Trolling Walleye. Any insight?

[matt167]

as I’ve stated in other threads I normally troll for lake trout in the finger lakes of NY ( Cayuga mostly ) but the lake is 2 hours from my house so it takes a full weekend to go out. Friends of mine tell me that i pretty much will catch walleye in Oneida lake no matter where I am on the lake which is just a little over an hour north of my house. I could easily do multiple day trips. I prefer trolling as it’s relaxing going half the speed of nothing while still going somewhere but casting and jigging are things I might try as well. I have downriggers, dipsys and planer boards as well as tackle which is all set up for lake trout. As I understand it. Bandits and flicker minnows are sure fire ways to catch fish but anything else?

 

[dingbat]

but the lake is 2 hours from my house so it takes a full weekend to go out.

Why a full weekend to fish 2 hours away?

It's exactly 100 miles (2 hours) to my favorite fishing hole from home.
Leave the house at 4 am. Have the boat in the water by 6:15. Lines in the water by 7 am. Fish until 2 pm and still be home in time for dinner at 5 pm.

 

[matt167]

That is the way I’d like it to work. Only caveat is my house has a tiny property and the driveway is too short to fit my truck and trailer connected. I keep the boat down the road in the next town at a storage facility which eats into the time. My dad lives 5 miles from the boat ramp so it’s very convenient to stay there for the weekend. But on days he’s not there or whatever, I can try something new

 

[aspeck]

Walleye are certainly better eating than lakers! I would be heading for the 'eyes if they are that plentiful in Oneida!

That said, it seems that most of the 'eyes caught in Raystown while trolling are caught while fishing for lakers or stripers. Most that are targeting the 'eyes are casting swim baits and stick baits towards the shore at night. I can't help you trolling in Oneida.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Walleye are some of the best eating fresh water fish.

trolling, best bait on my experience was always black and gold or black and silver rapalas about 6-8 feet down. that was on Lake Winnebago, lake Michigan and the Menominee river.

best fishing them was always stationary, near structure, using a 3-hook walleye crawler rig. usually on the leeward side of an outcropping or island. best above dams in feeder sloughs