South Central MN Weekly Fishing Report, 10-10-09

Our drastic change in weather has more or less forced the fish to respond to fall and boy, they have responded in a big way over the past week or so. Live bait continues to produce but I'd say crank baits and plastic have ruled the roost. The nice thing is that most walleyes are still hanging near cover, so find that, play the wind and it's go time. Fish are being caught throughout the day but if you want steadier, more violent action, fish the last few hours of light. The walleyes in the area have definitely ramped up their feeding patterns. Trolling crank baits remains a good option too but now that water temperatures have found their way to the low 50's, boat speed has never been so critical. Start at ~1.8 mph and work down from there. Yes, down. When slowing down, don't be afraid to go bigger with your presentations too.

The cooler weather really snuck up on the pan fish too and they haven't been as quick to adjust as the walleyes did. Continue to stay mobile and look deeper before you look shallower. Think of areas where you would target crappies first ice and fish those and adjacent areas.

Bundle up and get after 'em! The best is yet to come.

Perfect wind to get out again today if walleyes are your game. I'm seeing lots of people on the north side of Elysian. Get on the north shore of any of the good local walleye lakes and I'd bet you'd get some bites today!

Another perfect walleye wind (at times admittedly excessive). Lots of people fishing between Cannon and Wells today where the wind was blowing in.

Funny you say that...as I parked my boat this afternoon, I was thinking to myself....grab a rod and head there.

they are catching perch with a few 5 to 7 inch eyes mixed in.

The big eyes have been biting after dark.Friday night i caught and released 3 wallys between 24-26 inches.Saturday night i caught and measured a 28.5 incher.There was also another buddy that has caught over 10 of them all big ones.Minnow colored floating raps shallow water.All fish have been caught shore and wader fishing.Full moon last couple nights.

Harvest Moon baby. Nice work Dan.

dan you fishing the four connected?? if ya care to say. thanks Ryan

yep

was out an elesian shore fishing the other night and agree the fish are biting. caught 3 eyes, a 19 a 28 and a 30!. The 28 and 30 went back in after pictures. Kind of put the other guy fishing there to shame(he had a 27 incher in the bucket and I could tell he felt guilty after seeing the 30 incher released). Still can't understand if you have enough small ones for a meal why you would keep the big hogs but oh well. Wind has been ripping great the last 3 days but is changing today. Will head out after work and see if they are still in there

Nice to hear some big ones are still in there.