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Hello Gents, i almost always just fish bass but am thinking about starting into walleye this year. Ive never caught one, not even by fluke and am wondering what are the best baits? where should i be looking in the lakes? how deep of water? thinking about trying mississippi lake possibly this weekend. Any pointers would be helpful. Thanks

Hey Lackey, welcome to the site. I'm sure if you search these boards you'll find some helpful information.
In terms of catching walleye I'm no expert but... well... let's just leave it at "I'm no expert".

Welcome to Fish-Hawk.

I honestly can't give you a bit of help with the Missisippi Lake, there are those in here that can get you pointed in the right direction.

What I can tell you is Fish-Hawk is blessed with what I consider the best retail partners in the business. http://www.fish-hawk.net/hawktalk/viewforum.php?f=130
Check them out, you wont be dissapointed. Lot's of great advice for what ever your fishing for and the shelves are stocked with all the great products you'll need.

Good luck with your 'eye quest. Looking forward to your reports and pics.

DS

try using twister tails in white, black, chartreuse.....2-3 inch tube jigs, jigs and minnow..........rapala minnow type baits etc........

thanks jellyfish. where should i be looking in the water? relatively shallow rocky areas? weed lines? what is the walleyes main food?

Welcome to the boards Lackey!

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=what+is+the+walleyes+main+food%3F

Welcome to Fish-Hawk

you might want to have a look at www.ORWL.ca local club all about walleye and having fun (ya ya I'm a member...shameless plug)

I don't know this lake either but a good way to find some fish would be to bounce a jig and twister tail or worm/minnow near bottom while drifting in your boat. Mark any spots you pick up a fish and target similar depths/structure in other parts of the lake. Try drifting across a variety of structures until you find one that produces.
Good luck!

I was in a similar situation as a bass-only fisher until I tool the walleye course from www.ezelo.com (sheldon and gord) just two weekends ago. Yeah, just do that.... puts a bunch of confidence in your stick....

Hookup wrote:I was in a similar situation as a bass-only fisher until I tool the walleye course from www.ezelo.com (sheldon and gord) just two weekends ago. Yeah, just do that.... puts a bunch of confidence in your stick....

Thats part of the reason i suggested the ORWL....Sheldon and Gord are both members of the executive for the club

this time of year,fish the mouth of the river at the innisville inflow,bounce jigs 10-15 ft. or troll worm harness in deeper water,you will see the boats anchored up on rockpiles. use steel not mono harness' cause you will get into snotrockets if you dont troll close to bottom.

Iam no expert but Iam leaving for a trip to Rice lake in 35 hours and 20 mins (but who's counting) Had this trip planned since last oct so had lots of time to read up, and buy, every single spring walleye bait. Google "walleye fishing spring" and you will get more info than you could possibly use but to summarize:

Early spring: they should be shallow in any live weeds that are around. jig and grub probably best bet. Depending on the depth and wind anywhere from 1/16 to 3/8, the deeper you are jigging the heavier the jig. If the weeds are thicker use a bucktail to rip through the weeds. As mentioned by others trolling with worm harness or 4" to 6" stick bait at night for the bigger females is another good technique. From what I have read if the bite is really tough then trolling with a bottom bouncer or if you are over fish dropshotting is suppose to turn them on. Good luck!

Thanks for the help guys. What are some other good lakes for walleye around the ottawa area?

what I usually do is use jigs right now with the twister tails and comb through weeds and structure close to the spawn areas (not too deep)........ plenty of times if you drift with the wind you can pick up some good action and many people use hair jigs a rip them in and close to the weeds. Try green and black hair jigs.

i would suggest trolling with a worm harness over the fresh weeds or at the edge of the weeds with a bottom bouncer. i find that in the spring walleye want meat and trolling will help you find the active ones.

john