Brad Hawthorne, one of the top walleye guides in the state, explains how he targets fall walleyes on the following Minnesota Walleye Factories:

– Lake of the Woods
– Leech Lake
– Mille Lacs Lake

Water temperatures are plummeting downward and walleyes all across the north country taking off for their autumn haunts. The best presentations for targeting these transition ‘eyes changes as the temperatures continue to drop can be used across the state to produce fish. In many systems, bait will begin running up into various feeder rivers, which will concentrate hefty walleye that are putting on the feedbag.

When fishing for fall walleyes, making small adjust can be crucial.  Make sure to adjust as we get deeper and deeper into fall. Brad does a good job of explaining how his tactics change throughout the months.

Even though jigs and Rapala Shad Raps have been around forever, it is hard to argue with what works. I have had several days during the fall when trolling Shad Raps out-produces Lindy rigging with redtail chubs. Matching the forage and adjusting your speed is the key to producing fish on the Shad Rap in fall.

When it comes to jigs, using a thumper jig with a rainbow minnow or redtail chub is hard to beat, especially once that water gets below forty-five degrees.

Introduction

As we transition into the fall season, it’s important to adjust our bait choices for walleye fishing. In this article, I will share with you the top three bait choices for fall walleye fishing on Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake, and Mille Lacs. These bodies of water may have their differences, but when it comes to fall walleye fishing, there are some similarities in the bait presentations that work across the board.

Bait Choices for Fall Walleye Fishing

1. Shad Raps on Mille Lacs

When the fall rolling season arrives on Mille Lacs, Shad Raps become the go-to bait. Start with the smaller sizes, such as fives, and gradually increase to sixes and sevens as the water gets colder. As the season progresses, switch to bent lips and stick baits. In late fall, when the water temperature drops to around 45 degrees, jigs become highly effective. The thumper jig with live bait, particularly shiners, is key to enticing walleye to bite. The key is to get the fish to snap on these jigs, and using shiners as bait can greatly increase your chances of success.

2. Windblown Points on Leech Lake

Leech Lake is known for its windblown points, which are prime locations for fall walleye fishing. To target walleye on these points, simply bait up your quarter-ounce jig and cast it about 20 to 30 feet away from the boat. Drift across the windblown points or use your trolling motor to slowly pull the jig back across them. This technique has proven to be highly effective before turnover, and it’s one of the hottest bites in the state of Minnesota during the fall season.

3. Shiner Dependent Fishing on Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods is a shiner dependent lake, meaning that a large biomass of shiners migrates into the Rainy River every fall. This influx of shiners attracts walleye, making shad baits a great choice for fall fishing. As the shiners move closer to the gap, you can also switch to jigs. Whether you’re fishing in the river or just outside the gap, employing these two different techniques can help you catch walleye throughout the fall season.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to fall walleye fishing on Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake, and Mille Lacs, there are some bait choices that consistently produce results. Shad wraps are highly effective on Mille Lacs, while windblown points are the key to success on Leech Lake. Lake of the Woods offers great fishing opportunities with its shiner-dependent walleye population. By using the right bait choices and techniques, you can have a successful walleye fishing season throughout the fall.