Are you looking for the best places to fish for walleye in Quebec? Or do you want to know the most effective techniques to catch it? Discover here the secrets of walleye fishing, an exciting activity full of challenges, thanks to the expertise of two renowned fishermen: Raymond Carignan and Luc Bonneville.
The basics: knowing the walleye well before starting
What you need to know about walleye behavior
Before casting your line into the water, it is necessary to take a moment to get to know your prey. Promise, this beloved fish is much smarter than you think!
First of all, you should know that the walleye is very sensitive to smells, to light, to colors and noise. This element should not be overlooked if you want a good catch! For example, favor a silent electric motor or make as little noise as possible. It is also one of the freshwater fish with the best vision, both at night and during the day.
The walleye stays in groups. If you catch one, chances are the others are very close to you! It also likes to hide among aquatic vegetation or under rocks: these places allow it to hide and stay comfortably in the shade, which helps it better hunt its prey. It likes cool water: its preferred temperature is 61°F (16 °C).

When to practice walleye fishing?
The best times to fish for walleye are in the evening and morning. "It is best to go to the body of water between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., as well as late afternoon, from 4 p.m. until sunset," advises Luc Bonneville, fishing enthusiast and owner of Ecotone l'Ami Sport in Blainville, Quebec.
The weather does not really affect walleye fishing, with one exception: avoid fishing when the sky is clear blue, with no clouds and the sun shining brightly.
As for the best time of year, the ideal is from mid-May to mid-September. But the Linkcan be fished all year round, even under the ice in winter. "The only exception: from mid-April to mid-May, during the walleye spawning period," reminds Luc Bonneville. Many other tips from him are available in one of his blog articles.
Best places to fish for walleye?
Walleye can be found in many places. In Canada, Quebec, Ontario, and even in the state of New York!
In the province of Quebec, walleye is mostly found in the regions of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Outaouais, Lac Saint-Jean, and Mauricie (Gouin Reservoir). It is also worth noting that walleye is present in the Saint Lawrence River and its widenings (lakes Saint-François, Saint-Louis, and Saint-Pierre).
Now that you know the best places to fish for walleye, where will your next fishing trip be?
Fishing tips for beginners
Attention beginners who would like to start walleye fishing, Raymond Carignan, an experienced fisherman with over 50 years of experience, has golden advice for you!
First of all, every experienced fisherman knows that fishing requires a lot of patience. But promise, it will (maybe) be rewarded. Indeed, nothing compares to the feeling of success when your prey finally bites the hook and you carefully retrieve your precious fish. Victory!
Mr. Carignan also suggests keeping an open mind: since the walleye stays in groups, it is very possible that you will catch more after your first catch. Keeping an open mind also means always remembering that the walleye may be closer to you than you think. Indeed, contrary to what one might believe, the walleye likes to stay near the surface, at less than 20 feet deep.

The best walleye fishing techniques
For Raymond Carignan, it is obvious: the best way to catch walleye is to use a diving devon. "It is a lure that imitates a small fish with a bottom chamber inside that makes noise, which attracts them from afar," explains fisherman Raymond Carignan. He also advises choosing brightly colored lures like perch blue, fire tiger, chartreuse green, or fluorescent orange.
Another well-known technique, called "jigging" or "dandinette", continues to prove effective. For fishermen, Mr. Carignan suggests using the new jig called Crush City. "The results I've had with it are really incredible", he confirms.
It is also possible to fish by "trolling" using a classic earthworm, but accompanied by a bottom walker and a worm harness (attached to the sinker).
The experienced fisherman also suggests using colored and/or scented gel, which imitates the smell and appearance of blood (like an injured fish). He suggests two types, the supreme smelt scent gel and products from the company Liquid Mayhem.
He also recommends using a line that is not too visible or too thick, because the walleye is more wary than you think: it will see the line.
Do you know the Navionics chart? It will show you all the lake's reliefs, allowing you to know in advance the areas where the walleye is likely to be. Before leaving, take the time to study it. Once at your lake, you will immediately know where to go!
The expert also reminds that it is better to use a fairly stiff fishing rod for walleye. In other words, he advises using a rod different from the one used for trout fishing, for example.
Pro tips in a flash
- Do not underestimate the power of phosphorescent or high-contrast lures. The walleye has excellent vision and will see them well, even from afar.
- Use a soap that removes odors, remember that the walleye is very sensitive to bad smells (like cigarette smoke, for example)!
- The biggest walleye are closer to you than you think. This is simply explained by the fact that there is more food near the surface. Favor a depth of 20 feet or less to fish for walleye.
- Use a rubber mesh net to catch your fish: rubber is easier to untangle.
- If you didn't know already, the walleye is an excellent fish to eat. And it is even better eaten fresh. Bon appétit!
Now that you know all the secrets of Link, do you have all the necessary equipment?
Precision makes the difference: your next catch may depend... on a knot
Once you have chosen the right place, the right time, and the right technique to fish for walleye, there remains an often overlooked element: the quality of your rigs. Because even with the most efficient equipment, a bad knot can compromise everything.
For experts as well as beginners, knowing how to master the right fishing knots makes all the difference between a well-hooked catch... or a great story of a fish that got away.
Are you looking to improve your rigs, avoid lure losses, and maximize the efficiency of your line? Here is the logical next step in your learning:
Learn to tie the right knots, at the right time. Discover our complete guide on types of fishing knots, their uses, and how to tie them step by step.
Read the article: Mastering fishing knots – types, techniques, and tips for successful fishing
Happy fishing!