Fall Walleyes

[harvey lee]

Fished yesterday and only caught one sheephead. I tought the water temps were cooler but the 57 degrees may still be a bit warm. I can't wait for the temps to get into the 40's.

[gunderson21]

it seems like feast or famine!!!

[harvey lee]

You got it. When those temps drop, the eyes really turn on.

[ec30_06]

At least the channels are still biting good.

[DTro]

Boated a couple tonight.

WWG caught a dandy 26"er that was probably around 7 pounds.

[ec30_06]

Still looking for some bigger fish. Only little ones for me so far using plastic.

[JBMasterAngler]

So would this be a good time of year to get a feel for the river so I have a wee bit of experience come next spring? Sounds like cats are still active, but other than that is it pretty much all walleye fishing right now?

[ec30_06]

This is about the worst time of year to be boating on the river. Most of the spots I am fishing I would not get to without my jet. The cat activity will slow down as fast as the water temp drops, but the eyse will pick up. Cut bait has been putting some cats in the boat off of the deep snags tight to the wood. Eyes are a little sporadic right now, but that should change soon.

[fishdale]

So would this be a good time of year to get a feel for the river so I have a wee bit of experience come next spring? Sounds like cats are still active, but other than that is it pretty much all walleye fishing right now?

Since you are from ST Paul I would assume you would be fishing in the cities somewhere. Water depth here is fine I launch either at cedar or lilydale.

I have had my boat from Savage to the Ford Dam with no issues the current is not very strong and not to many logs but you have to keep a look out. Main chanel depths in those sections are all 10+. It is a great time to fish and be on the river. White bass are bitting, starting to get a few eye's and maybe a bonus catfish.

[KTapper]

Anyone know of any good spots on the minnesota river around mankato for walleye?

[A.W.Wolfram]

No

[NTW]

Rapidan, ask the dam store owner.

[KTapper]

Thanks I think I found the dam. Ill try it

[Papa Grump]

Try the confluence of the Blue Earth and the Mn. I've had good success there in the past. There is also some good spots along the Blue Earth if your willing to hike it a little. ( Thanks Dark)

[JBMasterAngler]

Yeah, I'd stay pretty close to the cities, I think chaska would be about as far upstream as I'd start.

[A.W.Wolfram]

The Chaska landing is the worst it has ever been. I would not suggest it at all.

[JBMasterAngler]

Bad how? I have a small boat so I've been able to access some pretty crappy places with little to no trouble. I don't think I was gonna go that far anyway, unless the fishing was absolutely fantastic and the closer accesses weren't worth it.

[DTro]

The problem with the Chaska landing is that that it stays shallow quite a ways, so you end up backing up into the river. Not only that, but just downstream of the 41 bridge gets pretty hairy (lots of rocks/gravel).

The Jordan landing is in pretty good shape. LeSueur wasn't bad the other day when I was there. Carver is pretty crappy (same problem as Chaska).

Then Shakopee down should be pretty good, with each landing getting a little better as you go downstream.

[harvey lee]

Maybe a little rain in the future and all will be fine.

[JBMasterAngler]

It's supposed to be 42 and windy on sunday...that might be the only day I can get out in the near future. Would it be very pansy of me to not go out?

[DTro]

Would it be very pansy of me to not go out?

Yep, very much so

I had a dress comment to go with that, but I'll let it be

[BigGrassBass]

What areas do you guys target for these fall eyes? Feeder creeks and rip rap or is there more to it?

[ec30_06]

That would be a good start.

[JBMasterAngler]

Yeah, I'm wussing out and waiting until wednesday. And now ontop of that I don't know wether to hit the river or go to minnetonka.

[ec30_06]

I will probably be out there somewhere today. I think it will be too nice to sit in the bow stand this week. Probably have room for one in the boat if I go.

[Scott K]

Ed maybe next week if your looking for a fishing partner I can go, this week has been busy.

[harvey lee]

I have Friday open Ed.

[ec30_06]

I just might have to try and get out friday. I'll let ya know Tom.

[BigGrassBass]

My son and I got into some eyes today.

We were shore fishing around the Chaska area and found some rip rap areas and almost all these areas held fish. The key, as has been said before, was finding baitfish. There were 3 of 4 spots we fished that had baitfish and of course, 3 of the 4 spots we caught fish.

We started fishing jigs with a twister at first and got nothing but snags. Then I got creative and tried a #5 shad rap in fire tiger. I didn't get that stuck near as often as the jigs and it seemed like the fish liked that a lot better. The trick was to find the depth and speed that allowed you to just skip the lure right off the tops of the rocks. We fished for 2 hours and landed 13 fish and lost about that many as well. All the fish were within one inch either way of 20. Not huge but not dinks either.

All in all, it was a great day to be out with my son. I figure any time I can keep him occupied for 2 hours strait (he's 8 with ADHD) it is time well spent.

BGB

P.S. We also saw 4 bald eagles!

[HossFisher]

Good Report and nice fish! I wish i could post the same results you did but i fished for 2 hours tonight and didnt catch a thing. I was fishing around the chaska area also so hopefully i will be able to get into some soon.