Fall is here and that only means one thing, time to go hunt GREEN-BACK WALLEYES! Anglers come from all over North America at this time of year to Selkirk, Manitoba for a chance to land a huge green-back walleye on the world famous Red River. What is a green-back Walleye you may ask? It’s only the most awesome looking freshwater fish in Canada. Because of the limestone base on the big lake, the walleye are brilliant emerald green in color.
SHINERS MOVE INTO THE RIVERS IN FALL
The walleye will instinctively start to school up at the mouth of the Red River and Lake Winnipeg ready to follow the migration of shiners up the river. The larger the shiner run, the more big fish will be present. The last few years have seen good runs of shiners so it could be a great year in 2019.
KEY CONDITIONS
Combine a water temperature in the 52 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit range and some strong north winds the green-backs move in for the kill.
KEY AREAS ON THE RED
I have up to ten tubs of salted minnows in my cooler and some days my customers go through them all. Early in the fall walleye run I will head down to the mouth of the Red River and get the walleye as they move into the river at the Cut. (Just a note if the river level is high and there’s a fast current move down river to the Netley Creek area or the mouth of the river.) That’s where you want to be. There less current and the river is not as muddy. Hard bottom is a must. The walleye love their structure. As far as depth goes you will need to play around with that till you zero them in. This is when your fish finder comes in very handy. If water levels are normal you can get the walleye all the way up to the Lockport Dam.
FINDING KEY AREAS
I use my fish finder a lot to look for hard bottom, humps and of course targets. A lot of the really good spots are community spots. It’s funny how you get to a community spot and see a lot of boats and I mean lots all lined up in the same depth of water. You know there on fish. I like to fish shallow in the early part of the fall walleye run and move deeper as it gets colder.
TACKLE TIPS
Now what do you need to as far as tackle goes to land one of these monsters? Starting with the rod and reel. I jig fish for these big, mean walleye with a 7 foot medium action rod with a fast tip. My reel is a Shimano 2500 Stratic with 15 lb Power Pro line that has a four pound diameter. I want to fish vertical so current will decide the size of the jig I use. A key is to use fresh good sized salted minnows.
PRESENTATION
Some days the walleye want a slow presentation and other days they want action. If your friend is out fishing you, look at what he’s doing different then you are. I like to put out a few different colors jigs to see what works best. Then I switch them all to that color. Colours of choice are a pink and white combo and orange. . Have a great and safe fall walleye run everyone.