Late Fall Walleye Fishing
Late fall is prime time for walleye fishing in Escanaba. Cooler water, fewer boats and hungry fish make these weeks some of the most rewarding of the year. Walleye caught in colder water also taste better, with firmer fillets and a richer flavor that makes every meal more satisfying.
Why Late Fall is So Productive
As temperatures drop, baitfish migrate into the bays and river mouths. Walleyes follow and concentrate along shoreline structure, weed edges and rocky shelves where they can ambush prey. The result is excellent walleye action from November into early December.
Where to Find Walleye in the Bays
Little Bay de Noc produces steady numbers of fish, while Big Bay de Noc often rewards patient anglers with larger fish. Both offer excellent late-season opportunities that keep local and visiting anglers coming back each year. Productive access points around the Little and Big Bays de Noc include:
Timing, Conditions & Techniques
The best fishing usually happens during the hour before sunrise and the hour before sunset, when walleye can be found in shallower flats feeding. After dark, they stay active, making it a good time to remain on the water.
Adapt your approach to the day’s weather. On overcast or windy days, fish often stay in shallower water because the low light and surface chop make them feel secure while feeding. On calm, sunny days, they retreat to deeper water during daylight but can still be caught at night when they return to feed. Clear water calls for planer boards and/or low-light conditions to keep walleye from spooking.
Start by trolling or casting crankbaits, jerkbaits, spoons or blade baits to locate feeding fish. Once you mark a few, slow down and work the area carefully. As temperatures drop, larger baits often draw bigger walleye. Walleyes Choice spinner rigs and crawler harnesses, made in Gladstone, are local favorites. Lures such as the Rapala Deep Husky Jerk, Thundersticks, Beaver Lures Crank Baits, and Smithwick Rattlin Rogue in fire-tiger, blue/orange or purple are also time-tested choices. When fish hesitate, slow your retrieve or switch to jigs tipped with live minnows. For night fishing, trolling crankbaits in 10 to 15 feet of water around rocky points often produces steady action.
Keep lines vertical when jigging in deeper water to feel light bites, and along drop-offs or weed edges, steady retrieves with crankbaits often draw strikes. River mouths and channels are also productive this time of year. As baitfish move into the current, walleyes hold near the edges of deeper holes. Treat each hole like a small lake and fish the sides or drop-offs. Jigs and live bait rigs work best when fished slowly.
Photo courtesy of Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association
Local Knowledge
Stop in at Blade’s Bait & Tackle, Bayshore Bait or Bay View Bait & Tackle. These shops keep tabs on wind, water color, temperature and feeding habits that affect the bite. Local insight can save hours of searching and get you on fish faster.
Plan Your Late Fall Fishing Trip
This is one of the easiest seasons to plan a getaway. Lodging is widely available and close to the launches, making it simple to fish early or late. After a long day on the Bays, ask around for the best fish fry in town. Chefs throughout Delta County take pride in their walleye; it’s the next best thing to cooking your own catch.