Why do fish bite so heavily...

[Stick in Mud]

At early ice? This winter we were out right at ice-up, and we whacked the walleyeys. From previous winters and from what I read/hear from others, this is pretty common. But why is this such a good time to catch them? Would it be as good if I went out in the boat right before ice-up and jigged like I do when there's ice? Or is there something special about ice formation that turns on the walleyes?

Carmike

[pushbutton]

not really an eye guy and do not target them that much during the year, so in my mind walleye "opener" starts around the middle of october. most years the colder he better, and will fish up to where i am breaking up ice at the landing when putting the boat away for the last time. they are usually putting the feedbag on at this time and are much more aggressive, smacking the bait and almost putting up a fight

[pureinsanity]

Push button has it pretty spot on, they just start bulking up. During fall the walleyes move to the shallows to feed, because the movement of the forage base due to changing water temperatures. Certain species of bait fish move to the shallows to spawn. The walleyes wait and ambush the forage base. Thus why they smack our hook.

Another factor is after the female spawns she doesn't eat much afterwords for a week or two in spring when the waters hit 40-50 degrees. So the bite intensity is pretty low. That is why in fall the females are packing on the pounds so they have the correct amount of nutrition for the eggs inside of them. And well the males will just follow them.

[scott b]

They are feeding to bulk up for the winter. Usually people are too pampered from the warm weather of summer to brave the cold in late fall before ice up. Not to mention half the anglers are hunters and have other things on their minds. Walleyes are in those spots hitting hard but no one is there to catch them. So yes.. slow vertical tactics will work at this time. Ice up gives people a chance to sit in a warm place and fish in comfort. These spots get hit hard right away. So by the time you can drive on, the fish are usually picked through pretty well. Oxygen, food and temperature also play a part too.

[Stick in Mud]

Thanks for the info, guys....looks like I'll have to grow a pair next year come November!

[pureinsanity]

Thanks for the info, guys....looks like I'll have to grow a pair next year come November!

About the time I stop pitching jigs for walleyes is when I have to break ice off my eyelets between every cast. Than its time to pack the soft water gear away

[FBMH]

They are feeding to bulk up for the winter. Usually people are too pampered from the warm weather of summer to brave the cold in late fall before ice up. Not to mention half the anglers are hunters and have other things on their minds. Walleyes are in those spots hitting hard but no one is there to catch them. So yes.. slow vertical tactics will work at this time. Ice up gives people a chance to sit in a warm place and fish in comfort. These spots get hit hard right away. So by the time you can drive on, the fish are usually picked through pretty well. Oxygen, food and temperature also play a part too.

He hit it spot on. Most eyes are schooled at this time and can be caught very easily and in large numbers!

[Jim Almquist]

The only time that I ever got frostbite fingers was fall fishing and the reason was handling to many walleyes. We would C&R at least 30 walleyes and missed just as many. Burn through a lot on minnows and started to wear a neoprene glove on my minnow hand that hooks them.

[scott b]

Heater in the boat works too.