Where are the 'eyes this time of year?

[flyman]

I've never fished for 'eyes this late in the year before. I'm thinking about going out for a few last tries before the lakes freeze up (I'm almost on the Minnesota-Iowa border, so it won't be long). All my fishing is done wading or from shore. My question is this: Do you think any walleyes are still shallow (<10 ft) this late in the year? What about "concentration points" like bridges between lakes? Shallow (<10 ft) lake points? I'll probably give it a shot no matter what, but just curious if I'll be freezing my fingers for naught.

[Northern Manitoban]

With the weeds dieing along shores and bays leaving less oxygen in the water they will start to head deeper.Myself just before ice up i have done very well along rocky shores in 12 to 20 feet.And points of islands.When the ice comes i'm fishing in 18 to 24 feet of water.I'll use a heavery jig 3/8 1/2 ounce and try using a dead line caught some nice one's this way this fall.Now the ice is ready and i'm gone.FISH ON.

[Juls_WI]

Does the lake have any feeder creeks or rivers dumping into it? If so, give that area a try. There will be more oxygen in these current areas, and the baitfish will school up there. The walleye will be taking advantage of that too, while they fatten up on some minnows for the winter..;-)

Good luck, and stay warm!

Juls

[FJH1]

Beats me. I was up at our place in Minocqua, WI and beat the water to a froth. I didn't get a bite, not a bite. I tried EVERYTHING that I could possibly think of. Shallow, deep, basin, back bays, dying weeds, drop-offs, beaver houses, piers, sand, gravel, mud, muck, sunken islands, points, you name it I tried it. Fourteen hours on the water with some of the finest equipment known to mankind and the walleyes won :-). But, I still had a great time :-).

Best Regards,

FJH

[eyewitness]

Man your're killing me!!! I just did the same thing at Lake Vermilion up here in northern Mn. I tried every darn thing I could think of and then some new ones too! I tried every spot I've historically done well in in the fall to no avail. 5' all the way down to 50' and every where in between. In fact I hardly even graphed any fish, which really frustrated me. It was nice to be out, although I can sympathize with your experience. I guess that's why they call it drinking....oops (fishing)...actually I rarely drink when I fish, but I sure wish I had some go juice that day!

[FJH1]

Thanks eyewitness, glad I'm not the only one out there scratching his head saying "where in the he11 did those fish go, the lake is only so big?"

Best Regards,

FJH

[eyewitness]

Boy and isn't it aggrivating? Just like your better half (if you still have yours), about the time you start taking em' for granted you turn around and their gone. I guess you've got to stay on top of them every day to make sure you know where they'll be tomorrow!!!