fishing advice

[Bubbadust]

I'm going to Pakwash Lake in Ontario from May 28-June 3 (it's near Red Falls about 500 miles north of Minneapolis) and was looking for some general advice. I've never fished in Canada before and I haven't done much walleye fishing in my life. Any recommendations on where to look for walleyes and/or smallmouth this time of year would be greatly appreciated. Also what about bait and presentations?

Thanks in advance,

[Eastwind]

I can't tell you squat about Smallies but here is how we fish Walleyes at the same time of year on LOW. Leadhead jigs and minnows and don't be afraid to use a jig that is heavy enough to keep your presentation vertical. In 20' or more you may need 3/8 oz to 1/2 oz. Typically you will get the eyes up against shore, including the shores of islands, in the wind. If the wind is not hitting that shore move to another spot. Sandy shore, gravel shore or rocky shore works. You will want some break near the shore as opposed to a long steady drop in to deeper water. Usually we get them in 15' or less but last Spring we got most of them in 25' plus of water. Some people will anchor or motor near a shore and cast and retrieve jigs and minnows or small crank baits. Hope this helps.

[Hemlock]

Eastwind's got it....

[JZ]

I think 3/8 -1/2 are a little heavy. Our sucess goes up when we go lighter. You need ver good boat control in order to fish lighter. So if you are a poor boats man heaver if you have good boat control skils lighter. Like 1/4 oz it makes a big difference

[Eastwind]

There ya go picking on my boatsmanship. Actually, I agree with you that if you can keep the boat still or barely moving and are not in really deep water the lighter the better. In those cases I also prefer 1/8 oz to 1/4 oz jigs. But, not everybody has the set-up, experience or both to hover over a spot. Also, if you are checking out a spot there is no sense to hover on an area that you don't know holds fish yet. When your boat is moving either by accident or design you need to ensure that your presentation is vertical. If there is movement and you are trying to find fish in deeper water a heavier jig is a logical option. It will also help you to avoid snags if you really do want your bait at or near the bottom. On LOW we still get plenty of fish of a good range of sizes with jigs up to 5/8.