Skip to main content

Walleyes: Understanding Edge Fish

Walleyes: Understanding Edge Fish

A: The upper edge of the shallowest zone (shallow pivot point) where walleyes roam during and after twilight periods. Walleyes here may be near bottom, but often suspend up off the bottom, up to about halfway down.

B: The primary drop-off edge. Walleyes often travel up and down this edge on their way shallower or deeper, but they spend even more time traveling parallel to the edge as they hunt baitfish. Walleyes traveling and hunting along this edge often aren't tight to bottom but push 5 to 10 feet or a bit more away from the edge. That often puts them 5 to 10 feet or so above the actual bottom.


C: The deeper pivot point (base of drop-off) that fades into the lake basin. This is a primary holding area for walleyes in the hour before dark, but also as darkness sets in. Off course, walleyes may also be found well away from the primary pivot area, although they become hard to contact. Walleyes in deep water often hold right on the bottom or within a foot or two above it.

D: The area at the edge of open water just off the shallow pivot point, where Stange often catches large walleyes at first-ice and throughout the first portion of winter. This is an overlooked area for walleyes. These fish range from 3 to 5 to 10 or 15 feet above bottom and from 5 to 30 feet or more away from the drop-off edge.


Open-Water Zone: When walleyes travel with baitfish out in open water, they become hard to target. The primary high-percentage contact area remains along the edge of primary hard-bottom structural elements that project into the main lake.




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Mark Rose talks about the new Rattlin' Rage Craw from Strike King and how it works well under various rigging options.
Learn

Andy Montgomery's Strike King Skipping Buzzbait

Mark Rose talks about the new Rattlin' Rage Craw from Strike King and how it works well under various rigging options.
Learn

Lew's Signature Series Bladed Jig Rod with Andy Montgomery

Mark Rose talks about the new Rattlin' Rage Craw from Strike King and how it works well under various rigging options.
Learn

Hide Your Line--Camo Trick for Fishing Line with Bryant Smith

Mark Rose talks about the new Rattlin' Rage Craw from Strike King and how it works well under various rigging options.
Learn

Pick the RIGHT Buzzbait Trailers with Andy Montgomery

Mark Rose talks about the new Rattlin' Rage Craw from Strike King and how it works well under various rigging options.
Learn

The Strike King KVD Popping Perch is AWESOME with Bryant Smith

Mark Rose talks about the new Rattlin' Rage Craw from Strike King and how it works well under various rigging options.
Learn

When to Fish a BIG JIG for Bass with Greg Hackney

Mark Rose talks about the new Rattlin' Rage Craw from Strike King and how it works well under various rigging options.
Learn

The BEST Way to Trim A Jig Skirt with Greg Hackney

Mark Rose talks about the new Rattlin' Rage Craw from Strike King and how it works well under various rigging options.
Learn

Prespawn Buzzbaits for BIG Largemouth Bass with Keith Combs

Mark Rose talks about the new Rattlin' Rage Craw from Strike King and how it works well under various rigging options.
Learn

Keith Combs talks about the Strike King Rage Cut-R Worm

Mark Rose talks about the new Rattlin' Rage Craw from Strike King and how it works well under various rigging options.
Gear

Swim Jig Secrets for Shallow Water Largemouth Bass with Mark Davis

Mark Rose talks about the new Rattlin' Rage Craw from Strike King and how it works well under various rigging options.
Learn

How to Rig Strike King's Ocho with Mark Rose

Mark Rose talks about the new Rattlin' Rage Craw from Strike King and how it works well under various rigging options.
Learn

Strike King's NEW Rattlin' Rage Craw

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the In-Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now