Why early fall can be productive
As nights get longer and the water cools, baitfish move and walleye often become more active and follow them. Many anglers find fall a good time to fish, since fish feed ahead of winter and fishing pressure often drops after summer. Conditions change fast, so patterns that worked in August may fade by October.
Where walleye set up
Fish are generally found where forage, structure and cooling water meet:
- Weed edges: green weeds that are still alive in early fall can hold baitfish and walleye, especially at the deeper edges.
- Points and humps: main-lake points, rock humps and shoreline breaks are good places to check.
- Current areas: rivers, and the inflows and outflows of lakes, can concentrate baitfish and fish. Tributaries can be particularly important.
- Shallow flats at low light: walleye may push shallow at dusk and night, then pull back to deeper edges in daytime.
Use your electronics to find baitfish first. Walleye are rarely far from them.
Patterns by water type
Natural lakes. Check weed edges and rock points, and follow baitfish as they move. Fish often shift between shallow feeding spots and nearby deeper water.
Rivers. Look for current breaks such as eddies, seams, and deeper holes. Fish often move toward wintering areas in fall, and deeper holes with some current may hold more of them as the water cools. Be careful around changing river levels.
Reservoirs. Creek arms and channel edges can hold baitfish in early fall. Points near those channels are good starting places, and water clarity and level can affect where fish are.
Presentations to try
- Jig and minnow: a dependable choice along edges, points and in current. Larger minnows are common later in fall.
- Live-bait rigs: slip-sinker or similar rigs, fished slowly, work around structure and when fish are less aggressive.
- Crankbaits: casting or trolling minnow-style crankbaits along weed edges and points can cover water. See walleye trolling tips.
- Blade baits and soft plastics: useful in cooler water and in current.
Top lures to start with
Rather than a definitive top five, a sensible shortlist is: a jig tipped with a minnow, a minnow-style crankbait, a blade bait, a soft-plastic paddle-tail on a jig head, and a live-bait rig. For more on live bait versus artificials, see the best bait for walleye.
Time of day
Dawn, dusk and night are typically best, but early fall’s cooler daytime water can also provide midday bites, particularly on cloudy days. If daytime fishing is slow, focus on the edge of deeper structure.
Can you catch walleye in October?
Yes. In many regions October is considered a good month. Fish move toward points, current and baitfish, and fishing often continues until ice-up where seasons are open. Check local regulations, because seasons and special rules vary.
How old is a 10 lb walleye?
Growth rates vary by water body, climate and food supply, so there is no single answer. A walleye of that size is a large, older fish, commonly estimated at well over a decade old in many northern waters, but faster-growing southern fish can reach large sizes younger. Fisheries biologists usually determine age from scales, otoliths or spines. Many anglers choose to release trophy fish, since big females are important to the population.
Is fall a good time to go fishing?
For walleye, generally yes. Cooler temperatures, active baitfish and lower boat traffic often combine to make fall productive. For more on the basics, read our walleye fishing tips and techniques.