While you can catch walleye at any time, day or night, walleye night fishing is by far going to be the most productive for any angler, especially during spring and summer months. What researchers have found is that walleye are seemingly nocturnal, seemingly simply because, on darker and cooler days, it is almost as easy to catch a walleye as it is at night time after a bright, sunny day. Why is this so?
Walleye night fishing targets a species that typically prefers to stay deeper in a body of water when it is warm or bright. In fact, the walleye is named such because of a special filter that grows behind the retina of its eye. This "film" is used to both reflect and attract light, allowing walleye to filter out light that would blind other fish by reflecting it, as well as to see in darker, murkier conditions than most other fish by utilizing what little light there is more efficiently. At the same time, the walleye also likes cool waters, meaning that summer surface waters are not as conducive to this species as they are with species like sunfish.
Therefore, after dark, when the light fades and the water begins to cool, walleye night fishing sees many more specimens rise toward the surface, looking for food, making your bait a prime target for the walleye. It could be that, in lower levels of light, the walleye have instinctually become more secure, experiencing an advantage in their ability to see the prey before the prey can see them because of their extraordinary eyesight. Keep in mind that walleye night fishing will be best in shallower waters, usually fifteen feet deep or less. This means that, prior to making your excursion, you should scout the areas in the daylight so that you don't place yourself or your boat in danger with submerged hazards. You may even want to leave yourself guides and markers in certain areas, such as glow in the dark buoys to mark such dangers.
You might also want to prepare by taking a sonar with you to help you find the walleye. Night fishing will be great around structures - the bigger, the better. These structures are the preferred holding grounds for walleye between feedings, where they will rest. You'll find a huge concentration of the species in shallow waters around sunken islands, stumps, and other underwater structures at night.
Quebec walleye fishing can literally be some of the best in the world, mostly because there are strictly enforced guidelines regarding limits on fish that are caught at most lakes to avoid the overharvesting of any fish species within the Canadian territory. There are standard fishing holes all over the lakes in Quebec, as well as some additional outpost camps and fly in locations that will completely seclude you from modern society, something that many would believe you could find only in Northwestern Ontario or in Labrador.
In Quebec, walleye fishing is a sensitive thing, and in order to keep the lakes well stocked for competitive anglers who regularly participate in competitions and tournaments, there are strict limits imposed on the size and number of walleye that a single fisherman can take daily. In fact, it is strongly recommended by the Quebec authorities that both pike and walleye are fished in a catch and release fashion only, though this is not enforced by law.
In order to begin your Quebec walleye fishing excursion, you may want to spend time at Lake Ecarte (Lost Lake). Known more widely as Lost Lake, this area is a sport fishing heaven, with a number of different species present in its waters, including a large number of walleye. While the main fish you'll find on Lost Lake are Northern Pike and Lake Trout, the five-mile long body of water is also a place where you can count on a good, solid walleye harvest.
Another excellent Quebec walleye fishing lake is Lake Sasseginega. This lake is much larger than Lost Lake, running about 19 miles in length, and is easily fishable, even on days when every angler in the province is out on the water, shooting for the same walleye as you because of its size. You'll find not only walleye here, but also Lake Trout and Large Northern Pike that reach up to about 28 pounds in size.
"H" Lake is another popular Quebec walleye fishing hole, where you can find large walleye frequently. A mere 15 minute walk from Portage, this is a commonly fished lake and a convenient spot to relax for the afternoon. You'll find great action here, if you are looking for the activity, and you can rent boats and motors. If you don't mind catch and release fishing, you can also check out Forgotten Lake, which is catch and release only and also within 15 minutes - walking distance of Portage. Besides walleye, you'll find a number of good sized Northern Pike.