I am going on a fishing trip to Lake Missinaibi in a week. Missinaibi is near Chapleau and is a deep, cold, and rocky lake. My father, brother, and I take this trip every year. We catch alot of 15-22" waleye every year. But we would like to focus on some bigger waleye. Does anybody have any recomendations for catching large waleye in a lake like this? Any help is greatly appreciated!
What is the best techniques for big waleye in Ontario Lakes?
- Thread starter carte1be
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reefrunner
Well-Known Member
Never fished the lake you specieifed, however, in bigger waters the larger fish tend to hold to deep structure. Whereas a heavier jig tipped with a minnow works on most lakes up north, bigger water calls for a heavier weight system to stay down there amidst the current. Good techniques I would recommend are drop-shotting minnows or similar gulp products and Lindy rigging can also put you on the fish. Harnesses also produce, but add a heavy weight 3-6 feet beofre your setup.
Finding where the fish are at will be your biggest priority, typically, find humps or changing bottom structure (ie, mud to rock). If you see schools of baitfish around, walleye aren't far behind - a good sonar unit is a must. Drop down your bait or rig so it makes contact with bottom, not much action is needed, just sort of drag it along bottom with the speed of the blowing boat.
That being said, and given the later spring this year, in my experience, fish habits are a couple weeks behind schedule. You may find the bigguns just leaving spawning grounds - therefore, venture around the mouths to small inlets coming from back bays and try to locate the fish on your sonar. From experience, this time of year the eye's may still be hanging out in 20-30fow. Also, during low light hours, trolling crank and stick baits may give you success for those active cruisers.
Good luck and tight lines.
Finding where the fish are at will be your biggest priority, typically, find humps or changing bottom structure (ie, mud to rock). If you see schools of baitfish around, walleye aren't far behind - a good sonar unit is a must. Drop down your bait or rig so it makes contact with bottom, not much action is needed, just sort of drag it along bottom with the speed of the blowing boat.
That being said, and given the later spring this year, in my experience, fish habits are a couple weeks behind schedule. You may find the bigguns just leaving spawning grounds - therefore, venture around the mouths to small inlets coming from back bays and try to locate the fish on your sonar. From experience, this time of year the eye's may still be hanging out in 20-30fow. Also, during low light hours, trolling crank and stick baits may give you success for those active cruisers.
Good luck and tight lines.
Supposedly trolling shallow water when the water is choppy is also a good idea and often missed tactic. I spoke to some anglers at Bass Pro this weekend and they caught a nice 30" eye near a weed line in shallow water on a get ready willow leaf BASS Spinner!!!!!
