Fishing can be tougher in summer because reservoirs, lakes and rivers are alive with baitfish. Forage species have spawned and the young ones have grown into bite-sized morsels by then. Gamefish need only be active for short periods to enjoy their fill. But, during the upcoming autumn, walleyes and other fish will be feeding often. Instinct tells them they need to fatten up for the winter.
Food becomes scarcer as populations of forage fish fall in number and trophy fish become vulnerable.
Fishing every spot is often the slowest way to find walleyes. Even when trolling, it takes far too long to cover a large piece of structure adequately and the time lost cannot be regained. Certainly, good preparation includes getting that map and taking that trip to the bait shop to identify the kinds of spots that have held fish recently. But, add one more step. Make a call to the Department of Natural Resources biologists who work the targeted lake or ask the guides at the baitshop what kinds of baitfish are present.