Summertime Walleye Trolling in Wisconsin’s Northwoods
Trolling in Wisconsin’s Northwoods during midsummer is one of the most effective ways to catch walleye in the region’s deep, clear lakes and expansive flowages. As fish scatter across waters like the Chippewa Flowage, Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, and Lake Minocqua, trolling offers a strategic advantage over traditional live bait tactics. This guide breaks down how to effectively troll for walleye in mid-July using Livingston Lures’ Walleye Shad 90 and Voyager 15 crankbaits.
Why Troll for Walleye in the Northwoods in Midsummer?
By mid-July, growing baitfish populations cause walleye to disperse and become more selective. While slow live bait rigs can still work, trolling allows anglers to cover more water, locate active fish, and deliver crankbaits that trigger reaction bites. The region’s cooler summer temperatures keep walleye active and more responsive to crankbaits than in southern waters, extending the effectiveness of trolling into the heart of summer.
Trolling Techniques for Northwoods Walleye
1. Adjust Speed for Maximum Coverage
Troll at speeds between 1.5 to 2.5 mph to efficiently explore the broad bays and deep basins of Northwoods lakes. This range helps locate scattered walleye faster than traditional methods. In lakes with varying clarity—like Pelican Lake or Lac du Flambeau—slight speed tweaks can make the difference between a follow and a strike.
2. Match Lures to Local Baitfish
Choose crankbaits that imitate common forage species like perch and ciscoes. Top picks include:
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Walleye Shad 90: A compact, clear-water killer with a tight wiggle and high-pitch rattle. It’s deadly on lakes like Big Arbor Vitae where smaller forage dominates.
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Voyager 15: A wider wobble and shallower dive make it a top choice for leadcore setups or high-riding fish in stained flowages like the Chippewa.
Use 30- to 50-foot leaders behind leadcore to keep presentations natural. Stick with natural colors in clear lakes and switch to bright patterns in stained systems across Vilas and Oneida counties.
3. Troll Into the Waves
In the Northwoods, walleye often face into wind-driven currents. Trolling against the waves presents lures more naturally and increases strike chances. If you notice consistent strikes in one direction, double down on that path but make short return passes to confirm the pattern. This is especially productive on smaller lakes like Squirrel or Tomahawk.
4. Use Planer Boards to Expand Your Spread
Though many anglers avoid planer boards in Wisconsin due to line restrictions, they’re essential for covering broad areas and dialing in productive trolling paths. The Blade Planer Board by Livingston Lures makes this easy.
The Blade tracks cleanly even at slow trolling speeds, making it ideal for walleye crankbaits, harnesses, or even live bait rigs. Whether you’re following deep contour lines or skirting shallow weed edges, The Blade spreads your presentation without spooking fish. Its responsive design and rock-solid construction handle wind, waves, and hard-charging walleyes with ease—giving anglers a serious edge when the bite gets technical.
5. Focus on Structure
Target key structural features like mid-lake humps, submerged timber, weed edges, and steep breaklines. Lakes like the Willow Flowage and Lake Tomahawk offer textbook structure where trolling passes should hug drop-offs or intersect with underwater points. Use sonar to track bait clouds and individual fish, then adjust passes accordingly for maximum exposure.
Quick Tips for Northwoods Walleye Trolling
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Start in Mid-July: This window hits before the late-summer transition, when walleye are still aggressive and easier to trigger.
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Monitor Water Temps: Northwoods lakes typically remain cool, keeping walleye active well into summer.
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Stay Organized: Have gear, colors, and leader setups ready to switch quickly based on clarity and depth.
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Adapt on the Fly: Tweak lure styles, speeds, and trolling paths as you learn the lake’s daily patterns.
In the Net
Trolling with Livingston Lures’ Walleye Shad 90 and Voyager 15 crankbaits in mid-July offers a reliable, efficient way to connect with Northwoods walleye. Whether you're plying the clear waters of Lake Minocqua or the vast expanses of the Chippewa Flowage, staying mobile, using planer boards like The Blade, and targeting structural features will dramatically increase your success. Start early, fine-tune your approach, and enjoy some of the best summertime walleye fishing Wisconsin has to offer.
Livingston Lures Chief Development Director
