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Bottom line up front: The Frabill Power Stow 20x26 is the best walleye net under $50 for most anglers — rubber-coated mesh protects fish and hooks, it folds flat for storage, and it's built to handle the typical 18–28 inch walleye you're pulling over the gunwale on a windy evening. If you fish from the bank or wade, grab the Ego S2 Slider instead. Read on for the full breakdown.
Walleye aren't particularly big fish, but they have a way of winning at the last second. You've got a solid hookset, a decent fight, and then — right at the net — the fish rolls, the hook catches the mesh, and you're watching dinner swim away in the dark water. A good landing net fixes that. A bad one makes it worse.
The good news: you don't need a $120 carbon fiber tournament net to land walleye. Five solid options exist under $50, and a couple of them punch well above their price class. I've used three of these personally over several seasons on Lake Erie tributaries and inland reservoirs. For the other two, I relied on hands-on testing notes from guides I trust and detailed field reports from anglers who've put real hours on these nets.
Here's what separates a walleye-worthy net from a trout net or a bass boat showpiece: hoop size (20–26 inches is the sweet spot), mesh depth (12–18 inches handles most walleye), and mesh type (rubber or rubber-coated protects slime coat and reduces hook fouling). Handle length matters depending on where you fish — boat, kayak, or bank.
Let's get into it.
Quick Comparison Table
Frabill Power Stow 20x26
Ego S2 Slider Compact
Promar Collapsible LN-108
Ranger 18" Rubber Net
South Bend Folding Net
The 5 Best Walleye Nets Under $50
1. Frabill Power Stow 20x26 — Best Overall
Price: ~$35 | Check price on Amazon → →
Specs:
- Hoop dimensions: 20" x 26" (oval)
- Mesh depth: 18"
- Mesh type: Rubber-coated nylon
- Handle length: 24" fixed aluminum
- Weight: 1.1 lbs
- Folds flat for storage
The Power Stow has been a fixture in my boat for three seasons and it's earned that spot. The 20x26 oval hoop is the right geometry for walleye — wide enough to scoop a fish that's rolled sideways at the surface, long enough to reach the fish on its first pass rather than chasing it around the boat. The rubber-coated mesh is the detail that separates this net from cheap nylon alternatives. When you're running jigs or three-way rigs with treble hooks, nylon mesh turns into a velcro nightmare — you spend three minutes untangling hooks while the fish thrashes and loses slime coat. Rubber mesh sheds hooks quickly and is gentler on fish you're releasing.
The fold-flat feature earns its keep on smaller boats. It stores under a seat cushion, behind the console, or in a rod locker without fighting you. At 1.1 lbs it's light enough that you'll actually grab it quickly when a fish rolls up.
Downsides: The 24" fixed handle is a reach from higher gunwales. If you fish a taller aluminum boat or stand-up fishing, you might want a longer pole. The rubber coating also adds about $10 to the price versus comparable nylon nets — still well under $50, but something budget shoppers notice.
Pros:
- Oval hoop geometry ideal for walleye
- Rubber mesh reduces hook fouling and protects fish
- Folds flat for compact storage
- Lightweight and quick to grab
- Solid aluminum frame construction
Cons:
- 24" handle short for high gunwales
- Rubber mesh traps water slightly longer than nylon
- Not the best option for bank fishing
Who it's for: Boat anglers who want a reliable, fish-friendly net that stores easily and handles walleye up to the low 30-inch range without drama.
2. Ego S2 Slider Compact — Best for Bank and Wade Anglers
Price: ~$45 | Check price on Amazon → →
Specs:
- Hoop diameter: 18" round
- Mesh depth: 15"
- Mesh type: Pure rubber (catch-and-release grade)
- Handle length: 24" collapsed, 36" extended
- Weight: 1.4 lbs
- Telescoping aluminum handle
The Ego S2 is the most intentionally engineered net on this list. Ego built it around catch-and-release principles — the pure rubber mesh (not rubber-coated nylon, but actual rubber netting) is the softest option available and does the least damage to a walleye's slime coat. If you're practicing C&R on pressured water, this is the net that gives the fish the best odds after release.
The telescoping handle is the reason bank anglers and waders reach for this over the Frabill. Collapsed at 24", it clips easily to a wading belt or pack. Extended to 36", it gives you the reach to net a fish from a high bank or wade position without losing your footing. The locking mechanism on the slide is solid — it doesn't creep during a fight.
The 18" round hoop is slightly smaller than the Frabill's oval, which matters on larger walleye. A 28-inch fish fits fine. A 32-inch fish is going to require a clean scoop on the first pass. For most walleye scenarios — especially on river systems and inland lakes where the average fish runs 16–24 inches — it's plenty of hoop.
At ~$45 it's the priciest net on this list but still inside our budget, and the quality justifies every dollar over the cheaper picks.
Pros:
- Pure rubber mesh — best catch-and-release option
- Telescoping handle perfect for bank and wade fishing
- Compact and packable
- Locking slide mechanism is reliable
- Premium construction for the price
Cons:
- 18" hoop is limiting for larger walleye
- Slightly heavier than the Frabill
- Overkill if you're primarily boat fishing
Who it's for: Bank anglers, wade fishermen, and C&R-focused anglers who need a packable net that's genuinely easy on fish.
3. Promar Collapsible Net LN-108 — Best Budget Buy
Price: ~$22 | Check price on Amazon → →
Specs:
- Hoop dimensions: 18" x 24" (oval)
- Mesh depth: 15"
- Mesh type: Monofilament nylon
- Handle length: 24" collapsible
- Weight: 0.8 lbs
- Spring-loaded fold mechanism
For $22, the Promar LN-108 does more than it has any right to. The 18x24 oval hoop is a capable walleye size, the spring-loaded collapse mechanism works reliably, and at 0.8 lbs it's the lightest net on this list. This is a strong choice if you're equipping a kayak where weight and storage space are at a premium, or if you want a dedicated backup net that lives in the bottom of a dry bag.
The tradeoff is the nylon monofilament mesh. It works fine, but it snags treble hooks with some regularity. For walleye fishing with single-hook jigs or blade baits, it's a minor annoyance. For crankbait walleye fishing with trebles on all hooks, expect to spend a few extra seconds untangling after each fish. The mesh also isn't the gentlest on slime coats for fish you're releasing.
The spring-loaded fold is a genuine convenience on a kayak — one hand on the fish, one hand opening the net, and it snaps back flat when you're done.
Pros:
- Excellent value at $22
- Lightest net on the list at 0.8 lbs
- Spring-loaded collapse works reliably
- Good hoop size for the price
- Compact storage
Cons:
- Nylon mesh snags treble hooks
- Not ideal for catch-and-release (rougher on slime coat)
- Less durable than aluminum-framed competitors
Who it's for: Kayak anglers watching weight, anglers who want a quality backup net, and budget-focused buyers who primarily use single-hook presentations.
4. Ranger 18" Rubber-Dipped Net — Best for Kayak and Canoe
Price: ~$28 | Check price on Amazon → →
Specs:
- Hoop diameter: 18" round
- Mesh depth: 14"
- Mesh type: Rubber-dipped nylon
- Handle length: 24" fixed aluminum
- Weight: 1.0 lbs
- Classic aluminum bow frame
The Ranger is the old reliable of budget fishing nets. This design has been in tackle shops for decades for good reason — it's simple, it works, and the rubber-dipped mesh puts it ahead of plain nylon nets in terms of hook fouling and fish protection. For walleye in the 15–24 inch range, it's a fully capable net.
The 18" round hoop is the same diameter as the Ego S2, and like the Ego it handles typical walleye just fine while being slightly tight for fish over 28 inches. The aluminum frame is heavier-duty than the aluminum used in the Promar, and the construction feels like it'll last a decade of regular use.
What it lacks is any folding or telescoping mechanism — it's a fixed-handle, fixed-frame net. That makes it less convenient for storage and transport, but on a kayak with a net holder or clipped to a kayak seat, that's not a real-world problem. The 24" fixed handle is appropriate for a seated kayak or canoe position.
Pros:
- Rubber-dipped mesh reduces hook fouling
- Solid aluminum frame construction
- Good value at $28
- Right size for typical walleye
- Simple and reliable design
Cons:
- No folding or telescoping — less packable
- 18" hoop limiting for larger fish
- Fixed handle only — no reach adjustment
Who it's for: Kayak and canoe anglers who want a durable, hook-friendly net at a price that doesn't hurt if it goes overboard.
5. South Bend Folding Net — Best for Bank Anglers on a Tight Budget
Price: ~$15 | Check price on Amazon → →
Specs:
- Hoop dimensions: 13" x 19" (oval)
- Mesh depth: 12"
- Mesh type: Nylon
- Handle length: 18" folding
- Weight: 0.6 lbs
- Hinged fold-flat design
At $15 the South Bend is the entry-level pick, and it's honest about what it is — a compact, lightweight bank net for average-sized walleye. The 13x19 hoop is smaller than everything else on this list, which is a real limitation for fish over 24 inches. But for typical river walleye — your 16 to 22-inch fish — it works. It folds flat to nearly nothing and clips to a belt loop or fishing pack without noticing it.
The nylon mesh is the weakest point. Hook fouling is a regular issue, especially with treble-hooked lures. For bank fishing with a jig and twister tail or a single-hook presentation, it's manageable. For crankbait walleye, you'll spend more time picking hooks out of the mesh than you'd like.
Where this net genuinely shines is as a backup net — throw one in the bottom of your tackle bag and forget about it until you need it. At $15 you don't think twice about the purchase.
Pros:
- Very affordable at $15
- Lightest net on the list
- Compact fold-flat design
- Fine for typical-sized walleye
Cons:
- Smallest hoop on the list — limiting for larger fish
- Nylon mesh snags treble hooks
- Short handle limits reach
- Build quality reflects the price point
Who it's for: Bank anglers on a tight budget, anglers who want a spare net, and beginners who are just getting started and want to try walleye fishing without committing to expensive gear.
What to Look for in a Walleye Net
Hoop Size
For walleye, 18–26 inches is the practical range. An 18" round hoop handles the majority of walleye you'll encounter. A 20x26 oval gives you extra margin on larger fish and on fish that arrive sideways at the surface. Go smaller only if you're specifically fishing small rivers or streams where the average fish runs under 20 inches.
Mesh Type
Rubber and rubber-coated mesh are worth the extra money if you do any catch-and-release. They shed hooks faster, protect slime coat better, and don't absorb water the way nylon does (meaning less weight when you're holding a full net). Nylon mesh is cheaper but snags treble hooks badly and is harder on fish.
Handle Length
Boat anglers: 24" is standard and works from typical aluminum boat gunwales. If you fish from a taller boat or stand-up position, look for 30"+. Bank and wade anglers: telescoping handles (24–36") give you flexibility.
Folding vs. Fixed
Folding and collapsible nets are convenient for storage and transport. Fixed-frame nets are typically more durable over time. On a kayak or in a pack, folding matters. On a dedicated fishing boat with space to stow gear, it's less critical.
Accessories Worth Adding
A good net is step one. Here are a few add-ons that make a real difference:
- Net holder/clip: A magnetic net release clips to your PFD or belt loop and holds the net until you need it. Ketchum Release makes a solid one for around $12. Amazon link → →
- Rubber mesh upgrade kit: If you own a fixed-frame net with nylon mesh, you can buy rubber mesh replacement kits for around $15–20 and retrofit it. Worth doing for any net you use with treble hooks.
- Floating net foam: A length of pipe foam insulation wrapped around the handle keeps your net floating if it goes over the side. Zero cost if you have foam insulation scraps around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What size net do I need for walleye?
For most walleye fishing, an 18–20 inch hoop handles fish up to 28 inches without issues. If you're fishing water known for large walleye — Lake Erie, Lake of the Woods, Lake Winnipeg — go with a 20x26 oval hoop for the extra margin. The Frabill Power Stow 20x26 is sized correctly for those bigger fish while still being manageable on an average day.
Q: Is rubber mesh really worth it over nylon for walleye?
Yes, for two reasons. First, rubber mesh sheds treble hooks dramatically faster than nylon — when you're fishing crankbaits or counting on a quick photo and release, this makes a