Best walleye lakes in the Midwest: 12 lakes to fish
The best walleye lakes in the Midwest: Lake Erie (western basin), Lake Oahe and Lake Sakakawea and more, with where to start and how the fish move through.
Walleye feed best in low light and cool water, and the lakes of the Midwest give them plenty of both. Here are 12 lakes where walleye are on record, with where to start on each.
The lakes
| Lake | State | Also holds |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Erie (western basin) | Ohio | yellow perch, smallmouth bass, catfish |
| Lake Oahe | South Dakota | northern pike, smallmouth bass, catfish |
| Lake Sakakawea | North Dakota | northern pike, smallmouth bass, catfish |
| Devils Lake | North Dakota | yellow perch, northern pike, white bass |
| Leech Lake | Minnesota | muskie, northern pike, yellow perch |
| Lake St. Clair | Michigan | muskie, smallmouth bass, yellow perch |
| Table Rock Lake | Missouri | largemouth bass, crappie, white bass |
| Lake Vermilion | Minnesota | muskie, northern pike, smallmouth bass |
| Lake McConaughy | Nebraska | striped bass, trout, white bass |
| Lake Mille Lacs | Minnesota | smallmouth bass, muskie, yellow perch |
| Lake Winnebago | Wisconsin | yellow perch, catfish, white bass |
| Milford Lake | Kansas | white bass, crappie, catfish |
1. Lake Erie (western basin), Ohio
Lake Erie (western basin) spreads over about 1,052,000 acres. It holds walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and catfish. It goes down to about 62 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.
Lake Erie (western basin) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
2. Lake Oahe, South Dakota
Lake Oahe spreads over 370,000 acres of water. The fish here are walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and catfish. At about 205 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.
Lake Oahe today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
3. Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota
Lake Sakakawea covers 307,000 acres. Walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and catfish are the draw. At about 180 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.
Lake Sakakawea today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
4. Devils Lake, North Dakota
Devils Lake spreads over about 84,800 acres. Walleye, yellow perch, northern pike and white bass are the draw. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.
Devils Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
5. Leech Lake, Minnesota
At 103,000 acres, Leech Lake is a huge piece of water. Walleye, muskie, northern pike and yellow perch are the draw. It goes down to about 156 ft.
Leech Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
6. Lake St. Clair, Michigan
At 275,000 acres, Lake St. Clair is a huge piece of water. The fish here are walleye, muskie, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 27 ft. The lake bed gives you two point drop-offs and an upper arm to work.
Lake St. Clair today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
7. Table Rock Lake, Missouri
Table Rock Lake spreads over 43,100 acres. Walleye, largemouth bass, crappie and white bass are the draw. It goes down to about 220 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.
Table Rock Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
8. Lake Vermilion, Minnesota
At 39,300 acres, Lake Vermilion is a big lake. It holds walleye, muskie, northern pike and smallmouth bass. At about 76 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.
Lake Vermilion today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
9. Lake McConaughy, Nebraska
Lake McConaughy covers some 35,700 acres. Walleye, striped bass, trout and white bass are the draw. The deepest water is around 142 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.
Lake McConaughy today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
10. Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota
At some 132,000 acres, Lake Mille Lacs is a huge piece of water. Walleye, smallmouth bass, muskie and yellow perch are the draw. It goes down to about 42 ft. The lake bed gives you two point drop-offs and an upper arm to work.
Lake Mille Lacs today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
11. Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin
At 132,000 acres of water, Lake Winnebago is a huge piece of water. It holds walleye, yellow perch, catfish and white bass. At about 21 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Its bed shows two point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.
Lake Winnebago today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
12. Milford Lake, Kansas
At 15,700 acres of water, Milford Lake is a big lake. The fish here are walleye, white bass, crappie and catfish. The deepest water is around 65 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.
Milford Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
Walleye through the year in the Midwest
The water temperature on the day matters more than the calendar: each lake page on LakeScope shows today's surface temperature and how the fish should react to it.
- Spring: Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
- Summer: Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
- Fall: Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
- Winter: Cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.
Questions
What is the best walleye lake in the Midwest?
Lake Erie (western basin) in Ohio is our first pick; Lake Oahe and Lake Sakakawea are close behind.
When is the best time to fish for walleye?
Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
Your lake every morning
Water temperature, level, wind and bite times on your phone.
