A heavy southwest wind buffeted the boat, knocking me off the pattern I was trolling along a nine-foot contour. The weedline moved in and out, causing finely cut weeds to clog the lure. I fought my way from the deeper water back into the zone. All of this took precious “lure in the water” time out of the strike zone. Frustrated, I flipped the deep-billed lure back 30 feet, and felt the vibration as the crank hummed back into the zone. A sudden tap and a fraction of a moment’s weightlessness announced the arrival of an early season walleye. There are probably more Ontario walleye caught on opening day weekend than during the rest of the year combined, and I’ll bet most are taken on the troll. It’s perhaps the most fundamental method of walleye fishing on traditional inland lakes and rivers, but there are so many variables to factor in, that even after a lifetime of practice, I’m still learning the art and science of trolling for walleye. Some consider trolling an easy way to fish walleye; I find it anything but. To be sure, I’ve known times when it didn’t take much to catch walleye, but those halcyon days are remembered for their rarity. Trolling offers success over a range of walleye habitats, but it requires persistent attention to detail while applying knowledge gained through endless hours of practice. Got to find them first Following the spawn, walleye feed actively around classic structure, such as shoals, or complexes of uneven bottom, especially where aquatic vegetation gets a solid foothold. They can also be found in backwaters in warmer water, where the weed growth holds forage, but the area can still be trolled with shallow running minnow-imitating lures. Where walleye spawn on shoals, they will be found close by, or shifting over into shallow bays and along shorelines with a bit of a flat leading into deeper water. Look for south-facing shorelines where the water warms quickly, bringing new growth and kick-starting the food chain. All of these areas present good trolling opportunities. The opener will find walleye actively feeding in or near spawning areas. Look for fish coming down spawning rivers and streams at curves, constrictions and reefs or partial barriers, to the river mouth, which in most cases is a real hotspot in the spring. As spring turns to early summer, walleye may be partial to biting
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