Walleye fishing tips & trophy destinations
Walleye trips are some of my favorite fishing of the year. These are my walleye write-ups — how I rig, where I find them in spring, summer, fall and through the ice, and the destinations that keep producing 100-fish days and trophy fish.
From the Rainy River spring run and Lake of the Woods through the ice to Lake Kabetogama, Hecla on Lake Winnipeg and Lake St. Joseph in Ontario, you’ll find the exact presentations that worked and what to know before you go.
Posts
A World-Class Ontario Fishing Destination (That’s in Your Budget)
When it comes to catching over 100 walleye a day, pike in excess of 40” and doing it all so quickly and easily you can bring your 2 year old along.. there is no better place than Camp Lake St. Joseph. Best of all, it’s a drive to/boat-in Ontario fishing destin
The Trophy Walleye Destination of Your Dreams
If there’s one destination that reigns supreme for trophy walleye fishing, it’s Hecla, Manitoba. This is hands-down one of the wildest walleye hotspots in North America. In spring, reeling in 100 or even 200+ fish in a day isn’t just possible—it’s practically
Crazy Walleye Fishing on Lake Kabetogama: Driftwood Lodge Resort
Set in Voyageurs National Park, Lake Kabetogama spans 26,000 acres of prime fishing and wilderness in beautiful northern Minnesota. Nestled on the south shore of this lake is Driftwood Lodge Resort, the largest resort on the lake, and a perfect place to bring
This Incredible Walleye Fishing Destination Needs to Be On Your Bucket List
Nestled in the heart of Northwestern Ontario, Camp Lake St. Joseph is a hidden gem that has captured the hearts of avid walleye anglers for decades.
Rainy River Walleye: Catch the Fish of Your Dreams this Spring (Full Guide!)
The ultimate DIY guide to conquering Rainy River walleye in the spring with tips on where to go, lodging, presentations, and more.
Walleye questions I get asked
Where is the best place to catch a trophy walleye?
For a true giant, my top pick is Hecla, Manitoba, where you vertical jig the channel off Lake Winnipeg in the fall. The Rainy River is right behind it in spring and fall when the flows are right, and Lake of the Woods produces some of the biggest walleye in Minnesota. Here's my full Hecla guide.
When is the best time to fish the Rainy River for walleye?
In spring, the Rainy River is border water, so the US side stays open to walleye fishing until mid-April. That makes it one of the best shots at pre-spawn giants. I like the first weekend of April. By the second week, an early ice-out can leave the river dirty and full of debris. It fishes great again from late September into early November when the flows come up.
How do you catch walleye at Hecla?
Keep it simple. Line up in the channel with the other boats and vertical jig. Depending on the day and where the fish are sitting, that can be anywhere from fairly shallow water out to 30 feet, and there is current, so match your jig weight to the depth and flow. I usually run a 1/2 oz flasher jig, and plenty of people go up to 1 oz in deeper, faster water. Bring heavy-duty walleye gear, because fall fish there are tanks.
What's the best bait for summer walleye?
One of my summer favorites is a B-Max jig tipped with a crawler, cast out in front of forward-facing sonar. When I can't get it done that way, trolling crankbaits is a simple, cheaper way to cover water for late-summer fish. Both are at Lurenet, and code NICOLE15 saves you 15%.
