Visit Sturgeon Lake in Minnesota for Walleye Fishing
Among Minnesota’s lakes and rivers, walleye fishing at Sturgeon Lake is well known. Let’s talk about why anglers come here for walleye. Sturgeon Lake checks the boxes for walleye habitat with its deep, clear water and forested shady areas. Could that be why a 16.5-pound walleye caught on Sturgeon Lake in 1949 held the Minnesota state record for three decades?
Walleye – The Minnesota State Fish
Walleye, the “most sought after fish in Minnesota,” became the official state fish in 1965. A warm water fish, walleye enjoy the big cool lakes of Minnesota. They reproduce in over 250 Minnesota lakes and 1300 more lakes stock them. No wonder Minnesota lays claim as the “walleye capital of the world.”
So, Minnesota is a destination for walleye fishing. As they change habits throughout the year, walleye can be hard to catch. But anglers seem to love outsmarting these delectable fish. They often invest in waterfront properties right here on Sturgeon Lake.
How to Recognize Walleye
The walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) itself is a large olive- and gold-colored fish with thick white fillets. Anglers distinguish between walleye and sand pike, or sauger, by examining the top fin. Walleyes do not have the spots seen on the sand pike. Because of their sensitive eyes, walleye shun sunlit areas. They swim deep in the dark water during daylight. Then, at night, they swim to shallower areas. Often about 15 to 25 inches long, walleye are not the biggest fish. The Muskie and Northern Pike outgrow them.
Catch and Eat?
However, exceptional walleye filets make up for the medium size of this fish. When looking for dinner, anglers opt for walleye. The appeal of the firm white meat provides a tasty main course. Season them, add some breadcrumbs, deep-fry, or bake them – you’ve got a delicacy without much time in the kitchen. This popularity may mean fishing limits in some areas.
Know Walleye Seasonal Habits
Minnesota’s walleye fishing season opens the second Saturday of May. The fish usually spawn over the clean gravel bottoms in shallow 10-foot waters. They frequent areas with currents to keep their eggs oxygenated.
Then water temperatures rise and lake vegetation grows in June. Walleye move away into summer areas. These are places like drop-offs, edges of structures, and beds of vegetation. Unless the weather is cloudy, walleye stay near the lake and river bottoms. As it gets darker, they move up into shallow tops of sunken islands to forge for minnows and perch.
As autumn begins, walleye forage intensely. They need to move around in search of food. Look in deeper waters near structures. During winters, they feed on the tops of islands and around vegetation.
Fishing Strategies to Catch Walleye
Anglers strategize to lure in their walleye. The plan may be to go out in the early mornings or evenings, to fish on cloudy or windy days. They only need a handful of lures and bait, preferably a live bait rig. They recommend using the live bait leech, minnow or nightcrawler to troll slowly along the bottom.
For example, try a ¼ to ½ ounce sinker to maintain contact with the bottom. Add a swivel, a 3- to 6-foot leader of 6-pound test fishing line, and a #4 or #6 hook. Then troll the rig slowly around the most likely areas. Cast the jig and retrieve it along the bottom or hover over the fish and let it down. Hold it right in front of their face.
After dark or on windy days, you could change your strategy. Tie on a minnow-imitating crank bait and drag it and lure it through promising areas. The jigs and live bait or spoons work during winter if dropped down a whole.
Minnesota Lakes – Big and Small
While you can go to the bigger lakes and well-known walleye waters such as Leach Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, Lake Vermillion, the Upper Red and others, we prefer peaceful Sturgeon Lake. Lake homes around Sturgeon Lake nestle in the woods between the Twin Cities and Duluth.
If you fish in Sturgeon Lake, a quieter and more secluded environment, your chances of reeling in a walleye are pretty darn good. And you can fish any time of the year.
Interested in a Minnesota Lake Home?
Is it time to get out on the water? Invest in a Minnesota vacation home or settle into a Sturgeon Lake property fulltime. Call Vern C. Anderson II, GRI, Timber Ghost Realty, Sturgeon Lake, MN, (218) 522-0301.
