We are happy to
provide some fishing tips for the three main fish species caught at
Walsten Outposts.
Walleye
Fishing
Spring:
In
the spring, most of the walleyes are in fairly shallow water.
Since
the water is clear, you can often see fish. A good technique is
to
stand in the front of the boat and wear a good pair of polarized
sunglasses. If you spot some walleyes, you have found a good
spot. Imagine
that, eh, looking for fish - a new concept for many.
In most of
the Walsten Outpost lakes, the
water out to about fifteen feet in depth is green in colour. You
will
fish the green water in the spring. In
the shallower side lakes of McCusker Lake, such as Goofy, Denver,
Lever, Purvis Wash and
Aurora, the water is less clear. You will fish the shallows in
the
spring, particularly areas which will later hold weeds.
It is
hard to beat a jig and minnow in the early spring. The fish are
concentrated but a little sluggish until the water warms, so a slow
trolling presentation works best. Since the water is clear,
it is
important to keep the bait away from the boat -- either through casting
or trolling with a long line.
Summer:
Various
minnow imitating baits work well, especially as the water warms into
June. Trolling with a Little Joe spinner and a minnow or worm or
leech is
also good. Speaking of worms and leeches, these are best as the
water
warms. Minnows are always best in cold water situations (spring
and
fall).
We
actively discourage people from using Lindy Rigs. There is a
tendency
to deep hook the fish with this technique. Mortality rates are
high for
fish released after being deep hooked (in the throat). If you
catch 200
fish on your visit and you release them all, and 20% die, you have
killed 40 fish. You may feel like a conservationist because you
released the fish, but releasing soon to die fish is not sporting.
Fall:
In
the fall, the walleyes tend to move to deeper water.
While good catches can be had in 40 to 60 feet of water, walleyes
brought up from this depth invariably die. So we recommend
fishing in
current areas (where the fish are shallower) or going to the side lakes
which are not as deep. But if you must try, fishing with a jig
and
minnow about 18 inches off of bottom will catch you your deep water
walleye so you can tell the boys back home about catching walleyes in
40 to 70 feet of water, (which they may find hard to believe.)
In
the shallower side lakes of McCusker Lake, such as Goofy, Denver,
Lever, Purvis Wash and
Aurora, the fish do not go so deep. We often encourage people to
fish the side lakes in the fall to prevent the killing of fish from the
deep waters.
Top
of page
Northern
Pike Fishing
Northern
fishing is great thoughout the year. Last year, the largest
northern
caught in Ontario was caught from McCusker Lake Camp. Shallow
bays are
best in the spring. Particularly good fishing for northern can be
had
in Lever and the Purvis Wash.
Medium
to heavy tackle is preferred for northerns, but the same gear you use
for walleyes can be used in a pinch. An eight to ten inch wire
leader
is a must.
Spoons
and spinnerbaits are the preferred baits. Daredevils, red eyes,
giant
Mepps, all work, as do many spinner baits and bucktails.
Northerns are
not fussy, but you need a faster retrieve to catch them successfully.
The
limit for northern pike in Ontario is 4 fish. However, we
generally ask that our guests practice catch and release for northerns
(and
trout). With this policy, we hope to protect the trophy fishing
that we
presently enjoy.
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Lake Trout
Fishing
Many
people have never fished for lake trout. They are missing a
fabulous
experience. In the early spring and late fall, the trout are in
shallower water. No special tackle or bait is needed at that time.
Casting and
trolling are the preferred methods.
Trolling is
most popular in the spring. Advice is simple,
troll fast.
Various light flashy spoons can be used in trolling, or live bait rigs
with a flasher in front.
As the water warms, the trout move deeper. Jigging with bait and
a 2
ounce jig (phosphorescent is good) in 40 to 60 feet of water over hard
bottom works well.
Later
in the summer, the trout move out to the deeper water and suspend under
the ciscoes (a kind of small baitfish). Trolling below the bait fish
will
result in trout and northerns. Trolling above the bait fish will
take
walleyes. Only bigger fish suspend, so this is a good trophy
presentation.
Various
spoons can be used for trolling, but I like gold or silver type
spoons.
Live bait or herring rigs can also be used to great advantage.
In
the fall, the trout move into the shallow waters to spawn.
Spawning
takes place in early to mid October. The season closes at the end of
September. We always make a special trip at that time to
fish for trout. When you catch them shallow, they have to run
horizontally
instead of trying to move toward the bottom, which they prefer.
Have
you ever caught a fifteen or twenty pound trout in 18 inches of
water?
Have you ever heard your line sing with tension and cut a wake through
the water at ten or fifteen miles per hour? Have you ever cast to
a
fish which you can see -- the back fin is sticking out of the water --
and had the fish hit with heart stopping impact? Maybe you
haven't fished for lake trout in the fall.... |
