Fall is the peak season for giant walleyes. Some anglers wait all year, then spend as much time as possible chasing walleyes in fall. In the North Country, the only barrier is ice. In the Midsouth, the only barrier is time.

In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail pro anglers offer important observations about fall fishing on natural lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and the Great Lakes. Because of the tremendous experience of these pros, walleye anglers hoping to catch more and bigger fish this fall should listen.

Natural lakes through the eyes of Ernie Olson, Foley, MN: "Pay attention to changing water temperatures, moon phases, and weather conditions. When the water temperature drops to 50F, break out the crankbaits. Be sure to super-tune lures by pulling them alongside the boat at 2 mph or faster.

"On natural lakes, weed edges and sandy breaks are OK, but my favorite spot is anywhere with rocks. Think evening into night. The absolute best time is after dark. Remember, big walleyes move shallower throughout the night. Troll until you lose contact with them, then drift or anchor and cast cranks or jigs with large plastic tails.

"Large plastics add vibration and extra water displacement, making them easier for walleyes to find and to eat. When they smack large plastics, you get a solid hookup. Don't be afraid to use large Power Bait trailers designed for bass. At night, mark your best spots on your GPS, making it easier to find them again. When a combination of late October and a full moon occurs, and the weather allows me to get out, that's where you'll find me."

Reservoirs through the eyes of Dennis Foster, Mellette, SD: "Locating and catching fall walleyes in reservoirs is one of the easiest patterns to predict. Target major creek and river arms in the upper portion of the reservoir where spring spawning occurs.

"Walleyes migrate toward this general vicinity and stage on prominent points. Start checking main river-channel points, then similar structures up creek arms. Generally, start between 10 and 15 feet deep and move down until you make contact. Later in October and November, depths can be as much as 50 feet. Once located, note the productive depths and bottom type. Find similar structure up and down the system.

"The most successful presentation is a big creek chub and a slipsinker livebait rig. I like a 1-ounce sinker to cover all depths. My leader is about 6 feet long with a 1/0 Gamakatsu wide-bend hook for big fish. Another option is a big jig. I like a 1/4- to 1/2-ounce Bait Rigs' Odd'Ball stand-up jig. Berkley Power Minnows or large chubs work equally well on jigs.

"Every now and then, I pitch a jig shallow or cast a crankbait up shallow and pull it down the break. This works on the tops and inside corners of points. If the fish have moved shallow, then that's where I catch them. You could catch one walleye in 5 feet of water, then jig up one in 38 feet. They follow the food. The nice thing about fall walleyes is that they set up on these reservoir points, and as more fish move into the area, they use the same structure. Find 'em once, then repeat in the years to come, so long as water levels don't change drastically."

Rivers through the eyes of Brett King, Claremont, MN: When searching for fall walleyes in rivers, I generally retrace my springtime patterns. Shad and smelt usually migrate toward dams and areas with higher current flow as water temps start to fall.

"Walleyes feed heavily in fall; find the forage to find the walleyes. On the Mississippi River, where I guide, I keep an eye on the horizon. Seagulls and white bass feeding on the surface tell me where forage is concentrated. Walleyes will be nearby.

"Riprap with good current flow is my first stop every time out. If the riprap bank has a shallow feeding shelf about 5 to 10 feet deep adjacent to the steep bank, with access to deep water, walleyes in fall will call this spot home. It could stretch for hundreds of yards, but usually only a few choice spots exist along a typical riprap bank.

"I like to pitch jigs and plastics as the water temps fall below the 50F range. My theory is that big fish prefer big baits. Five- to six-inch grubs and shad bodies are easily swallowed by active walleyes, but use jigs with wide-gap hooks. A cold-front trick is to toss tiny jigs right to shore and let them sweep and fall with the current. Fall is the best time to catch a trophy river walleye."

Great Lakes through the eyes of Kim "Chief" Papineau, Escanaba, MI: "Starting in September, the Great Lakes undergo a transition as baitfish begin moving shallow. The walleyes follow. These fish, many in the double-digit range, also move against the shorelines, into the bays, and on top of rocks.

"Simply put, find rock reefs, rock points, and rock islands. Then troll. My first choice is a Deep Husky Jerk; my second option is a Walleye's Choice crawler harnesses. With Husky Jerks, run them back 60 to 120 feet, attach them to a planer board, and put them to work. On spinners, try them 20 to 30 feet back with a 1 1/2 ounce in-line sinker (go to 2 ounces in waves).

"I follow the bank into bays, searching for rocks near river mouths or humps. The later it gets, the more interesting the bite becomes. Sometimes, night trolling proves best; other times, daytime fishing produces just as well. For safety reasons, fish with a buddy at night in late fall, and bring along a marine-band radio.