Are Crayfish a Good Walleye Bait? (Complete Breakdown)

Crayfish have long been considered a secret weapon among seasoned anglers for catching walleye. Crayfish, also called crawfish, crawdads, and yabbies can be especially effective when fished during low-light conditions and in habitats rich with rocky or sandy bottoms.

Crayfish is an excellent bait for walleye, especially effective during dawn and dusk in areas with rocky or sandy bottoms, near underwater structures or weed beds.

What Do Walleye Eat?

Walleye are pretty versatile when it comes to their diet, but they do have some favorites. Small fish like minnows, perch, and bluegills are best in open water. They’re also big fans of crayfish, particularly when they’re in habitats like rocky lakes or rivers where crayfish are abundant. Insects and insect larvae can also snack for younger or smaller walleye.

Seasons matter too. During the summer, when walleye are super active, they’re likelier to go after various prey, including crayfish. They might not be as picky in colder months, taking what they can get.

Do Walleye Eat Crayfish?

Walleye do enjoy eating crayfish. It’s like fast food for them, especially when they share the same habitat like certain lakes or rivers. Summer is your best bet if you want to use crayfish as bait. This is when walleye are most active and searching for food.

Specifically, focus on fishing near structures like rocks or fallen trees, or sandy bottoms, as these are the places where crayfish usually hang out and walleye go to hunt.

Best Times to Fish with Crayfish for Walleye

The summer season is the best time to use crayfish as walleye bait. Walleye are more active during the warm months, and that’s also when crayfish are abundant. Specifically, late spring through early fall would be optimal, as the water temperatures are more conducive for both walleye and crayfish activity.

The time of day matters too. Walleye are known to feed more aggressively during low-light conditions, so early morning and late evening are ideal times to use crayfish as bait. Some anglers also find success fishing at night. Lastly, focus on areas with rocky or sandy bottoms, or around underwater structures like logs or fallen trees. These are the habitats where walleye typically hunt for crayfish, making your bait more attractive to them.

Type of Water	Best Location	Best Time of Day	Notes
Reservoirs	Rocky or sandy areas	Early morning/Late evening	Walleye hunt for crayfish near structure here
Natural Lakes	Near weed beds	Early morning/Late evening	Weed beds often hide crayfish
	Rocky shorelines	Early morning/Late evening	Ideal for jigging or dragging crayfish
Great Lakes	Shallow, nearshore areas	Early morning/Late evening	Large walleye often come to shallows to feed
	Reefs	Early morning/Late evening	These structures attract both crayfish and walleye
Creeks	Undercut banks	Early morning/Late evening	Crayfish often hide under banks
Rivers	Around fallen trees	Early morning/Late evening	Crayfish like to hide in woody structure
	Rocky outcrops	Early morning/Late evening	Natural hunting ground for walleye

Best Crayfish Presentations for Walleye

When it comes to using crayfish as bait for walleye fishing, presentation really matters. One effective way is to use a jig head: simply hook the crayfish through the tail and let it dangle, making it look like it’s naturally scurrying along the bottom. This mimics how a crayfish would move in the water, making it super tempting for a walleye. Focus on live or dead crayfish about 2-3 inches in length.

Another popular technique is the “Carolina Rig,” where you put a weight on your line above a hook, allowing the crayfish to move more freely along the bottom. This setup works well in rocky or sandy areas where crayfish usually hide.

For those who prefer artificial baits, soft plastic crayfish imitations can be just as effective. Rig them on a drop-shot or a Texas Rig to get them close to the bottom where walleye usually hunt for crayfish. Whatever method you choose, slow and steady movements usually work best to imitate the natural behavior of crayfish.

Crayfish Lures for Walleye

Berkley PowerBait CrawFatty

• Size: 3-4 inches
• Color: Green Pumpkin
• Recommended Hook: 3/0 EWG (Extra Wide Gap) hook

Rapala Dives-To DT Fat Crawfish Crankbait

• Size: 2-3 inches
• Color: Brown Crawdad
• Recommended Hook: Comes pre-rigged with treble hooks

Zoom Super Chunk

• Size: 3 inches
• Color: Watermelon Red
• Recommended Hook: 1/4 oz. football jig head

Strike King Rage Tail Craw

• Size: 4 inches
• Color: Okeechobee Craw (blue and green)
• Recommended Hook: 4/0 flipping hook

YUM Craw Chunk

• Size: 3-4 inches
• Color: Black Blue Flake
• Recommended Hook: 3/8 oz. flipping jig

NetBait Paca Craw

• Size: 4 inches
• Color: Alabama Craw (brown and orange)
• Recommended Hook: 4/0 EWG hook

X Zone Lures Muscle Back Craw

• Size: 3.25 inches
• Color: Black Blue Laminate
• Recommended Hook: 1/4 oz. shaky head jig

Gulp! Alive! Crawfish

• Size: 3 inches
• Color: Natural
• Recommended Hook: 1/8 oz. jig head

Rebel Wee-Crawfish Crankbait

• Size: 2 inches
• Color: Ditch Brown
• Recommended Hook: Comes pre-rigged with treble hooks

Booyah Baby Boo Jig (Craw Trailer)

• Size: 1/4 or 3/8 oz. jig (trailer size 3 inches)
• Color: Green Pumpkin
• Recommended Hook: Comes with its own hook, just add a craw trailer

How to Fish Crayfish for Walleye

Jigging: Using a jig head is a tried-and-true method. Hook the crayfish through the tail and cast it near underwater structures like rocks or logs. Lift and lower your rod tip to make the crayfish appear as if it’s naturally moving along the bottom.

Carolina Rig: This setup uses a weight above a swivel, followed by a leader line and hook. The weight keeps the bait down, but the swivel allows the crayfish to move more freely, mimicking its natural movement. This is great for rocky or sandy bottoms.

Drop Shot Rig: In this setup, you place a weight at the end of your line and hook the crayfish above it. This keeps the bait off the bottom but still within the strike zone. It’s ideal for targeting walleye that are suspended above the bottom.

Texas Rig: Hook the crayfish on a 3/0 to 4/0 EWG (Extra Wide Gap) hook, making sure it’s weedless. This is particularly useful in weedy areas where walleye might be hiding. Gently hop the bait along the bottom.

Dragging: Cast the crayfish bait out and slowly retrieve it, dragging it along the bottom. This can be very effective in sandy or muddy areas where walleye are looking for an easy meal.

Artificial Crayfish Lures: If you’re using a soft plastic or rubber crayfish imitation, rig it on a suitable jig head or hook. Move it slowly along the bottom, pausing occasionally to let it sit, similar to how a real crayfish would move.

Are Crayfish Found in Most Walleye Fisheries?

Crayfish are commonly found in many types of waters where walleye also live, but the availability can vary depending on the specific body of water.

Reservoirs: Crayfish are often found in reservoirs, especially if the reservoir has rocky or sandy areas. These habitats are good for crayfish, making them a natural food source for walleye.

Natural Lakes: In natural lakes with a mix of sandy, rocky, and weedy bottoms, you’ll often find crayfish. Walleye love these mixed habitats, so crayfish are commonly part of their diet here.

Great Lakes: Crayfish are definitely present in the Great Lakes and are a common prey for walleye. Due to the size and depth of these lakes, crayfish might be more abundant in shallower, nearshore areas where walleye often feed.

Creeks: Small creeks may or may not have crayfish, depending on factors like water quality and flow rate. In creeks where crayfish are found, they can be a good bait option for smaller-sized walleye.

Rivers: Rivers with rocky or sandy bottoms are excellent habitats for crayfish. Walleye in rivers often prey on crayfish, especially in areas around underwater structures like fallen trees or large rocks.

My Personal Experiences with Crayfish as Walleye Baits

Example 1: Successful in a Reservoir

Location: A large reservoir with rocky bottoms Time: Early morning Bait: Live crayfish on a Carolina rig Outcome: Caught multiple walleye

Lessons Learned:

• Rocky bottoms in reservoirs are excellent spots to use crayfish, as they mimic the walleye’s natural food habitat.
• Early mornings can be ideal due to low-light conditions, making walleye more willing to leave their deep-water hiding spots.

Example 2: Unsuccessful in a River

Location: A fast-flowing river without many rocky or sandy areas Time: Midday Bait: Live crayfish on a simple hook and line Outcome: No bites

Lessons Learned:

• Rivers without adequate structure (rocks, fallen trees) may not have a significant crayfish population, making crayfish less attractive as bait.
• Midday is not the best time to fish for walleye, as they’re less active during bright light conditions.

Example 3: Mixed Results in a Natural Lake

Location: A natural lake with mixed sandy, rocky, and weedy bottoms Time: Late evening Bait: Artificial crayfish lure on a jig head Outcome: Caught a couple of small walleye but not as many as expected

Lessons Learned:

• While artificial crayfish lures can work, they may not be as effective as live crayfish, especially when walleye are being particularly choosy.
• The late evening is generally a good time for walleye fishing, but other factors like water temperature and clarity can also affect success rates.

Crayfish & Walleye

Advantages of Using Crayfish

Crayfish are a great choice for walleye bait for several reasons. First, they have a strong, natural scent that walleye can sniff out even from a distance, making them more likely to bite. Second, the texture of a live crayfish is pretty much spot-on for what a walleye would naturally munch on, making it hard for them to resist once they’ve taken a nibble. The movement of a live crayfish, scurrying along the bottom, also mimics real-life prey behavior, which is like ringing the dinner bell for walleye.

As for evidence, many studies on walleye diet show that crayfish are a major food item for them, especially in habitats with a mix of rocky and sandy bottoms. Anglers swear by them too; you’ll find lots of fishing forum discussions and YouTube videos that back up how effective crayfish can be for catching walleye.

Disadvantages or Limitations

While crayfish are awesome for catching walleye, there are a few downsides to consider. First off, finding live crayfish isn’t always easy; some bait shops might not carry them, and in some places, it’s even illegal to use them as bait. Then there’s the cost—live crayfish can be more expensive than other types of bait like worms or minnows.

Ethically, you should be aware that introducing non-native crayfish to a new body of water can mess up the local ecosystem. That’s why some states have rules against using them. Always check local laws and make sure you’re not causing harm to the environment when fishing.

15 Tips for Catching More Walleye with Crayfish

1. Use Fresh Bait: The fresher the crayfish, the better. Fresh bait will emit a stronger scent that attracts walleye more effectively.
2. Remove the Claws: Crayfish missing their claws will be more readily eaten. Pinch off your live crayfish’s claws before fishing.
3. Choose the Right Hook: Use a 3/0 to 4/0 hook for live crayfish to ensure a good, firm hookset.
4. Ideal Times: Fish during dawn and dusk when walleye are most active and more likely to strike your bait.
5. Scout the Area: Before fishing, identify rocky or sandy bottoms, as these are places where crayfish—and therefore walleye—are likely to be found.
6. Rigging Methods: Experiment with different rigs like Carolina rigs, drop shots, or Texas rigs to see which one works best in your specific location.
7. Proper Storage: Keep your crayfish in a well-oxygenated container to ensure they remain lively and attractive to walleye.
8. Mimic Natural Movement: When jigging or reeling, make sure to mimic the natural movement of crayfish. Slow hops or crawls along the bottom work well.
9. Test Water Depth: Walleye’s location can change based on the water depth. Experiment by fishing at different depths to locate them.
10. Use the Right Rod: A medium-heavy rod with a fast action is generally good for fishing crayfish, offering enough backbone for a good hookset while still having the sensitivity to feel bites.
11. Water Clarity: In clearer waters, walleye may be more suspicious, so use a lighter line to make your setup less visible.
12. Seasonal Considerations: During pre-spawn and spawn seasons, walleye are particularly aggressive. Using crayfish during these times can yield excellent results.
13. Weather Matters: Walleye tend to be more active during overcast days, making it a great time to use crayfish as bait.
14. Pair with Artificial Lures: Sometimes using an artificial crayfish lure in tandem with live crayfish can increase your chances by adding extra movement and flash.
15. Check for Bites Carefully: Walleye often strike softly. Be sensitive to any weight or movement at the end of your line, as it may be a walleye picking up the crayfish.

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