Spring
Where: Rivers, rocky shoals and creek mouths after the spawn.
Try: Slow jig-and-minnow along current seams.
Back to store overviewWalleye
01 / 06 · Species guide
Walleye
The evening bite.
Ontario's favourite table fish. Light-shy, structure-loving and at their best when the sun drops off the water.
Open seasonMid-May to mid-OctoberOpens the second Saturday in May in most central Ontario zones. Slot limits vary by lake.
Peak biteDusk to dark, overcast or windy days
Typical depth4–30 ft
Where to find them
Seasonal playbook.
Summer
Where: Mid-lake humps, weed edges and main-lake points 15–30 ft.
Try: Bottom bouncers, spinner rigs and trolled crankbaits.
Fall
Where: Steep breaks near deep basins as baitfish school.
Try: Vertical jigging blade baits and big minnows.
Tips & tricks
From the counter.
- Fish the 'walleye chop' — wind-blown shorelines turn them on.
- Keep your bait inches off bottom; they rarely chase up.
- Low light is everything: plan the last hour before dark.
- Tip jigs with a live minnow or a scented plastic tail.
Popular gear
What's in the box.
- 1/8–3/8 oz jig heads
- Spinner harnesses
- Shad-style crankbaits
- Blade baits
- Bottom bouncers
Rod, reel & line
Recommended setups.
Jigging
- Rod
- 6'6" Medium-Light, fast
- Reel
- 2500 spinning
- Line
- 10 lb braid + 8 lb fluoro leader
- Best for
- Jigs, rigs, live bait
Trolling
- Rod
- 7'0" Medium, moderate
- Reel
- Line-counter casting
- Line
- 10 lb mono
- Best for
- Crankbaits and harnesses
Shop for walleye
Gear for this fish.
Other species
Season dates are general guidance for this demo — always check current Ontario fishing regulations for your zone.