Top Tips for Fall Fishing in the North

There are countless reasons to get out on the boat – and fishing is on the top of this list for fall!

 

The months from September through to late November are perfect for catching a plethora of species in stunning surroundings. So, let us walk you through what to expect and how to maximize your haul!

 

 

Early Fall

 

 

Early fall marks the beginning of dropping temperatures, with corresponding cooler waters and increasingly shorter daylight hours. This stimulates fish to move from their summer homes to their winter habitats.

 

Mid-Fall

 

Progressing further into the fall fishing season the water continues to cool, increasing oxygen levels in the water, which stimulate fish and results in them becoming more active.

 

Late Autumn

 

Later into the season, fish begin to get slower. As winter approaches, fish will already have gorged earlier in the season and will start to become lazy, which means they’re lesson likely to swim to your lure. Prepare to go deeper, and think strategically.

 

What you can catch

 

The most popular species in fall are large and small-mouth bass, walleye, northern pike, trout and salmon.

 

The best tactics depend on where in the county you are and what you’d like to catch. However, it can often be productive to make your way to greener pastures. Seek out deep healthy weeds near bays and tributaries, in fertile lakes and rivers.

 

Some species, such as pike, look for cover. This causes them to move away from the shorelines and into the rich vegetation and deeper waters. The contrary applies to largemouth bass and walleye, who tend to migrate towards shallow waters in order to keep warm, keeping close shoreline vegetation for cover.

 

The easiest way to determine the most productive waters is to keep your eye out for baitfish, as your chances to score a catch will increase where the natural action is. Here are some quick tips on catching some of the top fall fish this season:

Fun Fishing Fact: Todd Johansson caught a chum salmon in Edye Pass, BC in Canada on July 11th, 1995 that weighed 15.87 kg (35 lbs. 0 oz.) breaking the previous record!
 

Walleye

 
If you have cast your sights on walleye, dusk is the best time to get some action. This is when fish begin to feed and become much more active than during peak daylight hours.

Trout

 
Virtually every province across Canada offers a wealth of trout fishing opportunities, with lakes from coast to coast stocked with brookies, browns, rainbows and splake. Trout can be aggressive and very active in fall, offering the thrill of the chase that’s worth the wait.

 

Cooler waters incentivize trout to cruise shorelines, with your best bet for a catch near rocky points, wood and shoals. Fish near overhanging trees, submerged wood, and rocky points and shoals, and use live bait where possible for a successful catch.