From about mid-September until the weeds start to die off the walleyes really turn on in there.” Rose said weeds are the key to South Lake Leelanau’s fall walleye fishing. South Lake Leelanau is a big body of water at 5,370 acres and is long and narrow so the wind doesn’t affect it too much unless it’s coming straight down the lake. In the Great Lakes Bay Region walleye migrate many miles up tributary rivers where they spawn in early spring. “There are a lot of lakes that are planted with trout in northwest Michigan that nobody really fishes,” offered Dave Rose. Lake Erie: Fishing the walleye mecca of the world is an all year round fishing hole. The trout move from the depths into the shallows as the waters cool and provide great sport on light tackle then. 515 N. Washington Avenue, 2nd Floor, Saginaw, MI 48607   |   800.444.9979   |   1.989.752.7164. Rose said to anchor quietly and cast parallel to the weed edges. The most popular grub bodies include the Berkley Ripple Shad, Z-Man Scented PaddlerZ and Lunker City Fin-S Fish grubs including the three, four and even five inch versions. Mature Chinook salmon begin entering West Michigan rivers right around Labor Day. © 2021 Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau All rights reserved. Fishing pressure nosedives too and the bass move shallower as the waters cool making fall a prime time for Gun Lake largemouths. But if you arrow a bruiser early in the rut, early November is pretty hard to beat for steelhead fishing. in November can be brutal, but the rewards are walleyes that routinely top 10-pounds and 15-pound hawgs are not unheard of. Nasty days are reserved for waterfowling, although that kind of weather is ideal for fall muskies, too. Year-round on Michigan rivers. “Key is to cruise the lake during the daytime and locate green weeds and then work the edges of those weeds after dark.” Rose recommends using suspending stickbaits like Rattlin’ Rogues, Rapalas, Husky Jerks and other elongated lures. With the fall season fast approaching, there’s so much we all would like to do and so many things that can be done at this time of year. Or a little grouse hunting in the morning and fishing in the afternoon. Fishing is a year round sport where hunting only takes place at certain times of the year. Many fish spend the summer foraging on emerald shiners which are abundant in Saginaw Bay, but a significant percentage of the population pushes north to the outer reaches of Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron and beyond. Grand Traverse County’s largest inland lake at 2,860 acres, Long Lake is a bustle of activity during the summer months, but once school resumes and summer cottage owners go home the lake settles down and anglers reclaim the lake. Allegan and Barry counties 2,680-acre Gun Lake is popular with bass anglers. For more information on Bay De Noc walleyes contact Sal-Mar Resort at 906-553-4850 or online at www.sallmarresort.net. Box 278 This lake also has a natural river channel, which holds a lot of walleye. Most anglers pack it up as the leaves begin to turn and temps start to drop. Vertical jigging dominates the fall river bite. Use small baits: wigglers, minnows, worms or cut bait on small jigs or spoons on light line. Overwhelmingly the most popular in-line board on the market is the Off Shore Tackle Side-Planer, manufactured right on the shores of Saginaw Bay. These 10 Amazing Spots In Michigan Are Perfect To Go Fishing. Prime walleye locations include Perrin’s Bay on the south end of the lake, off Robinson Point, and near the inlets of Weisler and Cedar creeks. The lower reaches of the rivers produce the best fishing. When fishing for walleye, location and timing are more important than bait. "The best fishing is from about mid-October through November." Rivers like the Betsie River, Manistee River and Platte River. You can drop back plugs, cast spinners or stickbaits and back bounce with spawn. “Gun Lake has an outstanding largemouth population,” said Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit Fisheries Supervisor Jay Wesley. Even though there is no disputing that Lake Erie is the absolute best Walleye fishery, there are lots of other places that offer excellent fishing opportunities. It’s mid-summer, so it’s the perfect time of year to hop on a Michigan lake and go fishing. Pro Cure a scent company from Salem, Oregon produces a complete line of Super Gel scents that are made by grinding up popular walleye forage species including alewife, gizzard shad, emerald shiners, smelt and even round goby into an oily and sticky paste. “Look for cabbage that has some openings in it and cast stickbaits, like Rattlin’ Rogues and Husky Jerks, into the pockets in the weeds. First two weeks in November are prime time for the whitetail rut. This group of crankbaits feature a fairly significant dive profile and a more subtle top-to-bottom roll. Here is a quick video highlighting some of my favorite fall walleye lures. Throw in the fantastic fishing that takes place in Michigan in the fall and you’ve got a real dilemma. Mix in a little fishing on the perfect Indian summer days. Chinooks bite best when they first enter the rivers. A prime location is … Long Lake has a long history of walleyes plants and the persistence seems to have paid off. Local anglers know that Long Lake’s walleyes begin to make nightly pilgrimage into the shallows as the waters cool in the fall and produce an entirely different kind of bite. 4. Listen for schools of walleyes slashing minnows. There are boat launches on the both the east and west sides of the lake. Northern Michigan has a multitude of top-notch walleyes lakes that are well-known among the Wolverine State's angling fraternity. Super Gel adheres well to crankbaits and also soft plastic baits creating a natural and long lasting scent stream in the water. 9 Flicker Minnow and the Reef Runner 800 series. Find more from Mark at: fishing411.net. The management works very hard to make sure the community is running the best software, best designs, and all the other bells and whistles. The walleyes here take advantage of the sand, weeds and structure located along the bottom, and have been reproducing naturally with excellent results for years. Some spots in Michigan have reached a certain vital primacy, and become some of the best Michigan can offer. Places like South Lake Leelanau, Burt Lake and Houghton Lake are recognized as being some of the top walleye fisheries in the state. Bob gwizdz st clair river s solid lake huron walleye where are all angler just misses walleye record state record walleye green bay wisconsin fishing8 Great Places For Michigan Walleye Fishing6 Prime Walleye Lakes In Northern MichiganFall Walleye Fishing In Michigan S Great Lakes Bay RegionMichigan S Best Walleye Waters Out InSpringtime Walleye Fishing In … 12, the Bandit Walleye 5/8 ounce, the Berkley No. The super sensitive line is perfect for detecting the subtle bite of a nighttime walleye. In this article, Mark Martin shares his Midwest Fall Walleye fishing Patterns, Tips, and Techniques. For lake maps, tackle and guides contact D & R Sports Center at 800-992-1520 or online at www.dandrsports.com. 10 Best Fall Walleye Hotspots. 2020 Inland Trout and Salmon Regulation Maps ; 2020 Walleye Regulations ; Fisheries Orders ; Boating and Fishing Laws to Prevent the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Species This is rather sad because fall can be some of the best walleye fishing … Peak fall fishing is from October through December. “The big ones will darn near rip the rod out of your hands,” chided Rose. Angling facts resources by the indiana fishing calendar 2019 fish lake monroe bloomington indiana indiana walleyes are on the move indiana walleyes are on the moveDnr Walleye FishingOutdoors Big Walleyes Lurk In Indiana Sports SouthbendtribuneIndiana Walleye Fishing For How To Fish InBest Bets For Indiana Fishing In MayDnr Walleye FishingExcited About Walleye Rec The Journal … Anglers cover the water column by deploying shallow-set downriggers, lead core line and in-line planers trailing stickbaits, like Rebels, Rattlin’ Rogues and Thundersticks. Long Lake supports a good walleye population now. More recently Big Glen has been the recipient of rainbow and steelhead plants. LAKE LEELANAU AND LONG LAKE "I'd say South Lake Leelanau and Long Lake are the best walleye lakes in the region," stated Central Lake Michigan Management Unit fisheries biologist Todd Kalish. The ‘eyes relate to the myriad of structure that the lake affords. Lots to like about fishing for walleye in the fall. A select category of crankbaits known as "minnow divers" produce the vast majority of the walleye taken in October, November and December. Typical steelhead will bite best early in the day but will usually bite all throughout the day. From 1995 thought 2001 the lake received regular plants of brown trout, lake trout and splake. “We have so many great fishing lakes up here it’s tough to pick just one or two,” said guide Dave Rose. Walleye are a species that always seem to be on the move. Two anglers combine to land a Chinook salmon on the Big Manistee River. As the open waters of Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron begin to get cooler, gizzard shad head to the Saginaw River where they find warmer and more plankton rich water later into the year. For fall fishing up to ice cover use the same techniques as during spring. Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall Walleye Fishing Opportunities Michigan is well known for its fishing opportunities for a large multitude of species, and many of our waters offer great walleye fishing. Most of the ‘eyes will be 1½ – to 3 pound eaters, but walleyes over 6 pounds are not unheard of. A ridge there is worth prospecting for fall trout. Chinook salmon numbers in Lake Michigan have taken a nosedive in recent years. Put your deer season on hold. Jig-n-pig combos are perfect for working the weed edges and humps. You can’t blame sportsmen who are itching to pick up the gun or bow come September. Schools of ‘eyes can be found throughout the bay along the 30 to 40-foot contour, but reefs and subtle humps will hold concentrations of fish. Schools of Walleye patrol the weed edges in 10-20 feet of water on both South Lake Leelanau and Long Lake. Get fishing tips for baiting, tactics, season and weather changes, and more for Walleye fishing in Saginaw Bay, Saginaw River, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan. Each fishing technique has its own optimal lure types. The cold temperatures make slow trolling a must and anglers creep along at 1.0 to 1.5 mph when trolling. The walleye can be found suspended or holding tight to bottom. Unfortunately, most fishing scents are manufactured with cover scents such as oil of anise or garlic that are designed to cover unnatural odors. Walleyes will explode on it.”. For information on lodging and amenities in the area contact the Leelanau County Chamber of Commerce at 231-271-9895 or online at www.leelanauchamber.com. The great state of Michigan allows anglers to troll using up to three lines per angler, making it possible to literally saturate the water column with crankbaits. Many fishermen plan walleye fishing trips to Michigan year after year and are rarely disappointed. The Michigan-based angler has caught walleye across the Midwest, and by bait he refers to both the size of the local forage fish and the size of the lures he recommends anglers use. It’s no secret that fish like cooler water temperatures and many start to spawn in the fall, meaning they reside in shallower, more exposed parts of lakes and rivers. To sample some of northwest Michigan’s best fall fishing contact Dave Rose at 231-276-9874 or online at www.wildfishing.com. The "A" list of Saginaw Bay crankbaits includes the Rapala Deep Husky Jerk No. These are our fans' 10 favorite fishing lakes in the Lower Peninsula. Woods-N-Water News 48444. The fish average 16 to 17 inches, but ‘eyes in the 25- to 26-inch range aren’t uncommon. Creating a natural scent stream in the water does an excellent job of stimulating walleye into striking at lures they might have otherwise not given a second look at. Most Michigan sportsmen I know try to reach a happy medium. Rose said Skegemog's smallmouths bunch up in structure around the lake to gorge on minnows. Because Long Lake is very clear, don’t be surprised to find the walleye in water 25 to 35 feet deep or deeper during the day. A little known fall river bite takes place in the Saginaw River which loads up with both gizzard shad and walleye in October and early November. Whether you’re looking to snag walleye in the bay or bass on the lake, you’ll find it at the best fishing spots in Michigan. Think your event is incredible? The red OR16 clip features a small plastic peg between the rubber pads. Michigan is home to 11,000 lakes. Normal bluegill tackle works very well. To its credit, the lake maintains this fishery without the aid of stocking. Other crankbaits that deserve an honorable mention include the Smithwick Perfect 10, the Rapala Husky Jerk 14 and the Yo-Zuri Deep Crystal Minnow. Changing water temperature triggers this annual migration of fish. 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