Scott Fairbairn hauls in a big autumn walleye. Photo by Ron Hustvedt.

John House puts in numerous days on the water, but if he had to choose one time of year to go walleye fishing, it would be right now.

"I'd pretty much give up my whole year of fishing just to fish the fall bite," he said. "This time of the year brings in the big fish feeding heavily as they get ready for the winter."

Fall fishing is a tough gig for many die-hard anglers because time is at a premium with all the other things to do. After all, these are the seasons for waterfowling, bowhunting, scouting, upland hunting and finishing those outdoor honey-do projects before the long winter sets in.

House is a die-hard hunter, but he has a tough time stowing his fishing gear and winterizing the boat when the walleye action is hot and heavy.

His solution: Mix it up and get in some quality hunting and fishing in the same day and forget the projects.

OUT FOR A TROLL
The fall feeding window stays open longer than it does in summer because walleyes are trying to bulk up with a dwindling food supply. This puts walleyes on the move making trolling a terrific method where it is allowed. Walleyes are feeding heavily on minnows and perch, making crankbaits a deadly presentation.

"Crankbaits give them what they are after and lets you cover a ton of water while you are at it," House said.

Some anglers prefer cruising the shallows, while others like probing the depths, but the good news is that walleyes can be found in both locations.

"If anything has changed in the world of walleyes it's that we don't try to pigeonhole techniques to a specific location or season. You just need to follow an active group of fish and let them tell you what they want the most," said Gary Parsons, a three-time Professional Walleyes Tour angler of the year.

On reservoirs and natural lakes, Parsons said walleyes tend to abandon the basin and relate to shoreline structures from the deep breaks all the way up to the top. Weedlines are another location along both the deep and shallow edges. On those bodies of water where trolling is restricted, casting to those locations can work just as well.

SHALLOW-WATER TROLLING
Once the water cools to the 50s, House prepares to go shallow. He knows the action is going to be good and only get better.

"As the water cools to the mid-40s, the big fish come up in droves closer to shore along rock reefs and weed edges. You can catch them all the way to ice-up if you are lucky," House said.

Trolling in the range of 1.7 to 1.9 miles per hour is always a good rule of thumb. House said that early in the fall if the fish aren't biting, he speeds up before he slows down. Later in the fall, he'll drop the speed all the way down to less than a mile per hour.

Long-lining with the lure 100 to 150 feet behind the boat can be effective in calm and clear conditions. As is often the case in the fall, the weather is either windy, overcast or both. House usually trolls back 75 feet but in heavy waves holds tight with 40 to 50 feet of line. If you want the lure to tick the bottom or weed tips, use a superline. House said monofilament is ideal for keeping a lure running shallower but shouldn't be used long-lining.