While there is plenty of quality fishing in the Ottawa region, sometimes it's necessary to do some travelling to catch a specific species, a greater average size, or just to experience some new water.

The "Hitting the Road" series of articles will share some of these trips and adventures. As usual, if you have a trip or adventure you would like to share, send it to us.

The Bay of Quinte is approximately 2½ hours southwest of Ottawa on the north shore of Lake Ontario. It runs from Napanee, west to Trenton, with the main access to Lake Ontario being through Adolphus Reach. The bay has a surface area of 260 sq. km., and hosts a multitude of species throughout the year. It is also, in my opinion, the best spot for a chance at a ten pound plus Walleye.

There are three prime Quinte walleye seasons, late fall, mid-winter ice fishing, and post-spawn spring fishing. The ice fishing season begins as soon as the bay ices over, late December to early January, depending on the year, and runs until the season closes at the end of February. During this time the Walleye are scattered throughout the bay preparing for their spring spawning run into the rivers.

Over the past few years, I've come to rely on jigging spoons tipped with minnows as my primary tool. When I first started fishing Quinte, I would usually set up a tip-up with minnows. However due to a general lack of success and the effort involved in re-rigging the tip-up every time I changed locations, I've since abandoned it. Both the long, thin spoons, such as the Crocodile, and short wide spoons like the Little Cleo work well. If I could only take out one spoon, it would be a 3/4 oz Little Cleo in chartruse and silver.

I like to keep my spoon within 3-6 inches of the bottom. The action imparted on the spoon varies from a casual jiggle, to an aggressive pump of the rod, raising the spoon a couple feet before allowing it to settle into it's resting position. Often I will "pound" the bottom with my spoon. By allowing the spoon to hit the bottom several times, it raises a small cloud of silt, and also generates some noise from the hooks hitting the spoon. I believe this helps the fish hone in on the spoon from a greater distance.

When fishing the bay, my partners and I change locations often. The general trend is to start in about 17 feet of water, and work our way deeper throughout the day. As dusk approaches, we make our back toward the shallower holes.

If your looking to increase your odds of landing a ten pound plus Walleye, give Quinte ice fishing a try. For more information check out http://www.quintefishing.com.

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