It’s Fall and They’re Hungry

Once the leaves turn and the weather cools, you might think that walleye fishing has peaked. But, for those heartier souls willing to brave the elements and take advantage of fewer boats on the water, this can really be one of the most productive and exciting times of the year for landing trophy sized ‘eyes. The main reason is that, come fall, walleye are looking for all the protein they can get to make it through the winter. This holds true especially for the females, whose eggs are just setting for the post winter spawn. Because they’re driven by the season to put on weight, the big fish love the big baits. By now, walleye have put a huge dent in the minnow population and large minnows on a 1/4 ounce jig can tempt a hungry fish. However, it’s also important to allow that colder water puts a chill on the walleyes’ temperament. They can be very slow to bite, so your presentation needs more time and patience. Jig your bait vertically above the walleye and give them plenty of time to take it. Slow trolling large crank baits can allow the fish a chance to react and strike.

Time and weather are also important factors. Noon to dark is your best window of opportunity. Sunny autumn days and calm water that’s had a chance to warm can trigger walleye to be more aggressive. But on the flip side, many experienced fisher-folk will tell you that wind and rain just prior to and during a passing cold front will also spark heavy feeding. What’s more certain is that after major changes in weather, walleye are likely to go off their feed until they acclimate to the new conditions. This often entails them going to deeper water, but even then you still have an opportunity. There are always some larger fish that make a habit of hanging in the depths. They’re less affected by weather changes and their usual feeding pattern remains the same. You just may need to tweak your presentation a bit. If you’ve been trying to land the bigger fish with large crank baits and get no results, make the move to a spinner with live bait. You may not tempt the largest, but there are likely some decent sized ‘eyes willing to strike.

If the waters are turbid, as they often are in fall, walleye tend to move closer to shore. Try casting light jigs and spinners toward the shoreline and then work them back to where walleye may be waiting. Walleye can also be very line shy and the fatter the line the more likely they are to see it. 8lb test clear monofilament or fluorocarbon usually work best in this regard.

If you feel something, anything, on your line, set the hook! Under spring or summer circumstances, you’re less tempted to fall for the bit of debris or weed that tweaks your line or rod, but in the fall walleyes often hit very lightly and what you think might be a snag could be a big fish. The fact that a walleye’s attitude is as cool as the water dictates the amount of time it takes to look over, decide, and hit your offering, so using the right bait and tackle will improve your chances.

Fall Trolling Baits

As we transition into fall, here are some great walleye baits you might want to troll. First, the tried and true #5 Rapala Shad Wrap catches a lot of fish and is always a good bet. It’s especially effective in the early fall in 60-65 degree water.

Once the water temp drops below 60 degrees, #9 bent-lipped shad-style lures work well, hungry walleye move into the shallows to feed on perch just that size. If the bite is slow, you can always try going back to a number 5, 6 or 7 Shad Wrap.

Another large bait that works well in cooler water is the jointed rap. It can be an effective trolling bait because it’s really underutilized by fall fishermen and walleye aren’t so used to the presentation. Snap a quarter ounce split shot above it to get down to 8 -10 feet and you might be surprised.

Once we’re in late fall and the water has dropped to the fifties and below, consider the historic Rapala Original Floating Minnow. This balsa lure has a quiet, natural action and floats above bottom snags. It’s great for slow presentation in cold water. You can cast it downstream and slowly retrieve or slow troll on a 3-way rig.

EASY Way to Catch Fall Walleyes!