| The
walleye (also known as pickerel) is found throughout Ontario and is particularly
common in the Great Lakes basin. In Northern Ontario it is found in abundance
in a wide range of waters.
Walleye
thrive in a range of river and lake conditions from cold, clear water to
warm, weedy and stained water. Preferred cover includes weed, wood and
rock. Bottom types can be anything from soft mud to flooded timber, rubble
or bedrock.
The
walleye is a light-avoiding fish, caught most often under low light conditions.
Fishing is generally best on cloudy or overcast days, or on days when waves
keep light from penetrating too deeply into the water.
In
springtime walleye will take almost any bait or lure, but may be more challenging
to catch through the summer months. Fall often brings another peak of walleye
feeding activity.
Casting
or trolling with spinners or minnow-imitating plugs is a good bet. Special
worm harness rigs of spinners and beads are often trolled. Jigs, either
traditional bucktails, or tipped with any of the modern plastics, a piece
of worm or minnow are walleye angling favorites.
Excellent
live bait includes:
 |
minnows,
earthworms and crayfish |
Live
baits are often still-fished, drifted or trolled on slip-sinker or "bottom-bouncing" rigs. Walleye are readily caught through the ice, usually on jigs, jigging
spoons or minnows.
Length:
25 - 85 cm. (10-33 in.)
Prefered
water temperature: 23 C / 73 F
Distribution/Habitat:
lakes and rivers throughout most of Ontario
Similar
fish: sauger, yellow perch
Key
identifying: characteristics white tip on lower tail fin; no distinct blotches
or bands on adults
|
2010 regulations including seasons have not been published by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources yet.
