Northern Ontario Walleye

[Dennisoft]

Does anybody here have experience targeting walleye in stillwater that they'd like to share with a newbie?

I have a trip to a northern Ontario lake coming up in a few weeks and am trying to get prepared as best as I can. I've been tying up clousers and leech patterns and plan to bring a 6wt with floating and sinking lines. Fishing will be from a small ~14ft boat.

Any recs on lines, techniques, patterns, sizes, etc would be appreciated!

 

[Ryan Smart]

Does anybody here have experience targeting walleye in stillwater that they'd like to share with a newbie?

I have a trip to a northern Ontario lake coming up in a few weeks and am trying to get prepared as best as I can. I've been tying up clousers and leech patterns and plan to bring a 6wt with floating and sinking lines. Fishing will be from a small ~14ft boat.

Any recs on lines, techniques, patterns, sizes, etc would be appreciated!

I haven't targeted walleyes in stillwater with flies, but have caught some in rivers while fishing for smallmouth and pike. I'd say you're on the right track with flies, plus some Wooly Buggers and minnow patterns. I really like Murdich Minnows for smallmouth, and would think walleyes would like them too.

I would definitely stick with the sinking line, or at least a long sink tip. Walleyes are almost always right on the bottom.
Hopefully the fish are still in shallow water for your trip. I'm headed back to northern Minnesota and just across the border into Ontario for the week of Memorial Day, so I'm getting ready for a similar trip. Unfortunately there is a lot of flooding right now, and the ice has only left the lakes in the last couple weeks.

Be ready to lose some flies. Wherever you're trying to find walleyes, there will almost certainly be some northern pike mixed in and their teeth will cut through a light leader like nothing!

ryan

 

[Dennisoft]

I haven't targeted walleyes in stillwater with flies, but have caught some in rivers while fishing for smallmouth and pike. I'd say you're on the right track with flies, plus some Wooly Buggers and minnow patterns. I really like Murdich Minnows for smallmouth, and would think walleyes would like them too.

I would definitely stick with the sinking line, or at least a long sink tip. Walleyes are almost always right on the bottom.
Hopefully the fish are still in shallow water for your trip. I'm headed back to northern Minnesota and just across the border into Ontario for the week of Memorial Day, so I'm getting ready for a similar trip. Unfortunately there is a lot of flooding right now, and the ice has only left the lakes in the last couple weeks.

Be ready to lose some flies. Wherever you're trying to find walleyes, there will almost certainly be some northern pike mixed in and their teeth will cut through a light leader like nothing!

ryan

Yeah I saw reports about the late ice-out this year. I am hoping that will encourage some fish to hold in shallower water than they otherwise would in June but we'll see what happens. In any case, I'll have a couple of fast sinking lines with me to dredge bottom if need be.

Regarding pike, do you think it would be worth using a wire leader in case of a hookup? Most of what I have been tying is in the #2 - #6 range, so probably too small to really target them from my understanding, but I'm sure they will be around. I'm almost afraid to find out what a big northern would do to my 6wt.

Thanks for the info - will be tying up some buggers this afternoon for the fly box.

 

[Ryan Smart]

Yeah I saw reports about the late ice-out this year. I am hoping that will encourage some fish to hold in shallower water than they otherwise would in June but we'll see what happens. In any case, I'll have a couple of fast sinking lines with me to dredge bottom if need be.

Regarding pike, do you think it would be worth using a wire leader in case of a hookup? Most of what I have been tying is in the #2 - #6 range, so probably too small to really target them from my understanding, but I'm sure they will be around. I'm almost afraid to find out what a big northern would do to my 6wt.

Thanks for the info - will be tying up some buggers this afternoon for the fly box.

For sure I would suggest having some wire leaders available. If you are having trouble with pike stealing flies, you can put one on and solve the problem.

Depending on the water clarity where you're fishing, the leader might reduce your chances with walleyes, which is why it isn't a no-brainer to always use one.

I wouldn't be super concerned about pike and your 6 weight, especially if you won't be in rivers with a lot of current. They're aggresive fish and strong, but just keep your drag set a bit loose and it will be fine. If you were specifically targeting them and wanted to throw big flies you'd want a heavier rod and line though.

ryan

 

[Northern]

Everything Ryan just said^^

I've done a NW Ontario walleye trip almost every year for...um...three decades. Like Ryan, haven't really targeted them on the fly, since they do hang deep and on the bottom when we're typically there in late summer. June, tho, you might have a good shot!
They'll come up in grass and weed beds then, sometimes. Spin fishing, it's hard to beat a white sassy shad on a small jig, so maybe tie up some 3" marabou clousers in white with yellow or chartreuse.

It's very frequent up there to have pike bycatch with those little jigs, so no, you don't need big stuff to target pike. Which, incidentally, should be up shallow and aggressive in June. I would def bring some bite wire and small/med poppers to throw up against weed beds with that 6wt! Unlike musky, a hungry northern will not pass up easy to wait for big. I love FFing for those stanky beasts!

One tip if you haven't fished for walleye: don't set the hook on a tap. They do this tap, tap...inhale thing. I'm convinced they're terrifying their prey into immobility. Imagine getting tapped on the shoulder and seeing that mouth in the rearview! When you feel the double tap, wait about 3 sec (if trolling or drifting, let the rod drift back to keep the lure/fly "stunned") then set medium hard. (At least that's how MN/ON walleye behave. WA lake walleye have me stumped.)

 

[RichS]

My experiences are largely in MN/Ontario boundary waters and just north and south of there so YMMV( but I doubt it). Thousands of walleyes have taught me that they are not a cold water fish. They are a light sensitive fish. Our best BWCA trips were in early June. Smallmouth, walleye and northern are all readily available in 10 feet of water and they can all be caught on the same lures. A shad rap or a 3-4 inch streamer will catch a smorgasbord of fish. That said the clarity of the lake is the main driver in how deep walleyes will be. If a lake also has lake trout it is going to be clear and walleyes will tend to be caught pretty deep except in low light or at night. On the other hand in some tanin stained lakes they can be caught in 3 feet of water all summer. This is especially true if the wind is blowing. A type three and/or type 5 line is well worthbringing. If you can catch them on lures at depths you can fish with a fly then you can catch them on a fly. The walleyes main foods are small fish, crayfish, leeches and hex nymphs if they are present and active- just like smallmouth.

Very important- this is also the peak time for mosquitos- be prepared.

 

[Dennisoft]

My experiences are largely in MN/Ontario boundary waters and just north and south of there so YMMV( but I doubt it). Thousands of walleyes have taught me that they are not a cold water fish. They are a light sensitive fish. Our best BWCA trips were in early June. Smallmouth, walleye and northern are all readily available in 10 feet of water and they can all be caught on the same lures. A shad rap or a 3-4 inch streamer will catch a smorgasbord of fish. That said the clarity of the lake is the main driver in how deep walleyes will be. If a lake also has lake trout it is going to be clear and walleyes will tend to be caught pretty deep except in low light or at night. On the other hand in some tanin stained lakes they can be caught in 3 feet of water all summer. This is especially true if the wind is blowing. A type three and/or type 5 line is well worthbringing. If you can catch them on lures at depths you can fish with a fly then you can catch them on a fly. The walleyes main foods are small fish, crayfish, leeches and hex nymphs if they are present and active- just like smallmouth.

Very important- this is also the peak time for mosquitos- be prepared.

Almost forget about mosquitos here in WA, thanks for the reminder!

 

[Dennisoft]

Everything Ryan just said^^

I've done a NW Ontario walleye trip almost every year for...um...three decades. Like Ryan, haven't really targeted them on the fly, since they do hang deep and on the bottom when we're typically there in late summer. June, tho, you might have a good shot!
They'll come up in grass and weed beds then, sometimes. Spin fishing, it's hard to beat a white sassy shad on a small jig, so maybe tie up some 3" marabou clousers in white with yellow or chartreuse.

It's very frequent up there to have pike bycatch with those little jigs, so no, you don't need big stuff to target pike. Which, incidentally, should be up shallow and aggressive in June. I would def bring some bite wire and small/med poppers to throw up against weed beds with that 6wt! Unlike musky, a hungry northern will not pass up easy to wait for big. I love FFing for those stanky beasts!

One tip if you haven't fished for walleye: don't set the hook on a tap. They do this tap, tap...inhale thing. I'm convinced they're terrifying their prey into immobility. Imagine getting tapped on the shoulder and seeing that mouth in the rearview! When you feel the double tap, wait about 3 sec (if trolling or drifting, let the rod drift back to keep the lure/fly "stunned") then set medium hard. (At least that's how MN/ON walleye behave. WA lake walleye have me stumped.)

What's your retrieve look like when you're fishing the shallows?

 

[Northern]

What's your retrieve look like when you're fishing the shallows?

When we've found them up shallow, we usually switch to trolling lindy-rigged spinners, so I'd think a pretty fast retrieve with a streamer, if your line is heavy enough to keep it down.

BTW, in my experience, mosquitos haven't been a big problem during the day out in a boat. (I'm sure the boundary waters are another story entirely!)
Biting flies, on the other hand, can be vicious up there. Bug dope isn't terribly effective, and they like ankles. Perfect your swat.

Oh, as far as locating them, walleye are often structure oriented. On underwater humps, off land points, on the windward side of islands are good places to start.

Do you mind sharing where you're headed?

 

[Dennisoft]

When we've found them up shallow, we usually switch to trolling lindy-rigged spinners, so I'd think a pretty fast retrieve with a streamer, if your line is heavy enough to keep it down.

BTW, in my experience, mosquitos haven't been a big problem during the day out in a boat. (I'm sure the boundary waters are another story entirely!)
Biting flies, on the other hand, can be vicious up there. Bug dope isn't terribly effective, and they like ankles. Perfect your swat.

Oh, as far as locating them, walleye are often structure oriented. On underwater humps, off land points, on the windward side of islands are good places to start.

Do you mind sharing where you're headed?

We'll be on and around Red Lake for the week. Does your annual trip take you up near there? I've been once before but it's been about fifteen years and at the time I was exclusively fishing gear. Hoping to learn some new tricks this time around!

I had guessed I might want to fish a quick retrieve at depth so I actually already picked up and spooled a Cortland type 9 in addition to the type 5 I use on lakes here in WA - will be interesting to see how that thing casts and fishes...

 

[Northern]

We'll be on and around Red Lake for the week. Does your annual trip take you up near there? I've been once before but it's been about fifteen years and at the time I was exclusively fishing gear. Hoping to learn some new tricks this time around!

I had guessed I might want to fish a quick retrieve at depth so I actually already picked up and spooled a Cortland type 9 in addition to the type 5 I use on lakes here in WA - will be interesting to see how that thing casts and fishes...

Not too far from there. We've done Lac Seul a bunch of times (not recently tho), Perrault, Eagle, Indian Lakes chain, English River, and a fly-in to Hooker. Doing another fly-in this Aug at Arc Lake.
I'm sure I'm forgetting some of them!

I always bring fly stuff, but it makes my sibs nervous when I fly cast from the boat, so I mostly stick to spin gear.

 

[Ryan Smart]

I haven't tied up nearly as many flies as I'd like for next week, but here are some that seem to work well - variation on a Murdich Minnows and Clousers for smallies and the bigger ones for pike.

Hopefully the water has settled down some by your trip, or maybe that far north isn't flooding as much? Everywhere that I'm going is the Rainy Lake / Rainy River watershed and might hit all-time record high levels in the next 2 weeks. It's already at the 2nd highest recorded level.

ryan

 

[Dennisoft]

Not too far from there. We've done Lac Seul a bunch of times (not recently tho), Perrault, Eagle, Indian Lakes chain, English River, and a fly-in to Hooker. Doing another fly-in this Aug at Arc Lake.
I'm sure I'm forgetting some of them!

I always bring fly stuff, but it makes my sibs nervous when I fly cast from the boat, so I mostly stick to spin gear.

Those are all in the neighborhood for sure, ought to consider change your handle to Northern Ontario!

 

[Dennisoft]

View attachment 15315I haven't tied up nearly as many flies as I'd like for next week, but here are some that seem to work well - variation on a Murdich Minnows and Clousers for smallies and the bigger ones for pike.

Hopefully the water has settled down some by your trip, or maybe that far north isn't flooding as much? Everywhere that I'm going is the Rainy Lake / Rainy River watershed and might hit all-time record high levels in the next 2 weeks. It's already at the 2nd highest recorded level.

ryan

Those look good to me! Are you throwing the pike flies on an 8-9wt? Sure hope the flooding gets better in a hurry! It looks like the whole region, well up into Canada, is experiencing flooding to varying degrees.

A handful of ties from last night:

 

[Ryan Smart]

Those look good to me! Are you throwing the pike flies on an 8-9wt? Sure hope the flooding gets better in a hurry! It looks like the whole region, well up into Canada, is experiencing flooding to varying degrees.

A handful of ties from last night:
View attachment 15317

Yes, pike flies on an 8wt, or my 7wt streamer rod. I have a 10 wt that I used for musky fishing but don't use that if the targets are pike / smallmouth.

The bigger flies with the dragon tails are no fun at all to cast, but sure look great in the water. A lot of my pike fishing was on rivers in northern MN, and generally fairly short casts to hit pockets along shore (ambush spots) so they're not terrible.

 

[Ryan Smart]

I got back from my Minnesota/Ontario trip last weekend. From a fishing standpoint it was just Ontario and Montana this year... everywhere that I would normally fish on the MN side of the border was horribly flooded.

Fortunately, the lake that we go to in Ontario doesn't have any significant rivers coming in, so it was pretty normal for level, unlike pretty much everything else in the region. Unfortunately, with the late spring this year, the water was cold so the smallies weren't in shallow like they normally would be - the main lake was 48-52* surface temp. We did find one bay with much warmer water, and that was the key - in the 60* range. I didn't find any really big smallmouth, but plenty in the 16-18" range. Unfortunately this bay was all the way across the lake and the weather was poor (tornado warnings in NW Ontario???) so opportunities to get over there in my 14' boat were limited.

I didn't catch any walleyes on flies, but had the best day of walleye fishing that I've ever had on spinning gear the last day that we were there. It was one of those days where the problem was finding fish small enough to fill out your limit (regs are 1 over 18.1" and 1 under). I caught and released one that was 25.5", on par with the biggest walleye that I've ever caught.

Oh, and the stop in Montana to fly fish for trout on the way back to WA was spectacular...

ryan

 

[Dennisoft]

I got back from my Minnesota/Ontario trip last weekend. From a fishing standpoint it was just Ontario and Montana this year... everywhere that I would normally fish on the MN side of the border was horribly flooded.

Fortunately, the lake that we go to in Ontario doesn't have any significant rivers coming in, so it was pretty normal for level, unlike pretty much everything else in the region. Unfortunately, with the late spring this year, the water was cold so the smallies weren't in shallow like they normally would be - the main lake was 48-52* surface temp. We did find one bay with much warmer water, and that was the key - in the 60* range. I didn't find any really big smallmouth, but plenty in the 16-18" range. Unfortunately this bay was all the way across the lake and the weather was poor (tornado warnings in NW Ontario???) so opportunities to get over there in my 14' boat were limited.

I didn't catch any walleyes on flies, but had the best day of walleye fishing that I've ever had on spinning gear the last day that we were there. It was one of those days where the problem was finding fish small enough to fill out your limit (regs are 1 over 18.1" and 1 under). I caught and released one that was 25.5", on par with the biggest walleye that I've ever caught.

Oh, and the stop in Montana to fly fish for trout on the way back to WA was spectacular...

ryanView attachment 17855View attachment 17856View attachment 17857View attachment 17858View attachment 17859

Looks like you got into some nice fish, thanks for sharing!

I'm on my way home today but unfortunately couldn't get a layover in MT... Will get a proper trip report posted in the next day or two.

It's a shame about all of the flooding in MN. The water still looked very high yesterday driving past rainy lake up near the border.