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Walleyes look like big cousins of the Yellow Perch. The Walleye has a large
black blotch at the rear of the first dorsal fin, five to eight dark saddle-like
markings on the back, and a large white blotch on the tip of the lower lobe of
the tail. It is an excellent eating fish. To find Walleyes, look for submerged bars and deep rock areas close to shore. Fish close to points or river mouths, in shallow water during spring and fall and in deeper water during summer. The best fishing times are early morning, late afternoon, evening and up until midnight. Dark or windy days are also good. Night is best in summer. Walleyes are school-running and range widely over a lake and up and down streams. Best fishing methods include jigging, drifting or trolling over spots known for Leech fishing. Useing a lead-head jig and a slip bobber works well for most. Fishing over weed drop offs and weed beds with this method can be very productive. Remember they are bottom huggers, and it usually is necessary to get the bait right down to the bottom to catch them, whether the water is 6 or 20 feet deep. If you get one fish, it is likely there are more at the same spot. Preferred natural baits are minnows and night crawlers. Night crawlers on a harness or a minnow on a jig make excellent Walleye baits. Artificials such as Benos, Flatfish, Willy's Worm Plug, Rappalas or similar baits also are good Walleye getters when fished deep. Medium-action spinning or casting rods rigged with 6- to 8-pound test line are good all-around tackle for this fish. When using live bait, No. 2 to No. 2/0 hooks are recommended. |
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Northern Pike has bean shaped yellowish spots on green background.
They can also be identified by counting the sensory pores on the lower jaw. There should be 5 or less present.
Northern Pike generally prefer shallow weed areas in lakes or quiet areas (eddies) in streams. They live by eating other fish, and lie in wait for food near underwater obstructions. In spring and fall, fish along weed beds in shallow bays, off points, and on sand bars dropping into deeper water, or slow or quiet waters behind obstructions such as log jams or fallen trees. Pike will strike all kinds of artificial lures, either cast or trolled; the red and white Daredevle is one of the most popular. In summer still-fish in deeper water, near submerged weed beds, using large minnows and suckers 3 to 10 inches long. Don't set the hook till the fish runs with the bait , and carry long-nosed pliers to remove swallowed hooks; those teeth are sharp. For summer trolling move slowly past sunken weed beds, using live bait, wobbling spoons, or deep-running plugs. Northerns strike best in early morning and after 4 p.m.; also in midday when it's overcast or windy. Medium to heavy casting and spinning rods are used with 10-to15-pound braided nylon line for bait casting, and 8- to12-pound monofilament for spinning. Use a swiveled steel leader or heavy nylon leaders placed just ahead of the bait. |
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Largemouth Bass can be distinguished from Smallmouth Bass by the upper lip, which in the Largemouth extends behind the eye when the mouth is closed. In the Smallmouth, the lip extends just to the rear of the eye. The Largemouth Bass is a voracious eater and a good fighter on sport tackle. Largemouth prefer the quiet waters of lakes and ponds, but may also be found in slow stretches of rivers. The preferred habitat is around some type of structure such as weed beds, stumps, logs and other cover. Early in the season, Largemouth generally will be found in shallow water. As the water warms, they will mover into cooler, deeper waters. Largemouth may be caught by casting, using crankbaits, spinners, jugs, rubber worms or top water baits, by fly fishing with poppers or streamer flies, and by still-fishing with night crawlers, minnows, crayfish or frogs. Fish close to the structures. Largemouth will usually grab the bait, whether natural or artificial, in one gulp so be prepared to set the hook immediately. For live bait, the best hook size will be a long-shank No. 2 or No. 2/0.Casting or spinning rods of medium light to medium weight equipped with standard reels with 8- to 12-pound test line are good for Largemouth. In areas of heavy log and tree cover, the angler may wish to go to 15- to 20-pound test line to pull free from snags. The best fly rods to handle large popping bugs are 81/2 to 9 feet Largemouth Bass sometimes put on a spectacular jumping display, so be ready for some explosive action. |
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Chances are that any Sunfish you catch will be a Bluegill, with Pumpkinseeds
next. Bluegills come in a variety of colors, depending on size, sex and season, but usually have
a blue-ish look on the body behind the head. Perhaps the best way to distinguish them from other
Sunfish is that the opercle (gill flap) is flexible and easily bent forward. Pumpkinseeds have a
stiff opercle, and are generally yellow, red and blue-green in body color.
Spawning season is one of the best times to fish for the members of this group, running from late-May to late June. At that time, they are found in the shallows, generally along weedy edges, and are easy to catch. The best hours to catch Sunfish are early morning and in the evening, although they can be caught any time of the day or night. During the early season, fly fishing with small popping bugs, rubber spiders or small nymph flies is an excellent method to catch Sunfish. Best colors for popping bugs are red and white combinations, yellow, yellow and black, black or black and white. Rubber spiders and nymph flies of black or brown colors generally work best. The fish are spooky at this time, so light leaders of not more than 5-pound test (4-pound or 2-pound are better) and of at least 7 to 9 feet are advised. In most instances, long casts are needed to catch the larger fish. Ultra-light spinning tackle with very small lures or a small bobber and worm also is effective. During the hot months later in the season, the Sunfish will be in deeper water, and it may be necessary to fish as deep as 10 to 15 feet. Live baits for Sunfish include earthworms, grubs, crickets, grasshoppers, pieces of crayfish and leeches.Because Sunfish generally nibble cautiously on the bait, the bobber should be small with a minimum of resistance. Cane poles of 12 to 14 feet, spinning rods in the medium light or ultra-light class, and No. 5 or No. 6 fly rods are the best. |