Walleye Fishing in Canada - Jigging Best Practices!

Jigging is often the method of choice walleye fishing in Canada. The funny thing is everyone assumes they “know how to jig”. There is more to it than just putting the lead head with a hook on the end of your line and catching fish.

Think about the number of times you have been in a boat where one person is having the most success. Or one person is having no success!! You can bet your bottom dollar there is a difference in their jigging methods . There are a number of things you must consider to make your day a success!! We have put together a “best practices” list for jigging walleye. We hope this makes your next day walleye fishing in Canada a huge success!!

Get ‘er down there! While walleye fishing in Canada, you are not going to catch this game fish unless you are on or near the bottom. You are fooling yourself if you do not feel your jig bounce off the bottom from time to time. It is where the fish are, so it’s where you need to be. Take note of the speed of the current and the speed of the wind (if you are drifting). These elements will determine how heave a jig you will need! If you are moving, cast the jig in the direction you are going. This will give it extra time to get to the bottom while you drift toward it. There is a reason why there are jigs of different sizes. Make sure you use the right one for the right circumstance! Remember this while walleye fishing in Canada.

What are they eating? Make sure you understand what the fish are feeding on. Match the jig size and bait to what the fish are going after in the water. This may require a bit of experimentation on your part, but it should translate into success.

Colors – not always what we assume. We have all been in the boat fishing for walleye and assumed we knew what color would work. Experience, the time of day and the choppiness of the water lend us to assume one thing over another. While walleye fishing in Canada brighter colors in dark or murky waters usually work. Darker colors on bright days are often the norm. But conditions change under the water. Be prepared to get creative. Just because chartreuse worked yesterday or two hours ago doesn’t mean it will work right now. Try something different. Most likely conditions have changed below, and the walleye have responded to it. Using colored plastic tails to enhance the presentation can work quite often. Fuzzy jigs too can make a difference. If the action stops, don’t keep using the same jig color for 45 minutes waiting for them to turn on again. Act sooner than later.

What is your Bait? Each body of water can have its own personality when it comes to fishing bait. We assume some bait will work better than others at different times of the year. Well, we all know what happens when we assume things. Leeches seem to work best in the summer. Minnows in the early spring and fall have success. And beef-heart or nightcrawlers have marginal success all year. Just because it is July and you are not having luck with leeches - don't assume the fish are not active. Try changing your strategy with the bait you are using. This coupled with the color, size and presentation of your lure will contribute to the success of your day.

Experiment with your presentation! Depending on the mood of this excellent eating fish , walleye will prefer one presentation over another. You have to figure out what the method is. The most active fish in the area will usually respond to a quick pop you give your rod as you jig. Pop your lure quickly 6 to 12 inches and then slowly let it fall to the bottom following with your rod tip. Try a slower lift with a quick drop next and then a slow lift and slow drop. There is no science to this. It is all about trial and error. Remember to get to the bottom each time however. This is the key to success walleye fishing in Canada.

Control your vessel! No matter what you are fishing in, controlling your boat is a very important element to jigging. Obviously easier in some bodies of water than others, make sure you have mastered this art. If you are in a current, simply aim your bow into the moving water and use your electric motor to match the speed of the current. Another strategy to slow your movement, is the use of a drifting anchor. You can tell if you are moving by studying your line. If it goes straight down, you are not drifting. If it is trailing out on an angle you are moving. Make sure you adjust your drifting speed or the weight of your jig accordingly. Make sure you are getting to the bottom! This is a big key to success while walleye fishing in Canada!

Know the water! Talk to a fellow angler or the outfitter of your resort to make sure you are heading in the right direction. Also get some intelligence on the successful colors, depth, bait and presentation if you can. If they have a map, bring it with you. You need to know the location of reefs, humps and other underwater structure that attract walleye. This is a key not only to walleye fishing in Canada – but anywhere!