By Mike Frisch
October has a reputation for being one of the best months of the entire year for fishing as most fish species, walleyes included, are actively feeding during this time. While big, deep lakes are usually thought of as “classic” walleye waters, small, shallow lakes often harbor good walleye populations that often go on the bite now too. Plus, the bite in these lakes often stays good into November. Great news for those of us who haven’t winterized our boats yet!
Typically, I target fall walleyes in shallow, weedy lakes by searching along the lake’s first drop-off, that area where the flat that typically extends out from shore starts to drop to deeper depths. On many of the small, shallow lakes I fish this drop-off occurs in depths from 5- to 10-feet deep.
Searching along subtle points and turns or finding bottom content changes along these drop-offs is often a good starting point. These areas are often good spots during the spring bite on these lakes and produce again during fall. As fall progresses, I start looking for still living, green weeds which often occur up on the flat and then extend down the drop off as well. In fact, an area of green weeds will often be the “spot on the spot” where numbers of walleyes of all sizes gather.
Incidentally the areas where “good weeds” are present one fall is often an area that will harbor weeds and fish in future falls as well. These areas are also often top winter ice fishing spots too, particularly during early ice.
The classic jig and minnow combination slowly trolled or drifted along a lake’s first drop-off is one way to find the subtle differences and/or living weeds that may host fall walleyes in good numbers. Simply drifting with the wind and swimming a light jig and minnow combination on a long line behind the boat is, in fact, my favorite fishing method on these waters because it helps me eliminate unproductive water and find walleye schools.
Once a school of marble-eyed fish is found along the drop-off, the catch can often be maximized by anchoring, I use my Power-Pole shallow water anchors, and pitching jigs and minnows repeatedly to the fish. Shallow water pitching is a great way to work over a spot and catch a bunch of fish from a small area.
Jigs in the 1/16 or 1/8-ounce size range get the nod when drifting or pitching to shallow walleyes. The classic round head jig with a sharp hook in a bright color pattern like chartreuse is preferred in off-colored waters. Various minnows will produce fall walleyes, but a scoop of fatheads or a dozen small suckers is often all that is needed. On flat calm days or in very shallow water, the 1/16-ounce size jig gets the nod, though I’ll go to the 1/8-ounce size if the wind kicks up.
Small jigs and minnows fish well on light line and spinning rods and reels. A quality reel loaded with 6-pound test and fished on a medium light rod in the 6 ½- 7-foot size range works well whether trolling/drifting or pitching. I have been pairing the new Custom Lite SS (shallow spool) spinning reel on a 6’ 10” Speed Stick rod with outstanding success. This rod features a premium graphite blank, cork handle, and an action/power designed for walleyes. The reel has a reduced line capacity to reduce line waste and eliminates line twist. It also features a silky-smooth retrieve and top drag system. Six-pound test CONTRA fluorocarbon line with its low memory, low visibility completes the set-up.
If you are looking for some top fall fishing fun yet this year, consider heading to a small, shallow lake right now. Tie on a jig and minnow and look for the spots just described and you just might land on walleye gold yet this season!
Good luck with your fall fishing and, as always, remember to include a youngster in your next outdoors adventure!
Mike Frisch is a western Minnesota fishing guide and co-host of the popular Fishing the Midwest TV series. Visit www.fishingthemidwest.com or follow Fishing the Midwest on Facebook for more “fishy” stuff.
Photo – Joe Korkowski of Explore Alexandria (MN) used some of the tips presented here to land this late fall walleye.
