Walleye Behavior
Besides making exceptional table fare, the elusive character of the walleye makes it a favorite for guests of Little Moose Lodge. At times they bite like crazy, than on other occasions they just seem to vanish; this unpredictable behavior makes walleye fishing a challenge. That’s why we call it fishing rather than catching.
Light level is the single most significant influence on walleye behavior. It determines when and where the walleyes feed, and where they spend their time when not feeding. Research has proven that the rate at which light intensity changes is the most important factor in triggering walleyes to feed. Much of the walleyes elusive nature is a result of their vision, lateral line and hearing senses.
Vision
Walleye possess outstanding night vision, unlike their prey such as perch that cannot see well in dim light. Because of their light sensitive eyes, walleye feed mostly in dim light conditions. In clear water such as Clearwater Lake they go deep as 40 feet to avoid the sun’s penetrating rays. In the morning and again in the evening the sun is lower in the sky, therefore the suns rays will reflect off the water surface rather than penetrate through the water. This is one reason why walleye fishing is better at these times, the light level is ideal. In addition to night or overcast skies, walleye will also remain shallow in choppy waters.
The water is stained in the south lakes of our water body, therefore the light level is not as intense and the walleye will remain shallow and feed throughout most of the day. At midday, light intensity is high enough to force them into deeper water and feeding slows down. Your time is better spent fishing for smallmouth bass, perch and northern pike.
Lateral Line
Walleye have a highly sensitive lateral line that helps them pick up the smallest of vibrations. This sense is useful to locate erratic swimming baitfish; or an artificial lure with an enticing swimming action. Rapala Husky Jerk, Shad Raps and Cordell Walleye Divers are some good quality lures that mimic a vulnerable baitfish. In deep or stained water and at night, where vision diminishes, walleye rely more on their lateral line senses.
Hearing
Hearing is another strong sense of the walleye; any commotion in the boat can scare them away, this is especially true in shallow or clear water. In water less than 10 feet; it’s best to avoid trolling over them with a loud outboard motor. A better option may be to anchor or cast to them, the use of planer boards may be another fishing method used. The four stroke Yamaha motors on all of our camp boats run extremely quiet, therefore improving your fishing success.
Weather
Most anglers have experienced an outstanding walleye bite as a storm approaches. The dark clouds are rapidly changing the light levels and the walleye are taking advantage of this opportunity to feed on perch and other baitfish with inferior vision. Just be sure to get off the water before it arrives, nobody wants to be on the water with lightning nearby.
Wind creates a walleye chop; the wave action diminishes the light intensity and starts a feeding binge. The wind action also swirls up the bottom dwelling insects, which attracts the baitfish with the walleye not far behind. Strong winds will create enough current to disorientate baitfish, thus providing an easy meal for the opportunistic walleye.
Cloudy and rainy weather usually produces good walleye fishing. A severe cold front or thunderstorm on the other hand, generally shuts down fishing for a few days after it has passed through. Frequently after a cold front, the skies are ultra clear and the sun rays are more intense than normal. The walleye go to deeper water and will lie motionless on the bottom in a lethargic state. The increased light penetration cause a reaction called dazzlement, or a partial blindness due to bright light.
Following cold fronts its better to fish very early and late in the day on Clearwater and PipestoneLakes. The south lakes such as Despair, Footprint and Jackfish are stained water with a lot of weed cover. The walleye will go back to normal patterns sooner than in the clear lakes. Live bait fishing with a very slow presentation is your best chance at catching walleye at this time.
Barometric pressure is simply the weight of the air. It decreases with the approach of a storm brought on by low pressure. Imagine it as the palm of a giant hand easing up on the water’s surface. Its touch is lighter, the water volume isn’t as compressed, and fish can move about more easily and feed. Also as I mentioned previously, a storm also brings clouds and wave-creating wind, which reduces the penetration of sunlight below the surface.
As a result, the best fishing periods often occur when barometric pressure reaches its lowest point just before the front arrives. After the storm passes, high pressure arrives, and the giant hand presses down harder. The water is compacted, and fish find it harder to swim. High pressure also brings ultra-clear skies, and light penetration is often intense for the next several days.
Walleye fishing is generally good during periods of stable weather because the fish maintain fairly predictable feeding patterns. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, there’s nothing you can do but adapt to the conditions.
On your next Ontario walleye fishing trip, think about how the light intensity is affecting the walleye and their feeding mood. Understanding their behavior will improve your fishing whether it’s at Little Moose Lodge on the Clearwater-Pipestone Chain of Lakes or your local walleye lake.
