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Quick Pick: If you want the best all-around walleye net without overthinking it, grab the Frabill Power Catch 20×26 — rubber-coated bag, sturdy aluminum handle, and it handles everything from a 16-inch slot fish to a genuine trophy walleye. It runs about $79 and doesn't ask much of you in return.
If you fish walleye on open water with a partner, step up to the Ego S2 Slider — telescoping handle, fish-friendly rubber mesh, and a locking mechanism that doesn't wobble when your buddy leans out over the gunwale at dusk. More on that below.
Walleye are awkward fish to net. They're long. They thrash. They have a habit of rolling at the worst possible moment, which means they can spit a hook, headbutt your net frame, and swim off before you've had a chance to say anything printable. The right net doesn't just improve your landing percentage — it protects the fish if you're practicing catch-and-release, keeps your hooks from tangling in cheap mesh, and saves your knuckles from a bad-angle scoop.
We've used all five of these nets in real walleye conditions — trolling on Lake Erie, jigging structure on the St. Clair River, working the Columbia in low light, and drifting Leech Lake with a live-bait rig. Here's what we found.
Comparison Table
Frabill Power Catch 20×26
Ego S2 Slider
Ranger 40" Deep Catch
Frabill Trophy Haul
YakGear Telescoping Catch
1. Frabill Power Catch 20×26 — Best Overall Walleye Net Under $100
Price: ~$79 | Check Price → →
Specs:
- Hoop dimensions: 20" × 26"
- Handle: 48" fixed aluminum
- Mesh: Rubber-coated knotless
- Weight: 2.1 lbs
- Frame: Aluminum alloy
If you asked ten walleye guides what net is in their boat right now, half of them are going to say something from Frabill's Power Catch line. The 20×26 is the sweet spot — big enough to swallow a 28-inch walleye headfirst without drama, light enough that you're not arm-wrestling it one-handed off the stern.
The rubber-coated mesh is the real story. Walleye have small scales compared to pike or bass, and standard nylon mesh absolutely shreds them under the right conditions. It also tangles with treble hooks from crankbaits like a nightmare. The rubber mesh here? Hooks slide off instead of biting in. Fish come out cleaner. You spend less time streamside surgery on a tangle and more time with your lure back in the water.
The 48-inch fixed handle is honest about what it is — reach is limited, so you'll want a buddy in two-person boat situations or a rod holder to set the rod before you scoop. The aluminum frame is stout but not heavy. It's not going to twist out of shape after a season of hard use.
One thing worth knowing: the hoop has a slight oval shape rather than round, which works in your favor when you're scooping a long fish at an angle. The elongated profile gives you a better angle when a walleye rolls broadside.
Pros:
- Rubber mesh protects fish and prevents hook tangles
- 20×26 hoop handles trophy-class fish comfortably
- Lightweight for a net this size
- Aluminum frame holds its shape under stress
- Great value — outperforms nets at twice the price
Cons:
- Fixed handle limits reach — no good solo if you're fishing from a kayak
- Rubber coating adds slight drag when scooping in current
- Matte black hoop doesn't float — keep it clipped to your boat
Who it's for: Any walleye angler fishing from a standard-height boat with a partner nearby, or from a dock with good access. It's also a solid solo option if your boat is low to the water.
2. Ego S2 Slider — Best Telescoping Walleye Net
Price: ~$149 | Check Price → →
Specs:
- Hoop dimensions: 18" × 24"
- Handle: 36"–60" telescoping aluminum
- Mesh: Knotless rubber
- Weight: 2.6 lbs
- Frame: Carbon-reinforced composite hoop
The Ego S2 Slider is the net you want when you don't know exactly where the fish is going to be when it comes to the boat. The telescoping handle locks at any point between 36 and 60 inches — one smooth motion, no rattling, no slippage mid-scoop. That matters when a walleye makes one last run under the hull and you've got maybe three seconds to extend and swing.
The composite hoop is lighter than it looks and notably stiffer than similarly-priced aluminum frames. That stiffness means the hoop doesn't flex when a big fish hits the mesh at an angle — something that causes more dropped fish than most anglers realize. When the hoop deforms on impact, you get that "bounce-out" where the fish touches the mesh and rolls back out. The Ego's rigidity prevents that.
The 18×24 hoop is the one measurement that might give you pause if you're targeting true trophy walleye (fish over 30 inches). It's fine for 90% of the walleye most anglers will ever catch, but if you're fishing Erie in October targeting 10-pound fish, the Frabill Trophy Haul below is a better call. For everything in the 14-to-28-inch range, the Ego's hoop is plenty.
We've tested this net in low-light situations extensively — pre-dawn and after-sunset walleye bites — and the handle's texture is good enough that wet-hand grip isn't a problem. The locking mechanism doesn't require you to look at it to engage, which matters when you're watching a fish and not the net in your hands.
Pros:
- Telescoping handle locks firmly without slipping
- Composite hoop resists flex — reduces fish bounce-outs
- Rubber mesh is hook-friendly and fish-safe
- 60-inch extension handles hard-to-reach situations
- Quality construction well above its price point
Cons:
- 18×24 hoop is marginal for true trophy walleye
- At 2.6 lbs, slightly heavier than fixed-handle alternatives
- Premium price among sub-$200 nets
Who it's for: Two-person boat setups where the netter needs reach, solo anglers fishing from taller boats, or anyone who alternates between multiple fishing platforms and needs one net that handles them all.
3. Ranger 40" Deep Catch — Best Budget Walleye Net
Price: ~$59 | Check Price → →
Specs:
- Hoop dimensions: 18" × 22"
- Handle: 40" fixed steel
- Mesh: Treated nylon
- Weight: 1.6 lbs
- Frame: Powder-coated steel
The Ranger 40" Deep Catch is what you buy when you need a functional walleye net and you're not ready to spend $100+. It does most of what the premium nets do at roughly two-thirds the price, and where it falls short, it's predictable about it.
The mesh is treated nylon, not rubber — so treble hooks from crankbaits and spinners will occasionally tangle. That's the trade-off at this price point. The treatment helps extend mesh life and adds some hook-resistance compared to raw nylon, but if you're fishing heavily with treble-hook rigs, plan on a minute of untangling now and then. For live-bait walleye anglers working jigs with single hooks, this is a non-issue.
The 40-inch fixed handle is steel rather than aluminum, which means it's a little heavier than you'd prefer but also more durable. Drop this net on a dock or a rocky shore and the frame isn't going to dent or bend the way cheaper aluminum sometimes does. The powder coat finish holds up well through a season.
The 18×22 hoop handles slot-limit walleye cleanly — fish in the 15-to-25-inch range land without trouble. Bigger fish can be done, but you'll be working at it. The deep bag design (12 inches of depth) is genuinely thoughtful — it keeps fish from bouncing out even when the hoop is tilted.
Pros:
- Best price in the category for a functional walleye net
- Deep bag prevents fish bounce-outs
- Steel frame handles rough treatment
- Good for single-hook live-bait presentations
- Light enough for shore and dock use
Cons:
- Nylon mesh tangles with treble hooks
- Steel handle adds weight compared to aluminum
- Limited hoop size — big walleye require skilled technique
- No rubber mesh option at this price
Who it's for: Shore anglers, dock fishermen, and anyone who needs a backup boat net without spending more than $60. Also a solid choice for walleye anglers who fish primarily with single-hook jigs and live bait.
4. Frabill Trophy Haul — Best Net for Trophy Walleye
Price: ~$299 | Check Price → →
Specs:
- Hoop dimensions: 30" × 42"
- Handle: 60" fixed aluminum
- Mesh: Rubber micro-mesh
- Weight: 4.2 lbs
- Frame: Aircraft-grade aluminum
When a walleye crosses the 30-inch line, normal nets start to feel like a mistake. The Trophy Haul exists for exactly those situations — 30×42-inch hoop, 60-inch handle, rubber micro-mesh that doesn't scrub slime coat off the fish, and an aircraft-grade aluminum frame that doesn't flex under load.
This is the net you'll see on serious Erie charter boats, on tournament walleye guides who are filming content and can't afford to drop fish, and on anglers who've had a trophy fish bounce out of an undersized net and still haven't forgiven themselves. The hoop is genuinely large — you can scoop a walleye with the fish swimming perpendicular to the handle and still land it cleanly.
The micro-mesh rubber is finer than the mesh on the Power Catch, which matters for fish health when you're holding a walleye in the net while someone grabs the camera. The fish is protected while you get your moment. Release quality is noticeably better than with nylon or even standard rubber mesh.
The trade-offs are real. At 4.2 lbs, this net is heavy. One-handed management in current is difficult. You'll want to store it somewhere accessible on the boat rather than holding it all day. The 60-inch fixed handle, while giving excellent reach, won't collapse for storage — boat layout matters here.
Pros:
- 30×42 hoop handles any walleye ever caught
- Micro-mesh rubber is the gold standard for fish health
- Aircraft-grade frame stays rigid under heavy fish
- 60-inch handle gives exceptional reach
- Frabill build quality is proven over decades
Cons:
- 4.2 lbs — heavy for extended one-hand use
- Fixed handle doesn't collapse for small boats
- $299 is a significant spend for casual anglers
- Overkill for standard slot-limit walleye fishing
Who it's for: Tournament anglers, Erie charter guides, serious catch-and-release practitioners targeting trophy walleye, and anyone who has mentally prepared to pay $300 for peace of mind when the fish of a lifetime shows up.
5. YakGear Telescoping Catch — Best Walleye Net for Kayak Anglers
Price: ~$89 | Check Price → →
Specs:
- Hoop dimensions: 15" × 20"
- Handle: 24"–56" telescoping aluminum
- Mesh: Rubber-coated knotless
- Weight: 1.9 lbs
- Frame: Aluminum alloy
Kayak walleye fishing has its own set of net problems. You're low to the water, which helps. You also have one hand on a paddle, limited storage, and you can't exactly have your buddy lean over to net the fish. You're netting solo, from a platform that moves when you do.
The YakGear Telescoping Catch solves the kayak net problem cleanly. At 1.9 lbs, it's light enough that clipping it to a kayak D-ring isn't going to affect your trim. The telescoping handle collapses to 24 inches for storage — fits beside most kayak seats without hanging over the deck. Extended to 56 inches, it gives you enough reach to handle a walleye that's run under the hull.
The 15×20 hoop is the smallest on this list, which is the primary limitation. For walleye in the 14-to-22-inch range, it's perfectly functional. If you're regularly targeting larger fish and fishing from a kayak, you'll either need the Ego S2 (slightly heavier, larger hoop) or excellent fish-fighting technique that keeps the fish tired and cooperative at boatside.
The rubber mesh performs well in kayak conditions — it doesn't absorb water and add weight the way nylon does, and it cleans quickly. The handle's locking mechanism has a kayak-specific advantage: it works one-handed, which matters when your other hand is stabilizing or still on the paddle grip.
Pros:
- Lightweight enough for kayak D-ring storage
- Collapses to 24 inches — doesn't interfere with paddling
- One-hand locking mechanism
- Rubber mesh stays light in wet conditions
- Good reach at full extension for solo netting
Cons:
- 15×20 hoop limits you to average-sized walleye
- Not ideal for open-water boat situations
- Lighter construction than boat-grade nets
- Smaller hoop requires better technique on larger fish
Who it's for: Kayak anglers, canoe fishermen, and small-craft walleye hunters where weight and storage footprint are genuine constraints, not hypotheticals.
What to Look for in a Walleye Net
Hoop Size
For general walleye fishing, 18×24 is the minimum you want. Walleye over 25 inches are common on productive bodies of water, and a 15×18 hoop will cost you fish. If your target water holds genuine trophy fish (Erie, Winnebago, the Thousand Islands), size up to 20×26 or larger.
Mesh Material
Rubber mesh wins for catch-and-release and for treble-hook presentations. Nylon mesh is acceptable for single-hook fishing and budget builds. Never use raw nylon on trophy fish you're releasing — the abrasion on slime coat is real and affects post-release survival rates in warm water.
Handle Length and Type
Fixed handles are lighter and more rigid — good for boats where reach isn't a variable. Telescoping handles are better for solo anglers, kayak fishing, and multi-platform use where you don't know how much reach you'll need. Minimum 40 inches for boat use; minimum 48 inches if you're fishing from a high-sided aluminum boat or large walleye rig.
Frame Material
Aluminum alloy is the standard for good reason — light, cor