You’ve got to love the fall season: the air is crisp, the leaves are falling, football season is starting, and there sure aren’t that many fishermen on the water.
Sounds like a great time to go fishing!
(Not that there are so many times when it’s not a good time to get out and go fishing!)
Anglers who enjoy walleye fishing may think it’s time to put away the rod and reel, as well as the boat, just because fall falls, but this doesn’t have to be the case.
Fall can be one of the most rewarding walleye fishing times for anglers who understand the patterns the fish follow and use this knowledge to their advantage.
As summer ends, the weather begins to cool down, as does the water. Knowing the patterns to follow will not guarantee a successful fishing trip, because no matter what season it is, walleye are notoriously unpredictable.
However, it will increase the odds of success in your favor and contribute to more walleye being caught.
When the water cools down, the fish begin to prepare for the colder weather.
They will go deeper into the lake or water, and can be found up to fifty feet deep, averaging twenty-five feet or less. The fish are also starting to slow down more due to the colder temperatures, but they are preparing for one last feeding frenzy before fall turns to winter and northern lakes freeze over.
Fall patterns may vary slightly between the warmest lakes and those that freeze first, but the pattern remains the same, just on a different timeline, due to the difference in water temperatures.
The fish’s metabolism will start to slow down and they won’t move as much or be as active when feeding.
As late fall rolls around, walleye will suddenly perk up a bit and become active again.
They may come to the surface and feed aggressively.
This is their last feeding binge until winter is over, and the fish seem to understand that the lakes will soon freeze over.
During this time, walleye can be found in shallow water close to shore, because this is where baitfish and other food sources will be most abundant.
Once this activity is finished, the fish return to slow mode.
As the water cools and the fish move further and further from shore, their daily migration around the body of water will slow down.
They will still follow the pattern, just at a deeper level and at a slower pace. During late fall, walleye can usually be located toward the center of the lake, or in deeper parts of the river where there is plenty of cover and oxygen.
Once the cold weather sets in, the Walleye can seem to die down quickly, leaving many anglers frustrated as they return home empty-handed.
However, this doesn’t have to be the case, because learning the migration and travel patterns of walleye during the different stages of fall can help you catch more fish.
Look for deep drop-offs and areas where the bottom dips or slopes significantly, as well as deep underwater structures.
During the fall months this is normally where you will find the walleye and have the most success catching them.