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Walleye
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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