by Dale Hainer
TFN Reporter

A treat to eat and a treat to catch but how, when and where? Seasonally, the Walleye can be caught with consistency through the entire calendar. The only limitations are specific areas that put a season on the fish. Check the free written summary of sportfishing regulations before you go out on any water if you're not sure. In Southwestern Ontario, we have the luxury of a no-closed season which allows us to chase those tasty critters through the four seasons. 

Summertime is structure-time for me. I'll pick out the largest, most obvious shoal or weedbed and begin my efforts there. A large weed-flat (areas where the bottom depth is constant and huge masses of weeds grow) is a magnate to all game fish species including the Walleye, big Walleye! This is when I get out my thin bodied crank-baits (Rattlin Raps, Cordell Spots, Lewis Rattle Traps). As my boat drifts across the large weedflat (at least 10 feet of water) I fan cast in all directions. As I retrieve the crankbait, it must catch the top of the weeds. When this happens, I raise my rod tip high and lower it back down all the while I'm reeling. Similar to a "stop and go" retrieve except I never stop reeling. 

If that technique doesn't work I go right for the four inch jigs or six inch weighted rubber worms. I'll begin working the edges slowly and eventually work my way into the thick of things. The fish are there so long as water temperatures are holding the baitfish in the weeds. You just have to put it all together. 

If the weed-flat or weed-line is in less than 10 feet of water, the walleye may not move into the area from deeper water until the sun gets low on the horizon and they will still be there at the crack of dawn. 

One body of water that has broken all the rules is the Great Lake Erie. It has an estimated population of 25 million walleye. The majority of these fish suspend to feed and do not relate to any structure. In the western basin of Erie anglers drift their boat and cast weight forward spinners (Erie Dearies) tipped with night-crawlers. They sink at a constant rate therefore by counting one may repeatedly put the lure at the same depth each time you cast out and retrieve. The trick is finding at what depth the fish are holding. 

Walleye are generally easier to catch during the low light periods of the day. The first two hours and last few hours of daylight have always been my best times. Many anglers fold up their tackle boxes at dark and must figure the fish do the same. Many species do go neutral at night, but not this guy. As a matter of fact during the summer months, Mr Walleye much prefers to take his feeding frenzies long after dark. 

If you are making your efforts from a boat, some type of underwater eyes in the form of an electronic flasher, LCD, graph or video monitor will help you locate those under water fish houses. I grew up using an electronic flasher and am very comfortable with them now. I presently own both a flasher and an LCD which offers a little more visually.