CTFishTalk.com: Anybody willing to share some tips on catching walleye? - Connecticut Ice Fishing Reports ( CT Ice Fishing Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

roofman · Joined: 11 Jan 2011 Posts: 43

I've been icefishing for all my life and all ways targeted pike.Now one of my friends got me into fishing for walleye.Tried it once on Coventry Lake with no results.Any advise would be appreciated.Leader type and lenght,hook size and type,shiner size ???I am planning to use tip ups at night.Thanks.

Fish On! · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 68 Location: Northeast, CT

I've caught a few at coventry using medium shinners on a 6" steel leader with a 5/0 octopus hook if I remember correctly

duf · Joined: 29 Jan 2013 Posts: 1

Go late in the evening.. dont worry about crazy leaders... i use 8lb flouro. Med to lrg shiners.. For the most part all Coventry eyes are small cookie cutter 12-15inchers.. as far as exactly where to go ill let you figure that one out..

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Walleye feed shallow as the sun goes down. On Coventry, I'd try over by the beach on the north end of the lake. Set up in the afternoon and stay until after dark. If you can only fish during the day, set up next to an outside weedline in deeper water, about eight to 12 feet deep.
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roofman · Joined: 11 Jan 2011 Posts: 43

thanx guys.
i am heading out tonight to try my luck.all the info is appreciated.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Go before dark! You have to be able to see the ice before you get onto it! And make sure that you keep your bearings, so that you know a safe route off of it.
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NorthEastFisherman · Joined: 27 May 2012 Posts: 582

I have tried for three years on catching walleye at squant on ice. I've failed every year. I can say though the first year i targeted walleye i did pretty good in the spring, people were catching 23-25inchers and not many 15 or belows. This years spring (2012 spring) was a very bad walleye season. Biggest i heard caught on squantz was 23inches but that was all the guy got. I only caught 5-6 15ish inchers. Not too sure what happened. I CAN tell you though that walleyes like three things, sand/mud, big rocks with sand nearby, and weeds with sand. Sand is the key here. In the winter walleye prep their beds for spawning in the spring. I dont need wire for the walleye i caught, and actually i think it repels the walleye. i would use 6-8lb mono (long leader 4ft or more) and use a single hook, no trebles. Use a medium minnow and make sure it lively, for some reason walleye dont do the same as pike which is taking an easy meal. Theyre pretty smart and follow the schools of minnows. Walleye will be moving just like bass and the opposite of crappie. Most likely they will be very close to bottom like perch (1-2.5ft). You will have more luck during the closing hours of the sun i would say 5pm would be a good time for walleye to start feeding and they will end at about 9pm. Yes they will be biting before and after but during these times you will have more luck in my opinion. As for hooks, you will want a wide gap octopus. If youre using leader you can still use wide gap but the point of the wide gap is to not let the walleye touch the line with its teeth. Not too familiar with sizes but an estimate of what i can give you is probably a 2/0 Wide Gap. I also use size 2-6 Regular octopus but thats more if youre jigging on a boat or in this case, on the ice. I wish connecticut had a larger walleye population and more lakes with walleye in them because theyre a great fish to target. You could get more advice from youtube videos of people in minnesota, wisconsin, michigan, the dakotas and place like that. But remember the factors they have up north like the temps, structure and such. Good luck please report i'd like to hear how you do.
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jimbojonez · Joined: 04 Feb 2012 Posts: 295 Location: Berlin/Kensington

seriously be careful ice fishing tonight ... the recent rain has saturated aquifers! This causes springs to pump out waters that eat your fishing ice from the inside. But if there's good ice out there let us know. Smile

pikePERSUADER1 · Joined: 07 Dec 2010 Posts: 521

Allan · Joined: 04 Jan 2013 Posts: 44

nightstalker · Joined: 19 Feb 2010 Posts: 39

12-20lb fluorocarbon, no steel leaders needed, gd headlite pref red in color, need some thing fluorescent on tip up flags, or some kind of tip up lite, bring a flashlite , stealth is the main objective, always approach the flag quickly and quietly, carry hook outs, boga grip, whatever your pleasure if not bring bandaids, no sticking fingers in eye's mouth quite a toothy fish bring plenty of patience they are a lot of fun to catch, that among the other posts is a good starter pack, good luck

NorthEastFisherman · Joined: 27 May 2012 Posts: 582

roofman · Joined: 11 Jan 2011 Posts: 43

Hey guys
I went last afternoon to the DEP launch.That corner is frozen solid with 8-10" of mixed ice.The middle of the lake is open water.I did not fish because of the strong wind so i chickened out.the plan is to go out this afternoon and see what is going to happen.Went by lower Bolton .Near the boat launch everything is open water.The corner inside to the left of boat launch looks solid but i did not check the ice.I will let you know whats up.