Walleye & Light
Many anglers believe that "night time is the right time for walleye". Experience, for the most part, has led us to this conclusion, but science can offer some insight as to why it is often true. An experiment was created to see when walleye were most likely to be active. These were the results (1):
Another reason why night fishing can be more effective is that when light levels are high, prey can often detect predators first. So they'll school or find cover, making it more difficult for walleye to catch them. Walleye, in turn, will become less active during the day. We also have to remember that walleye are also prey to bigger predators, and will remain inactive in high-light conditions to protect themselves. They tend to feed during the day only if food is easily accessable, or if water isn't clear, which allows them to take advantage of their superior sight and the behaviour of their prey (1).
Finally, night fishing tends to be more effective because walleye are found higher in the water column in low-light conditions. They are active and in open water, and so are more likely to strike faster moving lures such as crankbaits. During the day, sometimes you need to find out where walleye are hiding and put a bait right in front of them. There is less room for error in high-light conditions: you need to find exact locations and use finesse techniques to catch inactive fish. In low lights conditions, you may have more success just covering water throwing a crankbait which is, arguably, easier.
Some fishermen, on the other hand, say that night fishing isn't always better for walleye. The reason for this may be that, particularly in large bodies of water at certain times of the year, anglers find walleye by looking for schools of baitfish. At night, however, if these fish aren't schooling, it may be more difficult to find walleye despite the fact that they're more active. And so even though the fish are more active, you may not be catching them. Remember, light is just one of the factors you should consider when fishing.
(1) Lisa M. Einfalt, Edward J. Grace & David H. Wahl, "Effects of simulated light intensity, habitat complexity and forage type on predator-prey interactions in walleye Sander vitreus" (2012) 21 Ecology of Freshwater Fish.
Related Posts:
Bay of Quinte Walleye Fishing
Walleye & Vegetation
- walleye increase activity & foraging success with decreasing light levels
- walleye spend more time following & pursuing prey in low-light conditions
- walleye move higher in the water column with diminishing light levels
Another reason why night fishing can be more effective is that when light levels are high, prey can often detect predators first. So they'll school or find cover, making it more difficult for walleye to catch them. Walleye, in turn, will become less active during the day. We also have to remember that walleye are also prey to bigger predators, and will remain inactive in high-light conditions to protect themselves. They tend to feed during the day only if food is easily accessable, or if water isn't clear, which allows them to take advantage of their superior sight and the behaviour of their prey (1).
Finally, night fishing tends to be more effective because walleye are found higher in the water column in low-light conditions. They are active and in open water, and so are more likely to strike faster moving lures such as crankbaits. During the day, sometimes you need to find out where walleye are hiding and put a bait right in front of them. There is less room for error in high-light conditions: you need to find exact locations and use finesse techniques to catch inactive fish. In low lights conditions, you may have more success just covering water throwing a crankbait which is, arguably, easier.
Some fishermen, on the other hand, say that night fishing isn't always better for walleye. The reason for this may be that, particularly in large bodies of water at certain times of the year, anglers find walleye by looking for schools of baitfish. At night, however, if these fish aren't schooling, it may be more difficult to find walleye despite the fact that they're more active. And so even though the fish are more active, you may not be catching them. Remember, light is just one of the factors you should consider when fishing.
(1) Lisa M. Einfalt, Edward J. Grace & David H. Wahl, "Effects of simulated light intensity, habitat complexity and forage type on predator-prey interactions in walleye Sander vitreus" (2012) 21 Ecology of Freshwater Fish.
Related Posts:
Bay of Quinte Walleye Fishing
Walleye & Vegetation
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