I always thought fishing was boring, I never thought I would ever be a fisherman. I would say I am the type who is always in search of a thrill. I used to be a professional ski aerialist for 6 years until injuries got the most of me. Growing up, I spent a lot of time on the coast of California surfing and instantly fell in love. Although the pocket book could only afford so many road trips to California and Mexico. I then started cage fighting to keep myself in shape and also loved the excitement of the sport. Then I started fishing almost two years ago when I was introduced to walleye fishing on UT Lake. Ever since I have been hooked. And I mean HOOKED! I can’t explain the thrill fishing brings. In particular, walleye fishing! I have spent enough hours the past two years chasing walleye, that I could consider it my second job. Last year I tried to get into ice fishing a bit, but got frustrated and gave up. This year, I decided I couldn’t go without fishing for another winter. I went out and dropped a BUTTLOAD of cash on icefishing stuff. I have been studying walleye instructionals, extensive research, word of mouth etc. I have had little success through the ice for walleye and everyone I talk to says the same thing about them. “They are rarely seen pulled through the ice.” This really does not make sense to me at all? I seriously would die to learn how to get into the Eyes on the ice. Anyone on the BFT site have any extensive experience fishing em’ through the ice. Sure be nice to get into a few of em’!
It’s obvious you know that you have to work hard at something to be good at it…I’d rather work hard at catching other species through the ice 
. Utah (in my opinion) does not really have the niche for walleye. Ya, we have them and you may get lucky at UL or Starvation, even Willard but ice fishing in Utah for walleye? Specifically for walleye? Ehhhh, don’t get your hopes up. Once people start hitting the marinas at UL the 'eyes disappear, I can’t speak for Willard but I’ve never seen an ice report about walleyes. Starvation would be your best bet, you will have to move around to find them and fish deep. If you can find the small perch in the old river channel the walleye won’t be far. Good luck and don’t let me get you down, sorry I sound so pessimistic.
I have some ideas on UT walleye but I rarely fish for them just because they are hard to locate and they have to be targeted specifically with proven presentations, in ideal sizes, the right colors, and in areas which walleye frequent. If any one of those 4 elements are overlooked it’s a bust. When I am going after a fish I have little experience with, I take time to discern these factors in order of importance. The first thing I would do is read up on walleye movement and utilize any info I can get to use a process of elimination to find winter hang outs. I believe that the next state record is swimming in UT Lake but the limited clarity and unusual factor of most cover being located around the outside perimeter definitely challenge an angler to think in unconventional ways. Reservoirs provide an easier reference for desirable structure and water clarity makes you dangerous from a distance. A good flasher is invaluable. If you can get good proof of larger profiles over the bottom then chances are that there are walleye present. Because live bait is prohibited in UT, you will want to find a lure in a color and size that will draw walleye and provoke strikes, whether out of curiosity, aggression, or hunger. Crayfish are abundant in all walleye waters in UT and I would not discount using imitations to see if Mr. Wally prefers cajun lobster. Most walleye guys I have talked to say that chartreuse is the most consistent producer which makes a lot of sense because other fish seem to have a preference for neon greens and yellows as well. Since walleye pick up things very lightly in cold water I would use something with some scent like Berkely Gulps so that they hang on longer and use a really sensitive rod. Since walleye can see up to 15 ft after dark in murky water I think it is best to use fluorocarbon leader in clear water. You can can draw in smaller fish to attract walleyes by using something heavy attached to a rope to stir up the bottom. Walleye have nocturnal tendencies in clear water and lanterns on the ice may attract enough zooplankton to draw bait fish and, in turn, draw walleye to your location. In stained water, walleye feed heavily at dawn and dusk and sporadically throughout the day. If you can find a good concentration of panfish like perch, crappie, bluegill, etc.; then you will likely find walleye looming nearby. Main lake channels and points near harbors where panfish are abundant are prime locations. I hope this is helpful.
Well here is your chance, these guys are good walleye fishermen and if you are really serious you should take this opportunity to learn from some of the best. http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/gforum.cgi?post=550707;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;page=unread#unread
Good luck.
WH2
**All good theories…no doubt based upon a lot of reading and web surfing about walleye fishing on midwestern waters. Very little of that is valid on Utah Lake. **
I have fished walleyes in Utah Lake since the early 1960’s. I have even caught a few. Probably about as many as all but a handful of other longtime walleye addicts. Here are some of my observations:
1. Targeting walleyes specifically is about the best way to insure that you will not catch any. There are more walleyes caught by accident…year round…than by design. There ARE a select few anglers who really know their stuff and who DO catch a lot of walleyes when they go after them. But, you can’t just click the heels of your waders together and chant “There’s no fish like walleyes” and hope to catch them.
2. When fishing Utah Lake from a boat, sonar is often useless in finding walleye “marks”. In the shallow waters of Utah Lake your sonar has a very small “footprint” and walleyes usually don’t hang around under even a quiet boat in shallow water. Ditto for under an ice hole with several noisy anglers tromping around above.
3. I have never known of anybody catching walleyes at night in Utah while using a light. It is reasonable to assume that the light attracts baitfish, but that is not how walleyes hunt at night. They prefer absolute darkness in which their prey is at a disadvantage…so they can use a combination of their night vision and lateral line to find food. In reality walleyes often make a wide berth around artificial light at night. Lights work for white bass, crappies, bluegills and trout. Not so much for walleyes.
4. Walleyes will take dead minnows and pieces of white bass meat fished through the ice. Also hard to beat a whole wiggly crawler. Best to suspend it a few inches off the bottom…on a rod well away from where you are moving around and jigging with your second rod. Be prepared to run and dive after your rod, unless you have it rigged open bail with a drink can strike indicator. Sometimes small walleyes will come in fairly shallow or hit your jigs right under your feet. The bigger ones are usually more wary.
5. In open water on Utah Lake, most walleyes are taken either by making long casts and fishing light head plastics slowly just off the bottom…or by long line trolling with crankbaits…and even using planer boards to get the lures out away from the boat. Some folks do well by fishing a weightless whole crawler under a float while they anchor or drift and cast jigs or spinners. The only problem is keeping the white bass, bullheads, channel cats and carp off the worm.
6. The primary forage for larger walleyes seems to be white bass. But yellow perch, bluegills and young crappies also show up regularly in the innards of filleted walleyes. Surprisingly, the bigguns also dine on small bullhead cats so using black tubes or marabou jigs can be effective. But, in all the walleyes I have ever opened from Utah Lake I have never found a crawdad. Doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t eat them, but they are not a high percentage menu item.
**7. The best time to catch bigger walleyes (legally) is not during the spawn. That’s when everybody shows up to fish for them, but only the aggressive smaller males actually hit lures. However, the snagmeisters have a field day with “dorsal dining” females. You will catch more bigger females after the spawn is over…starting about the first of May and extending into late June most years. During that period you can usually catch some if you can find them…bait or lures. And, at that time they hit hard and fight hard…at least for a walleye. No tailwalking or high leaps, but at least a few good head shakes and a bulldog surge or two. **
7. When the waters cool in the fall is the second best time for walleyes. Once water temps drop into the 60 degree range again, from summer highs, the walleyes put on the feed bag to fatten up for winter. Look for schools of 3" long young white bass and the walleyes will usually be nearby. Daybreak near a river inlet can be a high percentage time and place for active walleyes.
8. Never say never…or always. There are no absolutes with ol’ marbleeyes. Every year is different at your favorite spots. There are some things that remain constants but on most trips you have to find the fish and figure out a pattern. BUT, I can make one guarantee: YOU CAIN’T KETCH 'EM WHERE THEY AIN’T.
Ditto to everything that TD said. I would also add that the number one walleye bait, LIVE minnows are illegal. The next best are FRESH minnows, not frozen. Walleye are great fish, but are the most difficult to catch in UT Lake.