5 Interesting Things About Walleye Fishing in Sunset Country, Ontario

Walleye Fishing on a Whole New Scale
Gerry Cariou
By Gerry Cariou

Gerry Cariou is the Executive Director of Ontario's Sunset Country.

Last Updated: June 18, 2024

The Best Walleye Fishing in Canada and Here's Why

1) Fishing Starts Right at the Border: There are a lot of places you can go walleye fishing in Canada, but in Ontario's Sunset Country, located north of the State of Minnesota, the fishing starts right at the Canada/US border. With fisheries like Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods, you don't have to travel far to catch a walleye. As you travel further north, things only get better with lakes like Lac Seul, Red Lake and Lake St. Joseph, to name only a few. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of lakes with walleye in Sunset Country. You have to experience the quality of these fisheries firsthand to understand what we mean. Choose from over 180 lodges and resorts.

Walleye fishing lodges in Ontario

2) Catch and Release Trophy Walleye Fishing: It can happen any time on any day you're out walleye fishing; that 10+ pound, 30 + inch fish bites, and the fight is on. This scenario is a regular occurrence in Sunset Country, and if you work at it, you have a good chance of landing a trophy-sized fish. Strict catch and release policies on trophy fish ensure a healthy fishery and increase the chances someone else will experience the same thing on their fishing trip. 

Trophy Canadian walleye fishing

3) Catch Other Species on The Same Trip: The fantastic thing about fishing in Sunset Country is the number of fish species here, and many inhabit the same lake. If you've limited out on walleye, you can do something different and try going after trophy pike, deep-water lake trout, enormous muskies or lunker smallmouth bass. Some lakes have eight species in them! If you love the taste of walleye, did you know that Sunset Country has great black crappie fishing? Many consider crappie even better tasting than walleye - if that's possible!

More than just walleye in Sunset Country!

4) The Things You See While Here: When you visit Sunset Country, it's not just a fishing trip but an outdoor experience of world-class proportions. Other things you might see while up here fishing include the northern lights, a moose or bear along the shoreline or bald eagles following you around the lake looking for a handout. These things make the drive even more worthwhile, and they separate Ontario from the places you go fishing near home. There is also a total lack of people! When you do a fly-in outpost trip, you often have the lake all to yourself!

The Northern Lights in Ontario's Sunset Country

5) Walleye Shore Lunch Out on the Lake: We saved the best for last. Is there anything better than the taste of freshly caught walleye cooked in oil over a campfire? We don't think so, and shore lunch is one of the main things people look forward to when fishing in Ontario's Sunset Country. In addition to fresh walleye, you can add fried potatoes, baked beans, or even a salad for lunch. Your taste buds will explode with delight as you taste the first bite, and one piece won't be enough. 

Fish fry at Timber Edge Camps

Plan Your Walleye Fishing Trip!

Now that you're pumped about visiting Ontario's Sunset Country to catch walleye, here are a few resources to help you plan your trip.

Catch a trophy walleye in Sunset Country, Ontario, Canada