Old Lake Cottage

Walleye fishing in Canada

Sander vitreus

Documented at
126,117 waters
Primary species at
122,835 waters
Ideal water temp
17.5°C
Active range
13–20°C

Best walleye waters today

Scored for 2026-09-15 from live weather, water temperature and this species’ own thermal range.

  1. Étangs Sakuteyapiniu (Waskaganish)Lake75
  2. Grand lac Amiskw (Wemindji)Lake75
  3. Grand lac Kauschiskakamach (Waskaganish)Lake75
  4. Deux lacs Faucon (La Tuque)Lake73
  5. Étangs Upihkan (Waskaganish)Lake73
  6. Deuxième lac Bull Rock (Kirkland Lake)Lake72
  7. Deuxième lac Motard (Obedjiwan)Lake72
  8. Étang Olive (Obedjiwan)Lake72
  9. Grand lac de l'Enclume (Dolbeau)Lake72
  10. Grand lac du Banc de Sable (Dolbeau)Lake72

How to fish for walleye

Walleye have large, light-sensitive eyes that give them sharp low-light vision - the same trait behind their name (that eerie eye-shine) also explains why they feed most actively at dawn, dusk, and after dark, retreating to deeper, darker water on bright days. Jigging with a plain jighead tipped with a live minnow or leech is the classic, most consistent approach, especially worked slowly along bottom contours, drop-offs, and weed edges. Trolling crankbaits or spinner rigs (a string of beads and a blade ahead of a hook, tipped with a worm) covers water efficiently when fish are scattered. In stained or murky water, brighter jig colors (chartreuse, orange) and slightly noisier presentations help; in clear water, natural colors and a subtler touch work better. Walleye school by size and often relate tightly to structure - a rocky point, a sunken hump, or the edge of a river channel - so once you find fish, working that exact spot thoroughly usually beats covering more water. A falling barometer and light wind chop (a 'walleye chop') are both classic conditions anglers watch for.

Walleye by province

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