Late August 2011. A group of 5 of us locals here in Elliot Lake (including myself) head up north of town to do some serious fishing. We had 2 boats between us.
The Ontario fishing regulations are more complex than the good old days of the late 60s and 70s when I was a serious young fisherman. Now the limit for
Walleye is 4 and there are size restrictions. Pike as well have size restrictions and the limit and seasons varying more greatly now from place to place. Each
boat had a copy of the fishing regulations with them.
We had a shore lunch of 1 walleye a piece at the about the middle time of our trip. We had to make sure we stayed within the regulations all this time..and we did.
The lake we went to has many underwater hazards and obstructions and it isnt hard to get lost on this lake or mixed up. Fortunately..the people I were with
were experienced fishermen and outdoors people. They knew how to clean and fillet the fish and cook them as well! The shore lunch was fantastic. Best fish
meal ever! Not too many people would not like the Walleye fillets which were very fresh ..being caught just an hour or so before lunch!
The Ontario fishing regulations are more complex than the good old days of the late 60s and 70s when I was a serious young fisherman. Now the limit for
Walleye is 4 and there are size restrictions. Pike as well have size restrictions and the limit and seasons varying more greatly now from place to place. Each
boat had a copy of the fishing regulations with them.
We had a shore lunch of 1 walleye a piece at the about the middle time of our trip. We had to make sure we stayed within the regulations all this time..and we did.
The lake we went to has many underwater hazards and obstructions and it isnt hard to get lost on this lake or mixed up. Fortunately..the people I were with
were experienced fishermen and outdoors people. They knew how to clean and fillet the fish and cook them as well! The shore lunch was fantastic. Best fish
meal ever! Not too many people would not like the Walleye fillets which were very fresh ..being caught just an hour or so before lunch!
Launching with a 4 wheel drive vehicle in the sand and then we were off to find some spots. I took plenty of pictures of the scenery as well during this day.
It was all typical Northern Ontario Canadian Shield. Lots of rocks, trees and some swampy areas with stumps in the back bays and some stumps in near the main
channels as well. Rocks and rock shelves in the water. The water level of this lake is controlled by a dam and the level can vary greatly.
From what I heard during this trip..the Ministry of Ontario is getting very serious about people fishing around and below dams. I have seen the ads on TV. Too
many risk takers has led to a real clamp down on fishing in this areas. We did not go near any man made dams during this trip.
It was all typical Northern Ontario Canadian Shield. Lots of rocks, trees and some swampy areas with stumps in the back bays and some stumps in near the main
channels as well. Rocks and rock shelves in the water. The water level of this lake is controlled by a dam and the level can vary greatly.
From what I heard during this trip..the Ministry of Ontario is getting very serious about people fishing around and below dams. I have seen the ads on TV. Too
many risk takers has led to a real clamp down on fishing in this areas. We did not go near any man made dams during this trip.
Let the fishing begin. Some where between 8:30 and 9:30 am (roughly) we hit a nice spot for walleye. Even though we were jigging for Walleye..Nothern Pike
were often caught. We let all the pike go with exception of one larger one around 6 lbs or so. Many of the walleye were around 17 to 18 inches long. They were
all good eating size.
One fellow called his Walleye technique the soft hand approach. Jigs tipped with either frozen minnows or worms ..were worked along the bottom to entice the
Walleye.
Leaders were not generally used. We had some lost jigs due to Pike that cut the line with their sharp teeth. When I tried using a leader..I found the Walleye
would not bite nearly as well.
Next time I go Walleye fishing where there are PIke ..Im going to bring a low abrasion sensitive crystal clear line made of flourocarbon or similar material and try
that.
were often caught. We let all the pike go with exception of one larger one around 6 lbs or so. Many of the walleye were around 17 to 18 inches long. They were
all good eating size.
One fellow called his Walleye technique the soft hand approach. Jigs tipped with either frozen minnows or worms ..were worked along the bottom to entice the
Walleye.
Leaders were not generally used. We had some lost jigs due to Pike that cut the line with their sharp teeth. When I tried using a leader..I found the Walleye
would not bite nearly as well.
Next time I go Walleye fishing where there are PIke ..Im going to bring a low abrasion sensitive crystal clear line made of flourocarbon or similar material and try
that.
Time for shore lunch. A small propane 1 element stove and a deep dish frying pan along with some basics like flour, eggs and a type of fish coating and spice were
used. The Walley were filleted and we each had about 1 Walleye each. Man..were the fillets ever good to eat and the texture of the meat was unbeatable.
Makes the fillets of fish you buy and fry or bake look like chunks of fried cardboard by comparision.
Even some of the wives of the fishermen and one fisherman in our group who wasnt really a fish eater..found these fillets to be very tasty.
used. The Walley were filleted and we each had about 1 Walleye each. Man..were the fillets ever good to eat and the texture of the meat was unbeatable.
Makes the fillets of fish you buy and fry or bake look like chunks of fried cardboard by comparision.
Even some of the wives of the fishermen and one fisherman in our group who wasnt really a fish eater..found these fillets to be very tasty.
The fillets are prepared in a fairly standard way. Wash in water..coat in
flour and then eggs and then coat with the fish coating and then pop
them into the frying pan or deep frying pot.
Serve hot and fresh! No bones and just nice chunks of fresh Walleye in
the great outdoors with good company and fresh air.
Makes for a great trip.
flour and then eggs and then coat with the fish coating and then pop
them into the frying pan or deep frying pot.
Serve hot and fresh! No bones and just nice chunks of fresh Walleye in
the great outdoors with good company and fresh air.
Makes for a great trip.
Back out on the water..I took many pictures of the rocks and stumps and the scenery. I was at the front of the boat and kept an eye open for floating wood
and logs or stumps ect as we were motoring along. All these weedy stumpy areas are important for the eco system and for helping to produce the food
for minnows and other forage for the fish we were catching.
and logs or stumps ect as we were motoring along. All these weedy stumpy areas are important for the eco system and for helping to produce the food
for minnows and other forage for the fish we were catching.
The biggest fish of the day was caught by the most
senior and experienced fisherman of the group. A nice
6 or 7 pound Northern Pike.
senior and experienced fisherman of the group. A nice
6 or 7 pound Northern Pike.
This Walleye was different than the others. It was a blue color. I think they
are called Blue Pickeral.
are called Blue Pickeral.
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FISHING TRIP PICTURES AND STORY..
FISHING TRIP PICTURES AND STORY..