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Boundary Waters / Quetico Discussion Forums >> Fishing Tips for the BWCA and Quetico >> Walleye Fishing Lesson
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Message started by Drewfus on Jan 24th, 2012 at 6:10pm

Title: Re: Walleye Fishing Lesson
Post by Kerry on Jan 26th, 2012 at 3:16am
Well, here's my 2 cents.  First, when it comes to fishing I've got nothing on many of the folks on this forum - I'm definitely a newbie.  This last season was only my second time fishing on a trip.  Mind you I had a pretty good teacher who helped me get up to speed in a hurry plus I read a lot.  I'm definitely into Wally's and while I haven't as yet caught any of what you'd call trophy sized fish, in both Quetico, 2 years ago, and Wabakimi last year I caught lots, mostly between 2 and 4 pounds.
Like you, Drewface, most of my fishing is done in August so I know that if I want Walleye I'm either going to have to go deep or fish at outflows.  Also, although I have caught Walleye during high sun times of the day, they really don't like bright light so fish at dawn or dusk (if you're up to night fishing, even better) or on an overcast day and you'll have the best luck.
Me, I'm lazy so I keep it pretty simple.  I find jig fishing boring - I'd rather cast and catch nothing then sit with a jig so I'm definitely not the guy to talk about the virtues of jig fishing.  I pretty much stick to stick baits.  My favorites are Taildancers, L.C. Pointers and L.C. Stayzees. My 3 favorite colours when fishing stained water are yellow, yellow and yellow (actually charteuse is also a favorite.) 
In late summer I know I've got to get down there so I'm using deep divers, typically something that will get me down to between 12 and 20 feet although I have to say, it's been my experience that if I can get their attention, they'll come up some and nail the bait. 
When trolling I keep it pretty slow.  My wife is my tripping partner and although she likes going out fishing with me, she doesn't like to fish.  So she's my trolling motor.  She's in the bow and paddling pretty easy.  You don't want to be going too fast according to my experience.
I don't travel with a depth finder.  If you can find topo maps that include the lakes, that can be helpful for sure.  But mostly I use my eyes.  What I'm looking for are shore lines and points with small boulders and rocks that drop off pretty quickly.  I'll either troll along the shore (best to pick one that the wind is blowing into) or sometimes shore fish casting out and bumping my lure along the bottom as I reel in (shore fishing is a great way to lose lures!)  I like to practice walking the dog and other such techniques although I'm not really sure that Walleye care one way or the other.  Unlike bass, Walleye aren't particularly aggressive fish so you've got to get the lure in front of them when they're hungry.  But keep in mind that they school, so where you find one, whether trolling or casting, you'll find more.  I've had quite a few experiences where I've hauled one out with every cast for a 1/2 hour and then nothing.
You can also catch plenty of Walleye at outflows.  There I use L.C. Pointers mostly and pretty shallow - 3-6 feet.  In Quetico I had really good luck at most outflows and Chatterton Falls was the absolute bomb.  But this year in Wabakimi, I didn't have that much luck around outflows - not sure why.
Walleye aren't the most exciting fish to catch but boy are they good eatin'.
By the way, if you're in Quetico and looking for Walleye be sure and take a trip to Jesse - outstanding fishing.
Next year I'll be making my first trip to WCPP and I expect amazing fishing, Walleye and trout.  Only 6 months to go!

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