10-12-2017, 05:22 PM
I hope to hit Willard Bay this Sunday morning. Any tips or tricks for fall fishing at Willard. I'll be in a boat, and trolling for Wipers/Walleyes. Any ideas what the water temps are up there?
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10-12-2017, 05:22 PM
10-12-2017, 05:39 PM
TubeDude was the last member to post a report about Willard and a week ago he said the was temp was in the upper 50's. Not sure what it is now because it has been several weeks since I was there last but my best guess would be in the mid to lower 50's. Trolling above 1.5 mph is usually not productive this time of the year, so following TD's example is liking the best method for catching some fish there, IMO. Working the shore line with cranks can also work, if you can find some active fish but dragging some bait behind the boat will likely work the best. Good luck and let us know how you do.
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10-12-2017, 06:57 PM
[#0000FF]I had a wind-shortened trip outside the north marina last week. Water temps were upper 50s so I am guessing they are probably a few degrees cooler this week. And the water was a bit "stained" last week so with all the wind we have been getting it is likely that the clarity will not be super.
All the fish are slowing down. Fast trolling is not likely to be productive. However, it can be worthwhile to drag crawler rigs...on the bottom...for all species. Slow trolling with plastic swim baits or twisters can produce also. Let your sonar tell you how deep the fish are holding or cruising and present your offerings at that level or slightly higher in the water column. Wiper and walleye numbers have been down but they do feed actively during the fall transition period...they just don't move as far or as fast to chase food.
Fall is typically a good time to find walleyes moving back into shallower water...just outside the marinas and along some stretches of the rock dikes. I usually pick up a few on small jigs this time of year while fishing for crappies...which also tend to move back into shallower water to feed.
When water temps are dropping below the mid fifties it can be more productive to fish later in the day...after the sun has added a couple of degrees to the water temps. However, I also catch a few walleyes fishing early...and shallow...on plastics or lipless cranks fished like jigs...lift and drop.
This is also the time of year that a relatively small population of large perch in Willard form loose schools inside the harbors and in protected areas outside. Water levels are high enough this year that the harbors should attract a few fall fish. They usually respond best to soaking bait or fishing low and slow with plastics...or Gulp Minnows.
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All the fish are slowing down. Fast trolling is not likely to be productive. However, it can be worthwhile to drag crawler rigs...on the bottom...for all species. Slow trolling with plastic swim baits or twisters can produce also. Let your sonar tell you how deep the fish are holding or cruising and present your offerings at that level or slightly higher in the water column. Wiper and walleye numbers have been down but they do feed actively during the fall transition period...they just don't move as far or as fast to chase food.
Fall is typically a good time to find walleyes moving back into shallower water...just outside the marinas and along some stretches of the rock dikes. I usually pick up a few on small jigs this time of year while fishing for crappies...which also tend to move back into shallower water to feed.
When water temps are dropping below the mid fifties it can be more productive to fish later in the day...after the sun has added a couple of degrees to the water temps. However, I also catch a few walleyes fishing early...and shallow...on plastics or lipless cranks fished like jigs...lift and drop.
This is also the time of year that a relatively small population of large perch in Willard form loose schools inside the harbors and in protected areas outside. Water levels are high enough this year that the harbors should attract a few fall fish. They usually respond best to soaking bait or fishing low and slow with plastics...or Gulp Minnows.
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10-14-2017, 04:28 PM
I fished Willard a week ago yesterday, surface temp was 54 degrees, water was really stained. They were dredging the inlet canal above the spillway, I'm thinking that's why the water is so off colored but not really sure. Tons of bait balls with fish all around them, I trolled reliable crankbaits that have always worked and had my first skunk of the season that day after five hours of trolling. I was really in the mood for some tugging but it was a total bust! Good Luck!
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