Ontario Species Guide
Walleye
Sander vitreus · also called: Pickerel, Yellow pickerel
Walleye are Ontario's most sought-after freshwater fish and the province's unofficial signature species. They feed most aggressively in low light, taste better than almost anything you can pull out of freshwater, and hold across nearly every fishable body of water south of Hudson Bay.
Identification
Olive-gold body with dark saddles, a spiny front dorsal fin, and unmistakable marble-white eyes that reflect light in a photo. White tip on the lower tail lobe distinguishes walleye from sauger.
Habitat & where to find them
Prefer 12–35 ft of water over sand, gravel, and broken rock during the day; move shallow onto flats and weed edges at dawn, dusk, and after dark. Do best in stained water where they out-see baitfish.
Best baits & lures
Baits
- Live minnows (shiners, chubs)
- Nightcrawlers
- Leeches
Lures
- Jig + minnow
- Worm harness on bottom bouncer
- Blade bait
- Deep-diving crankbait
- Jigging Rap
Pro tactics
- Snap-jig a 1/4 oz swim jig with a minnow on wind-blown gravel flats in May.
- Slow-troll a worm harness at 1.0–1.4 mph across the outside edge of weed lines in July.
- Vertical jig deep basins (25–45 ft) with a Jigging Rap in September–October.
Watch Walleye fishing videos
Hand-picked YouTube searches for Walleye in Ontario — how-to walkthroughs, gear breakdowns, and on-water footage.
Opens a live YouTube search in a new tab — results reflect the latest uploads.
Regulations
Zone-specific slot limits and possession limits apply. Most FMZs allow 4 sport / 2 conservation. Always confirm before your trip in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary.
Always confirm before your trip: Ontario Fishing Rules & Licences.
Frequently asked questions
When does walleye season open in Ontario?
Most FMZs open on the Saturday closest to May 15. Some zones (like the Great Lakes tributaries) run different dates — check your zone in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary before you go.
What's the best bait for walleye?
A jig tipped with a live minnow is the most consistent walleye producer in Ontario, followed by nightcrawlers on a worm harness once water warms past 60°F.
Where are the biggest walleye in Ontario?
Bay of Quinte and Lake Erie's western basin produce the province's biggest walleye — trophy fish in the 10–15 lb class are landed every year on both.
Top Ontario waters for Walleye
Mapped waters in our guide that hold walleye — tap through for FMZ, regulations, and tactics.
- Andrew Haydon Park – Ottawa RiverFMZ 12
- Balsam LakeFMZ 17
- Balsam Lake Provincial ParkFMZ 17
- Bay of QuinteFMZ 20
- Bay of Quinte – BellevilleFMZ 20
- Bay of Quinte – TrentonFMZ 20
- Belle River – Lake St. ClairFMZ 19
- Big Rideau Lake – PortlandFMZ 18
- Black Bay – Lake SuperiorFMZ 9
- Bon Echo Provincial Park – Mazinaw LakeFMZ 18