Walleye Reservoir Fishing

Walleye that live in reservoirs often lack the natural behaviors of their lake cousins. Since reservoirs are man-made and often hand-stocked, the fish have adapted to their surroundings differently. Natural instinct is still a powerful force and even reservoir walleye are victims to it. Just don’t be surprised if you find the fish where you least expect them to be.

Winter time fishing for walleye can be an interesting endeavor when fishing a reservoir. Most walleye head upstream during the fall. Reservoir walleye don’t have that luxury so many will often congregate on the upper part of the reservoir.

This is in contrast to walleyes in places like Lake Erie that spawn on shoals and in rivers.

Most ice fishermen will concentrate their efforts here. Many walleye will winter in these spots but not all. If you want to increase your success level, you will need to diversify your efforts.

By all means, drop two lines in this likely hot zone. Also drop other lines through the ice in other parts of the lake. Your will have less competition and will be more likely to find the trophy size walleye.

Finding other places to drop line will take some guess work when the reservoir is covered with ice. Visit spots that held unexpected walleye during the warmer months. The results may be surprising.

As the ice starts to melt, walleye have two things on their mind; mating and eating. Walleyes that live in natural waters begin their dusk to dawn activity pattern very quickly. Reservoir-raised walleye are slightly different. They are more likely to be active throughout the day during early spring.

As the water and weather heat up, these walleye will return to a more normal dusk to dawn pattern. Again, not all the walleye will comply with this. When fishing on a reservoir, you may find walleye action anytime of day.

Since these walleye behave differently, one of the best ways to fish a reservoir is by trolling. Trolling allows you to cover a good amount of area with a minimal effort. If that particular state allows it you should set-up multiple lines at various depths. This will help narrow down your search even further.

Make sure that you cover the water in a set pattern as you troll. Keep your speed fast enough to incite a strike but slow enough to react when you get a strike. Once you have found active walleye, you can park the boat switch to a presentation like jigging or bottom bouncers. The nice thing about Reservoir Walleye is that once you find them they are easier to catch than other walleye.

Catching walleye in a reservoir needs to strike a balance between what should and should not be. Expertise in walleye behavior will only get you so far when fishing in a reservoir. These walleye are easier to catch but far less predictable.

Catching Walleyes in Streams

When fishing for walleye this time of year, the angler should opt for a lightweight line and live bait. The presentation needs to be slow and stealthy. The walleye are probably hungry but not enough to respond positively to an aggressive presentation.

If an angler finds a structure that is abundant in walleye, they can try trolling. A slip-sinker with a live minnow can be very effective. The speed should be kept as slow as possible in order to give the walleye time to respond.

After spawning is over and the walleye take a well deserved rest, the time for aggressive foraging begins. Sections in the stream with heavy vegetation are prime places to look. The walleye appetite is at its peak and many trophy size walleye can be found while hunting.

During early summer, Stream Walleye are unpredictable. They may be in the shallows or may be hanging in deeper sections. This time of year drift fishing the deeper areas can be just as successful as trolling the weed beds. Flexibility is the key this time of year if an angler wants to catch walleye.

Late summer brings about a more predictable pattern for stream dwelling walleye. They will stay in the deep waters throughout the day. At dusk they will venture into shallow areas as they hunt for a meal. Some of the best stream fishing happens from dusk until midnight.

Finding Stream Walleye can be a challenge. Some reconnaissance trolling may be necessary to locate the fish. A slip sinker with a minnow makes a great rig when doing initial trolling. A crawler harness can also be useful as well as a change in the bait line-up. Although minnows are top sellers with walleye, a leech or night crawler can be just as effective.

Once an angler has located the fish, they need to choose a presentation. Walleye can be picky during the summer. There is plenty of food to be had so they have the luxury of being more selective.

Live bait is usually a winner year round. A spinner blade, bottom bouncer or crankbait can be effective for appeasing the walleye palette. Again, flexibility will play a big role in catching walleye or catching slack from fellow anglers.

Streams may not be as popular with anglers as lakes and rivers. Stream Walleye are a little trickier to find and catch. An angler who is willing to change their tactics as needed may find plenty of quality walleye in the stream.

Fishing in Mozambique

Mozambique is the ideal fishing paradise for the passionate fisherman as most of the coastlines and freshwater fisheries are yet to be explored, and therefore still unknown. Saltwater fishing was very popular in the past, especially by South African and Rhodesians, but with the rise of the civil war in 1975 to 1992 sport fishing and holiday making in Mozambique practically seized.

The 2400km plus coastline, stretching from the most southern border of South Africa to the northern border of Tanzania, possesses the most unexplored coastal fishing in the world. Due to civil war period and with only primitive fishing vessels, it is believed that the Mozambique ocean regenerated in abundance and therefore possesses rich and plentiful marine life which is both ideals for the fisherman as well as diving enthusiasts.

Fly-fishing, coastline and deep-sea fishing is becoming more popular amongst tourists, and many services now exist which cater for these tourists in terms of accommodation, restaurants and equipment. Some of the high spots for deep-sea fishing is found at the Inhaca, the Quirimbas Islands, Pemba, Xai Xai, Ponto do Ouro, Nacala, and Bazaruto Archipelago, with the latter being known as one of the best destinations to find the black marlin (especially during the months of October to January). During the months of September to January, the striped and blue marlin are also found in the waters.

The Mozambican coastline indeed is a treasure chest of marine life as dolphins, sea turtles and even the rare whale shark is home to these waters throughout the year.

If deep-sea fishing is not your forte, why not enjoy fly-fishing in the channels between Benguerra and Bazaruto? Several species of world-class rock and surf include couta, springer, the big garfish, king mackerel, yellowfin and kingfish. Even shark species of bull, blackspot, zambezi, silvertip, tiger and blacktip is found offshore, and fisherman will not only enjoy the fishing but can take in the beauty of the surroundings as well.

Even shore-based anglers have found a treasure chest of fish varieties and quantities in the Mozambican waters. Sandbanks and channel edges have provided plenty of fishing spots and some anglers even question the need of taking crafts into the waters for fishing.

The government is slowly but surely improving the infrastructure, especially for roads, in the country in order to attract more tourists. Other strict laws to protect marine life and beaches also exist although locals are often found selling turtle and varieties of seashells that had been harvested from the ocean. Seashells no longer wash up on the shores, and visitors to the country should therefore not purchase these items as it will only fuel harvesting.

There are numerous lodges, hotels, and camps available that caters for a variety of visitors. Visitors can also hire tackle and equipment and most deep-sea fishing boats are equipped with navigation and fish-finding devices; a policy of tag and release is widely encouraged.