Walleyes are a native species to NY waters and are widely scattered across the state most walleye populations are self sustaining but the state does have a large walleye stocking program as well. Some of the best walleye fishing hot spots in NY are Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Oneida Lake, Black Lake, Niagara River, Susquehanna River, Delaware River, Oswego River, Seneca River, Black River, Genesee River, Erie Canal, and the Chemung River.
At one time the Chemung River once held the claim to the states record walleye of 15-pound, 3 ounces. This awesome walleye was caught in the early 1950s and held the state record for more than 40 years. Stories of larger walleyes are told and in time it may well produce another record breaking fish.
- Rice is perhaps the one that has best sustained its walleye population. While several of these lakes seem to be hurtin' for walleye numbers – Rice for some reason keeps producing. Hopefully a strong catch and release/selective harvest ethic combined with new fishing regulations will keep it that way for a long, long time.
- There was a deep, 25-30 foot bite and a shallow bite, 3-8 foot. We fished the rice river on wednesday and thursday, very productive. Lots of eaters, slot fish and trophy size walleye.Best walleye 25 inch, best northern 40 inch, also caught some smallies.Thanks to Kai and his wife Moyra for a great trip, and blueberry pie!!!!
If you're fishing in a lake with a 18-inch slot limit, the fish could measure 17 3/4″ and be legal, but 30 minutes later, when the Conservation Officer pulls up alongside your boat, it could be 18 1/8 inches long and within the protected slot.
A few of the Finger Lakes have walleyes, but the populations are not very significant. Most of the states man made reservoirs also contain walleyes and the current state record walleye was caught from the Kinzua Reservoir 05/22/94. It was caught by John D. Fluder on a Mr. Twister and weighed in at 16 lb.7oz.
The walleye population in the St. lawrence River between Massena and Chippewa Bay is due to the efforts of the Lunker club of Cornwall Ontario and St. lawrence Valley Sportsmen Club of Ogdensburg. They started the restocking program using eggs from the St Lawrence River. This was done to protect the St. Lawrence walleye strain which is genetically different from the strain out of Oneida lake. Originally before the building of the St. Lawrence Sea Way and the New York State Power Project in the late 1950's the walleye migrated up from Lancaster Quebec.
The great walleye fishing that New York State has to offer is in large part due to the efforts of the Oneida Fish Hatchery. Oneida Lake provides all of the walleye eggs for New York's walleye stocking program. Each year DEC produces approximately 300,000 pond-reared, 190,000 intensively reared, and 190,000,000 walleye fry to be stocked into more than 50 diffrent bodies of waters across the state.
Rice Lake Ontario Walleye Slot Size Chart
Lake Erie has recently taken the spotlight with fantasic catches of walleyes that range in size from 16 to 24 inches on average, however the eastern basin of Lake Erie is famous for trophy-size walleye which can be up to 8 to 12 pounds in size. These big walleye are mostly available to offshore trollers during the months of July and August. If you are interested in booking a charter to do some walleye fishing please check out or Lake Erie Fishing Charters.
Rainy Lake has turned into an incredible trophy walleye lake due to excellent habitat and abundant protein-rich forage species. The structure of the lake makes it ideal walleye habitat which consists of deep drop offs, sunken reefs, gravel shoals, and long weed lines.
Walleye Tips and Techniques
- Rainy Lake has some of the best walleye fishing because of it's diverse structure. It has many shallow weedy bays, very deep sections, many islands with shoals and long weed beds.
- Walleye are most active during spring and fall. It's best to fish for them at night, on overcast, windy days, or in stained water, as the walleye's eyes are specialized to help the fish feed in low-light conditions. Many anglers catch walleye by trolling after dark with crankbaits along weedlines, rocky points, and over sunken reefs. Some of the largest walleye are caught this way during evenings of a full moon.
- We have a slot size on Rainy Lake that is 13 ¾ – 173/4. The limit is one fish/day and a possession limit of 4. The introduction of smelt into the lake has made the walleye huge. Most of the fish caught are above the keep slot. Many fish in the 26 – 32 inch range are caught.
About Ontario Walleye Fishing
Ontario is walleye country, where anglers can find these prized game fish province-wide in abundance and with frequency. On whichever waterway they're caught from, a traditional shore lunch awaits!
Rice Lake Ontario Walleye Slot Sizes
During daytime hours, walleye can often be found in deeper water over rocks and in weedy cover. Then, one of the easiest and most effective tactics is to drift and jig just off bottom over likely cover until you locate a school. Some anglers prefer to troll using spinners, spoons, and deep-running crankbaits. Others specialize in the delicate jigging presentations with livebaits or artificials, or casting with minnowbaits and plugs.
Walleye are a schooling fish, so it's a good idea to throw out a marker once the first fish is caught. Once located, casting to the school can be quite productive.
- Rice is perhaps the one that has best sustained its walleye population. While several of these lakes seem to be hurtin' for walleye numbers – Rice for some reason keeps producing. Hopefully a strong catch and release/selective harvest ethic combined with new fishing regulations will keep it that way for a long, long time.
- There was a deep, 25-30 foot bite and a shallow bite, 3-8 foot. We fished the rice river on wednesday and thursday, very productive. Lots of eaters, slot fish and trophy size walleye.Best walleye 25 inch, best northern 40 inch, also caught some smallies.Thanks to Kai and his wife Moyra for a great trip, and blueberry pie!!!!
If you're fishing in a lake with a 18-inch slot limit, the fish could measure 17 3/4″ and be legal, but 30 minutes later, when the Conservation Officer pulls up alongside your boat, it could be 18 1/8 inches long and within the protected slot.
A few of the Finger Lakes have walleyes, but the populations are not very significant. Most of the states man made reservoirs also contain walleyes and the current state record walleye was caught from the Kinzua Reservoir 05/22/94. It was caught by John D. Fluder on a Mr. Twister and weighed in at 16 lb.7oz.
The walleye population in the St. lawrence River between Massena and Chippewa Bay is due to the efforts of the Lunker club of Cornwall Ontario and St. lawrence Valley Sportsmen Club of Ogdensburg. They started the restocking program using eggs from the St Lawrence River. This was done to protect the St. Lawrence walleye strain which is genetically different from the strain out of Oneida lake. Originally before the building of the St. Lawrence Sea Way and the New York State Power Project in the late 1950's the walleye migrated up from Lancaster Quebec.
The great walleye fishing that New York State has to offer is in large part due to the efforts of the Oneida Fish Hatchery. Oneida Lake provides all of the walleye eggs for New York's walleye stocking program. Each year DEC produces approximately 300,000 pond-reared, 190,000 intensively reared, and 190,000,000 walleye fry to be stocked into more than 50 diffrent bodies of waters across the state.
Rice Lake Ontario Walleye Slot Size Chart
Lake Erie has recently taken the spotlight with fantasic catches of walleyes that range in size from 16 to 24 inches on average, however the eastern basin of Lake Erie is famous for trophy-size walleye which can be up to 8 to 12 pounds in size. These big walleye are mostly available to offshore trollers during the months of July and August. If you are interested in booking a charter to do some walleye fishing please check out or Lake Erie Fishing Charters.
Rainy Lake has turned into an incredible trophy walleye lake due to excellent habitat and abundant protein-rich forage species. The structure of the lake makes it ideal walleye habitat which consists of deep drop offs, sunken reefs, gravel shoals, and long weed lines.
Walleye Tips and Techniques
- Rainy Lake has some of the best walleye fishing because of it's diverse structure. It has many shallow weedy bays, very deep sections, many islands with shoals and long weed beds.
- Walleye are most active during spring and fall. It's best to fish for them at night, on overcast, windy days, or in stained water, as the walleye's eyes are specialized to help the fish feed in low-light conditions. Many anglers catch walleye by trolling after dark with crankbaits along weedlines, rocky points, and over sunken reefs. Some of the largest walleye are caught this way during evenings of a full moon.
- We have a slot size on Rainy Lake that is 13 ¾ – 173/4. The limit is one fish/day and a possession limit of 4. The introduction of smelt into the lake has made the walleye huge. Most of the fish caught are above the keep slot. Many fish in the 26 – 32 inch range are caught.
About Ontario Walleye Fishing
Ontario is walleye country, where anglers can find these prized game fish province-wide in abundance and with frequency. On whichever waterway they're caught from, a traditional shore lunch awaits!
Rice Lake Ontario Walleye Slot Sizes
During daytime hours, walleye can often be found in deeper water over rocks and in weedy cover. Then, one of the easiest and most effective tactics is to drift and jig just off bottom over likely cover until you locate a school. Some anglers prefer to troll using spinners, spoons, and deep-running crankbaits. Others specialize in the delicate jigging presentations with livebaits or artificials, or casting with minnowbaits and plugs.
Walleye are a schooling fish, so it's a good idea to throw out a marker once the first fish is caught. Once located, casting to the school can be quite productive.
Information for Walleye Anglers
- The Ontario record is 22.25lbs. Average size on most Ontario waters is between 1.5 and 3 pounds. However, it is possible to catch fish surpassing 10 pounds from most Ontario waters.
- Walleye prefer stained waters in the 60 to 70 degree temperature range, and prefer a hard bottom substrate that is comprised of rock and gravel. Additionally they will frequent weedbeds and bays in shallower, fertile lakes.
- Walleye spawn following ice-out along windblown rocky, gravel shorelines, as well as creek and river inlets with hard bottom and moderate gradient. Walleye are prolific breeders in Ontario and scatter their eggs at random.
- Walleye range extends throughout Ontario, making them the most abundant gamefish species in the province.
- Regulations vary by specific zones and waters throughout Ontario. Please adhere to regulations for your specific waters through your purchase of an Ontario Sport Fishing License or Conservation License for resident and non-resident anglers.
