Fall brings big changes to walleye fishing, and with those changes come some of the best opportunities of the year to catch quality fish. As water temps drop, walleyes feed heavily, and presentations often shift toward larger profiles and different tactics. From vertical jigging to trolling stick baits after dark, the key is adapting to these seasonal transitions and knowing which tools to pull out of the box.
Deep-Vee Jig Paired with a Big Minnow Over Deep Rocks
Let’s start with the basics. The classic jig-and-minnow is a fall staple for fall walleye fishing. As a rule of thumb, almost anything can still work in the fall—leeches are hard to find but can be deadly. Early in the season, a half crawler on a jig can perform well. As fall progresses, minnows become more reliable. Soft plastics also help bulk up the profile. Often, we switch to bigger minnows—big shiners, rainbows, or even fatheads—all of which work better in bulk. For fatheads, we often double up two minnows on the jig to create a fuller presentation. Occasionally, we use small suckers, creek chubs, or redtails on a jig and cast to fish.
On many fisheries, we catch a lot of walleye by simply vertically jigging under the boat with a jig and minnow. I love the Deep-Vee Jig for vertical jigs because its pill-shaped head works through rock better and its long shank hook is great for double-hooking larger minnows. The hook also files well, which is a big advantage in rocky areas. I’d argue that jig-and-minnow combos have caught more fall walleye across fisheries than any other presentation.
Stand-Up Tungsten and Minnow for Casting Fall Walleye
With forward-facing sonar gaining popularity in fall walleye fishing, tungsten jigs are increasingly used. I particularly like the Northland Short Shank Stand-Up Tungsten for its ability to pivot and twitch when jigged—excellent for enticing bites. Any time of year, jigs are a must-have, but they shine most when casting at fish you can see on screen.
Big Cranks and Snap Weights
Continuing the theme of “big profiles,” crankbaits are highly effective. On Lake Oahe, fall trolling off flooded trees and old channels has produced exceptional results using snap weights or lead-core lines to reach depths of 20–40 feet. The Walleye Nation Creations Reaper is particularly popular, though other cranks like Rumble Sticks, Deep Diving Husky Jerks, Bomber Long A’s, Deep Tail Dancers, and Bandits are reliable choices.
Big Stick Baits and the Full Moon Fall Walleye Bite
One of the most coveted big walleye bite windows in the fall is trolling or long-lining big stick baits after dark. Full moon periods with clear skies are often the best, and each full moon seems to get even better as the season progresses. The setup is simple: get the lures behind the boat, run them about halfway through the water column or just above the weeds, and make big lazy “S” curves across prominent shallow flats with sand, rock, and some weeds mixed in.
A classic choice is the tried-and-true Husky Jerk, but many walleye anglers are now having success with bass jerkbaits like the Megabass Vision One. Another underrated option I personally like is the larger Rumble Shiner. This balsa bait has a smooth rolling action that works especially well after dark, and I appreciate the larger hooks that hold up better against big fish.
Big Thumpers Over Weeds
Green weeds become harder to find in the fall—that’s the bad news if you love fishing weeds. The good news is that any weeds still standing and green often hold plenty of fish. This is especially true early in the fall when major transitions are happening and conditions are rapidly changing. During this time, I really value the consistency that weed patterns provide.
Many presentations work well around weeds, but my favorite is a jig paired with plastic. In particular, I like using bigger paddle tails. A 4-inch Eye Candy Paddle Shad threaded on a wide-gap jig like the MVP jig is a perfect setup for this bite.
Fall is all about big profiles, sharp hooks, and being ready to adjust as conditions change. Whether you’re pitching tungsten, trolling big cranks, or running minnows on a jig, each of these approaches has its window to shine. Keep experimenting, pay attention to the fish, and you’ll find that autumn can deliver some of the most exciting and rewarding walleye bites of the season.
For a deeper look at walleye strategies that work year-round, visit our walleye archive.
