To learn how to catch walleye, should I keep trying one lake?

[Sonicrunch]

I have nobody to teach me firsthand, but I can read on here, and read books. I have tried Riley, Waconia, and O'dowd, to no avail.

I am thinking I should just get to know one lake and keep at it until I start having some luck.

What do you guys think?

[nofishfisherman]

I would start trying to network with someone on here that maybe able to meet up and go out fishing with you. They should be able to show you some stuff and show you what to look for. That way you will learn alot even if the fish aren't biting.

Here is a link to a thread in the metro thread offering open boat seats to people. This will be a good way to find someone willing to share a little info.

Open seat thread

[MN]

Not to be negative, but...

I have found that a guy can spend alot of time in Central MN tyring to catch a walleye and usually to no avail. I now only walleye fish on good producing walleye lakes - I don't think those are around here. Maybe the river though.

My opinion.

MN

[walleyeguy7]

I would keep reading up on what patterns are working at certain times of the year, as long as the lake you plan to fish has a decent walleye population. If you have alot of patience it can pay off. I have found that if you fish larger lakes, Mille lacs, Winnie, etc., can help hone your skills. I started the same way(by myself), and I read alot, talk to other fisherman, and chat with fellow FM'ers and you will be surprised at how fast you catch on. Good luck!

[PerchJerker]

MN has it right - hard to catch walleyes in lakes that aren't great walleye lakes. I'd keep fishing, keep trying, but don't let yourself get frustrated if you're not getting walleyes on those lakes. Especially Riley and O'Dowd.

Your best bet is probably to work the deep weedline with a jig and minnow, you should catch tons of different fish and be in the action at least.

Canon Lake by Faribault was a pretty good walleye lake, been quite a while since I was there but it used to be pretty consistent.

Try posting in the walleye forum too. And good luck.

[Sonicrunch]

Ok guys, thanks for the advice.

I think I am going to stick with Waconia and occasionally Mille Lacs for the Wallys.

What about Minnetonka? Is that a "great" walleye lake?

[Kab Dreamin]

I have found that Minnetonka can be a decent walleye lake but it has been for me a dusk to dawn bite lake. The daytime bite can be really tough, to put it mildly. I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't characterize it as "great". I reserve great for lakes like Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Kabetogama, Namakan and Rainy.

[Dave B]

Dont forget Cass, Winnie and Red.

Since you are in Chaska, I would head out to Waconia and fish on of many reefs with a lindy rig and leech/crawler from 5pm to 9pm. You should be able to catch some eyes, even if they are 14 1/2 inches.

The Mississippi River in St Paul is full of eyes too, but that is a bit more of a drive and river fishing is completely different.