Fall Walleye location; questions from a rookie

[Trail]

I've looking forward to hitting both Little Bay De Noc and Sturgeon Bay in the next few weeks. I'm a bit confused about some of the advice I've recieved. Some say to hit the reefs as water temps approach 40. Others say the 'eyes will seek warmer water as fall advances and to look at trolling in 30 to 40' for water. No advice is perfect, but who's more right??

[JB]

Trail,

If you are looking to quickly learn Sturgeon Bay from the top guide in the area for night time walleye fishing, I suggest attending Dale Stroschein's Fall walleye school on November 2-4. Go to the updates page and follow the link to the info. Dale and his wife Cindy run the newest and best located resort for chasing the Fall big ones. The price is right, also.

As for Little Bay de Noc, if you are into jigging, drop red tail chubs along the steep breaks on the East side of both the middle and upper bays. Trolling is even more effective. Start in 30-40' of water during the day using leadcore line and shallow thundersticks or little rippers, then move up to 20-30' as the sun sets. After dark troll on the north end reefs in 5-12', or cast in the real shallow rocky areas. Cast rogues, #13 Rapalas, husky jerks, and thundersticks.

The real pigs lay in the mud during the day, cruise shallower at night. When the water hits the middle 40's is good, even better at sub 40 temperatures. Most guys are deer hunting by then, less pressure for the fish in the teens.

Good luck,

JB

[Tail]

Thanks for the help. I'll look into that seminar.

Ok, since I'm trying to "understand" this stuff, what is it that brings the bigger fish into the shallows as the temps cool? You'd think they could remain out in big water all winter and stay down below the coldest water. Is there a movement of forage into the shallows in the fall? What triggers the migration?

[Doc_wi]

Very Good JB! That was a nice summary for LBDN. As far as Dales School, it's a great way to learn and share a bunch of information that focuses on big walleye in the area . It really does save a lot of trial and error. I'll be up at Dales School again this fall as I usually provide a little comic relief.

Trail, if you can't make Dale's School you will find people trolling the shoreline break's at night in about 10 - 12 feet anywhere from Potowatomi Park, around the point and all the way past High Cliff. Long lining crank baits, rod in hand (not boards) is how I have caught a number of walleye over 10 pounds the last two years. Fortunatly I have a good teacher. It's one of the advantages of doing his web site work.

Good Luck and be safe. There are shallow water concerns in both places if you are not familier with them. Personally I feel that a day with a good guide is worth every penny.

Have fun and catch a big one!

Joel "Doc" Kunz

[Doc_wi]

Forage! The need to feed.

On the Wolf that might be deep holes where current is low and food is washed over head. On the Bay that may mean rocky shorelines, reefs and steep breaks during the night and suspended fish during the day. As the water cools and days shorten they really are driven to feed. I've found walleye feeding on frogs in 1 foot of water in October. I think the rules are determined by what the food chain has to offer.

Doc

[WAeyes]

>Trail,
>
>If you are looking to quickly learn Sturgeon Bay from the
>top guide in the area for night time walleye fishing, I
>suggest attending Dale Stroschein's Fall walleye school on
>November 2-4. Go to the updates page and follow the link to
>the info. Dale and his wife Cindy run the newest and best
>located resort for chasing the Fall big ones. The price is
>right, also.
>
>As for Little Bay de Noc, if you are into jigging, drop red
>tail chubs along the steep breaks on the East side of both
>the middle and upper bays. Trolling is even more effective.
>Start in 30-40' of water during the day using leadcore line
>and shallow thundersticks or little rippers, then move up to
>20-30' as the sun sets. After dark troll on the north end
>reefs in 5-12', or cast in the real shallow rocky areas.
>Cast rogues, #13 Rapalas, husky jerks, and thundersticks.
>
>The real pigs lay in the mud during the day, cruise
>shallower at night. When the water hits the middle 40's is
>good, even better at sub 40 temperatures. Most guys are deer
>hunting by then, less pressure for the fish in the teens.
>
>Good luck,
>
>JB
This guy knows too much! I have never fished this area, but if I ever did, I would be looking for a guy named JB. "The real pigs lay in the mud during the day?" Man I love the way that sounds. Good post JB