Fish Activity Level—Walleyes in a Natural Lake in Central Minnesota

Summer Period

Water Temperature: Annual Maximum for an Extended Period

General Fish Mood: Variable—Negative to Positive

There is a difficult period to characterize. Walleyes feed aggressively, but in many bodies of water so much food is available that they may not need to feed for long. Heavy weedgrowth also hides walleyes in many fertile lakes. Find ‘em feeding deep, shallow, or suspended, and you’ll catch fish. Dawn and dusk often are prime feeding times because walleyes have a distinct vision advantage over most minnow prey during the transition periods from light to darkness. Fish use different depth levels or types of cover and may feed at different times of day in brief but intense flurries, followed by periods of relative inactivity until opportune conditions reoccur. Cold fronts can temporarily disrupt feeding patterns; stable weather patterns tend to enhance feeding and fishing.

Postsummer Period

Water Temperature: Cooling Substantially from Annual Peak

General Fish Mood: Neutral to Positive

This is nature’s natural transition period. The water begins to cool, and submerged plants thin. Walleyes sense the impending seasonal change and tend to feed heavily and aggressively. Fishing can be difficult in lakes with thick plant growth, so focus on the outer edges of weedbeds, or on rock reefs, deep structure, and river fisheries.

Turnover Period

Water Temperature: Low 60°F to Mid-50°F Range

General Fish Mood: Neutral to Negative

In summer, most lakes and reservoirs stratify into three distinct temperature bands. Upper and lower temperature levels are divided by the thermocline (metalimnion). Fall turnover occurs when this stratification breaks down, mixing all levels of the lake. This can produce difficult fishing, although walleyes relating to shallow water may not be as heavily affected. In waters that don’t stratify, this period is a continuation of the Postsummer water temperature decline. Covering water quickly in search of scattered fish often is the best fishing strategy.

Coldwater Period (Fall)

Water Temperature: Low 50°F to Annual Minimum

General Fish Mood: Neutral to Positive

This is one of the most consistent fishing periods of the year during night and day. Grouped and aggressive walleyes take advantage of vulnerable prey. Check current areas that draw baitfish, generally at night. In most environments, the general tendency is for baitfish and walleyes to begin dropping deeper into recently reoxygenated portions of the basin in order to take advantage of the deep, stable habitat. This is prime time for fishing deep structure.

Winter or Frozen Water Period

Water Temperature: Annual Minimum for an Extended Period

General Fish Mood: Variable—Negative to Positive

During first-ice, walleyes remain active in their late-fall holding areas. Activity slows but never halts while the ice season progresses. In clear lakes, walleyes feed most actively at dawn and dusk, with flurries of nocturnal action. Darker waters maintain a daytime bite because river walleyes occupy deep holes. In waters that don’t freeze, the fall Coldwater Period continues through spring. In those that do freeze, a short spring Coldwater Period follows the spring thaw; walleyes quickly move into prespawn locations, perhaps doing so earlier, under the ice.