September Fishing!

Love the cool weather or hate it, it's coming...Most walleye fisherman or outdoor people LOVE the fall, and to me September is the transition to fall. That's how I want you to think about fishing in September...for fish it the TRANSITION from summer spots to fall spots. Confused? Let's talk about what I mean-

Water temperatures play a HUGE roll into walleye movement...remember walleyes and fish in general are food motivated! They follow the food. Most of us think about "fall fishing" in northern Minnesota with a Jig-and-minnow presentation in 20-40 feet. We love live bait and jigging walleyes in the fall. This thought in NOT wrong...you just need to think of September as not yet full fall fishing...September is the transition from summer reefs and weeds to those cooler waters and schooling fish. Yes, these fish haven't moved yet. Some areas still have green weeds, and if you find green weed (not dying brown weeds) you will find bait fish...and bait fish will lead you to finding walleyes.

How do you fish these weed walleyes in September? Start by trolling or dragging spinners along the weed edges. Try spinner rigs tipped with a minnow or night crawler trolled at about 1 mph, or slightly faster. Both walleyes and perch seem to love this technique if they are roaming in those weeds. The bite is usually strong and aggressive, and I feel you can cover a good amount of area with this technique. Method 2, try pitching or casting 1/4 or 1/8oz jigs tipped with minnows or plastics. Start in 12-15' feet of water and pitch these jigs into 7-9' of water, let it sink slightly and slowly retrieve the jig back to your boat. Forward facing sonar or side imaging can greatly help you located the weed edge or the fish in these areas.

If I am not fishing along the weeds, you will find me on structure. Summer is all about reefs and rock piles. September is as well! Don't be afraid to fish reefs or rock piles. I will often cruise these rock piles with my sonar and look for small schools of fish or I'll use my forward-facing sonar and look for "large marks" trying to target BIG WALLEYES! How to approach these fish? Couple methods I have in my setup, first is that "jig and minnow". Tough to resist, a jig and minnow can be used at a variety of depth as well as fishing it nearly stationary to entice those stubborn walleyes or moving it more aggressively. Next method is targeting more aggressive walleyes, and my go to is a "shiver minnow", "pitchin puppet minnow", or "jigging rap". These glide baits may require a bit of practice, but finding an aggressive "ripping" stroke can produce HUGE walleyes in September. Key advice is to make sure after ripping a guide bait upward to make sure the bait falls to the bottom. Often walleyes will pin these baits to the bottom and as you begin to rip that bait up you will feel the fish. Fun and productive way to find aggressive walleyes and September transition areas on reefs or rock piles can be very good way to catch walleyes. Finally, a method that maybe new to you...I have been using "drop-shotting" to catch to fish you mark on your screen but can seem to get to bite. Drop-Shotting started with bass fisherman, but some time ago walleye anglers found that fishing snaggy areas like reefs and rock piles are the ideal location to deploy the drop-shot method.

Typically, a 1/4 to 3/8oz weight is the bottom or end of your line and tied about 12-24" above that weight is a hook. A key feature is that this hook is tied to the side making your presentation sit parallel to the bottom and I try to fish this set up nearly vertical. I tip this hook primarily with a minnow or leech and finesse these fish to grab a hold. The bite maybe a bit more subtle, but this set up is an excellent way to entice those September walleyes that maybe a bit more finicky.

So, we talked about weeds, rocks, transition areas as our "target" September walleyes spots on Kabetogama, Namakan, Rainy Lake or similar northern Minnesota glacial lakes. When does September fishing change to "fall fishing"? Great question...water temperature will bring schools of ciscos, shinners, and other baitfish into tighter schools and feeding perch, walleyes and crappies will follow. A general rule is to look for water temperature around 60 degrees or less. This period is NOT the "turnover" yet, so the bottom is full of food and nutrients to stockpile and attract feeding fish in preparation of winter months. During September when I'm looking for traditional "fall fishing spots" I often fish near areas of subtle current (pinches of islands or closer toward Kettle Falls). Dip into these locations and look for bait schools on your fish locators. IF you start seeing bait schools the walleyes aren't far behind. One other thing to remember is cooling temperatures or cold fronts. "Cold fronts" in September and October do not affect the fish patterns as much as summer patterns. As much as I feel September is "fall fishing", think of September as the transition from summer spots to fall locations and truly not fall fishing yet. Try these September fishing patterns, and I guarantee you will find walleyes and not be frustrated with why the fish aren't in there "fall patterns" yet.

Wade Watson "Kab Kid"

www.kabfishing.com