Full moon for walleyes

[eyehunter]

I was wondering if anybody out there has any insight on the effects on the full moon for walleye fishing?

I have been looking forward for this weekend because of the full moon, but just checked the forcast and it is calling for cloudy conditions with a chance of snow in my area. My grandfather always swore by the full moon for walleyes, and I can't remember many times when he was wrong when it came to catching walleyes. I am taking my 3 young boys out with me on Saturday and was really hoping for some nice walleye action to turn on.

Anybody have an opinion on this? Will the fact that it may be cloudy make a difference to the effect that the full moon has?

Just spending time on the ice with my boys will be time well spent, but I know they would really get a kick out of landing their first eye and have some great stories for their mom and for years to come.

[cwmn]

I am not sure if the moon needs to be "seen" I think it's more of the gavity affect of the moon.
That's what I think at least.
I have always had the best luck fishing in snow, just like fishing in the rain in the summer.

[Ely Lake Expert]

I would have to agree with cwmn on this. I don't know real well, but what I have been told is that it purely the gravitational pull of the full moon that matters. So if it it a full moon with cloudy skies and snow on the way, it sounds like perfect conditions to me. Good luck

Ely lake expert

[eyehunter]

Thanks for your insight. So far the bite has been kind of slow this year. The walleyes are down there, but getting them to bite is another thing. I have picked up some nice ones this year, but they're not jumping into the house. Hope the moon triggers something. Will let you know next week how it goes.

[Jay R]

I will add my $0.02 to this topic. I am a real beliver in the full moon theroy, from both the gravitational pull aspect and the light it gives. However I will not say that just because you have a full moon the fish start jumping in the boat or on the ice. I do think it makes a difference at times. Case in point last year I was ice fishing on Franklin lake near Pelican Rapids during a full moon and had some great walleye fishing. Here was the situation, Franklin is a pretty clear lake and this was early in the year 6-8" of ice not much snow cover. The bite was very slow during the day and a little more activity at dusk but not great. When the moon started to rise and really shine some light on the ice aound 6:30 - 7:00pm, BAM!! the walleyes went nuts. I think the added light gave the walleyes a real advantage over the baitfish and really started to feed. That night the best lure I used was a Nils Jigging Shad in a silver/black shiner color, and its a big profile bait that I think is easy to see for the walleyes. My slip-bobber set produced a few fish but nothing compared to the jigging rod. One other thing the fish I caught that night were 12-36" off the bottom. I could watch them on the vex come up after my bait. In fact one walleye went from a foot off the bottom to 10ft off the bottom in 24ft of water and just crushed my lure. What a thrill that was and a nice 21" fish to boot. There is no doubt that night even if it was not a full moon I would have caught fish as they were in an aggressive mood, but I think it made a real difference in how much more aggresive they were. Well enough of my rambling. Anytime you can get out and fish is a great time to go but if it's also a full moon I think it's even better.
Jay R

[NoodleSalad]

I fish Muskie's by the moon chart and have found that the rise and set have triggered feeding. It can all come togeather if the weather patterns are in your favor. Stable weather with a bar. reading of 29.8 to 30.2 or dropping within those parameters have been my days. You have to be out there before the front comes though. -NS-

[Guest]

I think it is more the light affect but not sure I hope the gravity pulls them right to my bait. I am ready for this weekend it sounds like the right conditions to have a blast.
Some insight on the lake I fish it is very clear can see down about 15 feet fishing in 31 feet and there was no snow. Caught scattered eyes from dusk til midnight then the moon was straight up it almost looked like daylight out the eyes really put the feed bag on could not get the bait back to the bottom and would have another this lasted til about 2am . Just like JR said I think they had the advantage over the baitfish found themselves in heaven. However could not buy a bite the rest of the week must have been to full.

Also eyehunter if there are some fish down there try putting your bait on the bottom maybe 1/2 inch up. Found this out by accident one night tie had moved and was on the bottom this pole was catching all the fish. Set all the others except one to the bottom and caught fish on everyone except the one we left foot off the bottom. Had a bite everytime we marked a fish.

Maybe just luck but I have had luck ever since.

GOOD LUCK THE FISH ARE BITING GOOD NOW