Fall Walleye

[JAG59]

Does anybody have some good tips for Fall Walleye fishing? I will be taking a trip to Otisco Lake in New York on Columbus day and I sure would like to put a few in the boat. Their is a potential in this lake for large fish.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Fall Walleye

Not knowing anything about the lake and area weather makes it tough to give advice.

If the weed beds are still intact, the walleyes will be where they were in late summer, feeding in the same weeds or on the flats that they did.

If the weeds have died off the walleyes will be in deep water, possibly going shallow to feed.

If the water has turned over, they likely will stay deep, and not visit the shallows to feed.

Best bet is to stop at a couple bait shops near the lake and ask for advice.

My fall walleye fishing is usually in the Fox River, just upstream from the mouth where it empties into Green Bay / Lake Michigan.

The walleyes enter the river to fatten up before winter.

 

[John_S]

Re: Fall Walleye

Jag59, I fished this lake a few weeks ago with some guys from work. No walleyes, but the guys in the other boat reported seeng many 15-20" walleyes on the camera. They were in 20-30' water. I jigged my heart out, but not even a tap. I blamed it not having any bait to tip with! :$ I am told that night fishing on the lake is best. Drift rigs and trolling stick baits. I plan to try the lake again, especially when the Susquhanna is too high to fish. Hope you did well over the weekend.

 

[JAG59]

Re: Fall Walleye

I fished Otisco from around 1 PM to 6:00 PM on Columbus Day. I marked a lot of fish on the fish finder, most near the bottom in 45-50 feet of water. I caught a very small Perch and a 17" Brown trout. That's the beauty of that lake. Several different species to go after and a lot of big fish. That was my third trip there. The first was in early September (the day tropical storm Ernesto blew through). So far I've caught no walleyes. It looks like this will become my number 1 lake for next year. Only an hour from home and a lot safer than Oneida.

 

[John_S]

Re: Fall Walleye

jag, got out a few evenings this week, on the Susquahanna. Basicly fishing 5:30PM to dark. Sunday and Monday evening caught 7 walleyes each time. Two 20"ers on Sunday, but only 2 16"ers on Monday. White jig head w/3" twister tipped with fathead. Went out again Wed evening, only one 10" dink, but I blamed it not having any fatheads. :$

The weekend after this one, my son is coming home from college for a long weekend. Four days of hard fishing are planned! d I imagine at least one day of going to Otisco. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[JAG59]

Re: Fall Walleye

John S.,
Sounds like the Susquehanna is working good for you (as usual). My usual crew is heading to Otisco tomorrow afternoon with the Fullboat. I'm a little put off by the weather. Nast rainy cold front today. Tomorrow calls for clouds and 51degrees. What do you think our chances for 'eyes will be there tomorrow? I'll keep you posted.

 

[John_S]

Re: Fall Walleye

Real walleye fisherman don't come out until its below 50 degrees! d

Now, just wait for November. Thats when you can tell the diehards. Ice forming on the lines, 25mph wind, hopeing your minnow didn't fall off the hook such that the gloves have to come off, praying for a hit just to get some blood flowing in the arms again! d I will do some traditional walleye fishing during the Thanksgiving Holiday! and then its usually time to put the boat away. :'(

Yep, got quite a bit of rain this last night and today. The river will be a waste of time for the next few days. While the cold front is always a problem, I would expect Otisco is buffered from major impact from the rain. Good luck, and let me know how you did.

PS: I just happened to forget about the 2 1/2hours I spent on Sunday with no hits, before moving to the spot where the fish were caught.

 

[JAG59]

Re: Fall Walleye

You mean I've been wasting my time on those sunny afternoons when I could have been playing golf or, god forbid, bass fishing?
We survived the wind on Otisco Saturday. Actually, it wasn't that bad. We were dressed for it. We saw very little action on the depth finder. Looking back I should have checked more deeper water. We drifted a few locations and then finally settled in around the break in the causeway. I managed to catch an eight inch rock bass on a four inch minnow. Only fish of the day. I'm still hoping for a few good days before the boat is put away for the winter. Only problem with November, for me, is that it is the time to grab the gun and head to the woods for Whitetails, the dry land version of Walleyes. By the way, the nice lady at the launch told us that the lake was up about 6" from the rain and it was evident when I looked at the dock. So I'm using my standard excuse. I'm blaming it on the weather.

 

[John_S]

Re: Fall Walleye

The best thing about deer season is less competition for walleye on the river

Rivers up into the tree bases, but starting to drop. As long as we don't get any major rainfall, should be fishabale by Thursday.

 

[John_S]

Re: Fall Walleye

Jag59,

Well, we didn't get to Otisco, but did OK on the river. Thursday and Friday, spent most of the days on the river, with evening and some after dark fishing from shore. Caught some nice fat smallies and a few decent walleyes from the boat. As far as walleyes go, we did better fishing from shore during the magic dwilight hours through a few hours after dark.

Saturday, no boat fishing because of heavy rain, but was able to fish shore at night. Still did well for walleyes, even though the river was still rising. My son thought he had a wall hanger, but once we got it to the net, it was 10+ lb carp! Landing large fish after dark, is always interesting, under the limited lantern glow.

No fishing on Sunday due to the constant 30+ mph winds!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Fall Walleye

You should live out here in oregon, it has one of the largest population of large walleye's in the country. And the shame of it is hardly no one fishes them, Ive lived here for 15 years now and have just recently found out that the fish is abundant here.

As soon as i can find a kicker for this boat iam going to take a run @ them i guess fall is a great time for them......8) Here's a pic of them trying to act like Salmon

I know they school but ive never seen so many suspended and grouped like that.

 

[John_S]

Re: Fall Walleye

Is that the latest braid you are trying out? 8)

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Fall Walleye

:devil:Nope but i think is legal here to jig with a anchor......8)

 

[John_S]

Re: Fall Walleye

OK not a walleye, but the dozen or so dinks we caught yesterday, didn't make much for a picture. My son's friend caught this 40" 19lb muskie. I can only claim an assist (net man). My son lost a muskie in the same area in the morning. Line snapped after 10 minutes of around the boat we go. I can't say it was typical December weather though. d