Walleye Speed Control: How to Tweak Your Trolling Speed for More Fish

By: FishUSA Staff

May 15, 2025

In the world of walleye fishing, trolling speed isn’t just a number—it’s a strategy. While trolling speeds can vary wildly depending on location, water temperature, and seasonal activity, success often boils down to mastering three basic speed ranges: slow (1.0 mph), medium (1.5 mph), and fast (2.0 mph).

Understanding when and how to adjust your trolling speed can mean the difference between a few bumps and a boat full of fish. Below, we break down the key principles behind each speed zone and show how to apply them across seasons, conditions, and presentations.

Slow Speed: 1.0 MPH

Medium Speed: 1.5 MPH

Fast Speed: 2.0 MPH and Up

Factors That Affect Speed Choice

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Speed Game

Slow Speed: 1.0 MPH

If you could only choose one speed to fish year-round, 1.0 mph would cover the most ground—especially during cold-water periods. This is your go-to speed in early spring just after ice-out and again in late fall when water temps start dropping below 50°F.

When to Use It:

Water temps in the upper 30s to low 40s
Pre-spawn and post-spawn periods
Late fall before ice-up

Best Tactics:

At this speed, slower is better. Use crankbaits pulled on flat lines or spinner rigs with snap weights. This is also when leadcore or inline weights lose efficiency due to lack of velocity. Instead, focus on precise depth control with lighter gear and consistent lure action.

Legendary anglers like Bob Henton often pull crankbaits painfully slow during early tournaments and see excellent results, especially when fish are holding near spawning grounds. When temperatures climb into the upper 40s, a mix of cranks and spinners can be productive.

Late in the season, reverse the process: crankbaits remain effective until water hits freezing. This slow and steady approach produces some of the biggest walleye of the year.

Medium Speed: 1.5 MPH

This is the most versatile speed in walleye trolling. At 1.5 mph, you cover more water and expand your range of presentation options. Crankbaits, mini discs, jet divers, inline weights, and snap weights all run efficiently in this range.

When to Use It:

Water temps 50°F–60°F
Stable weather patterns
Post-frontal conditions with slight fish recovery

Best Tactics:

Mix up your trolling spread with multiple crankbaits, jet divers, and spinner rigs. This is also the perfect time to utilize mini discs and in-lines to fine-tune your depth presentation. During mid-season tournaments, this "medium" speed frequently dominates.

One overlooked benefit of this speed range is its efficiency against current. Tools like a Fish Hawk Speed and Temp system become invaluable for verifying downspeed versus surface speed. You may think you're trolling 1.5 mph, but currents can alter your actual lure speed significantly. In those cases, you may need to increase GPS speed to compensate and maintain lure performance.

Fast Speed: 2.0 MPH and Up

When water temps exceed 65°F, walleye become more active and more aggressive—and speed becomes a powerful tool. Faster speeds help cover more water and trigger reaction strikes from fish that may not otherwise commit.

When to Use It:

Summer peak with warm water conditions
Post-frontal recovery with high sun
When dealing with heavy current or targeting suspended fish

Best Tactics:

At high speeds, ditch the in-lines. They become erratic and lose depth control. Instead, run leadcore, Dipsy Divers, and jet divers. These setups offer more control and consistency at high speeds, especially when targeting fish 40–80 feet down.

In a recent tournament, spinners behind Dipsy Divers outfished traditional setups by a wide margin. The divers not only maintained depth better but handled current far more efficiently. Fast trolling doesn’t just increase your strike zone—it can help keep non-target species like sheepshead and white perch off your lines.

Factors That Affect Speed Choice

1. Fish Mood

Neutral or negative fish often respond better to slower speeds. Aggressive fish chasing bait may prefer faster presentations that simulate fleeing prey.

2. Non-Target Species

If you’re plagued by sheepshead, white bass, or perch, try speeding up. Higher speeds often discourage bycatch while increasing your walleye hookups.

3. Water Clarity

In clear water, walleye have more time to scrutinize your bait. Speed can reduce this hesitation. In dirty water, however, slowing down can help fish locate your lure through vibration or scent.

4. Delivery System

Different tools function best within certain speed ranges. For example, Dipsy Divers excel above 1.7 mph, while inline weights perform better below that threshold. Know which delivery methods pair best with each speed for consistent results.

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Speed Game

There is no universal speed that works for every lake, condition, or time of year. The key is flexibility. By recognizing environmental cues and fish behavior, you can choose the best speed—and the right tools—to match.

Whether you’re fishing a post-front cold snap or chasing summer basin roamers, refining your trolling speed unlocks more opportunity and more fish. Keep notes, learn from your successes and failures, and develop your own list of "red flags" that trigger a speed adjustment.

Master the speed game, and the walleye will follow.

Tight lines from all of us at FishUSA!

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