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Fall Walleye FishingDon't Put that Rod Away Yet!Just because winter is around the corner doesn’t mean you should be putting that rod away. Fall walleye fishing can be VERY productive. Many trophies are taken while fishing for walleye in the fall. You just need to know the secrets! The trick is to match your presentation to the mood of the fish. Many anglers swear that the poorer the fall weather – the better the fishing – you just need an adjusted strategy. Cold fronts, changing water temperature and other elements contribute to the walleye’s changing mood in the fall.
Granted, fishing for walleye in the fall can be slow. When fall walleye fishing “the bite” usually does not last as long as it does in the spring or summer. You can be really hammering them, and then all of a sudden – it stops. You need to be flexible and have the ability to quickly try different locations and tactics. They will be biting somewhere, you just need to find them. When people say they can’t catch walleye in the fall, the problem usually does not lie with the fish. A change in season usually means a change in tactics. This is something most anglers do not accommodate! Lakes and rivers are much different environments in September and October and require a change in strategy. Summer time success usually does not translate into good fishing in the fall if same methods are used. This is key for you to remember. Fall walleye fishing is dependant on locating the small fish and other prey that they feed on (sound familiar?). Typically the baitfish are not in the same location they were during the summer. They are usually seeking cover of different varieties. This is where you need to begin your quest. Fall walleye fishing can also be a challenge because the fish are scattered at a number of different depths in the lake or river. An area that you would never consider a hot-spot for walleye in the summer may yield some prime time results in the fall. The thermal layers present throughout the summer tend to disappear in autumn. This means there is not much difference in water temperature at all levels of water. When this happens the oxygen levels even out as well. This means the walleye will often go deep as well as be found in shallow waters along weed lines and other structure. With the walleye scattered at a variety of depths, it can make it tough on anglers. Remember this on your fall walleye fishing adventures. Not only do you need to find the fish, you need to find the active fish in order to have a good day. Many anglers work channels and “summer hot spots” while fall walleye fishing. You need to do something different.
While working a river in the fall, drifting is often a good strategy to locate the fish. Make sure you work any
backwater areas
(like these anglers from shore) and locate any obstacles that you drift by. Key on these locations, repeat – key on these locations! In fact, don’t be afraid to work each backwater area a couple of times during a pass. Keep your eyes open for minnows breaking water. Many times there are predators feeding in these spots, and more often than not it is walleye. Cast a jig into the still water and retrieve it into the current. A small walleye jig (1/8 ounce) works very well in these situations. These locations also allow your bait or lure to present itself in a natural manner. The walleye will often race from behind the obstruction to strike your lure, and then move back into slack water area to digest the meal. The walleye are waiting for minnows and other baitfish attempting to move into the still water.
While on a lake, locating fall walleye can also be done by working the bottom of an under-water knoll (or hump). One of the challenging things about fall walleye fishing, is not all of the fish will be active. Those darn fish finders can be frustrating if you see a number of walleye at the bottom, and you’re not getting a bite. Make sure any rig you are using allows you to move fairly quickly. This allows you to move to another location on the knoll if you not having any luck. Jigging is a good strategy in this situation. You can bounce it right in front of them and get a feeling if they are interested or not. Your presentation in the fall is the key. You will find you might have to fine tune it throughout the day. Try bouncing between very slow retrievals with a single hook or split shot and faster ones with an artificial lure.
Don’t over analyze the bait you are going to use in the fall. Remember it’s a different time of year and this means a different strategy. Many times a leech or night crawler will fail miserably through autumn. Minnows, for whatever reason, seem to work well in the fall. From a color perspective remember the changing season. The colors you had success with in the spring and summer will probably not work well in the fall. Silver and black, silver and dark green and chartreuse and white have had success in the fall. Don’t limit your colors to these however. Fall walleye fishing can be finicky. You may need to discover the color based on your own trial and error. Remember, each body of water can have its own personality - to a certain degree. Many anglers swear that in the fall big fish like big baits. At ice up this could not be truer. They can feel the water cooling fast and they won’t expend a great deal of energy on a little snack. They want something substantial. Remember, as the water cools, the fish often slow down with it. This means you must slow your presentation down. You need to do this especially when the water gets back into the 50 degree range. Fall walleye fishing is at its best often when the elements are at their worst. Big fish are often on the prowl during these times. Keep your eyes open for a cold front. Many times the precursor to a cold front can yield some fantastic fishing. The sky is darker, the water is often rough which makes it darker "down below" This entices the fish to move up. After the front passes and leaves you with clear, sunny conditions the fish often become passive in deeper water. Watch the weather and try to time your fishing adventure with a cold front. If it is a bright day the fish will be in deeper waters. This makes it more challenging for you. To have success you will need a good understanding of the structure below. The tactic of trolling with crankbaits will often yield the best results as it allows you to cover a lot of water finding the active fish. Once found, you can often move back to fishing with bait to enhance your success. Fall walleye fishing is a fantastic way to catch big trophy walleye that were suspended out of reach during the summer. You need to be patient and smart. You need to change your tactics with the season. You also need to think about your presentation to maximize the shorter bite. So while others are at home curled in front of the fire – don’t be afraid to take on a little cold, rain and wind. If you do this, and with a little luck on your side, you might catch walleye the size of which you only dreamed about! Good luck out there!
Fall Walleye Fishing and other Successful Strategies
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While fall walleye fishing, an extremely important thing to keep in mind is the speed of your presentation. It does not matter if you are jigging, trolling crankbaits or live bait rigging – things move slower underwater as it begins to cool. To make your presentation seem “more real” – you must match it to the mood in the water.
Once you catch a walleye this way, try changing your strategy to include a slip bobber and minnow. If the walleye are active – this should result in more fish. 
Like other times of the year fishing for walleye at dusk and after dark can be dynamite. Because of the even oxygen levels through out the lake, you can often find walleye in extremely shallow waters. Quite often they are known to chase minnows and other prey into shore or onto the top of reefs. Many times fall walleye fishing can have huge success in under two feet of water. Try using a light jig or a crankbait. It can pay dividends for you. The hook only needs to be six inches under the water to solicit a bite. This can be great fun!