Nice Lakes walleye angling alternatives proceed to broaden. Due to research performed by Ministry of Pure Sources (MNR) Administration Items, we be taught extra about walleye actions and behavior each 12 months. Right here’s a rundown of what anglers can count on.
Lake Huron
“Lake Huron walleye populations are a research of contrasts. There are examples of unbelievable population growth along with long-term declines,” Higher Nice Lakes Administration Unit (UGLMU) Administration Biologist Arunas Liskauskas mentioned. “In US waters of the primary basin, Saginaw Bay walleye have skilled a considerable restoration. In contrast, walleye populations in Ontario waters have not skilled substantial will increase in abundance over the past twenty years.”
The probably contributing elements embrace a historical legacy of altering spawning habitat, overfishing, water high quality declines, and meals internet modifications, he mentioned. The expansion of walleye populations has been minimal outdoors of exceptions just like the Spanish River within the North Channel and the Shawanaga River in Georgian Bay. The southern major basin of Lake Huron ought to enhance in recognition as a result of the walleye inhabitants growth created by the Saginaw Bay fishery, Liskauskas added.
Dean Lapham, who operates Redwood Sportfishing on the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie, loved a robust 12 months, with constant walleye motion. Moe Gauthier of Manitoulin Sport Fishing Charters on Manitoulin Island had good catches within the fall within the North Channel, together with a number of walleye that exceeded 10 kilos.
The UGLMU has developed a walleye handlement plan for the Ontario waters of Lake Huron. Discount of excessive mortality charges, bettering spawning habitat high quality, and reviewing rehabilitation stocking will likely be thought of.
Lake Superior
Lake Superior doesn’t have as a lot walleye habitat as Lake Huron, however there are particular areas with historic populations.
“For the reason that early 2000s, walleye abundance has elevated considerably in Black Bay and in current years walleye in Nipigon Bay have additionally proven recovery,” UGLMU Administration Biologist Kyle Rogers.
Final fall, an acoustic telemetry array was deployed in Nipigon Bay to trace 20 tagged walleye. A fisheries administration plan (FMP) is being developed for Black Bay which is able to assist information accountable administration of fisheries sources and assist adapt to altering circumstances.
Lake Ontario
The Bay of Quinte/jap Lake Ontario walleye inhabitants is the biggest as compared to smaller near-shore populations and the St. Lawrence River.
“After inhabitants declines in Lake Ontario within the Nineties because of the invasion of zebra mussels (lowering vitamins and productiveness) the inhabitants has remained steady,” Lake Ontario Administration Unit (LOMU) Evaluation Biologist Sarah Beech mentioned. “The LOMU displays different life phases of walleye on an annual foundation. There was a slight enhance in grownup walleye up to now 10 years; juvenile recruitment tendencies are variable from 12 months to 12 months however stable total.”
“In the meantime, the St. Lawrence River and Lake St. Francis have proven long-term stability,” Lead Administration Biologist Colin Lake mentioned.
Hamilton and Toronto waterfronts
Hamilton and Toronto harbours had been stocked beginning in 2012 as a part of a restoration effort. These areas have been stocked in alternate years with a goal of 100,000 summer time fingerlings. Bay of Quinte was the supply of eggs. Few areas alongside the shoreline of Lake Ontario can maintain walleye. Alewife, the primary forage, draw walleye into the open water from June to November. Mature walleye overwinter within the Bay of Quinte, spawn, and return to Lake Ontario.
An open-water angler survey (creel) is performed periodically within the Bay of Quinte. The latest one in 2023 exhibits that angler effort has been stable over the past 20 years. Catch ratios for anglers in Might/June of 2023 had been above common.
Scott Walcott, proprietor of Bay of Quinte Charters and a prime information, had a terrific 12 months for walleye. “Within the spring on Quinte, we had good climate, good numbers, and constant motion for two- to five-pound fish. September into early October was additionally productive, however our late-fall fishing for giant walleye was a bit inconsistent as a result of smaller colleges and sporadic migration,” he mentioned.
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is acknowledged as one of many premier walleye fishing locations in North America and the future stays promising.
“Walleye populations in Lake Erie stay sturdy, with an estimated walleye inhabitants of approximately 94 million, age two and older fish in 2023,” Lake Erie Administration Unit Lead Administration Biologist Richard Drouin mentioned. “The excessive abundance of walleye in 2023 is primarily pushed by a big 2021-12 months class. The excessive variety of walleye in 2023 continues a multi-year streak stemming from a number of years of sturdy replica within the inhabitants.”
Lake Erie provides environmental circumstances in a lot of the lake which are important for walleye, together with sufficient phosphorus to help decrease meals internet manufacturing, satisfactory transparency, and a water temperature vary that helps progress.
Walleye spawn off reefs round islands within the western basin of Lake Erie and in main rivers and tributaries just like the Detroit and Thames rivers. Put up spawn, fish have a tendency to maneuver eastward.
Early season motion begins within the Detroit River in April and because the walleye migrate, the Colchester space produces throughout Might. In June, walleye colleges often stage off Leamington for 4 to eight weeks earlier than shifting to the central basin within the Erieau to Lengthy Level space. Some years, walleye will proceed their migration into the jap basin in August.
In offshore areas, walleye are often focused utilizing boards with leadcore, Dipsy Divers, and downriggers.
“The top of summer time 2023 produced good offshore walleye numbers within the three- to five-pound vary. This helped take some strain off native fish,” mentioned Shane Thombs of FINtastic Sportfishing. He runs charters out of Port Maitland.
Lake Superior
Inshore: yellow perch
Offshore: rainbow smelt
Lake Huron
South major basin: rainbow smelt, spherical goby, yellow perch
Major basin: primarily spherical goby, some smelt
North Channel: primarily smelt, some perch and goby
Georgian Bay: rainbow smelt, spherical goby, alewife and yellow perch
Lake Ontario
Major basin: alewife
Lake Erie
West and west-central basin: gizzard shad
East and east-central basin: rainbow smelt
Initially printed within the Spring 2024 difficulty of Ontario OUT of DOORS
