Skip to main content

Walleye

Walleye

Walleye are not native to Montana but have become one of the most important sport fish in the state's eastern drainage, established through stocking programs since 1933.

They're coolwater fish that thrive in moderately productive, turbid lakes, large rivers, and reservoirs with abundant forage bases.

Physical Characteristics:
  • Named for their large, reflective eyes with a tapetum lucidum that provides excellent low-light vision.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Montana's walleye waters are exclusively east of the Continental Divide in major reservoirs and large rivers.

Key Locations

  • Fort Peck Lake, Canyon Ferry, Holter, Tiber, Cooney, Fresno, Nelson, and Bighorn reservoirs, plus rivers like the Missouri, Yellowstone, and Milk.
  • Fresno Reservoir near Havre is excellent for shore fishing.

Specific Spots

  • Target rocky points, drop-offs, weed lines, and structures.
  • Primarily over rocky substrates in shallow water during spawning.

Walleye FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Walleye in Montana?

Jigs tipped with minnows, leeches, nightcrawlers, or plastics like paddle tails in natural colors (shiner, smelt) or bright colors (chartreuse, pink) in murky water. Crawler harnesses with spinner blades (orange, chartreuse, green, perch-finish, blue-silver). Crankbaits like Rapalas.

When is the best time to fish for Walleye in Montana?

Spring and fall offer the best fishing, with late spring through early summer being prime time as fish become active after ice-out and move to feeding areas. Winter can also be productive, especially through the ice.

How do you catch Walleye in Montana?

Use four primary techniques: jigs work best in cold water and rivers; boat fishing with crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers, trolling 18-36 inches behind colored spinner blades; crankbaits like Rapalas cast-and-retrieve or trolled; shore fishing with slip sinker rigs using floating jigheads.

What do Walleye eat?

Adult walleye are primarily piscivorous, feeding on minnows, yellow perch, cisco, suckers, and even salmonids, while juveniles eat zooplankton and invertebrates before switching to fish in their first year.

Where do Walleye live in Montana?

Montana's walleye waters are exclusively east of the Continental Divide in major reservoirs and large rivers.

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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
Try onWater+ for free

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.

Montana licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore Montana 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.