There are countless reasons to get out on the boat, and fishing is at 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!
Here are our top tips for fall fishing success.
Breaking Down Fall Fishing
The fall fishing season can be broken down into three different timeframes: early, mid, and late. Here are a few insights to think about!
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 stimulates 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’ll likely swim to your lure.
Prepare to go deeper and think strategically.
What You Can Catch During the Fall
The most popular species in fall are large and small-mouth bass, walleye, northern pike, trout, and salmon.
The best tactics depend on where you are and what you’d like to catch. However, making your way to greener pastures can often be productive.
Seek out deep, healthy weeds in fertile lakes and rivers near bays and tributaries. 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 opposite applies to largemouth bass and walleye, who tend to migrate towards shallow waters to keep warm, keeping close shoreline vegetation for cover.
The easiest way to determine the most productive waters is to watch 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.
Salmon
Salmon have a thick, strong jaw, so you must choose your hooks carefully!
Make sure your hooks are razor sharp, and plan your fishing trip on a dull or overcast day for best results. Sunshine causes salmon to go into deeper waters and become a little less active, so dusk or dawn is optimal on sunny days.
If you choose live bait, go for roe. If opting for an artificial lure, go for a spinner.
Fun Fishing Fact: Todd Johansson caught a chum salmon in Edye Pass, BC in Canada 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 splakes. 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, rocky points, and shoals, and use live bait for a successful catch.
Pike
Similar to salmon and trout, pike are very reactive to fluctuating water temperatures in the fall. However, large northern pike can be a little trickier to catch!
Fall Fishing Is Ideal for Catching Trophy Fish
Fall is the perfect season to target that trophy fish. Fresh green vegetation will be more successful than among the browning weeds, where you will find many of the other species.
You can use large or regular bass-size spinners, swim baits, and minnows to lure a large fall pike.
Remember, if you want to take advantage of some of the best fishing of the year, keep the boat out on the water throughout fall!
Don’t Forget Your Boater Education Card When Fishing This Fall
Planning a fall full of fishing trips means you’ll be on a boat on the water quite a bit! So, before your first fall fishing adventure, make sure you have your boater education card.
Having this card means you’ve passed a boater safety course (like the ones we offer here at BOATsmart!), and you understand how to stay safe when fishing and boating. Our online courses are fun, engaging, and go by quickly as you learn crucial safety best practices to help you enjoy more fishing trips year after year.
Ready to get out for some fall fishing up north? Get started with our BOATsmart! course for Canada first!
Originally published in July 2018. Content most recently reviewed and updated for accuracy and relevancy September 18, 2024.
