Fall is in the air! Water temps in the Detroit Lakes area have been dropping and will continue to over the upcoming weeks. I’m seeing temps in the low 70’s to the high 60’s and the fish have noticed the change too.
It seems that the crappies have now left the weed edges that we were finding them on a couple of weeks ago and they’ve slid out to deeper water. Some are already showing up suspended in the deeper holes on some lakes.
I haven’t found many walleyes in shallow, moving water yet, but as the water temp drops it is only a matter of weeks before some of my favorite shallow water bites should be starting.
For now most walleyes are still on that first break and if you can find the weed edges in 17-20 fow, you will find the walleyes.
The northern pike bite as been excellent. I’ve seen some very nice fish being caught on Melissa and Sallie by casting lures up into 5-6 ft weed beds.
Bass fishing has remained very good for both smallies and largemouth. Try wacky rigging a large plastic worm and cast to your favorite shallow weed beds.
Fall fishing is just beginning and should only get better in the upcoming weeks! The lakes are awfully quiet right now and it’s a fantastic time to get some awesome fishing almost all to yourself!
Tony Mariotti
Outdoor Promoter and Educator in the DL Area
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