One of the most sought out gamefish in Northern Canada is the walleye. This species is a native of Canada and they’re one challenging fish to catch and reel in. One reason they’re so hard to catch is because they have a soft bite that is very easy to miss if you’re not paying attention or if you don’t have the right equipment. Another thing that makes them a challenge and such an interesting fish is the fact that they’ll put up an amazing struggle once hook. You’re not going to have an easy time reeling them in.
The walleye are plentiful all through the northern part of Canada and they average somewhere around twenty-five pounds when grown. They have large eyes that reflect light, just like the eyes of a cat and they have an olive color body with a golden hue throughout the flanks. This pattern is broken up with five dark areas extending to the upper sides. They also have a mouth full of sharp teeth that you’ll want to avoid when removing the hook.
Walleye Fishing Techniques
There are many different techniques that can be used when fishing for walleyes in Northern Canada and the best one to use will depend on where you’re fishing and what type of gear you have access to. Nevertheless, there are three particular techniques that tend to be more productive than others. These are used by experienced anglers who want to reel in as many walleye as possible.
Three walleye fishing techniques for Northern Canada:
1. Trolling- When fishing for walleye in Northern Canada you can cover a lot of ground when trolling but that’s not the only advantage. Since you’re fishing with several rods at a time, you can fish different depths and use different baits all at the same time. This makes it easy to find out what the walleye is attracted to the most and at what depth they’re located so you can get down to some serious fishing sooner instead of wasting time looking for the fish.
2. Jigging- This is another popular technique because you can get above the walleye and drop your jig down into the middle of them without scaring them away. Jigs are extremely versatile so it’s easy to find something that will attract the walleye which is another advantage to using them.
3. Drift Fishing- Many times the walleye can be found in weed beds, rock piles and around points located throughout the water. When fishing these areas, drift fishing is an excellent choice. The bail will slowly drift through the strike zone enticing the fish to strike.
Anytime you’re fishing in Northing Canada for walleyes, it’s recommended that you use electronics. GPS systems will help you navigate throughout the water and a fish finder will make it easier for you to locate the fish and the underwater structures where they hang out.
Walleye Fishing Tips
Normally, the best time to go fishing for the walleye starts in late evening and runs throughout the night. However, there are exceptions. You can yield some excellent results when fishing on cloudy days or when it’s drizzling rain. The walleye will be the hardest to catch during bright sunny days because they avoid the sunlight as much as possible but when it’s overcast, they’re usually fairly active. If you do go fishing for them on sunny days, stick to the shadows for the best results.
The spawning season usually starts in the early part of May and runs through June. It depends on when the water reaches the right temperature which is between forty-two and fifty-six degrees. This is an excellent time to fish for this species because they’re active and hungry. They can be found near the shore around gravel flats, sandy bays and other structures where they can make a nest to spawn.
The walleye will be attracted to both live and artificial bait so you can choose whichever one you prefer to use. The main thing to remember is to present your bait correctly. It must look natural when it’s going through the water so it’s a good idea to practice your presentation as often as possible. As a general rule, live bait usually works the best in the spring and jigs and crank baits are the best artificial lures to use when fishing for walleye in Northern Canada.
Walleye fishing is fun and very exciting because this is a unique fish that is harder to catch than many of the other species. They’re full of surprises and put up an amazing fight that keeps you coming back for more. Northern Canada has some of the most gorgeous scenery you’ll ever find and the fishing opportunities are abundant.
There are many places where you can find the walleye and each one of them has its own unique beauty. When you pay attention and use one of the techniques listed above, you’re sure to have an amazing Northern Canada walleye fishing trip that you’ll always remember.