For many of us, fall is the perfect time of year! Temperatures and humidity are dropping, leaves are changing colors, and cool autumn nights send mosquitoes away. Apple orchards and pumpkin patches are around every corner.

We can see and feel all these changes, but we can’t see the fish getting ready for a long winter under the ice. 

Most people think fall is the time to winterize the boat and put the fishing equipment away, but what they don’t know is they are missing out on some of the best fishing of the year. 

The fish are more active in the search for food, and on-the-water traffic declines dramatically. What more could you ask for?!

At Canvasworks in Cokato, Minnesota, we outfit fishing boats daily with new boat covers, fisherman tops, bimini tops, and more to make fall fishing enjoyable for everyone. Get our best fall fishing tips below!

Once you are ready to start planning, call us to order a fisherman’s top or swing in to get your current cover repaired before taking your boat to the lake. 

General Fall Fishing Recommendations

Some fall fishing tricks should be geared specifically for the type of fish you are fishing, but some general tips help no matter what you’re looking for this time of year.

Troll Around Shore…

Fish head to areas with more plentiful food to gain enough weight to survive the long winter. For many fish, this means weed beds or drop-offs near shore. 

Weed beds shrink and die off as winter approaches. As a result, the fish in the area become increasingly concentrated, fighting for the last food they can get before the weed beds are gone. 

Baitfish also move to shallower water to spawn, which causes walleye and other predatory fish to follow. Trolling along the shores is a great way to catch this wide variety of fish that may be below. 

The slow-trolling also tricks the fish into thinking your bait is moving prey.

…But Plan on Going Deeper

As surface temperatures drop, many fish, such as crappies and bass, will start to seek warmer, deeper waters. Using sonar equipment can help locate schools of fish that have moved from the shallows to deeper areas of lakes. 

Vertical jigging or using deep-diving crankbaits can be effective methods to reach these fish in deeper waters.

Use Bigger, Live Bait 

In colder fall waters, fish may be more attracted to live bait mimicking their natural prey. Cooling water temperatures trigger the fish’s metabolism to slow down. As that is slowing down, the time needed to digest food increases. 

Instead of chasing many small meals, fish prefer to conserve energy and chase a larger meal, which allows the fish to feed less often, saving their energy and building a fat reserve to survive the winter months ahead.

Minnows, nightcrawlers, and other live bait can be especially effective. Live bait's natural movement and scent can entice fish that might otherwise be hesitant to bite artificial lures.

If you can’t get live bait, bigger lures, such as spinnerbaits and bulky jigs, can be effective because of their size. 

Slow Your Reel

Fish are cold-blooded, so as the weather cools, they tend to move slower in the water. Fish want to optimize energy spent on a larger meal, especially when those larger meals are moving slowly.

If you are reeling too fast, the fish may not bite, as the chase may not be worth the lost energy.  

Watch for Birds

Birds are also on the lookout for food before their long haul down south. So, while the large fish are swarming schools of small bait fish and chasing them to the surface, birds are attacking from above. 

Gulls, terns, and other birds will swoop and dive over the schools, hoping to catch food too. When birds are diving, it’s a sure sign of fish, and that spot should be an ideal spot for you to reel some in big fish. 

How to Reel in Your Favorite Fish

With the changing temperatures and food patterns, fish in the fall break from their summer lull and grow more active to bulk up for winter.

This means that no matter what species you're trying to catch, fall offers you some of the best chances to do so!

Walleyes & Northern Pike

In the fall, walleyes and northern pike are often found near flats by deep drop-offs or points leading into deeper water. These fish are drawn to areas with abundant weeds and rocks, which provide shelter and feeding opportunities. 

When targeting walleyes and northern pike, focus on steep breaks where more fish are likely to gather. Using larger bait like jigs tipped with minnows, leeches, worms, harnesses, or spinners can attract more fish and improve your chances of a big catch. 

You can expect consistent action throughout the day as these predators actively search for food to prepare for winter.

Crappie & Panfish

Crappies and other panfish typically form schools in deeper waters during the fall, often around humps or weed structures. Inside edges are also good spots to find them. Deep weeds can be found in shallower lakes at 8-12 feet, while in larger waters, they may be at 15-20 feet. 

Flexibility is key, so be ready to move until you locate the fish schools. Crappies are usually more active in the morning and evening; during the day, look for flats with thicker weed cover. 

As water temperatures drop and weeds die off, focus on deeper holes in the 25-35 foot range, where crappies transition to their winter habitat.

Bass

Bass actively search for food in the fall, making them less selective than in the warmer months. You can find bass in both shallow and deep waters. Shallow flats of 3-7 feet are ideal; keep moving to cover ground until you locate a school. 

Deep ledges are also productive, but you may need to try different depths to find where the bass are hiding. Look for creek or river inlets, as bass often wait near the first break in moving water. 

Water temperatures around 50 degrees are great for active bass. Larger crankbaits, swim baits, poppers, or other topwater baits can effectively attract bites.

Jumbo Perch

Targeting jumbo perch in the fall often involves using light tackle and locating deep weeds. Zigzagging near drop-off edges on larger flats can help you find schools of perch. You might also spot them in shallower basins in the 8-12 foot range. 

Not all lakes have large populations of jumbo perch, so researching your destination is important. Some popular spots in Minnesota for jumbo perch include Leech Lake, Lake Bemidji, and Lake Mille Lacs, but many other lakes are worth exploring.

Our Products Help Extend Your Fishing Season Into the Fall!

Now that you’ve read our tips on fall fishing, it is time to prepare your boat for cooler weather. At Canvasworks, we can fit your boat for a fisherman’s top, boat cover, bimini top, and more. 

We also make winter storage covers to prepare your boat for winter. If your existing cover is still in good shape but needs minor fixes, bring it to our shop in Cokato, Minnesota, and we will do the job for you.  

If your boat needs upholstery work, late fall/winter is the time to do it! Check out our upholstery photo gallery, and email or call us at 320-559-0165 to get your project started.