fishing
Best Walleye Destinations
by: T.J. Schwanky
1. RED RIVER, MB

I cut my teeth fishing Manitoba's mighty Red River, and it has always been an awesome walleye destination. Unlike many waters that have slowly declined in quality over the years, the Red River just keeps getting better and better. Don Lamont, host of The Complete Angler television show, did a program there last October and landed 11-, 13- and 15-pound fish respectively, all in the course of a single afternoon.
     The best action occurs below the floodway control weir, between the towns of Lockport and Selkirk, and the best fishing typically runs from early September to early November, although there are also big walleye taken through the ice every year in December.
     Trolling Shad Raps along the channel edge produces well, and Lamont confided in me that they took all their big fish on a pink jig and frozen shiner while fishing from an anchored boat. Walleye are usually found on the 8- to 10-foot flats early in the day, and then slip into deeper water for the afternoon.
•Contact: Manitoba Natural Resources, Fisheries Branch, (800) 214-6497.

2. TOBIN LAKE, SK

Seventeen-pound-plus walleye have been taken here in the past few years, and there are more 13- to 15-pound walleye caught in Tobin than anywhere else in Canada. I have been fishing Tobin for more than a dozen years now and—though it's not the fishery it once was—it is still a fantastic destination for big fish.
     The great fishing in Tobin Lake actually comes at the stretch of the Saskatchewan River between the Francois-Finlay Dam and Tobin Lake. Beginning in early September and lasting until freeze-up, walleye move en masse into these waters with one purpose in mind: eating. Even though these are big fish, a delicate presentation is required. A live-bait rig and leech combination accounts for the majority of true monsters. You can get onto the water at the regional park in Nipawin and the river is big enough for the largest walleye boat.
•Contact: Saskatchewan Fisheries Management, John Durbin, (306) 953-2875

3. LAKE DIEFENBAKER, SK

While I've ranked this prairie reservoir in third place, I have to admit that this is actually my favourite spot to fish for walleye. Diefenbaker is loaded with big fish that can be caught year-round, and the fishing pressure is negligible. The best early season action is in the vicinity of the Gardiner and Qu'Appelle dams, in the warmer water at the back end of the coulees. As the season progresses, you can track the fish west. By August, some of the best fishing is at the west end near Saskatchewan Landing.
     A tiny black jig and medium-sized leech are just the ticket early in the season. Cast into extremely shallow water and slowly drag the jig back to the boat. When the water begins to warm, live-bait rigs, bottom bouncers and spinner rigs, and crankbaits all produce well. Even during the summer, you don't need to look very deep. Some of the best August action takes place in less than six feet of water.
•Contact: Saskatchewan Fisheries Management, Ron Jensen, (306) 778-8210

4. LAKE ERIE, ON

When I spoke with Greg Horoky, one of Canada's top walleye pros, about this Top 20 list, his response was simple: "It just doesn't get any better than the west basin of Lake Erie." There are an estimated 70 million walleye in this portion of the lake, and anglers heading out of Kingsville, Colchester and Leamington have access to most of them.
     The majority of big fish are taken during the spring while trolling 17 to 24 feet over 32 feet of water. During the summer months, big fish are a little harder to catch, but hooking a limit of fish over 20 inches is never a problem. Horoky brags about mile-long schools of walleye that can only be effectively fished by trolling bottom bouncers and spinner rigs tipped with a crawler. "It doesn't matter what colour blade you use, as long as it's chartreuse," Horoky adds.
•Contact: Southwestern Ontario Travel Association, (800) 661-6804.

5. WINNIPEG RIVER, MB

The Winnipeg River, downstream of Pine Falls, is another of my favourite old haunts. While there may be fewer trophy fish in the Winnipeg River than in the Red, there are still loads of fish here, including some dandies that top the scales at 15 pounds or more.
     Angling is best from September to November, with most anglers concentrating their efforts around the mouth of the Winnipeg River at Traverse Bay on Lake Winnipeg. There is also some excellent fishing between Pointe du Bois and Eaglesnest Lake, but this portion of the river can be extremely tricky to navigate with a boat.
     Trolling Pearl or Firetiger Shad Raps over top of limestone mudflats is the presentation of choice for intercepting these mega walleye making their way out of Lake Winnipeg into the Winnipeg River. Anglers should be aware, however, that a north wind that lasts for days can shut these fish off. Unlike the Red, the Winnipeg River is fairly clear and a prolonged north wind really muddies it up.
•Contact: Manitoba Natural Resources, Fisheries Branch, (800) 214-6497.

6. LESSER SLAVE LAKE, AB

Alberta's walleye population may be declining generally, but there are still a few excellent fisheries to be found. Lesser Slave Lake, located 200 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, is one of the best. It is not uncommon to hook 50-plus fish a day here, and every year anglers catch fish over 12 pounds.
     Early-season action centres around Shaw's Point at the west end. As the summer progresses, the fish move throughout the entire lake. Trolling bottom bouncers and spinner rigs is the method of choice once the summer sun begins to warm these shallow waters. It's not unusual to troll faster than three miles-per-hour here, so heavy bouncers are the rule. Orange is an excellent choice of blade colour, and crawlers definitely are the most productive bait. Fish swim in depths from 3 to 40 feet, though I've found 13 to 16 feet to be most consistent.
•Contact: Alberta Natural Resources Services, Slave Lake, (780) 849-7110.

7. LAKE OF THE WOODS, ON


A decade ago, Lake of the Woods would not have made a Top 20 list of Canada's walleye fisheries. But in the past three years, the lake has really been coming on. Not only are anglers hooking good numbers, but there are enough 10-pounders to attract the attention of any serious fisherman.
     The hotspots right now include the Kenora area and Whitefish Bay near Sioux Narrows. Fish are being taken all year, but Don Lamont reports there is a great midsummer fishery on 10- to 15-foot mid-lake humps. "Fish any hump within a 10-mile radius of Kenora during July and August and you'll catch fish," says Lamont. Jigs and rigs are the presentation of choice, with leeches getting the nod for bait. Contrary to what many of the books say, the walleye tend to head deeper in the fall and are most often taken in 20 to 40 feet of water in narrows and channels.
 •Contact: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Kenora, (807) 468-2501.

8. THE FORKS, AB


Though there is no boat launch or even a paved road leading to this destination, it's still one of the hottest walleye fisheries in Alberta. Anglers catch numerous 10- to 12-pound walleye here each year, and Richard Mellon, one of Canada's top walleye pros, believes the next Alberta-record walleye will come from these magnificent flowing waters.
     The Forks is located where the Bow and Oldman rivers join north of Grassy Lake to form the South Saskatchewan River. Anglers can expect to catch walleye all season long, but September and October are the prime months. There is excellent shoreline angling here, but innovative anglers use small cartoppers and belly boats to get to the more remote holes. Vertical jigging and live-bait rigging with leeches are the primary presentations, although trolling or casting crankbaits like a gold/black Hot'N Tot or Wally Diver also produces a lot of big 'eyes.
 •Contact: Alberta Environment, (403) 297-6423.

9. GOUIN RESERVOIR, QC

Daily catches of 50 or more walleye, averaging in the two- to six-pound range, are not uncommon in this massive reservoir, especially in some of the more remote reaches. The fish may not be monsters (though the lake record is a respectable 13 pounds), but I have it on good authority that the walleye fishing is spectacular.
     With over 5,600 kilometres of shoreline and hundreds of islands to explore, you rarely have to share a fishing spot. The fish are not sophisticated, so you can take them on all standard presentations. Blue/silver Shad Raps are a favoured bait for trolling, although regulars claim that most of the big fish come on a jig and worm. My sources say it's also a good idea to add a white or chartreuse Power Teaser body to your jig.
•Contact: Tourism Quebec, (800) 363-7777.

10. COLUMBIA RIVER, BC

While certainly not noted for walleye fishing, British Columbia is not without her jewels, and the most highly appraised is the Columbia River. This river rose to the forefront of the continent's walleye fisheries in the early '90s by giving up numerous 18- to 20- pounders in Washington and Oregon. You're not likely to encounter this type of action on the Columbia in B.C., but the stretch of the river below the Keenlyside Dam, near Trail, produces quantities of 5- to 6-pound 'eyes, and 15 anglers have taken fish over 12 pounds.
     Walleye swim in the river system year-round. The best spring and fall action occurs around the Keenlyside Dam, while the top summertime fishing takes place near the Waneta Dam. You can catch walleye from shore, especially during the evening hours, but the big fish lurk in depths of 40 to 60 feet. Vertical jigging with a heavy, one-ounce jig tipped with a crawler is the most popular presentation, although I've enjoyed excellent evening action casting crankbaits like the Wally Diver or Thunderstick.
•Contact: B.C. Fisheries Office, Kootenay Region, (250) 254-6332.

11. LAST MOUNTAIN LAKE, SK
•Contact: Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management, Ron Jensen, (306) 953-2875.

12. RED DEER RIVER, AB
•Contact: Natural Resource Services, Red Deer, (403) 340-5142.

13. BAY OF QUINTE, ON
•Contact: Ontario East Tourism Association, (800) 567-3278.

14. DAUPHIN LAKE, MB
•Contact: Manitoba Natural Resources, Fisheries Branch, (800) 214-6497.

15. MILK RIVER RIDGE, AB
•Contact: Travel Alberta, (800) 661-8888.

16. DETROIT RIVER, ON
•Contact: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Chatham, (519) 354-7340.

17. RAFFERTY RESERVOIR, SK
•Contact: Environmental and Resource Management, Jen Merkowsky, (306) 933-7943.

18. WHITEMUD RIVER, MB
•Contact: Manitoba Natural Resources, Fisheries Branch, (800) 214-6497.

19. SAND LAKE, ON, (Near Elliot Lake)
•Contact: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Kenora, (807) 468-2501.

20. DUNCAIRN RESERVOIR, SK
•Contact: Saskatchewan Tourism, (877) 237-2273.

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