PROXIMITY VERSUS PRODUCTIVITY

A less classic but nevertheless dependable pattern occurs in shallow prairie lakes with little structure. In these fertile waters, an influx of forage into the lake in fall occurs as salamanders (morphing into waterdogs) and frogs desert swamps and reenter shallow soft-bottomed bays. Walleyes sense this and intercept the new-found food opportunity at the mouths of shallow bays, perhaps penetrating the bays themselves to feed under cover of darkness. Casting minnow imitators is deadly.

The question arises, however: Are all such areas good? Oddswise, swamp or bay areas adjoining a fast drop to deep water have the highest potential, while those that lie a longer distance from the main basin typically have a reduced attraction. Yet "deep" is also relative; in such waters, 20 to 25 feet may be the deepest water in the lake. As always, take the local environment into account to determine likely fishing patterns and areas.

And finally, the traditional river or creek mouth pattern, or the flowing narrows area between two lakes, where walleyes move shallow into the current to feed on minnows at night. It applies on nearly any body of water containing walleyes, from the Great Lakes to the Great Plains. Once again, such spots can be deadly, providing walleyes need move only a vertical distance from adjoining deep daytime haunts. Current constrictions lying significantly farther from such basin areas simply tend to draw few fish in fall; walleyes typically won't move long distances across shallow flats to enter such areas.

VERTICALITY

Up against the wall, 'eye. Steep vertical structures meeting the main basin of a lake or reservoir become the focal points of walleye activity in fall. Fish location can range from shallow at night to exceedingly deep during the day. Good spots often allow them to do both within the same limited area. Find those spots, and you have the fish cornered.

The north side of this reservoir has obvious fall walleye potential; the shoreline structures are short and steep, plunging into deep water. In reservoirs with shallow to moderate depth, deep-water swing-ins where the river channel brushes up against shoreline structures (Areas A and C) are excellent. The hump adjoining the channel in Area B also has great potential. Note irregularities and subtleties on individual structures than may concentrate fish. The hump has a small bump along the side dropping into the channel -- an obvious concentration spot. The point in Area C not only has an obvious tip, but a sharp inside corner (actually two). The corner adjoining or nearest deep water likely collects and holds fish. The opposite (south) side of the reservoir has sloping structures and probably better potential to attract walleyes in summer. This is particularly true in shallower reservoirs with weedcover or flooded timber and brush that tend to hold fish for long periods, such as days or weeks. Even so, those deep-water swing-ins to structures on the north side likely attract fish periodically throughout most of the year. Why? Walleyes in deep reservoirs (as shown here) are notorious movers, and such structures intercept fish as they swim up or down the impoundment, holding them for brief periods as long as the spots aren't too deep for summer use (below the thermocline).