As the weather starts to warm and daylight begins to get longer each passing day, many anglers start to anticipate chasing open water walleye once again.

Some of these anglers fish the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail, and with only 73 days till the first tournament, I thought I would kick off this seasons Feathered Angler with local Timmins resident and NOWT pro angler Ken Perreault.

After several attempts over the past couple of years, I finally caught up with him during his busiest time of the year, placing fishing orders as Albert’s Sports and Work Wear’s sales manger.

It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Ken Perreault:

Q: Where were you born?

A: Timmins, Ont.

Q: Who played a role in getting you started in fishing?

A: Definitely my father as number 1, and of course Al Linder, Bob Izumi and Roland Martin every Saturday on TV.

Q: As a youth, where did you fish and for what?

A: Some of my greatest memories as a child were waking up bright and early on a weekend and heading out to Moose Lake down the Driftwood River just on the outskirts of town. The trip up the river to the lake was the best. Every corner you had something to look forward to – beavers swimming around, moose around the bend and of course dodging stumps and driftwood.

Q: What age did you start fishing?

A: As young as could remember, somewhere around 4-5 years old.

Q: How did you get into walleye tournament fishing and why?

A: I started fishing the occasional walleye tournament with Ray Seguin back in 2008 at the Cache Campground for the fall derby. It was something we did for fun. I think we placed 46th or something like that and we won the chartered trip to Quinte with Gary Hodge.

Later on in 2014, my boss told me I was doing a tournament in Gogama. I was like, “A tournament in Gogama?” She replied, “Ya!!!” We’re doing the Gogama derby and that year we managed to place first and we were both hooked even though we were just doing it for good PR and to get a little more insight on tournaments.

Q: What was your most memorial fishing experience and why?

A:The Gogama tournament, boat 11 and when the clock hit 11:11, we had just weighted-in two fish for 11 lbs.

Q: List sponsors and tournament finishes.

A: Alberts Sports and Workwear, Quantum and Yakima baits. First place in Gogama (2014), Mattagami spring 2017 – 7th place, and fall 2017 6th place.

Q: Biggest fishing supports over the years.

A: Biggest support over the years has been family, friends and coworkers!

Q: What are some of your favourite fish you like to fish for and why?

A: I’m a die hard walleye fisherman. Doesn’t matter the time of year, I enjoy the challenge of figuring out the puzzle! Structure, technique, depth, presentation, speed – all key factors in hooking up eyes!

Q: What is your favourite fishing technique(s) for walleye?

A: Jigging, there’s nothing like the aggressive walleye hitting a jig when the bite is on!

Q: Why do you fish walleye tournaments?

A: I love the tournament atmosphere. Win or loose, everyone is just out enjoying the sport and encouraging each other.

Q: Why did you agree to have your bio done?

A: I figure it would be fun to reflect on my many hours in the boat and time spent offshore, and what it has taught me today as an angler.

Q: Any tips you would give to a new walleye angler looking at fishing the NOWT?

A: Come out and just have fun. The more time you put on the water, the more rewarding it is.

Q: What would be some of your greatest accomplishes over the years of fishing?

A: I just love the drive that fishing gives you to beat your personal best, no matter what the species.

I would like to thank Ken for taking the time for this interview and sharing with us about his his journey in fishing.