Walleye
Walleye in Illinois are primarily found in large rivers and streams in the northern part of the state, with the largest populations occurring in the Mississippi, Rock, and Kankakee Rivers.
Smaller numbers inhabit the Fox Chain O'Lakes region and some strip-mine lakes. These coolwater fish prefer large rivers with clear water or deep, weedless lakes with clean bottoms of gravel, rock, sand, or hard clay.
Scientific Name: Sander vitreus
Fishing in Illinois
Sangamon River
Lake Clinton
Illinois River
Salt Creek
Vermilion River
Evergreen Lake
Dawson Lake
Lake Bloomington
Upper Peoria Lake
Lake Decatur
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Primarily found in large rivers and streams in the northern part of the state, with the largest populations occurring in the Mississippi, Rock, and Kankakee Rivers.
- Smaller numbers inhabit the Fox Chain O'Lakes region and some strip-mine lakes.
- The best walleye populations occur in large windswept, moderately fertile lakes with feeding grounds consisting of shoals, bars, and shallows.
Key Locations
- Productive locations include Starved Rock Dam tailwater (excellent for walleye and sauger), Fox River below Montgomery Dam and other dam tailwaters, Rock River between Rockford and Sterling, and the Pecatonica River near Rockford.
- On the Fox Chain O'Lakes, target Channel Lake's southeast shoreline, flats around Lake Marie's major point, and Bluff Lake's north shoreline.
Specific Spots
- In rivers, focus on tailwaters below dams, current breaks, holes and depressions, and areas behind rock pilings or wing dams.
- Target natural structures and weed beds, land points and rocky areas, deeper waters around gravel bars and rocky reefs.
Walleye FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Walleye in Illinois?
Best lures include minnows, minnow-spinner combinations, spinners, crankbaits, nightcrawlers, worms, frogs, and crayfish. Use 1/16-1/8 ounce Fire-Ball Jigs with fathead minnows in yellow-orange or yellow-chartreuse patterns.
When is the best time to fish for Walleye in Illinois?
Avoid fishing during spring spawning (March-April) when success is typically poor. Fall fishing can be exceptional when walleye concentrate in deeper waters around gravel bars and rocky reefs.
How do you catch Walleye in Illinois?
As aquatic vegetation emerges and forms cover, walleye gravitate to natural structures and weed beds where fast-retrieving crankbaits fished over land points and rocky areas are often successful. Fall presentation should be slower with baits or lures fished close to the bottom.
What do Walleye eat?
Adult walleye are primarily piscivorous, feeding mostly on other fish including crayfish, frogs, snails, minnows, yellow perch, gizzard shad, suckers, and bluegill. As top predators, they can consume large quantities of fish.
Where do Walleye live in Illinois?
Primarily found in large rivers and streams in the northern part of the state, with the largest populations occurring in the Mississippi, Rock, and Kankakee Rivers. Smaller numbers inhabit the Fox Chain O'Lakes region and some strip-mine lakes.
Fish smarter with real-time insights
Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Walleye.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every Walleye water
Pick Walleye and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.
- 02 · Waterbody species
Tap any water. See what lives there.
Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.
- 03 · Angler Intelligence
Ask how to catch Walleye
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where Walleye are.
Open the map, filter by Walleye, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
Explore other species
Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.
No species information available.
Illinois licenses and regulations
Explore nearby waters
Explore Illinois waters
Top fishing waters
Popular Cities
Loading popular cities...
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.