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Fall Walleye Fishing Patterns
Early Fall (September)
Lakes are stratified still. Walleyes stack on rock-to-mud transitions. Crankbaits at 1.8 mph on the breakline.
Turnover (Late September - October)
Surface temp drops to thermocline temp. Lake looks dirty. Bite OFF for 1-2 weeks. Focus on inlets, springs, current breaks.
Post-Turnover (Mid October - November)
TROPHY SEASON. Big walleyes feed shallow at dusk/dawn before ice-up. Husky Jerks on rocky points. Bigger baits, slower retrieve.
Pre-Ice (Late November)
Walleyes on the deepest stable structure. 22-32 ft on main-lake breaks. Suspending crankbaits or jig + sucker minnow.
Top Fall Lakes
Lake Vermilion (trophy potential), Mille Lacs (slot-limit gives them room to grow), Leech Lake (mud basin), Lake of the Woods (extended fall + early ice).
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