Best Walleye Fishing Lures

Whether you’re fishing in a lake or a river, walleye are some of the most challenging fish to catch. They’re notoriously finicky eaters, and even have individual tastes that make it hard to predict which walleye bait is going to be most effective.

To help you gain a crucial edge, we’ve put together a list of the best walleye fishing lures on the market. We’ve chosen a variety of crankbaits, for trolling and casting from the shore, as well as a selection of walleye jigs that will help you fish in deeper waters.

The most important thing to remember is that these are seasonal fish. In cooler weather, they prefer shallower waters, but they hunt at lower depths in the summer. If you’re in a smaller lake, this can mean 40 feet, but anglers on the great lakes have brought in trophies as deep as 60 feet, where they love to feast on smelt.

Best Walleye Fishing Lures

1. Rapala Rattlin 05

The Rapala Rattlin 05 can be used at almost any time of year.

Key Features

• Plastic crankbait
• 2 nickel treble hooks
• Sinks to the bottom and rises when reeling
• 2  inches long
• Weighs 0.3 ounces
• Available in 10 patterns
• Internal rattle

The Rapala Rattlin 05 is a sinking lure, which means that it drops to the bottom if there are no other forces acting on it. As a result, you can fish it deeper than most crankbaits. This makes it a good choice for summer fishing when walleyes are hunting in deeper waters.

This bait doesn’t cast very far. It’s best used from a boat, where you can get directly over a deeper ledge or drop-off. Alternatively, you can add a weight or two to increase your casting distance.

Pros

• Plenty of noise and flash
• Can be used at almost any depth

Cons

• Relatively short casting

This crankbait is perfect for fishing in deeper water.

2. Cotton Cordell Wally Diver

The Cotton Cordell Wally Diver was designed specifically for catching walleyes.

Key Features

• Plastic crankbait
• 2 brass treble hooks
• Swims at 6-17 feet
• Available in 2 ½ and 3 ⅜-inch lengths
• Weighs 0.2 or 0.25 ounces
• Available in 12 patterns
• Internal rattle

The Cotton Cordell Wally Diver, as its name implies, is a specialized walleye lure. It’s available in two different lengths and weights: a 2 ½-inch lure that runs at 6-8 feet, a heavier 2 ½-inch lure that runs at 8-10 feet, and a 3 ⅛-inch lure that runs as deep as 17 feet. As a result, you can fish at least one version of this lure at any part of the spring or fall.

This lure has a tight, realistic wiggling action when retrieved, which drives walleyes crazy. Be careful about your selection, though; some patterns are very realistic, but others aren’t.

Pros

• Comes in different sizes for different dive depths
• Tight, furious wiggling action
• Good for spring and fall fishing

Cons

• Some patterns are less realistic than others

These fishing lures have an intense wiggling action that’s perfect for attracting walleyes.

3. Rapala Shadow Rap 11

The Rapala Shadow is a long casting lure that’s designed for use in shallow water.

Key Features

• Balsa wood crankbait
• 2 stainless steel treble hooks
• Swims at 2-3 feet
• 4 inches long
• Weighs ⅜ ounce
• Perch pattern

The Rapala shadow is a balsa wood crankbait that’s designed for casting a long-distance and retrieving at a depth of 2 to 3 feet. This makes it well suited for cranking and retrieving through shallow water close to shore. It’s painted to look like a baby perch and features lifelike 3D eyes for added realism.

Because it swims at such a shallow depth, this crankbait is only useful in early spring or late fall, when walleyes hunt close to the surface. Once the water temperature rises, you’ll be too shallow to reach any of these elusive fish.

Pros

• Good choice for shallow water
• Long casting design
• Lifelike 3D eyes

Cons

• Only useful in chilly weather

This fishing lure is ideal for use immediately after the spring thaw.

4. Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait 08

The Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait 08 is designed to cast along shallow points.

Key Features

• Plastic crankbait
• 2 stainless steel treble hooks
• Swims at 3-8 feet
• 3.5  inches long
• Weighs ¼ ounce
• Available in 10 patterns
• Internal rattle

The Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait 08 is another long casting crankbait, but it swims a bit deeper than the Flat Rap 10, at around 3 to 8 feet. This makes it a good choice for casting and retrieving along with points, especially rocky areas with enough cover for walleyes to hunt.

This bait is useful in spring or fall, when walleyes are active but have not yet moved offshore into deeper waters. It features an internal rattler, which sends vibrations through the water, attracting fish from several yards away. The only thing we didn’t like was the tail feather, which isn’t very durable.

Pros

• Plenty of noise and flash
• Long casting design
• Good choice for cool weather

Cons

• Cheap tail feather

This is a great crankbait for fishing in cool weather.

5. Rapala X-Rap

The Rapala X-Rap XR10 swims at 3 to 8 feet, perfect for spring or fall walleye fishing.

Key Features

• Plastic crankbait
• 2 stainless steel treble hooks
• Swims at 3-8 feet
• 4 inches long
• Weighs 0.48 ounces
• Available in 10 patterns
• Internal rattle

The Rapala X-Rap XR10 is a hefty, half-ounce lure that’s heavy enough to cast a long way. This makes it easy to reach offshore points and drop-offs where walleye like to congregate in the spring and the fall. It features an internal rattle that sends vibrations through the water, and wiggles like a distressed fish while you’re reeling it in.

The best way to use this lure is to stop reeling every few seconds, which causes it to roll over on its side, tempting walleyes to strike. Make sure to set it securely, though; the hooks aren’t very sturdy and can bend and snap if they’re not set fully.

Pros

• Realistic swimming action
• Long casting design
• Ideal for spring or fall fishing

Cons

• Flimsy hooks

This fishing lure is heavy enough to cast at long distances.

6. Bomber Long A

The Bomber Long A is available in 3 different sizes, and can be either cast and retrieved or trolled.

Key Features

• Plastic crankbait
• 2 brass treble hooks
• Swims at 4-8 feet
• Available in 2 ½, 3 ½, and 4 ½-inch lengths
• Weighs 0.2, 0.3, or 0.4 ounces
• Available in dozens of patterns

The Bomber Long A dives to 3 feet on the cast and sinks to 4-8 feet when retrieved or trolled. At this depth, you’ll be well set up for spring or fall fishing off of points. The 2 ½-inch version is designed for casting, while the 3 ½-inch and 4 ½-inch versions are intended for trolling behind a boat.

This is a versatile lure that comes in enough patterns to match whatever local baitfish your walleyes are hunting. The only bad thing about it is the lip, which snaps off easily if you accidentally cast it into a rock or pier.

Pros

• A great choice for trolling
• Ideal for spring or fall walleye fishing
• Enough patterns to match any local baitfish

Cons

• Lip is not very durable

This fishing lure is available in dozens of patterns, so you can simulate almost any baitfish.

7. Rapala Original Floater 11

The Rapala Original Floater 11 is available in bleeding patterns that enhance the illusion of a wounded fish.

Key Features

• Balsa wood crankbait
• 3 nickel treble hooks
• Swims at 3-5 feet
• 4 ¼ inches long
• Weighs 3/16 ounces
• Available in 10 patterns
• Internal rattle

The Rapala Original Floater 11 is a well-designed balsa wood crankbait that runs at 3 to 5 feet. This is too shallow for warm weather fishing, but perfect for early spring or late fall when the walleyes are staying close to the sunlight.

This lure has a twitchy action on the retrieve, which simulates a wounded or distressed baitfish. And some of the patterns feature blood spots, adding to the realism.

Pros

• Good choice for early spring or late fall
• Available in bleeding patterns
• Realistic swimming action

Cons

• Only useful in chilly weather

This floating lure is an ideal choice for cold weather fishing.

8. Rapala Rippin’ Rap 06

The Rapala Rippin’ Rap is designed for a jerk and stop retrieve.

Key Features

• Plastic crankbait
• 2 nickel treble hooks
• Sinks to the bottom and rises on the retrieve
• Available in 2, 2 ½, and 2 ¾-inch lengths
• Weighs 5/16, ½, or ⅞ of an ounce
• Available in 13 patterns
• Internal rattle

The Rapala Rippin’ Rap is a sinking lure, which means you can fish it at any depth. You can use it for shallow water spring fishing, or take it deep in a lake during the summer. It’s designed to be fished with a jerking, stop-and-start motion that will keep it at a steady depth and simulate the movements of a wounded baitfish.

Be careful about dropping this lure all the way to the bottom. The hooks can get snagged on plants. If you’re lucky, they’ll get bent. If you’re unlucky, you’ll have to abandon the lure.

Pros

• Useful at any depth
• Plenty of flash and noise
• Realistic swimming action

Cons

• Easy to snag

This fishing lure can be fished at any depth, from shallow rivers to deep lakes.

9. Rebel Jointed Minnow

The Rebel Jointed Minnow has a jointed design for added realism.

Key Features

• Plastic crankbait
• 2 brass treble hooks
• Swims at 0-3 feet
• Available in 1 ⅞ and 3 ½-inch lengths
• Weighs 3/32 or 5/16 ounce
• Available in 2 patterns
• Jointed design

The Rebel Jointed Minnow is a jointed lure, which means it’s divided into two segments that hinge in the middle of the body. This allows the tail to pivot as you reel it in, which makes the swimming action more realistic than you’ll see in a rigid lure.

This lure runs shallow, between the surface and three feet. At this depth, you’ll only find walleye in cold weather. That said, it’s easy to cast a long distance. If you find a bend in the shoreline, you can throw it parallel to the lakeshore and retrieve across a long distance.

Pros

• Realistic swimming action
• Good choice for shallow water
• Long casting design

Cons

• Only useful in chilly weather

This is an ideal lure for cold weather walleye fishing.

10. Sougayilang Ice Fishing Jigs

Sougayilang Ice Fishing Jigs rest with the hook parallel to the surface, reducing the odds of a snag when you pull an empty hook from the ice.

Key Features

• Stainless steel jigging hook with lead weight
• 24 0.08-ounce hooks
• Lifelike eyes painted on the weight
• Designed specifically for ice fishing

Sougayilang Ice Fishing Jigs arrive in a box of 24. These stainless steel hooks feature a brightly-colored eye painted on the lead weight bulbs, which presents a tempting target for any passing walleye. While they’re made for ice fishing, there’s no reason you can’t use them in the summer as well.

Pros

• Well suited to ice fishing
• Can be fished at any depth
• Plenty of flash and color

Cons

• Limited use for shore fishing

These fishing jigs are another fine choice for ice fishing.

11. Berkley PowerBait

The Berkley PowerBait is available in dozens of colors, to match the most common baitfish.

Key Features

• Weighted nickel jigging hook
• Available in 10 sizes
• Available in dozens of colors
• Baited with a PowerBait lure

The Berkley PowerBait is a nickel jigging hook that’s available in 10 different sizes. All of them will nab you a walleye, but we recommend going with one of the larger sizes if you’re trying to win a trophy.

The neat thing about these hooks is that they’re pre-baited with Berkley PowerBait, which is a plastic fish that smells and tastes like the real thing. You’ll get all the benefits of using live bait, without the mess.

Pros

• Smells like a real fish
• Can be fished at any depth
• Available to match almost any baitfish
• Ideal for jigging from a boat

Cons

• Limited use for shore fishing

The PowerBait lures on these hooks smell like a real fish.

Bottom Line

So which of these lures for walleye is truly the best? Frankly, it’s hard to say.

As we mentioned previously, walleye are picky eaters and even have individual preferences. Favorite prey includes shad and minnows, and those types of lures are the go-to choice for most anglers who are casting a crankbait or jerkbait.

But that’s only going to help you out if the fish are at shallow or medium depths. In summer, you’ll need to go deeper, which means you’ll want to switch from a crankbait to a jig. When using a jig, you’ll want to drop your bait to the bottom and bounce it around, enticing walleyes with the movement and flash.

Ultimately, you’re going to want a collection of walleye lures, with a variety of options that you can change depending on what the fish are biting. We hope we’ve given you enough options to build a kit that works for you.

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