My moist, ungloved hand would have caught to the aluminum gunnel if left there. It was darned chilly out. Rapidly, I let go of the boat and reached into the web. Straining to hoist an enormous walleye, I handed it rapidly to Kevin Lavers, proprietor of Merland Park. He reassured me this was solely the start. Contemplating the walleye was over 12 kilos, I might hardly wait till the engine slipped again into gear.
After the walleye was launched, I checked my watch. It was solely 4:10 p.m., however dusk comes early in late fall and this was December. Because the sky pale, the wind died and our pleasure grew. The fading mild of day triggers large walleye to feed in Picton Bay.
Trolling in darkness
As Kevin piloted the boat into the damp, freezing night time, we flat-lined minnow plugs. Kevin having chosen a clown-coloured Husky Jerk; I trolled a pearl Professional Alternative crankbait.
Below the quilt of darkness, walleye are inclined to cruise nearer to the floor. Massive motors spook these shallow fish, so flatline trolling with an electrical motor or small outboard is an efficient tactic. Planer boards additionally come into play.
Weaving alongside the contours, we tried to cowl water slowly. After we encountered weeds, we zigzagged over them repeatedly.
As we slipped alongside via the sleet that was now falling, the highlight on a close-by boat outlined two anglers, one with a rod, the opposite with a internet on the prepared. After a fast lunge, he hoisted an unlimited walleye aboard.
Near freeze-up
Arriving at Merland Park round 11 a.m. that day, I had spoken to a couple anglers who had been tidying up. They assured me that the large fish had been in and motion was regular, day and night time. Jeff Cross and Pat Heaney of Trenton defined how they boated an 11.8-pound magnificence that morning.
September till freeze-up in December is big-walleye time on Picton Bay, on the entrance to the well-known Bay of Quinte.
The nearer to freeze-up, the higher it’s for trophies. Walleye over 10 kilos are routine. Anglers don’t even increase an eyebrow till scales dip under 12 kilos. Yearly just a few 15 pounders are caught.
Ready for trophies
As we waited for one more walleye to hit, Kevin defined how he and his spouse, Jennifer, gave up metropolis life and bought Merland Park just a few years in the past. Kevin has since renovated the amenities, together with winterizing one in every of three new cedar cottages he constructed.
Picton Bay is dwelling to massive walleye, however bass, pike, and panfish are additionally considerable, he mentioned. The bay is lengthy, but primarily featureless. Massive weedbeds ring the shorelines, mixing nicely with the rocky backside. Adventurous anglers can journey nice distances by boat, however success will be discovered proper within the bay, Kevin identified. I used to be after large walleye, so I had booked in early December, however fishing is constant from opening day in spring till freeze-up. Kevin even gives ice fishing packages.
Dusk gripped us firmly earlier than it was my flip to style motion. The battle was gradual and deliberate. The fish stayed down, however after infinite retrieving on my half, a colossal walleye got here into view.
Stubbornly, it saved its distance, however finally got here inside attain of Kevin’s internet. At first I used to be in shock. The fish was nicely over 30 inches and thicker than our first. We slipped it into the livewell and headed rapidly to the dock to get a weigh scale. We laughed and cheered when it learn 14 1/2 kilos. Following just a few pictures, we returned the large fish to the water and referred to as it an evening. Two walleye over 12 kilos in just some quick hours clearly illustrated why Picton Bay is a superb alternative for trophy walleye hunters.
Extra data
Getting there:
Nestled on the shores of Picton Bay, simply 2 km east of the quaint city of Picton.
Lodging:
13 cottages and three motel items unfold out throughout 3 acres of bushes and laneways with each cottage overlooking Picton Bay.
Price:
Please name the workplace instantly to verify costs, get data on low season charges & save the 20% markup that’s charged on all different reserving websites. Deposit required upon reserving.
Contact:
Merland Park
12488 Loyalist Parkway,
Picton, Ontario,
Canada
K0K 2T0
(613) 476-6894
https://www.merlandpark.com/
merlandpark@sympatico.ca
Initially printed within the October-November 2003 subject of Ontario OUT of DOORS journal.
Luigi’s love affair with angling began when he was a lad and has by no means faltered. When not gawking at lures, he will be discovered setting goose or turkey decoys, or in a tree stand. Attain Luigi at: mail@oodmag.com
