Tonka walleyes are noted for having short feeding windows. The bite does not go on all night. Last night was a prime example. Normally I try to hit the water just before sunset as this is a prime feeding time. Wasn't able to get on the water until almost 1hr past sunset. Wasn't too optimistic about my chances. Couple hours of trolling produced no bites. However I expected that and I had a plan in mind. There are two other prime times to key on - moon rise and moon overhead. The moon rise was just about due so I got to a prime location put out some go to lures and kept at it. Just as the moon got about treetop level the walleyes turned on. In the next hour we boated a 25", two 26" and two 27" walleyes and missed a couple of hooksets. Trolling speeds 1 to 1.4mph HJ12s in perch patterns. Lesson is to be on the water at those key window times. Sunset and sunrise are not the only times to be out there.

One more comment. All the walleyes I have boated this fall are just toads. Extremely well fed and healthy. Practice CPR and let's keep the fishery going.

your so right about CPR... there could be so many more good fisheries in the metro if stronger CPR efforts were made. i wish i knew where some spots to fish out there. with it getting dark so early these days, your daylight for fishing after work or school is very minimal.

thats very interesting information on the moonlight walleye bite times... ive never been out that late. i usually go in within an hour of sunset, however, i normally fish pool 2 recently.. never been out on tonka before, dont even know where i would go.

Casting into my hot spot for about a good half hour before dark and nothing, but once the sunset came the bite was on instantly. Ended up with 2 20's, 24, 28, and 29 incher. Then the bite was done and didn't stick around for the later moon phases. Lure of choice was a suspending thunderstick.