Walleye Fishing in Ontario

DESCRIPTION: This species averages from 15 inches to 27 inches in length, and many in the 27 inch to 30+ inch range. Walleye’s have a dark green back and a gold to white coloured belly. On their back is a dorsal fin which has 12 to 16 spines which are very sharp, almost needle like. Some of their key characteristics are its large silvery eye, a black blotch at the base of its dorsal fin, and a white blotch at the tip of its tail.

Spring and fall are great times to try artificial hard baits such as the Shad Rap, Wally Diver, Rattlin Rap, Live Target, etc… Soft plastics work year round and we have good success with Berkley Power Grubs, Gulp, and Ribbon Tails.

As the Walleye move into deeper water you cannot go wrong with jigs tipped with a minnow. It is best to have a variety of size and colour of jig.

If the bite is soft, try resting your jig near/on the bottom with a very gentle twitch every once in a while ~ this slow action will convince even the finickiest fish.

DISTRIBUTION: These fish are found in great numbers on Lac Seul and Map B Lakes. As spring spawners they can be found in relatively shallow waters during the months of May and June. They migrate to the deeper water as the season progresses where they settle into their summer holes for some of the most consistent fishing we see. As the summer starts to turn to fall, these large schools of fish start to move back to their spawning areas where they find an abundance of bait fish. You can expect to find these fish in depths of water ranging from 6 feet to 35 feet.

ANGLING METHOD: The most common method used to catch these fish is to jig for them using various size lead head jigs tipped with a minnow. The most important key to jigging for Walleyes is to be able to feel the lake bottom. Other techniques used in this area include casting or trolling crankbaits (this is best suited for spring and fall fishing when they are shallow), and trolling weighted spinners, also tipped with a minnow.

TROPHY WALLEYE FISHING: Lac Seul is the top producing trophy Walleye lake in our area and is rated as one of the top three Walleye fisheries in Ontario, but we also fish Minnitaki Lake for trophy walleye. We also walleye fish on Abram and Pelican Lakes, and while trophy walleyes are possible, these lakes tend not to be as productive as Lac Seul and Minnitaki Lakes, because of the superb structure and spawning areas they have. Also, our Lac Seul Fly-in Outposts, on the northeast end of Lac Seul, are in the heart of some of the best trophy Walleye fishing Lac Seul has to offer!

Hardware	Suggestions
ROD	5’6” to 7’ one or two piece Light to medium action, fast tip. Spinning rods are most common. We carry a full line of fishing rods should you want to pick up a new Walleye rod when you arrive. Guide Choice: St. Croix Eyecon 6’6” Med-Lite Power, Fast Action, 4-10 lb. 1/8—3/8 oz.
REEL	Appropriate type according to rod type (spinning or casting) Sized to match length and action of rod. Capacity to hold 110 yards of 8 lb test line. Guide Choice: Pflueger President Spinning Reel Model 6925X or 6930X.
LINE	6 ~ 10 lb test monofilament or florocarbon line recommended. Guide Choice: Viscious Advanced Copolymer 8 lb
TACKLE	1/4 to 1/2 oz lead head jigs of assorted colour. 1/4 to 3/8 are most common. Barrel swivels are used to reduce line twist—size 12 Snap swivels are also used but add to the “hardware” – size 10 Guide Choice: 1/4 oz Chartreuse/Orange Jig tipped with a minnow.
Key with this species:	The lighter the tackle the better. Clear or red fishing line is best. Avoid braided or similar line unless tying on a mono leader. Using a swivel may reduce line twist. The key is to be able to feel the bottom.

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