The Quinte Difference:
The Bay of Quinte is unquestionably one of the most successful walleye fisheries for trophy fish in North America. Many walleye fanatics consider it to be the “walleye capital of the world”. Such a claim is hard to argue against when double digit walleye are produced from this body of water in large numbers every year. There are walleye caught every year between the 15-18lb range and 10 pound fish are a daily occurrence on the Bay. In-fisherman magazine keeps a detailed master angler list for all species of sport fish in North America. Walleye entries must be a minimum of 10 pounds and the Bay of Quinte accounts for almost 30% of all entries. These numbers translate to the simple fact that when fishing the Bay of Quinte, your chances for catching a giant 30+ inch walleye are quite possibly the highest in the world.
It is common fishing theory that the biggest walleye come from the biggest bodies of fresh water. On its own, the Bay of Quinte would be classified as a large body of water at best. What makes the Bay of Quinte such a unique body of water is that it is actually just a small part of Lake Ontario. It is essentially more of a river system than it is a “bay”. During the fall months, Lake Ontario walleye start to migrate into the Bay and feed heavily and aggressively in preparation for their run up one of the numerous rivers that poor into the bay to spawn. The bay is densely saturated with perch and shad, ideal types of forage for walleye to pack on the weight they need during the winter months and in preparation for spawning, which occurs primarily in April. This means that the Bay of Quinte holds world-class trophy fish that begin to migrate in from Lake Ontario in mid-October and then migrate back into the big lake after their spawn ends in early may. Bay of Quinte regulations don’t allow any fishing for walleye between March 1st and the first Saturday in May, so the greatest opportunity to catch a trophy fish is in the fall and winter months. The largest fish (in weight) are taken through the ice due to the fact that each and every fish is in the process of aggressively putting on weight – building fat supplies for strength and egg production. In January and February these fish weigh in at their peak weights for the angling year. It is the above conditions and biological factors that make Quinte a world renowned ice-fishery.
Targeting trophy fish through the ice takes a little more than luck (although some luck is always welcome). Fish continuously move throughout the Quinte system in search of food and resting areas. They may be travelling in a large school one day and be a lone monster cruising the next. Walleye have large appetites and can be taken on a variety of baits, but the most successful presentation is aggressive jigging techniques. These migratory giants are a unique strain and don’t react to slower presentations such as set lines, which is how most walleye are taken through the ice. Hiring a quality guide and having proper equipment will make your hardwater experience the most enjoyable and successful yet. With our knowledge of current ice conditions and ability to locate and move with the fish. our guides undoubtedly increase your chances of icing that trophy fish!
If your dream is to catch a double-digit walleye through the ice, then a stay with Qunite Hard Water Specialists is for you. Stop looking any further. This place has it ALL... perhaps even a world record!
