The Best South Dakota Walleye Fishing Spots

Walleye fishing in South Dakota is fascinating and when you have a few tips it makes it a little easier to know what to do and when to do it. The first thing you need to know about South Dakota walleye fishing or fishing anywhere is that the fish is a short striker.


This fish can take the bait and miss the hook completely. However, this does not mean that the walleye are sensitive eaters, they are frenzy eaters when they are hungry. It is not unusual for a walleye to strike bait that is offered that they would not normally take.

The first thing you have to know is how the fish eats. Usually the walleye inhales its prey, but there are some times when a walleye can act like a muskie or a pike and bite the bait. When the walleye inhales the bait and water surrounding it, any disruption in the water flow can cause a short strike. You need to keep this in mind when fishing for walleye. You want to avoid short strikes as much as possible, but sometimes this cannot be avoided. Keep this in mind when stocking your bait for the day.

The next thing you have to remember is to keep the line and the bait on a line with little resistance. This will allow the walleye to inhale the bait without any water interruption. This will help to eliminate the short strike. Keep the line slack so that the walleye can take the bait and then the hook will have a chance to set. After it sets, you are going to have fight. The walleye does not want to be caught. The walleye is a fighter and will give you a fight while you are trying to bring them into the boat or the net.

There are six tips to keep in mind when fishing for walleye.

Keep the line light. It is best to use a line that is four to six pounds. Use a line with less drag. The thinner test lines are great for walleye fishing.

Keep a bounce on the bait. The bottom bouncer works great for fishing walleye. You want to be able to bounce the bait and have slack in the line as you do. This way the walleye can inhale the bait.

Keep your strokes short and sweet. If you pull the line to fast, you can pull the bait right out of the walleye's mouth. Use a short and even pull when fishing.

Give the walleye something that attracts attention. The bigger the bait, the better. If you want to the walleye to be able to inhale the bait, you will want to use bait or a lure that is larger. It will suck in easier with the water.

When using crankbaits, you want to use the use a stop and go method for fishing. Once you have the bait at the right water depth, bring up the tip of the rod and reel in the slack, but not all of it. Leave a little so the fish can inhale it easy.