All of us at one time or another has heard another angler say that susch and such a date was thier favorite day for certain fishing. I have two. The first is the opening day of Minnesota's duck season and the other is the opening day of the zone 3-a bucks only season in Minnesota.
By the time the duck season gets here the weather has generally gotten rid of the heat in the water and the crappies are on a big-time prowl and can be found in the same haunts as they lurk in in the spring at pre-spawn.

They are hungry and willingly hit just about anything you throw thier way. Should you be looking for a beaut for the wall, now is the time to focus your attention on that fish...a 15-16 inch fish now will be much larger thru the shoulders than in the spring and make impressive mounts. And the table fare is welcome after having to dine on fish from warmer water.

The deer season brings another gift to those of us who love to do the plastics thing for the sauger/waldo types. At this time of year we will find larger schools of sauger and walleye moving up into the pools and tailraces below the dams to gorge on young shad and other aquatic life, preparing for the winter which lies ahead.

The water temp is now at the point where fish really begin to come on to plastics and are caught about as freely as you will ever get them...on any bait! They are aggressive and super hungry.

Larger profile plastics will annihilate the fish at this time and about the only thing that might change as far as preference goes is the color. Sudden weather changes can, and do, alter profile preferences, but the fish seem to be much less picky now and will usually stay on the bite until the cold or ice keeps you off the water in a boat.

If you are one to wonder when the best fall fishing occurs, just remember these two dates. They are about as fail-safe as you will ever get.

Lake Maps Make sure you have a good GPS map of your lake and eliminate time spent searching the lake or struggling to stay on trolling passes. You can find the best GPS maps available at Minnesota-Lake-Maps.com, click here to see if your lake is available.

Open Water Gear & Fishing Tackle
Find the best line of innovations, gear and tackle you'll find anywhere. HINT: Catch-N Tackle, Minnesota Lake Maps, Foam Walker, Wave Buster, Stay n' Charge & Oxygenator
Click here.