By Ronnie Parris
It’s finally here! The time of year for the walleye anglers to get limits. Yes, I said limits. Limits of walleye in our mountain lakes can sometimes be as hard to find as pink unicorns or the allusive bigfoot, but this is your month. Get off the couch, turn off the TV, and tell the wife you will clean the garage later, you’re coming home with supper.
The water temps should be in the 50s to 60s. The walleye will be schooled making it easier to find them. Pay close attention to your depth finder-you should be finding the walleye at around 90 to 100 feet deep. I like to troll with downriggers so I can cover a lot of area ‘till I find schools. If the walleye are hitting slow, I will stop and drop an icejig or a Hopkins spoon in them. Turn the amplitude scope on your depth finder on and turn the sensitivity up and you should see your jig as it falls, this will allow you to hit perfect spot in the school.
A rattle that hooks above your jig will also add to your success. If the bite is slow, try adding some scent to your bait. I like to have a few dozen live minnows as a backup. I fish them the same way, dropping down, preferably a little above the school, as walleye feed up. When catching walleye at these depths, you will not be able to release them as their swim bladder will pop, so when you get your catch please don’t continue to fish.
I fish Fontana the most often since it is the closest to me, but Santeetlah, Bear, Nantahala, and Wolf Lakes are also good bets. It’s cold, so dress warm and stay safe.
Ronnie Parris is the Owner and Head Guide of Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited-Fontana Lake Fishing Guides, headquartered in Bryson City, North Caronina, heart of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains.
www.smounlimited.com