Lesser Slave Lake is
unquestionably the most productive walleye water in Alberta. Biologists have recognized it
as having the healthiest population of walleye in the province. For its latitude, the fish
grow very quickly and their density is unmatched. It is not uncommon to catch and release
in excess of 100 walleye per day, with several of those topping the four pound mark. And
make no mistake, there are walleyes in excess of 14 pounds swimming these waters. Lesser Slave Lake is a massive body of water covering about 1160
square kilometres. It has a reputation as a big, nasty body of water that preys on the ill
prepared. Yes, this lake can get very rough! 10 foot waves are not uncommon and tales of
rollers twice that size have been told by the locals. This is not a lake for small boat
anglers. There are very few places to seek refuge and it can blow up in a hurry.
But for fishermen in stable
boats, 16 feet and longer, Leser Slave Lake is ideal. The fishing season kicks off at the
west end of the lake, where the Grouard Channel flows in. Much of this area is closed to
protect spawning walleye but there is some great fishing on the flat at Shaw's Point and
on Little Grassy Point. Most of the early season walleye are taken using small jigs and
twister tails, tipped with a leech or frozen minnow. Yellow and chartreuse seem to be the
hot colours.
As the season progresses, the fish
disperse throughout the lake and require a presentation that covers more water. The bottom
bouncer and spinner rig is ideal for these scattered walleye. A blue back/orange belly
Prizmflash Thunderstick run on a three way rig also works extremely well. Both of these
presentations can be trolled fairly rapidly, as summer fish are extremely active. Fish
these patterns right up until freeze up. Big Grassy and Driftpile Points seem to be the
most consistent producers on the lake.
