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Walleye
Icing Mid-Winter Walleyes
What could it possibly be that drives an angler to forgo the
comforts of his favorite chair in front of the fireplace on cold and
blustery winter afternoon in favor of plunking his backside on an
over-turned bucket and staring at a hole in the ice waiting for a fish
to bite? It’s the anticipation …the excitement of the Next Bite of
course! It’s that same feeling that all fishermen long for anytime they
wet a line. The key to satisfying that anticipation is to be successful
… to catch fish. The ice angler that is catching fish will invariably be
warmer and happier than the one that’s not catching fish; it’s just one
of those laws of nature that only an ice fisherman can truly understand.
2/12
Keeping Current in the Walleye Game
Ever notice that just about the time you think there’s nothing new that
can be learned about walleye fishing (or just fishing in general for
that matter), a new technique or new technology comes around that turns
the angling world on its ear? If you’ve been at this game long enough,
you’ve no doubt learned that when it comes to being a great fisherman,
one thing never changes … there are constantly changes. And if you’re
going to keep up with these changes, it’s going to require a dedication
to continuing education in order to stay on the top of the game. That’s
not only true of professional anglers, but any angler looking to make
the most of his or her time on the water. 12/11
Late fall and Where's the Bay of Quinte Walleye
Each fall king-sized Walleye are suppose to return to the Bay of Quint
on Lake Ontario’s Northern shore. The Walleye spend the summer cruising
the depths of the lake, and with the on-set of winter, return to the
rivers where they will spend the winter in preparation of the spring
spawn. Part of this preparation involves gorging on pray, which means
not only are they localized, but huge and hungry – every fishers dream.
12/11
Falling for River Walleyes
Where do you typically begin your walleye fishing season every year? If
you’re like most of us, it’s on a river. The walleyes are there to spawn
and the bite is predictable. Now that we are approaching the later
stages of the season, that river may again be a good bet to find some
great walleye fishing. Look at it this way … the walleyes don’t just
show up in those river spots in the spring. They actually begin that
migration in the fall. That means your best favorite “spring” walleye
river is loading up right now with hungry, aggressive fish. 10/11
On
the Contours for Late Summer Walleyes
Late summer can be a tough season when it comes to catching walleyes. It
reaches its peak with hot, muggy days and warm sultry nights through
much of August, and then as September nears, it takes a drastic
about-face and swings toward the fall season. It’s one of those
transition periods that proves difficult for many anglers looking to
score consistently. “Hit and Miss” fishing this time of year is often
blamed on everything from “Dog Days” to “Turn-Over”, but the biggest
problem is most anglers are not fishing the right structure. The key
could be as simple as “Think Sharp” … that is to say, concentrate your
efforts on sharp breaking structure. 09/11
Cranky Summer Walleyes
In this, the hottest part of the season, a walleye’s metabolism is
running as high as it’s going to run all year. That’s what makes now
such a great time of year ... aggressive fish that are eating all the
time. For years we have heard old tales about how tough fishing can be
during these “Dog Days”, but in reality, if you’re not catching fish,
it’s because you’re either not in the right place or you’re using the
wrong approach. To find them, find their food source. Most of the best
summer walleye fishing will key on either Open Water Basins or Deep
Structure. While these are vastly different locales, your best choice of
presentations will be the same for each ... trolling crankbaits. 08/11
Walleye Current Trolling Secrets
Without question trolling crankbaits is a consistent walleye
tactic from spring to autumn in rivers. Fast flow poses challenges, but
with the right tools and methods these hurdles are easily overcome. The
reward: lots of overlooked, willing-to-bite walleye. 07/11
Walleye Rigging with an Attitude
If there is one solid piece of advice we could give you when it comes to
catching more walleyes in the peak of summer, its “push the envelope” …
push the fish to their limit. You want to be as aggressive as possible
to cover water but still be able to get fish to bite! This is “fishing
with an attitude”; a mindset that you’re going to find out just exactly
what the absolute best presentation is going to be to trigger the most
bites on a given day. 06/11
Shore Tips for Summer Walleye
Shore anglers often find themselves doubting the angling opportunities
that can be had. Most species are readily accessible from shore but
walleye are without a doubt one of easiest and most plentiful fish
Ontario has to offer. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a lake or river,
walleyes can be caught from shore in both good numbers and size.
05/11
Middle of the Road Walleyes
Although rivers get a ton of attention in the early part of the walleye
fishing season, there is an army of anglers that concentrate their
efforts fishing natural lakes and mid-sized reservoirs this time of
year. The challenge for these dedicated souls is that finding walleyes
right now can be tough. The walleyes are in transition; it’s not really
spring, and it’s not yet summer? It’s a time when we say the walleyes
are “in the middle of the road”, meaning they are between patterns.
05/11
Time for a River Walleye Bite!
This has been one of the toughest winters on record for a large
part of the country, and not just the northern reaches. Snow and record
low temps have everyone ready for spring and some fun outdoor
activities. This seems especially true of the vast majority of walleye
anglers out there, and luckily the time is here for the first really
good open water action of the season. It’s time for the Spring River
Walleye bite!
When
the Walleye Just Won't Bite
All of us have had tough days on the water - bad weather,
equipment failure and fish that refuse to bite. Walleye fishing is often
a game of chances, and when these fish shut down, you'll find yourself
cursing all the way back to the launch ramp. There are a number of
techniques and adaptations that anglers can use that can turn finicky
fish into biters, and with practice and patience, you can turn that bad
day into a good one, and fill that live well up to the limit in the
process!
Summertime Eyes
If Ontario is best known for one fish it is without a doubt the
delicious walleye. Trophy walleye fishing can be had at both ends of the
province. In Southern Ontario, The Bay of Quinte is a world class trophy
walleye producer that rivals any other trophy walleye waters North
America has to offer. Lake of the Woods, Eagle Lake and Lac Seul are the
true gems of Northern Ontario and gives any angler a realistic shot at a
fish of a lifetime. Rigging, bouncing bottom and casting or trolling
minnow baits are extremely productive methods for catching big summer
walleye.
Bucktail Jigs for Walleye
Feed the fish some fur when working the water for walleye… When walleye
head to the shade of the salad, or cruise along the edge of a breakline,
a bucktail jig may be your best tool in the tackle box for seducing a
strategic strike. Regarded as one of the earliest jig creations to hit
the fishing scene, bucktails have fallen by the wayside over the years,
regrettably to make room for the ever-expanding designs brought on by
the hi-tech plastics market. Those anglers in the know, however, realize
the true value this old standby of fur can bring to the underwater
world, and continue to reap the benefits season after season.
Walleye
Season - Opener Jigging Tips
With this year's open-water walleye season here (or soon to be), it's
hard not to get excited. A multi-species angler, I have an affinity for
early season walleye fishing as I'm sure many of you do. To help you get
the most out of your time on the water, here are a few jigging tips to
help you put more walleyes in your landing net.
Swimbaits for Walleye
If you’re looking to land big walleye and prefer casting over trolling,
swimbaits are one of the best baits going to accomplish this goal. When
other anglers are working small, twister tail jigs with a vertical
finesse approach, casting a swimbait can boat you plenty of fish. This
season give yourself an advantage, integrating swimbaits into your
walleye repertoire. Here’s what you need to know about these productive
baits.
Fall River
Walleye Tactics
It was mid October and I was river fishing for walleye. The shoreline
trees still held some leaves, but plenty had fallen over the last couple
of weeks. I bounced a jig off bottom and then felt a light tick. Setting
the hook, a good-sized walleye was soon in the net and one of many I
caught that day.
Late September to ice-up is prime time to river fish for walleye. Here's
what you need to know to take advantage of this predicable, seasonal
bite.
Baitfish and
Fall Trolling For Walleye and Muskie
"You marking any bait?" is a popular question many anglers ask when
talking about trolling for walleye or muskie. Finding baitfish schools
being attacked by predators is an important angling skill for autumn
trolling. I spoke with two well-known guides, a walleye expert and a
muskie specialist, about fishing large pods of baitfish as a piece of
fish-holding structure. What follows are some of their observations on
the importance of baitfish and tips on autumn trolling strategies
Walleye
and Bobbers
Across Ontario, the walleye rates hands-down as the most sought
after and favorite game fish. The techniques for catching these critters
may be well-known and elementary, and include the ever popular jigging,
trolling and bottom bouncing. (Elementary in name, I concede, but
advanced and intricate in technique.) But how many anglers routinely
pack floats, split shot and live bait, searching out precise structure
to drift their offerings across? Certainly the minority, but hopefully
more will come on board after recognizing the success this technique can
bring.
Fish
Fast First to Ice More Winter Walleye
As anglers it's easy for us to fall into the pattern of ice fishing
slowly for walleye. Granted, certain conditions demand lethargic
presentations to get bites. Mid-winter doldrums, cold front weather
systems and high fishing pressure are a few examples. Yet, fishing
jigging baits at a faster pace can attract more aggressive walleye. With
the right kinds of lures you can fish quickly, but add finesse moves
when needed. This combination may seem like a paradox, but it catches me
dozens of walleye during the ice season.
Working the
Boat for Walleye
Presentation is a key component when chasing walleye. If your lure or bait
is not positioned at the correct angle, depth or speed, your chances for
success are greatly diminished. Boat control is your greatest asset when
it comes to presenting your bait accurately, yet it is a skill that
requires the necessary equipment, as well as time spent on the water
practicing. Follow these tactics to better your boat positioning, and reap
the rewards of more walleye in the net.
Tournament
Tips - What Can We Learn from the Walleye Pros?
Some of the thousands of Canadian anglers that chase walleyes every year
pursue them for more than just enjoyment, relaxation, sport or even a
meal. These anglers fish for money and glory in big-dollar professional
walleye tournaments across North America. While these tournaments may not
interest all walleye anglers, can the average recreational walleye angler
learn something from these pros?
Catching
Walleye during a Spring Mayfly Hatch
Take a close look at a walleye's mouth and its teeth tell the story - they
have evolved to feed on fish. Yet, walleye don't survive on fish alone.
Ever the opportunists, these marble-eyed predators will snatch up meals
whenever they get the chance, and there are few underwater appetizers as
easy for them to eat as mayfly nymphs.
Catching
Walleye during a Summer Mayfly Hatch
In an earlier article, I discussed how walleye can aggressively feed on
mayfly nymphs as they're recovering from the stresses of spawning and the
winter. Although, walleye binge-feeding tapers come summer, they still
target nymphs when available. Catching walleye during summer mayfly
hatches can be more difficult than in spring, but can still be
accomplished.
Bucktail
Jigging For Weed Walleye
When walleye head to the shade of the salad, or cruise along the edge of
vegetation, a bucktail jig can be your greatest tool for seducing them to
strike. Not only is the undulating hair a visual stimulant, but also the
erratic cadence of the bait as it is ripped and jigged with vigor. Working
bucktails is a different game than with regular jigs, but the technique
speaks for itself with the big results you'll be rewarded with.
The
Simple Rig For Smart Walleyes
Float fishing through the ice is for anyone who has baked in the
winter-thaw sun of an Ontario February or March. The technique really
shines when the holes aren't freezing, and hanging bait in your favorite
spots is a winner for walleyes schooling up on or around structure.
Night
Trolling for Walleye
The green, red and white navigation lights from other boats slowly glided
through the darkness, setting the ambiance for another night fishing
adventure. Within a few minutes of starting a trolling run, I connected
with a fierce and feisty walleye that hammered my shallow-running minnow
bait. Through the flashlight beam the fish became visible. Once boat side
it was netted and quickly released. I returned my bait to the water, gazed
up at the stars and breathed the cool, evening air - Ah, the joys of night
trolling for walleye
Staying
Current on River Walleye
Finding walleye in rivers can be just as challenging, if not more, than
locating them in lakes. This difficulty can make rivers a second choice
when lakes are easily accessible. These neglected waters can sometimes
contain more and less pressured fish to be caught by anglers wise on the
ways river fishing. One key factor to locating fish in rivers is
establishing productive current areas containing fast and slack water
close to prime structures and cover. Add a food supply to the mix, and
you've got a gourmet recipe for river-walleye.
When the Walleye Just Won't Bite
All of us have had tough days on the
water - bad weather, equipment failure and fish that refuse to bite.
Walleye fishing is often a game of chances, and when these fish shut down,
you'll find yourself cursing all the way back to the launch ramp.
Fall Time
Means Plump Walleye
As the leaves slowly begin to change colour
and the nights become frosty, walleye anglers in the know begin to get
their tackle ready in anticipation of guaranteed action. Fall is the
number one period for catching LARGE walleye, especially those that push
the scale down to double digits! By following a few simple rules, catching
trophy walleye during the harvest moon can be as easy as 1-2-3, and let's
face it, what can be better than that in the game of fishing?
Toughing
Out the Turnover: Fall Walleye Tactics
"Walleye put on a pretty aggressive feed in the fall. I'd say the fishing
is better than the spring bite," said Ted Takasaki, professional walleye
angler and president of Lindy - Legendary Fishing Tackle, describing
fishing after the fall turnover. If his statement didn't convince you to
fall fish, consider that the absence of fair-weather anglers reduces boat
traffic, and autumn shorelines provide beautiful scenery. As water
temperatures cool, fish feed heavily to build up fat reserves for winter.
Whether you're a trophy hunter or a numbers angler, fall is one of the
best times to chase walleye.
High Percentage
Spots for Early Ice 'Eyes
Like a puppy staring out the window
yearning for its owner, so it goes with walleye anglers awaiting first
ice. They're weepy eyed, salivating, possibly drooling, and giddy when walkable ice finally forms. There's no secret as to why, either. The
fishing's just that darn good.
Walleyes
in Precarious and Particular Places
Walleyes and whales could
never coexist. Well, first there’s that saltwater to freshwater issue, and
then the fact that whales breathe air through a blowhole and walleyes take
oxygen aquatically, through gills. Granted, both species spend time in
wide open spaces – whales sucking plankton through their baleen and
walleyes sucking flesh through their choppers – but their timecards differ
considerably. Whales are always at sea. Walleyes are only sometimes at
sea; structure is equally as important to the crowned kings of freshwater
fishes.
Crankbait
Fishing for Walleye
If you have never tried to use a crankbait
for catching , walleye or any of the pike family, or have had little or no
success, read on, I might convince you to give it another try. During
certain times of the day walleye like to move into deeper water.
Throttling
Back for the Spring Attack
Energies and ambitions have been
suffocated since fall; back when turkey was served with mashed potatoes
and ‘eyes were stacked on points like lumber. Those were Hallmark moments,
the days after the leaves dropped but snow had yet to fall. Yeah,
ice fishing provided a redeemable outlet, too, but spring is still spring.
Putting the boat in; running your fingers through a mess of leeches, all
black ones; cocking back the bail for the season’s maiden cast. That’s it.
That’s the feeling.
Where
the Walleye Come From -
April 18th
was a sunny cold day with a biting north wind. Volunteer members of COFA
(Conservationists of Frontenac-Addington) arrived at Northport on the Bay
of Quinte to gather Walleye eggs for their hatchery.
Fall Walleye
Fishing
Walleye fishing in the cooler weather of autumn is probably
second best only to early spring, although there are anglers who would
argue this point. Early season walleye fishing is great to say the least,
but try a night in the fall when you shiver with cold and excitement as
the line goes tight and the fish takes off for deeper water. Fall fishing
is hard to beat for great action. As the water cools and the wave action
turns the water over, the oxygen levels go up and the walleye will be
stimulated and become more active.
Dunk the
Weeds for Sunshine Walleye
Hot, penetrating sunshine and the
sensitive eyes of the walleye can make for a frustrating and
energy-draining day out on the water for the exuberant angler. Fish become
scarce during these trying times and without the proper locations or
techniques needed to find and catch these fish, a fisherman's moral can
reach an all-time low. Green, healthy weeds, a handful of jigs and a
technique called "dunking" are all that are needed to find success during
these "dog days" of summer.
Tempting
the Big Walleye's of Fall
As the leaves begin to drop and the
temperature starts to cool, the walleye begins a migration to typical
areas in search of food to fatten-up for the upcoming winter. Fall time is
synonymous with trophy time as these fish display size, strength and a
willingness to bite.
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