We’re finally settling into the kind of October conditions local anglers have been waiting for. The chill has arrived in earnest with the week ahead showing highs in the mid 50’s at best, and we all know what’s coming! Water temperatures haven’t quite caught up yet and are still in the upper 50s (and even still some low 60’s) on most lakes. We can expect those to decline now to more “normal” temps for this time of the year. Weeds are fading quickly, and with the dropping light angle, fish are finally shifting toward deeper structure and predictable late-fall patterns.

Walleye action on the Eagle River Chain has been great in the last week. The bite is firming up in deeper water, with 18–25’ still a good place to start. Focus on holes, sharp breaks, and the deeper sides of remaining weed edges. Large fathead minnows or small suckers, whether on jigs or under slip bobbers, are producing well. The best feeding windows remain early and late in the day, though overcast afternoons can offer steady activity too.

Bass fishing has slowed as the season winds down. Smallmouth are holding to rocky structure and gravel humps, responding best to slow-moving plastics or live bait. Largemouth are tougher to locate now, tucked into the last patches of green weeds or wood cover where the water holds a bit of warmth.

Northern are staying aggressive with the cooling water and the need to fatten up for winter. Loud and flashy is the key for these fish and anything fitting that bill will continue to draw hits, especially in shallower bays with some remaining weed cover.

Panfish are gradually moving deeper each week. Crappies are suspending over mid-depth brush and along old weed lines, while perch are showing up in softer-bottom areas near deeper transitions. The perch bite on the chain has been extra hot during the last week. Bluegills are scattered but still catchable on deeper flats with small jigs tipped with waxies or tiny plastics.

Musky anglers are seeing the shift into classic late-fall mode. We’re still waiting for turnover on many lakes, but we’ve heard and seen whispers of it starting on some bodies of water. The stage is set for prime October fishing. Trolling larger crankbaits over deeper structure has been productive, and casting big rubber baits around transition zones is paying off.  The sucker bite is starting to heat up, but we really need to see that fall drop in water temperatures to get us the heart of the sucker season. Activity will only increase as fish start feeding heavily ahead of winter.

The lakes are quieting down and the woods are taking on that late-autumn look. It’s a beautiful, peaceful time to be on the water—and one of the best chances of the year to hook a true fall trophy, too!

Good luck and good fishin’!