Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Early Season Walleyes On Quetico Lakes
|
Author | Message Text | ||
Hoaf |
|
||
thinblueline |
|
||
FishermanTed |
I arrive before ice out. As it leaves the lake I want nothing more to do than find them. And I see the entire season progress as I own a lodge and therefore am on the lake every day for 4.5 months. So, let's start with your question and time of year. You are talking about May which for me can be a little early for walleye. But being South of me and assuming warmer waters this can be killer for you. In general when the walleye are spawning the fishing can absolutely suck. I have seen 35 inch walleye getting ready to spawn and want nothing to do with my baits. Frustrating as hell. But, we are going to assume (especially this year with an early ice out) that the spawn has occurred. And what happens is within lets say a week the walleye go absolutely nuts. They will feed (especially the females) voraciously. The trick is where to find them. Mid-lake humps are a great first stop. The larger the hump (especially if it turns into a nice flat) the better. Look for deeper water nearby, and then a hump in the 8-20 foot range. Another key place is emerging weed beds. If you know the lake and where weeds are going to be popping later (say in June) that means they are growing under the surface in May. This is critical. Why? Because the first forage of the season will be dragonfly nymphs. Walleye will hit these weed beds looking for the nymphs. Want to show your partner how great a fisherman you are. Hit a place you know where these beds are but cant see them. And then go to town on the fishing. Also, warmer bays where ANY bait-fish have popped. If you see any activity of minnows that is the ticket. Additionally look for dead reeds from last years growth. Perch lay their eggs in these and the perch fry will be emerging (one of the first bait fish of the season). When they do all hell breaks loose as walleye, pike, bass etc will gorge themselves in these little pockets. Find the dead reeds and you will find the fish. -FT |
||
QueticoMike |
|
||
mastertangler |
dead reeds, I often avoided them but now I know! Its where perch spawn! This is what I love about fishing........there is always so much to learn. Its always changing, always fascinating. Thanks Fishin Ted (insert thumbs up >here<) |
||
FishermanTed |
quote mastertangler: "Awesome advice...... Me too. I also guide big time and I am still always learning. I knew about emerging weed-beds (that are not visible) and assumed they would hold bait fish. While this is true as the spring warms up there aren't many bait-fish early on. It wasn't until last spring when Babe Winkelman was filming a TV show with us that I learned what was going on with the nymphs! I took him to a hidden bed and we hammered the walleye for hours. On a related note weed beds can also be your friend later in the summer in heavy sun. I have seen whole schools of walleye hiding under them getting some shade. Go figure. -FT |
||
bassnet |
|
||
mastertangler |
Nymphs........I bet a little brown jig and a Thill stealth style bobber and some real quiet drifting in coupled with a long cast could get some nice fish even in the skinny water. But, unlike you I don't really get to fish........I just talk about it! Armchair fisherman! I have several friends who are guides........not sure I am cut out for it. |
||
Mocha |
|
||
thinblueline |
quote Mocha: "is Quetico walleye season open mid-may? i thought it opened a week or two after the MN opener?" I believe it opens up around Saturday, May 20th, but I have to double check. We are going in on May 17th for nine nights so hope to catch our share starting on day four. |
||
QueticoMike |
quote Hoaf: "Third Saturday in May - May 20th this year." Correct |
||
HighnDry |
quote FishermanTed: "quote mastertangler: "Awesome advice...... Good tip --thanks! I have typically sought out structure mid-lake as mentioned or shorelines with the rubble dropping off gradually for these fish. I've generally thought "weed beds equal SM and NP" and have typically given them a miss for better structure. I generally troll different raps, storm thundersticks or thin fins and then go back when I locate them. |
||
BnD |
|