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Trolling 101

Trolling draws lures or bait through the water at a steady, low speed. Why speed and depth matter, crankbaits, spoons and spinners for trolling, downriggers, planer boards and outriggers, walleye and muskie trolling from MDC, and the rules to check first.

By Fjords Team · May 20, 2026 · Updated Oct 28, 2026
Trolling 101

Trolling means drawing one or more baited or lured lines through the water at a steady, low speed, usually behind a moving boat. Wikipedia notes it is used for open-water fish such as salmon, mackerel and kingfish, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) calls it probably the most common method for walleye. This guide covers speed and depth, lures, the gear that spreads and sinks your lines, and how MDC uses trolling for walleye and muskie. Our trolling section and techniques pages go further.

Speed and depth

  • Speed: Wikipedia says the speed at which the lure moves affects success, and the best speed varies with the species, weather, time of year and other conditions. For example, chinook salmon can be trolled faster than lake trout. That is why anglers use devices that track speed accurately, and why a trolling motor controls speed better than a large outboard.
  • Low speeds work too: Wikipedia notes trolling can work at surprisingly low speeds, even from a paddled kayak with a rod holder.
  • Depth: fish sit at different depths depending on temperature, light and current (Wikipedia), so the lure has to run where they are. MDC’s walleye tips say that in summer, in large reservoirs, walleye are often at or near the thermocline, about 25-35 feet down.

Lures for trolling (Wikipedia)

Most trolling lures look and move like dying, injured or fast-moving fish:

  • Crankbaits (plugs): a bill under the head makes them dive and wobble.
  • Spoons: flash and wobble; thinner trolling spoons were developed from heavier casting spoons.
  • Spinnerbaits and surface lures are also trolled.
  • Dodgers: an oval, flashy metal piece ahead of the lure to draw fish from farther away.

Lures are tied on with a knot such as the improved clinch or clipped on with a snap.

Gear that controls depth and spread (Wikipedia)

  • Downriggers: a horizontal pole and cable with a heavy weight (often about 3 kg) and a line-release clip; the lure trails behind at the depth you set. Wikipedia warns they can snag submerged trees and structures in reservoirs.
  • Planer boards: spread lines out to the side of the boat so you can troll several at once. Inline boards clip onto the fishing line and slide down to a swivel when a fish trips them; Wikipedia says they are popular with walleye anglers.
  • Outriggers: poles that spread lines wide to avoid tangles.
  • Sinkers: purpose-made trolling weights help control depth in lakes.

Trolling for walleye (MDC)

  • Trolling is probably the most common walleye method: crankbaits that dive to various depths can attract fish along the edge of habitat or a bare bank.
  • Live bait on a bottom-bouncer can be dragged slowly near the bottom, where walleye usually are.
  • In summer, try rocky points, shorelines and drop-offs near submerged river channels, and the thermocline in big reservoirs.

See our walleye fishing tactics and walleye profile.

Trolling for muskie (MDC)

MDC says deep-diving crankbaits trolled near the thermocline are most productive when muskie are in deeper, open areas, especially near river channels, humps and points. New York DEC suggests 8- to 10-foot medium-heavy trolling rods rated for 20- to 40-pound line and heavy wire leaders at least 3 feet long; more in our pike and muskie guide.

Rules and safety

The number of lines or rods you may troll, and whether trolling is allowed on a given water, differ by state and water body, so read your regulations before you set out lines. Watch for submerged timber when running downriggers (Wikipedia). Other open-water fish such as striped bass have their own seasons and limits.

Sources

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