As water temperatures cool in fall, Great Lakes walleyes exhibit distinct inshore movements, following migratory baitfish like shad, ciscoes, and smelt into bays, harbors, rivers and connected lakes. This seasonal migration brings millions of the largest walleyes on Earth within easy reach of millions of anglers. Surprisingly few fishermen take advantage of this late-fall bounty, despite fishing locations being accessible by small boat, and in many cases, to anglers walking piers and breakwaters, casting from shore at night.
Cold, wind, rain, snow, and sleet can, however, make this fishing an endurance contest. It's enough to scare off the timid, even though anglers suffering from cabin fever likely will launch their boats in similar or worse conditions the following spring.
Nice thing about these patterns, however, is that they occur in confined sections of big water, such as large bays, and in relatively sheltered areas adjacent to the big lake, greatly reducing exposure to the whims of nature. Weather can still be nasty, however, so be prepared. Yet also prepare for some of the biggest bites of your life, because the odds are high for catching big walleyes running a fall gauntlet. When preparation meets such a wealth of opportunity, all you need is a little cooperation from the weather.
This article highlights primary locational patterns for Great Lakes walleyes, paying particular attention to untapped weed patterns in large bays and connected lakes. Depending on local circumstances, one or more trophy patterns may exist near you.
Basin Patterns -- As walleyes migrate toward bay areas, schools filter into and collect within the basins of large bays, following the movements of suspended forage. The best areas typically range between about 30 and 50 feet deep -- sufficiently deep to hold walleyes during the day, even in clear water. Schools continually are on the move, though generalized areas may tend to be productive.
Weave across the basins of bays, searching with electronics for the presence of suspended baitfish or large gamefish. Once the fish are located, troll open-water sections with minnow-imitating crankbaits, attaching snap weights to the lines ahead of the lures to reach the target depth level. Run multiple lines, using planer boards to spread lines and lures to the sides of the boat to minimize spooking.
Most basin fishing is done during the day, with walleyes ranging anywhere from on or near bottom, to suspended at midlevels. Fewer anglers troll open water at night, though it can be quite productive. In general, walleyes tend to move closer to shore and suspend higher at night, often near river mouths.
Structure Patterns -- Classic structure patterns apply whenever schools of walleyes encounter midbay humps, long rock points, or other prominent features that intercept and hold fish. Note on your electronics the presence of suspended baitfish along steep breaks adjacent to primary structures -- a tipoff that walleyes may be in the area.
During the day in fall, walleyes often lie along the deep edges of drop-offs, where the hard bottom of the drop-off adjoins the soft basin. Livebait rigging with large chubs or shiners, vertically jigging jig and minnow combos, and vertically ripping and fluttering bladebaits or jigging spoons are top prospects. At night, walleyes may move shallower, up to the top lip of the primary drop-off, perhaps penetrating weedbeds, moving to shoreline structures, or moving up into shallow current areas.
Weed Patterns -- The least known and most underused Great Lakes fall walleye patterns incorporate longline trolling above weedbeds at night. Under cover of darkness, walleyes may switch from a suspended or structural-edge lifestyle to one of penetrating shallow weedbeds, cruising along or above the weedtops in search of forage. This commonly occurs along the shores of inner bays or connected lakes, where expansive shoreline flats host tall standing cabbage weedgrowth.
Weedbeds may run for hundreds of yards, then dissipate, sprouting up again in earnest a half mile farther downshore. On a lake map, note expanses of 6- to 15-foot shoreline shelves which can indicate the potential for substantial weedgrowth. The only sure way to tell if weeds are present, however, is to go out and look for them, either visually or by casting or trolling likely depths.
In fall, big pike often relate to turns and projections in outside weedlines during the day, particularly where the healthiest remaining stands of green weedgrowth abut steep drop-offs to deep water, and where an inside turn in the weedline occurs. Pike may be active along the weedline rim all day. Walleyes most likely will prowl deep weededges in late evening and early morning, following suspended baitfish in toward the edge before moving atop weedbeds at night.
While walleyes and pike may be found together, they're more likely separated somewhat along the edge, even if only by 50 yards. If pike are relating to a weedy inside corner, for example, walleyes might be on the next adjacent minor point, perhaps relating to an area of harder bottom projecting outward from the weedbed -- a good smallmouth spot, too. Both species are there due to the presence of forage, just relating to it slightly differently. Particularly good are weedlines and structures along the windy side of the lake, where suspended baitfish tend to be pushed or drawn closer to shoreline drop-offs.
When walleyes are using the outer edges of weedbeds, try livebait rigging a large 4- to 8-inch chub along the edge, slithering it in and out of the sparse outer rim. Hover and rework sections where you spot large fish on electronics, either lying along bottom, or where you see schools of suspended baitfish hovering just outside the weededge. For pike, toss standup jigheads tipped with large chubs into the outer rim, letting them fall to rest on stalks before imparting a wrist flick to rip and scoot the jig back out to the outer edge, before plummeting down the weededge. Add a thin wire leader if significant numbers of pike are present.
