Walleye
Of all of Beauchêne's sportfish, the Walleye remains the most challenging to catch consistently.
Although there are healthy populations that exist in several of the Réserve's lakes, the clear water and largely oligotrophic environments offer a suitable challenge for the angler bent on catching "old marble eyes".
Immediately after ice-out you can expect to find the majority of Beauchêne's Walleyes relating to the major tributary rivers entering into Lac Beauchêne. Although of course the season is closed at this time of year, it is important to understand a little about the Walleye's seasonal movements, since as Opening Day arrives,
Walleyes will be found scattered somewhere between the spawning areas and the areas they will utilize for the rest of the summer.Therefore during the first few weeks after the opener it's typically a game of tracking down transition fish. `Here this week, gone the next', is the best way to describe them, although the up side is that when you do find them they will most likely be numerous and concentrated.
Entering the Summer and Fall months, the Walleye fishing becomes much more consistent, as fish begin a more predictable cycle when they will exhibit diurnal movements up onto rocky points and shoals just before dark, or under low light and/or windy conditions.
There are basically two presentations most commonly enjoyed by the more serious anglers seeking Walleyes at Beauchêne. Those two presentations are trolling and still fishing, of course.
- Trolling offers anglers the opportunity to cover a lot of water that is especially important when fish are suspended adjacent to offshore islands and sunken reefs. Crankbaits are among the top lure choices among Walleye trollers, with Wally Divers, Hot-n Tot's and Mann's Wally-Trac series topping the list.
- For fish relating to more recognizable structure such as underwater points or humps, jigs and live bait fishing is probably your best presentation if you're fishing for dinner. Using a worm or leech rigged on a jig or a splitshot and a hook, work live bait slowly across primary structure, making sure to keep close to or just off of the bottom. Most often the fish will move in schools, so although you may wait awhile between bites, you can just as easily catch enough supper in only a few minutes.
Remember that live bait generally is taken deeply so potentially may kill the fish. We don't advise its use once you've caught `one for the pan'.
Tackle Suggestions:
JIGGING: 1/8th to ¼ oz. with mister-twister, Fin-S-Fish, Power Leech, Sassy-Shad,Gulp Alive,Gary Yamamoto GRubs, Live- bait.
Using floating jig head with split shots 18 inches in front of jig , cast out and bring back slowly. (better with worms or leechs)
TROLLING: a floating worm harness with bottom bouncer or Lindy walking sinker.
OTHER LURES: to consider, either for trolling or casting; Storm Lures, Hot-N-Tot,Thin-Fin,Thunder Stick, Wally Diver, Rattlin-Rap, Ripplin'Red Fin.
FLIES: Clouser Minnow, Crawfish, Large Streamers, Leech Patterns
Lakes to consider: Beauchêne, Little Beauchêne, Devil, Jane.