the rule of thumb is there are no rules. you'll have to find forage and then sort out the mystery.