The Complete Fall Walleye Guide with Gary Parsons: Tactics for Early, Mid, and Late Season

Best Fall Walleye Tactics

Why Fall is Prime Walleye Season

During fall, walleye:

  • Feed aggressively to bulk up before winter.
  • Shift locations from deep summer haunts to edges, basins, and eventually river systems.
  • Respond well to both aggressive power presentations and finesse tactics as the season progresses.
Key Insight: Fall walleye are more predictable than summer fish — once you find bait, you’ll find the walleyes.

Early Fall: Drop-Offs and Aggressive Presentations

In early fall, fish are still in transition and actively chasing baits.

Where to Look

Steep drop-offs, basin edges, and suspended fish near structure.

Best Lures

  • Shiver Minnows: Aggressive glide baits that trigger reaction bites.
  • The Finisher: Perfect for suspended fish; hovers and darts like natural forage.

How to Fish

Snap and rip glide baits to imitate fleeing baitfish. Hover twitch presentations just above suspended marks on sonar.

Pro Tip: Look beyond structure — many suspended fall walleyes roam hundreds of yards off drop-offs.

Mid-Fall: Deep Crankbait Trolling

As October arrives, walleye push toward nearshore areas and big waters like Lake Erie shine.

Where to Look

Main lake basins, 20–40 feet deep.

Best Lures

Deep-diving crankbaits trolled slowly at depth.

Special Opportunity

Walleyes move shallow at night — casting from docks or shorelines can produce giants.

Late Fall: Cold Water & River Systems

When water temps dip into the 40s, slow down your presentation.

Lake Tactics

  • Blade Baits: Vibrate on short lifts, perfect for cold fish.
  • Gulp! Soft Plastics: Match the hatch with smaller tails on jigs.

River Tactics

Target channel edges, rock transitions, and wintering holes.
Blade baits and jigs excel in moving water.
Sauger remain highly active in systems like the Mississippi all winter long.

Pro Tip: Rivers extend your season. Blade baits and jigs can catch walleyes well into ice-up.

Quick Checklist: Fall Walleye Essentials

  • ✔️ Medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting combo
  • ✔️ Shiver Minnows & Finisher glide baits
  • ✔️ Deep-diving crankbaits (20–40 ft)
  • ✔️ Blade baits for cold-water finesse
  • ✔️ Gulp! soft plastics for jigging
  • ✔️ Trolling gear for big lakes
  • ✔️ Electronics to locate suspended schools

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Final Thoughts

Fall is the season of giants for walleye anglers. With the right attack plan — from early fall glide bait presentations to late fall river jigging — you’ll be ready to catch your personal best.

FAQs

Q: Where do walleye go in the fall?

A: Walleye transition from deep summer basins to drop-offs, mid-lake structures, and eventually river systems for wintering.

Q: What are the best lures for fall walleye fishing?

A: Glide baits (Shiver Minnows), deep-diving crankbaits, blade baits, and jigs with plastics are top producers.

Q: What time of day is best for fall walleye?

A: Daytime trolling is effective, but night fishing from docks and shorelines often produces trophy-sized fish.

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