Anyone who has been to Ontario fishing one of the many lakes knows that your success will largely depend on adjusting your techniques for the time of year. Although many Ontario fishing resorts are open year-round, we will focus on spring, summer, and fall fishing. Spring and fall fishing packages are a popular offering at many Ontario fishing lodges. There are plenty of Ontario fishing resources that will provide tips and techniques for catching walleye (pike), but the basics are pretty straightforward and only require a few seasonal adjustments.
The long weekend in May marks the beginning of the fishing season on many lakes and is usually the best time of year to fish for walleye. Walleye are usually more abundant in the spring and are generally willing to take a much larger variety of lures and baits. One of the most popular fishing lakes in Ontario is Lake Nipissing. It has an exceptional walleye fishery and in spring anglers are often rewarded with plenty of fish. The best Ontario fishing lodges are located so that they can provide easy access to a variety of places suitable for walleye fishing. River fishing is especially productive in the spring, as the walleye will have traveled here to spawn and will often remain in the area for some time after the spawning period.
Walleye generally show a strong preference for various rigs using live bait and crankbaits. A basic jig and minnow is often the simplest and best presentation for catching walleye. Low light periods are best, including dawn, dusk, and days with cloudier skies or rougher waters. Due to the structure of their eyes, Walleye can see much better in low light conditions than other types of fish and prefer to feed in these conditions.
Summer brings a different set of circumstances and catching walleye can often be quite a challenge. Dropping stencils into pockets and holes along the edges of green brush beds will often provide the best results. Walleye will generally use these weed beds for cover while hunting. One of the best options for fishing in and around kelp beds is a deertail jig due to its movement and ability to reduce snags. Using live baits such as minnows or worms will dramatically increase your chances of success. Walleye are notorious for nibbling a bit before they bite, so be patient before setting your hook.
Fall is generally the best time to catch a huge walleye. The water in most Ontario fishing lakes begins to cool and the fish feed much more aggressively. Dusk and early twilight will provide the best conditions and trolling or minnow and worm fishing will usually lead to a large catch. Slower trolling speeds will generally be more successful and long skinny baits are also preferred.
Obviously, there are many more details and specific techniques that will help you succeed in catching walleye, but by following some of these basic season tips, you will be able to succeed early.