Need advice - Walleye from a kayak

[TNtoMN_HuntFish]

I know the metro area isn't exactly full of Walleye but in some lakes NE of it there are enough to make the effort worth while. I can't seem to figure out the walleye up here. Where I'm from the ecosystem was totally different. No weed lines, all solid rock. So in the summer months I'd fish all night throwing jerkbaits shallow and catch walleye. I've caught onto the tactic of fishing just outside the weedline but have yet to figure out walleye up here and was hoping to get some advice. 

 

I've gone twice at night trolling cranks behind my kayak just past the weedlines. I have sonar on my kayak so I know where I am and I try to fish along steep breaks. Nothing yet except some small pike. I normally don't like to fish live bait but I'm willing to make an exception just to achieve figuring out where they are and to develop some confidence. I was thinking about using those slip bobbers and leeches or nightcrawlers. I would be fishing around 15' deep in most spots. Does this seem doable from a kayak? I've never used slip bobbers and I do plan to fish sunset until around midnight. Any advice is greatly appreciated. 

[BringAnExtension]

Nearly every walleye that I catch in Southern MN is near a weedline.  I usually troll or drift with a jig and minnow, but crank baits should work.  What you are doing SHOULD work to catch walleyes. 

 

Maybe you aren't targeting the right lakes?  Spend some time on the DNR Lake Finder web site and review the catch rates for walleyes in the surveys.  Spend some computer time honing in on the best lakes, then your tactics will improve.  Also, since you are new to the area, you are gathering information that will pay off down the line.  I bet you already have a bunch of waypoints on your GPS where you caught walleyes.  Keep gathering information and it won't be long until you figure them out.

 

 

[TNtoMN_HuntFish]

No GPS points as of yet because I haven't caught many haha. I got one during ice season in a good sunny spot and it was quite a surprise. I do pay attention to the steep breaks on Navionics and will definitely mark it up if and when I start catching these finicky fish. 

[AaronTC05]

I found this article a while back that highlighted how differently the walleyes around the metro (and any stocked lake) relate to weed structure versus those naturally producing lakes.  Coming from WI where most the lakes I fished were naturally producing, it has been hard for me to adapt to finding walleyes in the weeds as opposed to mid lake rocks, gravel etc... but I keep trying when I have a chance to fish (which isn't terribly often).  

 

http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/fishing_walleyes-fishing_mn_aa062704a/

 

 

[ZachD]

What lakes have you tried?

 

I would suggest
Clear lake just south of forest lake off 35w smaller lake that would be good to kayak and good walleye it has special regulations so read the sign before you keep any

Green lake in isanti

Chisago lake

South Center

Little elk