Fishing Walleye in the Bay of Quinte by Tyler Taylor

Tyler Taylor gets the job done!

Tyler Taylor gets the job done!

Fishing the Bay of Quinte in December can be a brisk task to say the least.  Floater suits are a must-wear as if you fall in the water your a goner!  The walleye here migrate into the big bay, out of Lake Ontario and stage in the bay for the spring spawn ( where I intercept them).   My buddy and I jumped in my boat early in the morning and we were breaking ice on the way out.  We had a four rod spread set up of Crankbaits (Reef Runners, and Rapala TD11's) off planer boards.  The water is really clear here so planer boards are a must to get the lures out away from the boat, as the "eyes" spook very easily!  Just as we finished our morning puff all hell broke loose (this gets Ontario fish to bite)-haha.  Three of the four rods fired and it was game on!  WOAH!  It was complete chaos as the net was completely tangled with fish and our lures!  We released the 2 big girls on the left and kept the little one for the table!!  The bay has since iced up and its ice fishing season now!  If only work didn't get in the way of fishing!!!!

Recommended Gear

  • Hot Baits- Sebile Koolies
  • Reef Runners
  • Rapala TD-11 and TD-9's

Hot Colors

  • Purple
  • Blue
  • Firetiger
  • Iridescent
  • Chartreuse
  • Green and silver

Another lil trick I like to throw at them is running a 3-way swivel, 4' of lead line to a deep diving crank-bait and then 5' of lead line to a spoon.  The deep diving crank digs down deep while the spoon just floats above it.  This maximizes lures in the water to poles!  We are aloud 2 poles each on the lake for trolling.

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Freelance Photographer Legend: Paul Hodgson.

Freelance Photographer Legend: Paul Hodgson.

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Some work by Paul Hodgson:

Happy Holidays and Winter Fishing Tips

The Nass Valley, an excellent year round fishing and skiing destination.

The Nass Valley, an excellent year round fishing and skiing destination.

Spending time with loved ones, sipping on eggnog, spreading christmas cheer and maybe even dropping a line, what a wonderful time of the year. The Winter Season is full of wonderment, no matter which direction you choose to look. If you are looking down the end of your rod at a thrashing splashing steelhead, then it may be over flowing with wonder. 

The quiet still winter days are short, so if you are planning on heading out with your rod, be prepared. Bring a headlamp as night can fall quickly especially in Northern BC. The days are bone chilling so dress appropriately and it never hurts to bring a buddy. A snack and some water can give you a much needed burst of energy.

A beautiful winter run steelhead.

A beautiful winter run steelhead.

When it comes to finding fish, your gonna have to be on the move as fish tend not to move around too much this time of year which means your gonna have to go to them. Look for deeper sections of water and swing flys or spinners beside them and through them. Make sure you are getting your gear down near the bottom. If you are float fishing then you will have access to deeper waters and may be able to entice a few more fish with some well placed roe.

If you are fishing BC rivers and creeks you may bump into Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout, Dolly Varden, White Fish, Steelhead or even a Coho. All are welcomed with great appreciation!

Captain Quinn with a nice red Coho, caught on the Kitimat River, Dec 9, 2012.

Captain Quinn with a nice red Coho, caught on the Kitimat River, Dec 9, 2012.

Have fun, be safe, keep that rod tip up and happy holidays,

Captain Quinn

Winter Wonders

Captain Quinn with a nice winter steelhead taken on the spey.

Captain Quinn with a nice winter steelhead taken on the spey.

Enjoy some photos from recent fishing adventures in BC's great northern watersheds. There are plenty more articles, photos and videos to follow. In the mean time join our network and send us some fishing adventures stories and photos of your own.