Best Fishing forums on the web

I've spent some time tonight to find the most popular fishing forum on the web. I've listed below the top 50 fishing forum base on their number of registered members as of today. Those fishing forums are mainly in the USA, Canada and Europe. Enjoy you visit to those different forums.

1. The Fishing Website Forum (25,124 forum members)
2. Australian Fishing Community (23,600 members)
3. FishUSA forum (20,488 registered users)
4. Walleye central message board (19,297 registered users)
5. Sport Fishing Forum (19,179 members)
6. BigFishTackle Forum (15,251 members)
7. Fishing Kaki Forum (14,185 registered users)
8. Chicago Fishing Forum (14,164 registered users)
9. I do fishing Forum (11,509 registered users)
10. Big Fishing Forum (8,891 members)
11. Fishing.com Forum (8,789 members)
12. Quebec Peche (7,906 members)
13. Fly Fishing UK Forum (6,805 members)
14. Indiana Walleye Forum (6,362 members)
15. Sea Fishing UK (4,533 registered users)
16. Anglers Circle UK (4,233 members)
17. Ice Fishing Chat (3,745 registered users)
18. Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum (3,163 members)
    
19. Ontario's fishing forum (2,735 registered members)
20. Ozark Anglers Forum (2,654 registered members)
21. The North American Fly Fishing Forum (2,643 members)
22. Walleye First (2,139 registered users)
23. Fishing Forum Lake Ontario (1,801 registered users)
24. Catch-N Fishing Forum (1763 members)
25. The Walleye Hunter Forums (1,369 membres)
26. Fishing US forum (1,026 members)
27. Western Slope Anglers Forum (983 members)
28. Niagara Fishing Forum (936 registered members)
29. Getting Hooked Forum (872 members)
30. Central Walleye fishing Forum (577 members)
    
31. Masters Walleye Circuit Bulletin Board (545 Regsitered Members)
32. Northwest Walleye forum (520 registered users)
33. Indiana Walleye Forum (391 registered users)
34. Prairie state outdoors (268 registered members)
35. Saginaw Bay Walleye Club (259 registered users)
36. Western Canada Fishing Forum (213 members)
    
37. Thorne Bros Message boards (205 registered members)
38. RochesterAngler.com Forum (189 registered members)
39. Walleye.com Forum (90 members)
40. Saskatchewan Walleye Trail (78 registered users)
    
41. Fishing Tips Forum (69 members)
42. Go Walleye Discussion Forums (60 registered users)
43. Hoosier Walleye Forum (41 members)
44. Real Fishing Reports Forum (38 members)
    
45. Michigan Fishing Forum (1 member)
    
46. Nodak Outdoors Hunting and Fishing Forum (Unknown number of user)
47. In-Fisherman Forum (Unknown number of user)
48. WalleyeAngler.net Forum (Unknown number of user)
49. Fish Explorer Colorado Fishing Forum (Unknown number of user)
50. North American Fisherman Magazine Forum (Unknown number of user)

Walleye fishing tip #21 - Ice Fishing

Here is a quick resume of the best ice fishing safety information I've gathered over the years.

Recommended minimum ice thickness

4" of new clear ice is the minimum thickness for travel on foot
5" is minimum for snowmobiles and ATVs
8"- 12" for cars or small trucks

Here is my TOP 13 safety tips:

1. Don't go on the ice is less then 4 inches. No ice is safe
   
2. Always go out with a buddy;
3. Wear a life jacket;
4. Carry a pair of home made ice picks
5. Avoid driving on the ice
6. Avoid alcoholic beverage
7. Always let someone knows of your fishing plan
8. If you use a sled, attach a long cord to the sled. Could be use for rescue operations
   
9. Never panic, never panic!
   
10. Always keep you auger covered
11. On a large lake, always carry a compass or a GPS
12. DO NOT park vehicule side by side
13. Put your cellular phone in a ziplock!

Be careful on your next walleye fishing trip ;)

Ice fishing Lake Simcoe Tournament

Canadian trap attack - Lake Simcoe March 9th, 2008

This Canadian fish tournament is a none qualifying event. Tournament anglers fish from 8h00am to 2h00pm. Teams will then check-in at the tournament sight and weight in their 15 biggest live perch.

Perch Tournament Information:

2 Man Teams
Total fees (including Taxes) per Team = $ 210.00 Canadian Funds


Thing you should consider for ice fishing on Lake Simcoe:

• You will need warm parka, floater suit, or best an Ice Armor Suit, warm boots and good quality water resistant gloves.
• You will need to supply your own transportation from shore out to your fishing location.
• You can fish sitting on a pail or for more comfort take a portable ice shelter.
• A good quality heater can help make your stay more pleasurable.
• You will also need an ice auger, a gas/hand 4 inch to 8 inch auger will do.
• Bring your favorite ice fishing rods, lures, and live bait.
• In this tournament you can only use one rod at a time

A Perfect Ice Fishing Destination

Lake Simcoe is the number one sustainable Perch fishery in the would,known to be the number one ice fished lake in Canada.
Come and experience our world class fishery, in Georgina, Ont.

Ice Fishing Tournament - Wawa

2008 ice Fishing Tournament - Wawa Ontario

The 2008 ice fishing edition will take place from February 29th to March 2nd. This ice fishing tournament has over $100,000 in prizes. This tournament is limited to only 1,100 participants. This ice fishing tournament has been running for over 16 years.


To contact the ice fishing tournament : 1-888-290-FISH


Look at the prizes for the top ten Lake trout and Whitefish:

• Polaris Sportsman 400 4X4 ATV;
• Polaris 340 transport snowmachine;
• Mercury 15 hp outboard, 14ft legend boat and trailer;
• 42" LCD HD Flat Screen;
• Centro 6500 Series 4 burner BBQ
• Aqua View Scout SRT
• Garmin Portbale 240
• STIHL Gas Power
• Magnum Sleight
• Etrex legend GPS

Weekend of great fun, enjoying the outdoors and superior hospitality of the Wawa community.

Fish finder Ice Fishing

Aqua-Vu Showdown Digital Depthfinder Fish Finder


Here is a digital Fish Finder specially designed for ice fishing that is both simple and most important affordable. This ice fishing fish finder is very similar to any fish finder we use while fishing walleye in the summer. Here are some key features of this unique fishing finder:

• the vertical display matches the water column;
• top is top, and bottom is bottom
• 1000-watts true RMS power = 8000 watts "peak-to-peak"
• Simple 7-button no-menu operation
• 8 levels of grey scales;
• Heated “Ice” mode prevents display slow down to -40-degrees
• Targeted zoom;
• Digital fish finder sonar noise filter;
• Silent operation;
• Compact design
• Depth range automatic;
• Night glow back lit vertical display
• Up to 48 hours continuous use per charge
• Cool white back lit display
• 18-degree hanging transducer with self-aligning
• Includes 12-volt battery and charger
• Weather resistant neoprene carrying case
• One year warranty

For less then 300$ a unit, it is definitely more affordable then a Vexilar fish finder.





Vexilar FL-18 Ultra Ice Fishing Sonar Pack


The Vexilar series fish finders are the classic ones for any serious walleye anglers. The Vexilar fish finder offers a patented split screen flasher display. This allows you to zoom-in on the bottom six feet while watching the entire water column at the same time in real time! The Auto Zoom mode is useful for watching Walleye while ice fishing. Walleye commonly hold tight on the bottom, and with a target ID of less than 1/2 inch, the Vexilar makes them easy to spot!

Here are some key features of this very popular fishing finder:

• Adjustable rod holder fits on either side.
• Includes Vexilar Battery Status Indicator.
• Easy access external charging/power posts.
• Ice-Ducer support bolt fits in three positions.
• Master power switch.
• Non-slip bottom.
• Enclosed battery compartment.
• Includes quality 9 amp SLA battery and automatic charger.
• Ultra Pack fits in five gallon bucket.
• Pre-drilled holes for optional accessories.
• Super strong handle with float holder.
• Cable storage and holding grips.
• Tackle box holder with tackle box included.
• Transducer holder fits all sizes of Ice-Ducers.
• High profile for easy access to controls and great display visibility.

Here is a cool fishing video on how to use the Vexilar fish finder while ice fishing:

Finally, when using a fish finder while ice fishing, here is the most important information that you must have handy:

Area of Coverage of a fish finder while ice fishing

This table is providing the the area of coverage for fish finders with transducers of 9, 12 and 19 degree.


A Vexilar fish finder starts at about 439$.


In this fish finder review, we have covered the two most popular ones. As you can see , the biggest difference is in between selecting a digital fish finder or flasher fish finder. I think both fish finders are good and they can help having more success while ice fishing for walleye!

Walleye Fishing Tip #20 - Fishing Pliers

Scissor/Pliers

Pliers must be one of the first item you will include within your walleye fishing trip equipment list. The pliers can be used for dehooking fish. I've used those type of pliers once to remove a hook that when through a finger. Believe me, you will appreciated the fact that the pliers can be locked in place on a hook. Once the hook is cut, with the pliers locked in place on the hook, you can gently remove a hook from a finger.

To keep your pliers handy, make sure you have them attached with a coiled cable lanyard to your life vest. By adding more and more accessories to the life vest, you will take the habit of wearing it at all the time.

No angler should go fishing without a pair of these pliers.




TH Marine Saf-T-Stop Replacement Lanyard

Walleye Fishing Tip #19 - Better jigging

Jig along the bottom
For most walleye fishing, you will work the jig along the bottom. When jigging for walleyes near bottom, employ your own variations of the "lift and drop" retrieve. Begin by allowing the jig to settle to the bottom. Then lift your rod tip to pull the jig off bottom. As you wind in, alternately pull the jig off bottom and drop it back. Choose the right-sized jig to keep your bait down amongst them.

Walleye inhaling the lure
Walleyes eat by inhaling the water around their target. A light jig may make it easier to engulf but if the jigs are too big, they may keep you out of the strike zone.

Using the right size jig
Smaller is usually better when working the shallows. It may be impossible to keep your line vertical to sense bites. Increase the weight of your jig as depth, wind or current could increase. When in doubt, go heavier. There might even be times when only a 1-ounce jig will do, like fishing for walleye in the St-Lawrence river around Montreal. If you miss strikes with a big jig, add a trailer hook.

Jig color
Water clarity and light conditions change constantly. Try brighter colors in stained or dirty water and darker colors for clear.

Jigging concentration
Visualize your jig. Intense focus also helps when bites are so light that nothing at all is communicated up your rod. An heavy feel may be all the notice you get. Set the hook at the slightest change.

Walleye fishing tip #18 - Drift sock

Lindy Drift Control Magnum Series Drift Socks


What is a drift sock?

A drift sock is used to overcome problem conditions that discourage 100-percent fishing effort and maximum success.

Walleye fishing : keyword is slow!

With a drift sock the angler retains fishability where it’s otherwise lost. Fishing walleye becomes more efficient. Use a drift sock when it’s too windy for a slow-enough drift, or when a motor won’t idle down for the best presentation of live bait or lure while fishing for walleye.

Get control of your walleye boat

Deploy a drift sock to change boat posture in relation to fishing targets such as rock bars and weedlines. A sock can reposition a boat for parallel drifting, keep transom out of high waves or hold bow into waves to maintain a trolling course.

Better walleye jigging position

Drift socks can reduce extreme up-and-down boat bounce and pitching. A more stable fishing platform encourages better walleye fishing! They can also be used to compensate for current, or to work with current for a desirable vertical fishing position.

I've been using drift socks for years and they are just great for vertical walleye fishing. Don't be surprised if you have a large fishing boat that you might need two to better control the drift.

Walleye Chowder Recipe

Walleye Chowder


1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup diced celery
1/4 cup flour
1 large onion
2 walleye fillets
2 cups quartered potatoes
2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
3 tbsp butter
3 strips diced bacon
3 cups milk
Salt & pepper

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and quickly saute until the bacon begins to crisp.
2. Add the celery and onions, saute both until onions turn slightly opaque.
   
3. Then add flour to form a roux. Stir until the roux blends with the butter, forming an almost paste-like consistency.
   
4. Then add milk. Be sure to use cold milk to prevent lumping.
5. Add the potatoes and chunks of fish and stir gently.
   
6. Use a whisk and be careful not to break up the delicate pieces of walleye.
   
7. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through.
8. Then, add the whipping cream and stir gently, then put in bowls. Add salt and pepper to taste and garnish with parsley.

This is probable my best walleye recipe to cook during the long winter nights here in Quebec!

New Walleye fishing lure : 4" G-Grub

The Curly tail walleye lure by Mister Twister is now a classic walleye lure in all serious walleye angler tackle box. This new walleye lure is a curly tail but with a leech design. The new G-Grub incorporates fins from tip to tail. These fins produce a realistic swimming profile, making the G-Grub the perfect imitator of swimming leech.






You want more from this new walleye fishing lure? The G-Grub tail has a build-in rattle chamber in its tail to accept rattle beads. The bead will also add wight to the tail. I can't wait to try this new walleye lure. Available in more than 10 colors, a will need a new tackle box just for the G-Grub!

Ray Carignan from Outdoor Passion TV show in Montreal has successfully tested this new walleye lure last summer at Domaine Shannon, owned by the Danis Family. They had excellent results. Ray has proudly won the "Golden Moose Award" several times for his Fishing Show based on the quality of the footage. It's a must for any walleye angler. As of today, it's the only HD fishing show available in Montreal.

Keep up the good work Ray!

More Walleye lures

Jigsaw puzzle Walleye fishing in Lachine

This fishing picture was taken on an early morning of the fall in Lachine, Montreal. This is a period of the year when I have a Fall Walleye fishing trip by my fishing buddy Marc Poirier

This is such a nice fishing picture, it's difficult to imagine that this is on the Montreal island about 15 minutes from downtown!

Try to complete this walleye jigsaw puzzle

Waleye fishing basic

Waleye definition: The Waleye is a perciform fish native to most of the northern Unites States and Canada. The waleye is a North American close relative of the European pike-perch or zander. In Canada, Ontario, the waleye is also named : pickerel.

Waleye interesting facts:

• Waleye are a member of the perch family.

• The waleye is named for its pearlescent eye, which is caused by a reflective layer of pigment called the tapetum lucidum, that helps them see and feed at night or in murky water.

• Waleye can reach a maximum length of about 36" and weigh over 20 pounds.

• The Ohio state record waleye weighed over 16 pounds on Lake Erie.

• The Minnesota state record waleye weighed over 17 pounds on Seagull River.
  

• Adult waleye diets are composed mostly of other fish.

Waleye fishing lure

Here is the list of my favorite all time waleye fishing lures:

1. Thin fin
2. Mister Twister G-Grub
3. Lindy Rig
4. Max Gab Jigs
5. Rapala X-Rap Shad
6. Balanced jigging Rapala
7. Storm thunderstick
8. Rapala Minnow Rap

Waley fishing tips

Finaly, you will find within my waleye blog a lot of fishing tips.

Have a great waleye fishing season!

Walleye recipe: Cheesy Walleye Bake

1 cup milk
1 cup crushed soda crackers
1 1/2 lbs. Walleye fillets
1 1/3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 1/2 cups fresh Asparagus spears, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons margarine

Heat oven to 350 F.

Spread asparagus evenly over bottom of 10 x 6 inch baking dish.
Arrange walleye fillets, slightly overlapping, on top of asparagus. Set aside

In 1-quart saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons margarine over medium-low heat. Add onion. Cook until tender. Stir in flour. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Blend in milk. Cook until mixture thickens and bubbles, stirring constantly. Add cheese, salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Stir until cheese is melted. Spoon cheese sauce mixture evenly over fish fillets.

In 1-quart saucepan, melt remaining 3 tablespoons margarine over medium heat. Remove from heat. Add cracker crumbs, stirring to coat. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over cheese sauce.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until sauce is hot and bubbly and walleye fillets is firm and opaque and just begins to flake. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

More Walleye Recipes

Walley and Wine part #2

Do you know what have in common : wine, walleye and caterpillars? You won't believe it but there is way to link wine, walleye and caterpillars. Ray Reigstad from Army Worm Wine has experience home wine making out of the dreaded caterpillars commonly called army worms. This was not Reigstad first experience, he's been making wine for over 18 years and he has made wine with bananas, blackberries, dandelions, grapefruit, lilac blossoms, plums, rhubarb and strawberries. Reigstad got the idea for army worm wine from a co-worker who told him that his grandfather used to make it. That got Reigstad thinking about how it could be done since wine is typically made from a fruit or flower.

"Army worms eat leaves," he reasoned. "So essentially they're a combination of fruit and flowers."

plastic buckets. When they had about seven pounds of worms in their buckets, Reigstad poured boiling water on them, killing them instantly. Then, he mashed the army worms up a bit. He added sugar, campden tablets, yeast and other ingredients before covering the bucket and leaving it to ferment. After a few days, Reigstad scooped out the caterpillars and threw them away. A this point, the green wine was strained and funneled into glass jugs, fitted with air-lock caps. The jugs were left to ferment for three months and after the fourth month, the wine was ready to drink.

Local wine connoisseurs invited to taste the wine described it as dry, pale and crisp. They compared it to a pinot grigio or white bordeaux. The comparison came before they were told exactly what they were drinking. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, they gave the wine a 7. This wine was made in Duluth, Minnesota in small batches. It registers approximately 11% alcohol on the vino-meter.

So what's the relationship with walleye? Have a look below! "It's a white wine; I'd say it would go really good with walleye" Reigstad said.

More walleye recipes with wine

Walleye and Wine

The Perfect Pairing

Most people are not concerned with wine-food pairings. If it’s wet and dry, the wine is fine. Within the next few lines, I will try to better guide you in understanding walleye and wine.

To begin with, Chardonnay, particularly the majority of domestic ones, has a rich, almost buttery taste. The best match would be a walleye dish with a warm, rich, buttery or creamy sauce. Pairing similar flavor characteristics of walleye and wine make excellent combinations. Since 10 percent of all wine sales are white Zinfandel, there will undoubtedly be some fans in any gathering. But there is a great place for this wine with walleye in addition to other rose and blush wines. The fruity sweet flavor is a terrific balance to Cajun and other spicy preparations. It is also good with barbecue sauce and other tomato-based sauces. Most white wines have less oak and considerably less tannin than red wines, which makes them more fish friendly.

Tannin, the astringent substance from the skins, seeds and stems of grapes, adds structure and texture to red wines. Grilled walleye offers one of the few opportunities to choose white wines with oak. Oak echoes the charred character that the grill gives the walleye. Thus, the higher acidity of white wines makes them more appropriate with grilled walleye than red wines. Acidity is often a problem for California white wines, especially Chardonnays. French Meursault is much better. The richness that oak gives to Sauvignon Blanc makes the wine a more acceptable partner for grilled walleye. So does a dose of Semillon, as is the case with Bordeaux whites and some Sauvignon Blancs from California. Red wines also have their place with walleye, as long as they are light to medium bodied, low on the tannins. The best choices are Beaujolais, pinot noir, and merlot. Try grilled walleye with a barbecue teriyaki glaze with the fruity, pink wines. German Riesling is light, slightly sweet, with crisp, racy acidity. But if you care about how things taste, then you can imagine that a California Cabernet would wipe out the flavors in pan-fried walleye.

20 years ago, David Rosengarten and Josh Wesson wrote “Red Wine with Fish,” a classic treatise on the subject of wine and food matching. This book is among several accounts suggesting that the old rule of white wine with fish and red wine with meat was somewhat simplistic. You can still find this book on the web. The most common red wine with fish combination is Pinot Noir and salmon. Oregon Pinot Noir is often a better match than those from California, especially for the more flavorful wild salmon. Zinfandel and Australian Shiraz are more appropriate for spicier presentations. For richer walleye dishes such as those with butter, oil and cream, the weight of the wine needs to be cranked up a bit. Pouilly-Fume, for example, is a rounder, fuller Sauvignon Blanc than Sancerre. Riper wines also fit into this group, including Kabinett and Spätlese German Riesling, Alsatian Riesling, Pinot Gris and older Grüner Veltliner, which develop a Burgundian quality as it ages.

Sometimes the wine of choice is neither red nor white—but rosé. Bouillabaisse, the legendary fish stew of Southern France, demands a Provençal or Southern Rhône rosé. With paella, the equally famous dish from Spain, try a fine rosé from Navarra or Rueda.

Bon appétit!

More walleye recipes

6,000$ fine for having 30 walleye over the legal limit

February 14, 2008 ~ THUNDER BAY ~ Shane Corlett, 39, has been fined $6,000 for having 30 walleye over the legal limit and even more $4,600 for having 23 brook trout over the legal limit.

During a police investigation in January 2006, an OPP officer discovered a lot of fish in the freezers at Corlett’s residence. The officer seized the fish and turned it over to a Ministry of Natural Resources Thunder Bay District conservation officer. After investigating, the conservation officer laid charges against Corlett and the other occupant of the home, Amanda Blackshaw. At a trial in November 2006, they were each fined $4,200, but Corlett and Blackshaw successfully appealed and got a new trial.

At the new trial on February 6, 2008, Corlett claimed that the fish belonged to a First Nation person, but was unable to produce that person for questioning at trial. Corlett was convicted. The Crown withdrew charges against Blackshaw.

Free Online Jigsaw Puzzle

During those long winter days, a lot of anglers like to spend some time on the web. Again, with my fishing passion in the back of my mind, I've found the best free online jigsaw puzzle related to fishing. I've selected only one criteria when looking for free online jigsaw puzzle, they must have free fishing jigsaw puzzle.

After looking for a while I even find a great website where you can create your own free online jigsaw puzzle. Have a look at this one below from a walleye fishing trip.


Mike Walleye jigsaw puzzle











Try this one , this is a tough one with over 66 puzzle pieces!

Mike Walleye Jisgaw Puzzle










Fishing buddies jigsaw puzzle











Jigsaw puzzle family fishing











Jigsaw puzzle Sunset Fisherman












Walleye ice fishing jigsaw puzzle

Try this one, this is one of my favorite ice fishing picture. This walleye fishing picture was taken on a very cold ice fishing trip on Lake Chamblain in Vermont. With over 104 pieces, it will take you a few minutes to complete this jigsaw puzzle online













So if you want to create your own jigsaw puzzle, you can visit : Jigidi Free Online Jigsaw Puzzle

FLW Walleye Tour & Walleye League 2008

The Walleye tour registration is coming soon. There are some new changes this year. Here they are:

• Angler of the Year winners on the Walleye Tour in both the Pro and Co-angler divisions will receive free entries for the 2009 FLW Walleye tour season.
• In the Walleye League, participation is now open to more weekend anglers than ever before with the reduction of the minimum boat length to 16 feet and the addition of the new Heartland Division.

Walleye Tour registration

Registration is currently open to anglers having qualified for the 2008 FLW Walleye Tour season through the 2007 Walleye Tour or Walleye League. Registration begins Feb. 25 for G3 or Ranger boat owners. Champion and Stratos owners may register beginning Feb. 26. All other entries will be accepted beginning Feb. 27. Anglers entering with a counterpart (pro with a co-angler, or co-angler with a pro) by March 5, 2008, will be given priority; anglers entering all four events with a counterpart by March 5, 2008, will be given top priority.
Entry fees for 2008 are unchanged at $1,500 per event for pros and $400 per event for co-anglers.

Walleye League registration

Registration begins Feb. 28 for G3 or Ranger boat owners. Champion and Stratos owners may register beginning Feb. 29. All other entries will be accepted beginning March 3. Anglers entering with a counterpart will be given priority. All others will be confirmed in order of entry.
Entry fees for 2008 are unchanged at $300 per event for boaters and $150 per event for co-anglers.


In the 2007 walleye tour, Dustin Kjelden fishined in 11th placed but with a comfortable winning of $205,000. With 5 tournaments finished, he caught 67 walleyes for 287 lbs, 6 oz. His largest walleye caught in a Walleye tour was on September 27, 2007 weighed at 10 lbs, 12 oz. His largest day's catch is 39 lbs, 3oz.

Fishing pictures Boat for sale

While doing my weekly reading on the web, I've visited a fishing blog named Lateral Lines from Jon Clausen. Even if Jon is a bass angler, I still take the time to stop by his blog once in a while! At the end of the day, as long as we share the same passion: fishing. What I like the most about his blog is the quality of the content.

Great work Jon!

Mike

Walleye fishing tip #17 - Night Walleye

In the evening the big walleyes females start to come shallow whether it's to return to their spawning beds or feed on minnows along the shore. Big Walleyes do get caught during the day but if you are looking for a 10-pound plus trophy walleye , evening and night is your best chance. Troll really slow and really close to shore or along the weed lines with Original Floating Rapalas or Junior Thundersticks and have lots of line out. You may want to stop the boat and cast if you find a sand bar or sandy bottom that is within close proximity to the weeds that they hide in during the day. They could also be on or very close to main-lake structure such as underwater islands and reefs close to deep water. Sometimes the fish will be right on the bottom at 10, 12 or 15 feet, but other times they'll suspend nearby at the same depths over 50 to 80 feet of water.

Walleye Fishing tip #16 - Livebait rigging for walleye

The fundamental livebait rigging for walleye consist of a slipsinker sliding on the line, followed by a snell consisting of a swivel, length of line, hand hook. Most snells range about 3 to 5 feet. This rig is bumped along the bottom where trophy walleye hold, particularly along sand, gravel and most important drop-off.

Most rigging in the spring is in relatively shallow water. In windy conditions, witch are the best walleye fishing conditions by the way, walleyes also often move up on shallow flats. A 6 pound line would be perfect to create your own snell. Over-the-counter snell are often made of unnecessary heavier line. You can always replace the hook by a jig head 1/4 ounce. As a live bait, don't be afraid to use leeches!

Walleye Fishing tip #15 - Tackle binder

If you area serious walleye angler, I'm quite sure you have a lot of plastics!

1. Never leave a plastic bait free in your tackle box, it could create a chemical reaction with other plastic.

2. Never put back in your tackle binder a wet plastic bait.

3. Never throw your used plastic bait in the water, use one of your life vest pocket as your own small garbage collector.

4. Never leave your plastic bait binder or box right under the sun, they don't like the heat.

All major serious walleye fishing store are offering Tackle binder. It's not an expensive fishing accessories and your tackle box or bag will be better organized.


Bass Pro Shops Finesse Binder Bags or Replacement Pages

Walleye fishing Lure Storm Thin Fin

This is my #1 ever best walleye fishing lure. In my tackle box, I think I have more than 20 different Thin Fin. On my last day of walleye fishing last Fall, I've used the same Thin Fin all day and I caught more then 20 walleyes!

I can't believe that this walleye lure is now discontinued in the US. I can tell you that the Thin Fin is one of the most popular walleye angler lure in Quebec.

The Thin Fin is available in more then 13 colors but my favorite one is the orange.


You can use this walleye lure while casting but I find it to be me productive when walleye trolling. No need for a leader on the line, just attached the Thin Fin to a good quality swivel. By leaving about 100 feet of line while trolling, your Thin Fin will be diving at about 10 to 12 feet. The walleyes are below 15 feet, not a problem. Just attached a grip lead sinkers about 2 feet away from the Thin Fin.


Every serious walleye angler must have a least a thin fin.

Walleye Fishing Tip #14 - Jigging Reels

A good quality, smooth operating spinning reel is imperative for walleye fishing; but when jigging for walleye the addition of instant anti-reverse and one-way clutch bearings, for solid hook-ups, is a must feature to capture trophy walleye.

Personally, I really like to use the Abu Garcia Cardinal 100 Series or 300 Series when fishing for walleye. Those spinning reel are perfect for jigging and casting. The spinning reels are very easy to maintain, here are a few tips:

1. You must use the right lubricant, make sure you don't use too much. Generally speaking, you should use fishing reel oil will low viscosity.

2. Obtain the owners manual and a schematic for your reel. This could me find on the manufacture website.

3. Do not pack the reel body with grease unless absolutely recommended by the manufacture.

4. To keep your reel in proper working order, clean and lubricate it a few times a year, and before any major walleye fishing trips.


Abu Garcia Cardinal 100 Spinning Reels

Walleye Fishing tip #13 - Sharp hooks for walleye

A sharp hook can be essential to landing trophy walleye. Always carry a hook sharpener with you, a hook sharper attached to your life vest will be another good reason to wear you life vest at all the time on your walleye fishing trip. To know if your hook is sharp enough, place the hook tip on your thumb nail. If the hook sticks or feels tacky when moving the hook tip across your nail, then the hook is sharp enough. If the hook slides across your nail, then your hook needs to be sharpened.


Berkley Hook Sharpener

Walleye Fishing tip #12 - Ice fishing two holds technique

A great walleye jigging technique is to use a still set in one hole and then do your jigging in a hole close to it. The jigging will attract the walleye to your hole which will invariably find the still set. If the walleye is aggressive, the walleye will be caught on the jigging line of not, you can still catch the walleye on the stand still set. Jigging is always great way to stay warm while ice fishing for trophy walleye!

Basic Walleye Recipe

Basic walleye recipe

1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pure ground pepper
1 large onion, chopped in rings
2 to 3 lb. Walleye fillets
3 tbsp. lemon juice
4 tbsp. butter

Place 2 sheets of tin foil on top of each other. Place fillets on tin foil leaving a 2 inch border.

On top of the walleye fillets place onion rings, butter, salt, pepper and lemon juice.

Place another sheet of tin foil on top. Seal top and bottom sheets together so no air can escape.

Cook on barbecue for 20-25 minutes. Do not leave unattended!

Top sheet of tin foil will rise and expand and steam cook the walleye.

Walleye Fishing Tip #11 - Fishing marker Buoys

Fishing markers are very useful when you have to identify an underwater structure on a lake. While slowly drifting and jigging, when you catch a walleye, you just drop the marker. A must for any serious walleye angler.


Bass Pro Shops Marker Buoys with Rack

Walleye Fishing Tip #10 - Shorten the Stroke

Many jig angler pump their rods too vigorously, using long vertical strokes that can pull the bait out of a fish's mouth. Use short lifts instead and you'll hook more walleyes. Maybe even a trophy walleye!

Walleye Fishing Tip #9 - Jig Eye Cleaner

If your preferred technique to catch walleye is jigging, just like me, there is a tool that you must have within your walleye tackle box.

A jig eye cleaner works like a pair of line clippers to clean out jig eyes of all sizes. Just line up the point with the eye, squeeze and you will have a clean hook eye.


Bass Pro Shops Jig Eye Cleaner

Walleye Fishing Tip #8 - Palomar Fishing Knot

If you have one fishing knot to remember, I would recommend the Palomar Fishing Knot.
The Palomar Knot is easy to tie correctly, and consistently the strongest knot known to hold terminal tackle.


1. Double about 4" of line and pass the loop through the eye of fishing hook.

2. Let the fishing hook hang loose, and tie an overhand knot in the doubled line.

3. Pull the loop end of the line far enough to pass it over the hook, swivel or lure.

4. Pull both the tag end and the standing line until the knot is tightened. Clip off the tag end of the fishing line.

Walleye Fishing Tip #7 - Rapala Jigging Rap

Rapala Jigging Rap was presented to me by Professional Angler in Montreal : Patrick Campeau. I've first used this lure while fishing on the Saint-Lawrence river, just on the Montreal South shore. It is a great lure that could either be used in the winter or during the summer. When drifting, all you have to do is to jig vertically with this incredible Rapala Jigging Rap. My favorite color to use is perch!


Rapala Normark Jigging Shad Rap

Walleye Fishing tip #6- Increase walleye hits

For short hitting walleyes when jigging, use a trailer hook and let it dangle free to increase your odds of hooking short hitting fish.