Quinte Fishing

I have been fishing the BoQ for the past 15 years. For the past few years, since the moratorium, I have noticed a significant drop in the quantity and quality of fish. Recent trips have yielded very few keepers. Even though we release all 25”+ walleyes, we’re just not catching many. I recall the days, not all that long ago, when we’d land (releasing anything over our limit) 10-15 decent size walleyes in an outing. Now, most are <14”, if you catch anything at all. Granted, they’re the best on the dinner plate, but let’s face it...it’s not all about the palette. I, like everyone else, like to enjoy a good day of fishing…catching “real” fish. Even the Uzick spinners are not catching like they used to. I hate to say this because I’ve really enjoyed fishing the BoQ, but I think it’s time to find another fishin’ hole. Sorry for the negative tone, but it’s just how I feel. Perhaps I’ll return again some day.

Trickldicky
Sorry to here things haven't worked out for you. However I have been fishing the bay for the last 24 years and the fishing has never been better! Th local resort owners and fishermen all agree with this. Fishing can be frustrating at times anywhere even here. I've had times where I haven't caght any fish in 3 hours fishing and then the walleye turn on. Yo can have non stop action for an hour and a half. Sometimes all it takes is being in the right spot at the right time. There are areas that are better than others all through the season. Things have changed since the zebra mussels have gone into the lakes. Some areas don't produce like they used to. You have to be adaptable.
Many people on this board will agree this is one of the finest fisheries for Walleye and Bass on the planet!...Larry

I AGREE WITH LARRY THIS YEAR HAS BEEN A GOOD YEAR FOR ME NOT ALOT OF FISH AT ONCE BUT I HAVE LANDED ALOT OF FISH IN THE FALL WAS MY BEST TIME I GUESS THATS WHY THEY CALL IT FISHING NOT CATCHING.

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FISHING'S NOT A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH,ITS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT

I've found it just the opposite fishing is better now than it has been for several years. Like Hay Bay Larry said you have to make changes. I do find it frustrating having to continually throw back slot fish when you are dying for a feed. Hopefully something can be done, I believe a lot of small walleye that normally go back in the Bay are now being kept for a meal. This could hurt in the long run where you would normally keep one 22" for a feed, you now are keeping two around 15" to have enough for that same feed.

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Fish often and enjoy, "you never know what tomorrow may bring"

Hey TrickyDicky, your obviously experienced at BOQ, however, have you tried the night bite lately? I just got back from their last week, and I caught 17 eyes, biggest being 28", quite a few 25", and the rest in the 15" - 17" range in 2.5 days of fishing. Combine my 17 with my dads 13, thats 30 eyes, I think thats pretty good, not stellar, but pretty good considering it was our first trip up there this spring and the weather conditions we had one night. We caught most of our fish, and biggest ones, at night, where we fished as late as 3am. And I can't agree with Haybay Larry anymore to the point of fish just turning ON. We trolled this one area for 2 hours, nothing, and suddenly the fish just started hitting, we caught 13 eyes in 1.5 hours, then they just stopped. Its weird how they turn on like that, and 1.5 hours later, they're off. Basically, I wouldn't give up on Quinte just yet.

I have to agree with the above posters,I spent the last 10 years fishing Crotch lake for eyes,one reason being they also have a slot limit,which in todays age I believe is a must,we always had fish to eat,lots of 14 to 18" fish and yes,lots of lower slot class in the 19 to 21" range. I was hoping to get some of those over the slot fish eventually but results were poor ,4 fish over 24 ".I believe handling all those slot fish is detrimental to their survival. Having said that,this was my first spring on Quinte ever,we took 10 fish in 10 days fishing" over" the slot length,we also had fish to eat in the high teens and also took slotters.I believe with the short drive involved ,this is a premier fishery for eyes and you'd have to pry me away now ,check my previous post for some pictures from last week.I would also think they would allow at least some portion of a bag limit to be slot fish,2 under 19, one in the slot and one over I think would best serve the fish and fisherman,IMHO,roughrider

My 13lb 8oz. says it is.

Stick to the late fall, though if the trip is a long one. I only get there for the opener (for the party) and a couple of times in the fall (once for the party, the other couple for the party AND the fish). Actually, come to think of it, I party a lot there, but then again you need something to do when you're not partying, hence we catch large numbers of big fish.

Give it up if you want, but you'll miss the fish and have to find a new place to party.

Hi,

I'm a new member..... Hello Don Stokes.

After a dozen years of pursuing other interests, this year I bought a new Lund rig. Yesterday I made my first trip back to Hay Bay in 15 years.

The zebra muscles have caused the same changes that they have here in the 1000 Islands. Like the St Lawrence, while the water looks clean and clear something tells me it isn't - it smells. While the weather yesterday may have been the reason I was suprised by how few boats were out compared to years ago.

I think what the poster may be alluding to is that the easier daytime walleye of yesteryear may be a thing of the past; and if the fishing is a dawn/dusk/nightime sport now (as in inland lakes), that would make the BoQ a less appealing place to fish for many.

Last night after the blowup the wind switched out of the NE and the fishing was understandably slow. I caught 3 walleye. A pair of 1.5 pounders on a homemade brass spinner/worm with yellow and orange glass beads. The third fish was a 4 lber on a jig. I was drifting across the shallow weed flat off shermans point and spooked a very large walleye. An hour of drifts dunking "bass style"produced one walleye. What I would have given for a flippin stik and weedless jig! The perch were a nuisance, I caught no bass, pike or sheepshead but one very ugly slimy goby - a first!

Also adding to the last 2 posts,The fall bite here is unblievable,in a class by itself,and the daytime fishing is still present,we took all our eyes during the day and between 0ne hour after sunrise till the noon hour was suprisingly good. We took 6 fish one morning between 10 and 12pm,like Hay bay larry said,you have to be there when they turn on,I was used to the dawn,dusk,night bite,this place is different,we had excellent results in the fall also till after lunch time,they don't come one after the other but they do come eventually.I'd be willing to bet you can't find a better place for eyes this close to the US.border. roughrider

I happen to have my Camp Log Book here at my PC and wondered out loud as to the comments about the poor fishing.

Like Hay Bay Larry, I've been fishing BoQ, for over 20 years and have experienced the highs and lows of the walleye population.

My camp log shows:

2000 - 13 walleye caught

2001 - 35 walleye caught

2002 - 57 walleye caught

2003 - 108 walleye caught.

There appears to be a trend, some years I have fished more than others, but overall, we're getting more fish.

The conditions of the water and all other factors contribute to thw success rate. Just keep fishing.

Roughrider's right on the mark about the fall, reports from Chicago have some succesfull fall fishers calling the BoQ - "the BEST TROPHY WALLEYE FISHERY in the WORLD"

Can't deny that.

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David Delcloo aka Superdad
(Retired)

Kingston

Thanks for all the great feedback. I didn't mean to be overly critical. I love the BoQ. I know there's a lot of fish being caught. They just don't seem to be the same size that I used to catch. Since the slot limit has been in effect, I don't think I've caught more than 6 over 25" in 2 years. 98% of the fish seem to be around 14"-18". I don’t even catch that many slots to be honest. Five years ago, 75% of the fish were at least 20"+. Keep in mind that I only fish the BoQ 2 or 3 times per year. I’m not out there every weekend like some of you folks.

I think sdailey best captured the essence of my point: that the "walleye of yesteryear may be a thing of the past". Perhaps I need to change my ways. Frankly, I've never had much success in the evening (between 8PM and midnight). BTW…does “evening” mean until 4am to you guys? Also, I don’t have much of a boat…a 15’ rental without any sonar gear. I’ve always taken great pride in the fact that I had so much success with none of that fancy gear.

Out of love, I’m going to be back at the BoQ in a few weeks. Maybe my feelings will change.

Thanks all f you for your encouragement.

TrickyDicky

"The only constant is change"

This old adage is so sickeningly true, even for high profile bodies of water like BOQ. Distance does not allow me to fish it regularly now (I work on the west coast), but my contacts are very thorough in te outdoor community.

My own vote is a hearty thumbs up, with a number of species readily available....in addition to walleye. Timing and techniques have seemingly changed, with consistent results for all that have done their homework.

My own prediction.....BOQ enjoys a continued resurgence as a bass fishery, walleye holding their own, and a few surprises in store for those that like other gamefish. The one I never read or hear about is......carp......(there are some giants here by Canadian standards)

Anyways....this is a late post......and I must get back to work
Regards
Don Stokes

PS hello sdailey