Best Destination in North America for TROPHY walleye, 30"+

[Fishn Michn]

Well, I have caught 10lbers in Erie open water trolling, now I want a trophy walleye through the ice.  So, what is the best location and what time of year, i.e. December, January etc. to go.  Bay or Quinte, Red River, Lake Erie, Saginaw Bay? 

[JJK]

Well, I have caught 10lbers in Erie open water trolling, now I want a trophy walleye through the ice.  So, what is the best location and what time of year, i.e. December, January etc. to go.  Bay or Quinte, Red River, Lake Erie, Saginaw Bay? 

To bad you dont live here ,you would have on hell of a time for big Walleyes.Just one catch we have certain regs for each river and lake for size you are able to keep. Pine Lake here are roughly 10lbs and up!

[Drifter_016]

There are some really good lakes in Saskatchewan.
Last Mountain Lake is supposed to have tons of big eye's in it as well as Tobin Lake.

http://www.walleyecentral.com/tenpoundclub/?state=SK

[jasonmeekhof]

Not a big quantity here, but we get some huge ones out of Muskegon Lake in Muskegon, MI.
"Potential Line Class world record Walleye

A 15.4 oz 'eye caught on 6 lb test fishing for perch

Scott Ruiter of Muskegon, Michigan and a member of the Michigan Anglers Association, has a walleye record pending with the IGFA.  He landed his fish through the ice on Muskegon Lake this winter using 6 lb. test line.  The walleye weighed 15 lbs. 4 oz."

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=68258

[icejunky]

I dont think there is muck to argue here...the Bay of Quinte in Ontario is world famous for huge Walleyes. It is not unusual to see fish in the teens all year long.. just go to the Ontario board and look at the Posts about Quinte Walleye.

here are some pics from a trip a few autumns ago

[bucketmouth]

I'd have to agree with Junky as far as eastern Canada goes.  Quinte gives up countless pigs every year once they start stacking in the bay in the autumn.  My buddy has a 16.6 on his wall.  Looks like it swallowed a cinder block!

Here're a few more big 'eye porn pics...

[browning13]

 Big bay de noc, Saginaw Bay, and Lake Erie would probably be my top choices in Michigan. Never fished any of these places personally but have heard great things. Hopefully I can try them out this winter

[Wiener]

Green Bay, Wisconsin gives up 30 inchers every year.

Two years ago, my father caught a 32" Walleye off of Larson's reef.


Something to consider,


Wiener

[jpicks]

Tobin Lake, SK.  There's a reason we have the world record ice fishing walleye.



10lb+ walleye are a common occurance here, and pike in the 40"+ are seemingly caught almost every day of the week come March.

[shawno]

There are some real nice Walleye's posted above...nice work boys!!

As Drifter and Jpicks have alluded too...arguably one of the best Walleye factories in North America for Monster Walleye is in Tobin Lake, SK.  Over 700 Master Angler Walleye were caught in this lake so far in 2009.  The World Record Walleye through the ice was caught there ( Over 18 lbs ) and catching a 10+ lb Walleye everytime you are on the water is a reality...

Last Mountain Lake or Long Lake in SK is known for producing huge Walleye as well.  10+ lb Walleye are consistently caught throughout the winter.

shawno

[dcso3009]

There is no doubt I would head north (Canada) for the best chance at a fish in that range.  There are a few places in MN to do it too.  Rainy, LOW, Mille Lacs, are hot spots for the eyes.  One that gets overlooked a lot is the Mississippi River.  We pull some real impressive eyes from pool 5A near Red Wing.  I have not got one over 30, but I know people who have.

[GAMBELL]

Quinte hands down.  Not only are they huge, but the numbers of slobs is way up there.  More slobs than small eyes.

[greenbackhunter]

lake winnipeg all the way... funny, didn't see any segments on any other lakes the last 2 seasons of the in-fisherman ice fishing show, just lake winnipeg.!!!

[GAMBELL]

lake winnipeg all the way... funny, didn't see any segments on any other lakes the last 2 seasons of the in-fisherman ice fishing show, just lake winnipeg.!!!

Just like the mag, redundant.  They write about what they know over and over again. 

[Fishn Michn]

When does the Bay of Quinte become fishable usually with snowmobile, early January, or earlier?

I am suprised more "greenbacks" haven't spoken up, we have been leaning towards the Red River, with the Bay of Quinte a frontrunner as well.

Seeing those Sasketchawan Eyes sure throws a loop into the decision.  What an absolute giant walleye that 18lber is.  And I read on a site that one was released just over 18lbs in '97, WOW, that stands alone at the top for giants! 

I know Muskegon has big ones, so does Charlevoix, Portage, and even our Grand Traverse Bays have some pigs, just not enough quantity to justify time spent on the ice vs. catch rate you would have. 

Keep em coming fellow Ice Fishingholics!

[bucketmouth]

Bay of Quinte ice is hit or miss most of the winter.  Calls in to local bait and tackles are pertinent if you're travelling any distance to fish there.  I've made the trip for the past 3 years in early February and I've never seen more than 12".  Usually only 8" or less in the locations I fish.

[Skipper]

A friend of mine caught a 13.5lb out of lake of the woods on the MN side a few winters ago. Leech near Walker MN gives up some pigs as well.

Mille Lacs would have been my suggestion a few years ago.

[TIBS]

Big bay de noc, Saginaw Bay, and Lake Erie would probably be my top choices in Michigan. Never fished any of these places personally but have heard great things. Hopefully I can try them out this winter

Little Bay De Noc has potential as well, and there's usually better ice.

[browning13]

Little Bay De Noc has potential as well, and there's usually better ice.

Agreed, I plan on fishing LBDN a few times this season if things work out

[shawno]

lake winnipeg all the way... funny, didn't see any segments on any other lakes the last 2 seasons of the in-fisherman ice fishing show, just lake winnipeg.!!!

Actually Last Mountain Lake is on the last season of IN-Fisherman...they were fishing there for "those other fish"...burbot.

I realize they are not Walleye, but in Feb/Mar catching 10+ lb Burbot are not uncommon either and monster northern pike too!!

Check out this vid from "The Next Bite":
http://www.myoutdoortv.com/video/video.php?v=B39gYonn47GJfe1CvE5eFQ8k1mOHa0iW