Fishing Report October 2013
October 10-13, 2013
We have experienced very windy conditions recently which has made boat control challenging, but the walleyes have been cooperating when the weather allows. I have boated some nice fish over 20 inches this weekend, but have not been finding large quantities of eating size walleyes as we have for the last 4-5 weeks. Surface water temperatures have dipped down to 50-53 degrees and the air temperatures have not been much better. You need to bundle up well when fishing in October, and snowmobile suits will be the norm for those following the bite into November. The fall colors appear to be at their peak, but the high winds have already stripped some of the colorful leaves from the treetops. Woman Lake is truly gorgeous in October. The young of the year loons are actively feeding during daylight and then they all seem to raft up in groups for the evening. Most of them will be headed South in a few weeks, but there is always a few that stick it out until just before ice up. This will be my last open water fishing for 2013 as my hunting passions begin to take over. My next Fishing Report will likely coincide with the evidence of our first walkable ice in early December. See you then.
October 4-6, 2013
Water temperatures have dropped to the 55-58 degree range, and the walleye patterns have remained consistent. Shallower sand breaks on major structural points and reefs are still producing catches of 15-19 inch fish with one or two 20+ inchers thrown in each day. The key depths this week have stayed in that 14-17 foot range, as they have for the last few weeks. I remember finding pods of active walleyes in deeper water (22-25 feet) occasionally in the fall, but not this year. I also have not seen any real big walleyes this fall, but I am not fishing for them either. This is a good time of year to catch a real monster if you are so inclined. If so, I would suggest fishing with real big red tail chubs or trolling larger crankbaits. Casting cranks up into the shallower flats on calmer warm evenings would be another method to try. Don't be surprised if you lose your bait to a muskie when giving this a try. The adult loons are all gone now, the ducks are very active, and the fall colors on the shorelines seem to be getting close to their peak.