9/5 mid lake

[AR Huzgr]

Put in at Prairie Creek to see where the walleye were lurking. On water about 6:45 or so and fish till about 10:45.

I was able to get seven walleye, but only two keepers, biggest about 20 in. Several were at that magical 17.5 inch mark so we'll save them till next year. The key is keep moving. I tried some new areas with success, most fish came from about 30 ft. Crawler harness, but I did have to switch up colors a few times and found they preferred a chrome colored blade.

I imagine we got about 3 to 4 weeks and then once thermocline is gone I think they scatter some. We'll see.

Water temp slowly dropping, 79°

[Jeff P]

Good on you.  I was out this morning  - 9/6 - and spots that were holding fish were barren.  

[Ron Burgundy]

As soon as that thermocline is gone so are the walleye . A friend is coming to town about the middle of the month for our annual walleye trip and I’m worried they will be gone by then! We usually go the first week of Sept but this year due to wife’s cancer I had to use all my PTO and dont get it back til the middle of Sept. so I’ve been hoping the hot weather hangs around . 

[AR Huzgr]

1 hour ago, Ron Burgundy said:

A friend is coming to town about the middle of the month for our annual walleye trip and I’m worried they will be gone by then!

Same.  Family coming 3rd week Sept.  It'll be touch and go by then

[Jeff P]

So....once they scatter how do you catch them?  First year on the lake for me, so still in the flat part of the learning curve.  

[AR Huzgr]

2 hours ago, Jeff P said:

So....once they scatter how do you catch them?  First year on the lake for me, so still in the flat part of the learning curve.

I think first, more of the water column will be available to them so check out both shallower and deeper than you're used to fishing.

Second follow the bait, the shad may head towards Creek arms so check around the mouths.

Lastly, I found if you go south of highway 12 bridge they are still to be found until you switch to smallmouth fishing.    Take that for what it's worth since I don't really know anything myself LOL.

[bfishn]

Post-turnover 'eyes can be literally anywhere. My strategy was to adopt a striper-chasing mentality... mouths of major creek arms around 55 deg., then to the back ends of the creeks from 52-48, then back to the mouths till they disappear in the mainlake depths for the winter. Many larger ones will be right with the stripers, and if you miss them you can at least get some stripers, which is pretty good consolation.