Walleyes Inc. Action packed adventures in walleye fishing on the internet.

During this fluctuating weather, the fishing remained surprisingly good,
but very cyclic. Long dry spells, with sudden periods of good activity.
The late afternoon bite is by far still best. We have also moved the
houses deeper, closer to the reef's edges, and have been paid off with
the addition of jumbo perch and sauger along with the walleyes. No
special presentation, or lures are reported dominant, and I still
recommend the typical small jig and bobber on one line, and an
aggressive jigging presentation (Swedish Pimple, Rapala, Chicada, etc.)
for the other, until a daily presentation is discovered.

The warmer weather had also created some slush conditions. Nothing
major, but something for the snowmobilers to watch for.
However the colder weather this week has healed most of it. The
snowmobile trail to Kenora has also been installed, and from what I can
see, quite a few people are taking advantage of it.

I had an opportunity to attend the Chicago Musky Show this past weekend.
Talk about an event. I have never seen such a collection of frustrated,
pent up fishermen counting every moment until the season begins. And I
was one of them! With all of the fishing tackle booths, and
manufactures, I almost seen as many lures as in Pearson's boat. Even got
caught by the bug myself, and added (quite) a few to my measly
collection. Matter of fact, I think I opened an account at Thorne
Brothers. I was there so much, they thought I was another employee.
Incredible seminars. Maina. Pearson, Bucher, and a list of other greats
far to long to mention. What a way to beat those mid winter: "can't
wait, blues". I had so much fun, there is a good chance that we will do
the Minneapolis Show as well this March.

We have been ice fishing for a little over a week now.  Conditions have
been good right from the start, and everyone appears to be completely
operational with their heavy equipment. Bombardiers and track vans are
buzzing around the lake like they are in the parking lot of the local
Wal-Mart, and all of the large fish houses are out and located on the
typical “first ice” locations.

I guess I should get to the part everyone’s concerned with. The fishing.
The first week of fishing has been very good for us. We quickly zeroed
in on a depth of 20 to 22 feet as being by far the most effective. We
had virtually no success either deeper or shallower, regardless of the
time of day. And speaking of time of day, it is very critical right now.
The mornings have been fairly good, but drop off drastically at about
11:00. The real prime time starts at about 3:30, and runs until dark,
tapering off somewhat about 4:30.
Not uncommon to catch a limit of fish during this “golden hour”.

The average size of the fish kept for dinner has been very good. And we
are seeing a lot of throwback-sized fish providing lots of activity. We
have not seen any trophy sized fish as yet, but have released quite a
few walleyes up to 25 inches. We are only seeing a few perch, and have
not caught a sauger yet either.
Most typical ice fishing presentations are working with about half of
the fish coming off an idle bobber rig, and the other half coming from
aggressive jigging. Swedish Pimples tipped with a minnow head or tail
has been working well for the jigging presentation.

Most of the snowmobile trails are marked, and a number of them are on
the grooming program. As of the first week in January, the trail to
Kenora is not in yet, but should be complete shortly

Frank Walsh