Walleye lurk
in dimly lit
shallows
STAY ALERT TO
CATCH THIS
SKITTISH SPECIES
Walleye is one of the most
popular freshwater sport fish in
North America. Eastern Ontario
along with the Outaouais and
the Pontiac on the Quebec side
ED
provide a myriad of angling
HAND
opportunities. But though
they’re abundant and highly sought, walleye
can be wary creatures. Just look at what some call those “marble eyes.”
They reflect the light and the walleye can prowl and feed in the dark or
when the light is low.
For many who pursue walleye, it’s a “two-shift fish,” meaning
early morning or evening and dusk are the optimal times to chase
these toothy critters. The key is low light, which has walleye more
active. Cloudy days or windy with a chop on the water also give walleye
more nerve to roam.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to catching walleye
– trolling or casting. I’m not much for trolling because my attention
wanders, but for others nothing beats slowly dragging your bait along
the edge of a deep weed line. Another option would be trolling a diving
crank bait over rocky points.
I prefer casting to my quarry and will aim at those deep weeds,
underwater humps and rocks. Creek mouths are also must-check spot
for walleye.
30 | FISH, HUNT RIDE
I have a number of lure “musts” for this fish. I like a beetle spinner
with a tail threaded on the hook for active and roaming fish. It has a
smaller profile than a spinner bait, yet makes enough of a racket to get
the attention of anything down there. To slow down and coax some
uncooperative walleye, I use a ball jig and trailer and drop it in holes in
the weeds, drag it along the weed line or cast up onto rocks and points
when they come in to feed.
Walleye can be skittish and will drop the bait if it feels too heavy or if
there’s too much resistance, so slow and light is the way to go.
While a ball jig and trailer is my preference, many reach for the live
bait. Minnows, leeches and big juicy worms have often been the ticket
for boating walleye. A worm harness is great for casting out and letting
it sink to the bottom. The harness comes with a couple of spinning
blades, a few beads for colour and several hooks. Thread the worm on
the hooks, cast it out and sit back. It’s a relatively easy presentation for
novice anglers and kids.
A spinner rig is the way to go with leeches.