Walleye Tips – Jigging with a Dubuque Rig

Proudly named after Dububue, as its origins are believed to be from here.  One of the club’s founders and unofficial historians, Art Lerhman, credits 

The Dubuque Rig is a specialized three-way swivel setup designed specifically for river walleye fishing. It allows you to present two different baits at once, covering both the bottom and the water column just above it. It is particularly effective on wing dams during the summer because it allows you to probe the rocky faces and scour holes where walleyes rest out of the main current.

How to Tie the Dubuque Rig

The rig is centered around a standard three-way swivel with three distinct connections:

  • Mainline: Typically 10–20 lb braid.

  • Bottom Dropper (The “Heavy” Lead): A short mono leader (6–12 inches) tied to a heavy jig (typically 3/8 to 3/4 oz depending on current).

  • Trailing Leader (The “Finesse” Lead): A longer mono or fluorocarbon leader (24–42 inches) tied to a lighter presentation, such as a 1/16 oz jig, a plain hook, or a floating jig head.

Summer Tactics for Wing Dams

While originally popular for spring and late-season fishing, the Dubuque Rig is a “killer” summer technique for wing dams when fish are finicky.

  • Positioning: Use Spot-Lock or anchor your boat approximately 50 feet upstream of the wing dam’s “boil line” (the surface turbulence created by water hitting the rocks).

  • Targeting the Scour Hole: Lower the rig until the heavy bottom jig makes contact with the rocks on the upstream face of the dam. The scour hole—the deeper area just in front of the dam—is where walleyes wait to ambush prey.

  • Presentation: Use a series of lifts and drops. Avoid dragging the heavy jig along the bottom to prevent snagging on the rocks. The heavy jig provides vibration and a large profile, while the lighter trailing bait flutters more naturally behind it.

  • Bait Selection: In summer, tip the jigs with plastics (like 4-inch ringworms or paddle tails) for vibration, or use live bait (leeches or half a nightcrawler) on the trailing hook for a more subtle approach.

Important Considerations

  • Regulations: This is a multi-hook rig. Always check local and state regulations, as it is often only legal on border waters (like the Mississippi River between Minnesota and Wisconsin/Iowa).

  • Rod Choice: Because you are handling heavy weights in current, use a medium-power, extra-fast (MXF) rod to ensure you have enough backbone to set the hook and manage the hardware.

Would you like me to find the specific fishing regulations for the river or state where you’ll be using this rig?