subject: Alberta Walleye Tips - Rivers, Lakes, Muddy Shores [print this page] Although most people think of Ontario when it comes to walleye fishing, Alberta is a hidden treasure that has boasted several trophies in the past few decades. From the flat prairies in the South to the tree lined lakes in the North, you would be hard pressed to find a decent body of water here that doesn't offer up a tasty and good sized walleye. You just need to know the tricks.
Walleye can be found in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Now, that is a lot of area to cover. So, where is the best place to try your luck when casting or trolling for one of these beauties?
Rivers - Set up near the mouth of the river. Walleye like to gather in areas where faster moving water meets with slower water. This is a great area for them to hunt as bait fish can often be found here. Also, try to fish close to the shore and shallow areas near any bends or twists in the river. This is a favorite place for walleye to ambush their prey.
Lakes - As in river fishing, you may want to try casting or trolling near where a river enters the lake. Trolling is also effective near weed beds and underwater structures such as sunken islands.
Reservoirs - Reservoirs are usually manmade. This means that there will not be many natural structures. You would be best to troll the weed beds or find a muddy, gravely shore to cast from.
When the average fisherman wakes up on a brisk, early morning and looks out the window, even the slightest breeze can often cause him or her to grimace. However, this doesn't always have a negative affect on fishing. There is an interesting and unique phenomenon called the "walleye chop". This is when the wind blows just enough to make the surface of the water choppy. In these small waves, there will often be a large number of walleye, and so, lies a wonderful opportunity that many fishermen might pass up on.
However, too much of anything can be a hindrance. If the wind is too strong, walleye will head for deeper waters, making it more difficult to be caught. In order to fish in the wind, there are a few things to remember. If there is a mild breeze and the sun is extremely bright, you will have more success using a neutral colored jig. If, however, the wind is quite brisk and the sky is overcast, bright colors and a slower method of reeling or trolling will be more effective.
