Fishing Lake St. Joseph: A Guide to Catching Trophy Walleye

Lake St. Joseph: A Walleye Factory

Lake St. Joseph is a walleye angler's dream. Few fisheries in North America compare to the sheer abundance of healthy fish, particularly in the mid-20" range. Harvestable walleye under 18" are plentiful, making a classic shore lunch almost guaranteed for anyone who wants one. 

However, even on the best fisheries, the fish don’t catch themselves. The knowledge of the lake and where to fish is often best left to guides. Weather and conditions are in the hands of the fishing Gods. The one thing you can control? Your gear, tackle, and technique. A solid understanding of these elements will maximize your success and allow you to fully experience what Lake St. Joseph has to offer.

Gear: Choosing The Right Setup

Any angling adventure starts with the rod and reel. If you have done any amount of lake fishing for walleye, pike, or bass, you likely already have a rod that will fit the bill for a trip to the Old Post. For walleye fishing on Lake St. Joseph, a 6.5’, medium power, fast action rod is perfect. A rod that is rated for ⅛ - ⅜ ounce lures, or there abouts, is a bonus. Pair it with a size 2500 spinning reel loaded with 8-10lbs test braided line, and you are set up for all the fish you can handle. 

If you don't already own gear, you don't need anything fancy. If this is your first fishing trip of this nature, or at all, or first trip in a long while, consider buying a decent rod as part of the investment in your trip. Under no circumstances, should you bring your father's, or even worse, grandfather's rod for "sentimental" value. Rod and reel technology has come about as far over the last 75 years as wireless communication. Don't be the guy fishing with the equivalent of a two-way radio while everyone else has the newest iPhone. You will not keep up, and will certainly regret not spending a few extra bucks on a modern fishing set up. Expect to spend between $100 and $200 for a decent rod and & reel combo.

Tackle: Keeping It Simple

One of the reasons walleye fishing is so exceptional on Lake St. Joseph is at Old Post Lodge's commitment to conservation. Starting in the early 1990s, when mounting trophies was common, Old Post enforced a strict catch-and-release policy for oversized fish. This, coupled with a unique (for Ontario) single, barbless hook regulation, has minimized angling pressure on the walleye and trophy pike fishery on Lake St. Joseph. The Lake St. Joseph Accord, the document the governs the lake's conservation efforts, is the only adoption of a barbless hook policy in the province for a body of water without trout in it. The regulation does, however, affect the types of baits you can present to hungry fish. While a treble hook is still considered a "single" hook on this fishery, any Rapala style lure with more than one hook is in fact illegal to use on Lake St. Joseph. Likewise with a traditional worm harness rig. As a result, the simple ball head jig reigns supreme Lake St. Joseph. Colour is less important than weight. The three sizes of jigs used most often are 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 once. When and where to use each will be explained later in the article. 

Bait: Live Minnows & A Deadly Combo

Nothing catches walleye like live minnows. Luckily, the Old Post is equipped with their own tank with weekly deliveries of fresh minnows for purchase. However, when the bite is really kicking off, no bait is required. Like with the jigs, Old Post guides have been taking the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) approach for several decades. A simple three or four inch white twister tail is all that is needed. Many guests and guides prefer to double down, tripping their twister tail with a live minnow. A deadly combination indeed.

Tactics: Where & How To Catch Them

The right jig size depends on the time of year and the depth at which walleye are holding.

• Spring & Early Summer (Shallow Water 2–8 ft): Walleye gather in back bays and near shorelines. Use a 1/4 oz jig to keep your bait in the strike zone while avoiding snags.

• Mid-Summer (10–20 ft): As the water warms, walleye move to main lake rock piles to feed on aquatic insects and other bait fish that also eat bugs. Switch to a 3/8 oz jig to reach them effectively.

• Late Summer & Fall (Deep Water 20–40 ft): Walleye shift their diet to ciscoes, whitefish, and perch, retreating to deeper waters. A 3/8 oz or even 1/2 oz jig is necessary to keep your bait near the bottom and maintain a vertical jigging presentation.

Conclusion: Get Ready For An Epic Trip

If you have any sort of fishing under your belt, get ready for an angling experience that is second to none. If this is your first time, nothing begets success like success, and there is no easier place to learn how to fish for walleye than Lake St. Joseph. Load yourself up with a spinning rod combo, a handful of jigs in different sizes, and some white twisters, and you are all set for a week of ripping lips at the Old Post.