Walleye bite

[Northbay]

Just returned from Canada. Eyes would bite just up until dark and then shut off. We couldn't stay out any longer and went back to the cabin. I have heard that they will shut down until their eyes adjust to the lower light level and then start biting once more. Is this true or just somebody's theory.

[WAeyes]

I hope the walleyes themselves don't believe in this theory. If they do, I'm s.o.l.-thats when my best action is.

[FireTiger]

Yep Hunter says that they shut down, but If I need to fill my limit I keep fishing , I think some people just stay in the channels at dusk and the wallys are moving up the shelf,into the shallows,, been fishing night and day, the night bite blows the days bite away,

[Chad]

Hog wash. The light change happens slow enough that their eyes should adjust fine. Do you stop fishing because your eyes havn't adjusted to the light? I bet in your particular water it has something to do with the bait fish. On some lakes walleyes have a definate timing to their feeding. You gotta be there at the right times. They seem to feed at around the same time daily.

[WAeyes]

Correct Firetiger, into the shallows they go at dusk. If you aren't there with em, you won't catch em. I like to set up camp in the shallows and wait for them. They always show!

[Northbay]

Please explain about the bait fish is it location or is it time. I'm looking for ideas to continue fishing after dark on this lake.

[RANGER]

In my experience - it is both. The baitfish that are located in the shallows most of the time and the ones that move in at night are seeking hiding places (refuge) from the preditors. Meanwhile, as the harsh (to a Walleye) light of the day disappears the advantage turns to the Walleye and they go hunting! There are any number of variables but this is the most common thread running through this behavior.


RANGER


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD!"

[Jeff]

Why does Lake of the woods slow considerably at dusk?

[RANGER]

Jeff,

Sorry, I'm not familiar with LOW. My offering is based on my experience and what I have learned over the years including In-Fish. The above explanation is a generalization on the species and my years of fishing the "shield", not a specific body of water or conditions. I know! I know - it sounds political but it is the best I have to offer. The answer, "It DEPENDS......!


RANGER


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD!"

[EAGLE EYES]

Jeff,
Lotw, is a very stained body of water. (Some) light penetration, is what the eyes need to find the bait fish.
After dark the eyes can still be caught but, they need to be able to find your hook. Glow jig em' and you'll find some eyes.
Good luck, and may the fish be with you! EE

[ufda]

The walleyes may also change what they are feeding on as the light changes. For instance, perch are very active higher up in the water column during the day and drop to the bottom and into the weeds at night as they are not night feeders like walleyes. That changes the walleyes forage base. I don't know your lake and what the primary forage is but, assuming there are several bait species, check out their habits and whether they are diurnal or nocturnal. In other words, it it not the walleyes, it's location and type of food.
Hope this helps.
ufda

[Cangl]

If you were fishing the drop, first one in paticular the fish stage their daily as well as main flats, in complete darkness your fish may have scattered into very shallow stucture docks current/wind breaks, working weed edges, blow downs but you will have to fish harder to get a night bite going in stained water
Fish as much as I do at night, when the water blocks out a lot of light I prefer to fish it sunny, especially for deep fish.
As the fish go to audible senses over visual they spook real easy some anchored boats will never be quiet enough.