Fall fishing

[Alan]

Now with Summer almost over, though it does not feel like it, I am wondering on the effect of fall weather changes on fishing? As the water cools, do the fish tend to be more active and feed more aggressively to get ready for the winter months? Are some fish more or less active in September, & October months? Do they tend to hang in the shallows more or less?

[Wave Runner]

In my book, the best fishing of the year gets underway about September 15th. The fish move shallow, they're aggressively feeding and the boat traffic is way down.

Gotta love draggin cranks in October...

[DonBo]

I agree! A couple years ago I filled a bonus tag opening day of archery season. I then headed to the lake for a limit of walleye. Great day!

[Fishbreath1]

I've caught some of my best fish in the fall. Shallow isn't always the rule of thumb, but they bite no matter what. Muskie fishing in the fall is outstanding, not to mention trout, walleye, everything! Get out this fall and you won't regret it!

[Random guy]

May through mid August is just warm up time, September is when the real fishing season starts.

[EatSleepFish]

Hey Jon, How big is that pike in your avatar?

[Kyle Sandberg]

45"

[Bobby Bass]

If you can find time between grouse hunting and fall chores fall is the best time to fish. Many times you will find yourself alone on the lake and with falling water temps the fish start to feed heavy getting ready for winter. If you are dressed right and don't mind a few windy days you will be hooked.. Even now in the past week water temps are starting to slide a few degrees.

[rockpt]

We spend nine days on the Canadian side of LOTW every mid-October. Fishing can be great, no bugs, beautiful fall colors, hundreds of ducks coming down from the north, deer and moose in the rut, crisp fall weather, no boat traffic and a constant fire in the wood stove.

[Scott M]

I can't wait for fall...geez, quit talking about it already.

Seriously, I wish there were more hours in the day in the fall. Great fishing and of course hunting. My mindset is that I have 365 days to fish, and a short season to hunt, so I usually choose hunting over fishing. That isn't always the best choice on some days.

Work and school also get in my way. At least I'll have one of those done within the next year.