Fab Hotspot #1: Lake Erie Charters Western Basin
Casting traditional weight-forward spinners, twistertail jigs, minnow-imitating crankbaits, even tube jigs, just out from Pelee Island, we were consistently catching walleyes on Lake Erie's Western Basin - arguably the world's best walleye fishery.
So why the fuss?
Well, consider that everywhere else on Lake Erie, walleye fishing translates to open-lake "bluewater" tactics - downrigging, planerboarding and/or flatline trolling with rods pincushioned into rod holders.
Aboard large charterboats fitted with sophisticated equipment, miles from shore (often in rough water), charter clients seldom get to hold a fishing rod, except to reel in a fish. But that's not how it's done at Lake Erie's Western Basin.
Instead, here, Lake Erie walleye fishing reverts back to casting and jigging - the kind of one-on-one, on-going test of angling skills that most fishermen prefer.
The skipper at Fishing with Chante Charters was demonstrating the techniques and effectiveness of weight-forward spinners up front. Off the back, we were doing the same with twistertail and tube jigs.
This was Lake Erie walleye fishing at its best - everyone using their preferred tactics and baits and catching fish!
At midday, we took this approach one step further, fishing for big Lake Erie smallmouths, again in shallow water close to shore, using live bait rigs and jigs. Success came quickly and often in the form of scrappy, aerial 2 to 4-pound bronzebacks.
Surprisingly - for Lake Erie at least - fully 90 per cent of Chante Charter's fish are caught using casting and drift-fishing tactics.
This is definitely "hands-on, full-contact fishing" - some of the big lake's very best, including great perch fishing in April, trophy-class walleyes May to July, multi-species summer fishing, trophy smallmouth bass from mid-September well into October, and more perch in November.
Weekend/2-day charters and overnight cottage accommodations on historic Pelee Island are also available for groups of 2 to 6 anglers.
Fab Hotspot #2: Drive-to Fishing Lake Nipissing
The first hint of ice-out on Ontario lakes prompts even the most jaded of fishermen into attending the winter sport shows and planning the angler's annual rite of spring - the season opener.
This is the time for renewed friendships, male bonding and great fishing for walleyes and perch. And nowhere in Ontario is the spring fishing better than on Lake Nipissing - a drive-to hotspot!
Long famous for incredible walleye fishing, especially in early season, Lake Nipissing's phenomenal perch fishing has been largely overlooked for that at Lake Simcoe, where thousands of anglers annually migrate for the annual zoo that is the Orillia Perch Festival.
Truth be known, the perch fishing at Lake Nipissing is every bit as good - and far less crowded. On average, the perch are larger, too. And there are plenty of walleyes and big northerns as well!!
The Waltonian Inn has everything for a great trip, including a launch, protected marina, boat & motor rentals, fuel, guide service, bait, freezer facilities, HK cottages or AP rooms, a dining room, LLBO licensed lounge, pool table, sauna, hot tub, big-screen satellite TV and more.
The spring / early summer walleye fishing on Lake Nipissing is no less incredible. Limit catches are the norm rather than the exception, even with a slot-size restriction in place.
As always, both perch and walleyes respond greedily to minnows - live or dead - on light line rigs or small jigs. The absolute best fishing begins with the May opener and lasts through mid-June.
Great fishing is just minutes away from the Waltonian Inn on Nipissing's South Shore, near Callander Bay. The folks at the Waltonian Inn & Cottages will provide up-to-date information and location tips to get their angling guests off on the right foot.
My angling buddies and I have visited the Waltonian each spring for several seasons now and experienced great fishing every time. Going back this year, too! Why not join us?
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