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.