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It is a great time to be on the water for fall walleye fishing in Grand Rapids, MN. This week’s Fall Fishing Report for Grand Rapids, MN is brought to you by Tom Neustrom.
Turn up the heat, the chill is coming. With cool temperatures forecast for several days, fishing will definitely change in the coming weeks. Depending on the species you are pursuing, locations are key. The fall is such an intriguing time of the year and many things are changing at the same time. Leaves are slowly changing color and their brilliance give the landscape a different appeal. Geese and other animal life are sensing that change is on the horizon. In the ever wonder of how animal life reacts quicker to change then humans is a question that never seems to be answered.
Tom Neustrom is an inductee of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame. Tom owns the professional fishing guide service called, MN Fishing Connections. Book early, and reach out to Tom for your 2023 Fishing Trip.
Fall walleye fishing on area lakes has taken on a different twist and will continue to get even better in the weeks ahead. Many of the lakes are presenting of a more shallow location for walleyes the majority of time. Many lakes have walleyes feeding heavily on small young of the year perch, shiners and other small baits. This time of the year walleyes and other species will dial into what’s available and will surprise you with their choices. Trolling crankbaits can also be a good choice for searching out walleyes especially in the evening. Baits that run 7-12 feet are excellent choices and speeds of 1.75-2.40 mph are most often the preferred. Depending on cloudiness and lack of sunlight one can contact walleyes fairly regularly during the daytime as well as night time. Many anglers in the fall pay attention to phases of the full moon to do their night trolling with many times about midnight being the target time. Northland Tackle makes 2 awesome trolling baits in the Rumble Shad and Rumble Shiner and with different sizes available multiple depths are never a problem. There are 15 color choices to pick from and the proper color pattern can make a difference. Sufix 832 Braid is the line of choice when trolling crankbaits and can let you feel every tick of the bottom as it cruises across gravel flats and rock points.
As we get onto the next several weeks of walleye fishing the number #1 lure of choice will be the jig and minnow or jig and soft plastic. It’s a fish catching attraction that has no comparison. Fished shallow or on clear lake situations a bit deeper, the jig is a fantastic all season presentation that won’t let you down. Depending on wind speed for drifting, back trolling, or forward trolling with your bow mount trolling motor, the size of the jig can vary from 1/16th to 3/8ths ounce in weight. Northland Tackle has an array of jigs for every situation with the Fireball and RZ a couple of the favorites. “Make the jig Dance” an older and wiser gentleman once told me when I was younger and he was right on. Impart an action into the jig when fishing and it will definitely make a differen
It’s a great time to be on the water for fall walleye fishing. Trolling crankbaits can also be a good choice for searching out walleyes especially in the evening. Baits that run 7-12 feet are excellent choices and speeds of 1.75-2.40 mph are most often the preferred. Depending on cloudiness and lack of sunlight one can contact walleyes fairly regular during the daytime as well as nighttime. As we get onto the next several weeks of walleye fishing the number #1 lure of choice will be the jig and minnow or jig and soft plastic. It’s a fish catching attraction that has no comparison. Fished shallow or on clear lake situations a bit deeper, the jig is a fantastic all-season presentation that won’t let you down. Depending on wind speed for drifting, back trolling, or forward trolling with your bow mount trolling motor, the size of the jig can vary from 1/16th to 3/8ths ounce in weight. Some of the good lakes in the Grand Rapids area that offer good walleye fishing all fall are Big Winnie, Big Cutfoot, Jessie, Pokegama, Big Splthand and Trout Lake in Coleraine. Don’t overlook the Mississippi River as well. Have fun and good luck! Make sure to check with the MN DNR Fishing Regulations if you are not familiar with the walleye regulations on the lake you will be fishing HERE.