Season of Change
We are well past the halfway point of our open water season now, and it’s the time of season when you can start to feel the Earth tilt towards its winter angle. From my point of view rowing boats or wading in water nearly everyday from April through October, it always amazes me how radical the shift is from spring to late summer and fall.
Spring and summer is a time of high waters, lots of bugs and minnows, and overly optimistic fish. As water temps warm, so do the metabolisms and aggression of fish, making spring and early summer a truly epic time to be on the water. The rest of the ecosystem is also alive with optimism, small wild flowers blanket the under story, birds migrate and sing loudly, and the days are long, hot, and punctuated with thunderstorms.
Late summer and fall bring low and clear waters, the days begin to shorten, the birds are quieter. Fish that have been pressured all season begin to get wise to our tricks. This requires more precision, skill, and creativity on the angler’s part. Night temps begin to dip into the 60’s while day time highs can still be in the 80’s, making for chilly, foggy mornings and hot afternoons for swim breaks. Cooling water temps can trigger some epic feeding behavior- but ultimately, the fish will slip deeper and become more spread out and lethargic as the cold sets in.
August and September are some of my favorite months of the year. As a true Minnesotan, I love to see the seasons change. Fishing can be challenging these couple months, but it’s also the time of year where we see the Goliath fish from the early season come back out to play before winter. Tranquility permeates the rivers, as the summertime crowds are gone, the mornings are quiet and foggy, and the leaves begin to show the very early hints of fall.
My fishing tips during this season of change:
1) If you are getting skunked in your usual spots, look where you “shouldn’t” fish.
Fish move around a lot this time of year. For instance, the water is so low on the Croix now that most rocks we throw at on the banks are now on dry land. The bass have been holding in un-smallie-like water, especially with weeds and mucky shores, or holding in the middle of the river near submerged structure. Trout will often move to holding in fast riffles in late summer when water temps get high and clarity gets super clear. They use the waves as cover in low water and don’t mind the dissolved oxygen boost when the water temps get hot. If you’ve been wading the metro lakes, you’ve probably had a hard time catching panfish and Bass in the shallows. This time of year the panfish and bass will move to deeper water and structure for cooler temps and better protection, so find ways to get out deeper and fish the outside edge of weeds beds. Late season algae blooms and dying aquatic plants can also zap dissolved oxygen levels causing fish to move deeper, so find lakes that aren’t too “green” right now for better fishing.
2) Go Big or Small.
Fish aren’t smart, but they aren’t dumb either. After getting pelted by all matter of baits for months, fish do get wise after a while. There’s two options if your usual tackle isn’t working: go bigger or smaller. Late summer and fall are feed bag times for fish who know winter is coming, so they are more willing to risk taking out a big piece of prey to fatten up for winter. Much of the natural forage is also a size or two bigger than in the spring, so they are used to seeing more big stuff swimming around. You won’t catch a lot of fish on a big lure, but you’ll get the memorable ones. On the other side of the coin, if fish are smart or feeling lethargic due to heat/oxygen issues, or if they’re in “peanut mode” (constantly snacking on small, high quantity things vs. big ones) throwing something small or more finesse will be the move. If you’re going for trout on Driftless streams, use the longest, thinnest leaders you can in clear water.
This is a difficult time to fish, so if you are feeling dismayed as a newer angler, it’s totally OK! The fish don’t always follow the text book this time of year. We as anglers have to be willing to change tactics and test our skills to keep up with the ever changing ecosystem, just as in everyday life. There’s still plenty of time to fish before things get too cold, and it’s a great time to try and catch the biggest fish of the year! We guide and offer classes/lessons all fall too, so reach out if you want to hit the water.
PS: Can we just take a second to talk about all the rain we got last month?! Holy Monsoon, Batman! To 20+ year guide, Bob Bickford, and my recollection, we’ve never seen when the Mississippi has been so high (~6400cfs at St. Cloud) and the Croix so low (~550cfs at Danbury) at the same time! Fishing has been banner in both rivers regardless, but what a crazy juxtaposition between the two watersheds. Ok, Water Nerd out!
Bragging Board
Check out what Fishing For All clients have been catching!
Minnesota Fishing Report
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN Lakes
- Water temps are warm and clarity in many lakes is green from algae.
- Bass and bluegills are moving towards deeper cover or holding deeper in lily pads/weed mats.
- Top water has been effective early and late in the day in low light periods, finesse presentations mid day.
Minnesota/Wisconsin Driftless Trout Streams
- Water is back to low and clear on most streams after a wet July. Temps are good, especially in small tributary streams!
- Trico mayflies in the early morning, hoppers or attractor-type terrestrial patterns the rest of the day. Sporadic caddis and midge hatches mid day.
- Never a bad idea to run a hopper dropper rig this time of the year! (Diagram below.)
- Mousing and streamers at low light periods has been very productive!
Mississippi & St. Croix River
- A Tale of Two Rivers! The Miss is still seasonally high and fairly off color, but improving. Croix is super low and super clear. Fishing has been good on both rivers for smallies and walleye.
- On the Miss- fish of the first shelf to submerged structure with crayfish and minnow presentations. Top water in the afternoons, especially around weed mats.
- On the Croix- Fish off the 2nd or 3rd shelf (which is basically mid river) to submerged structure or fish in slow water along the edge of weed mats. Top water and crayfish have produced really well.
- Big muskie and pike time is just around the corner!
HOT TIP: The Hopper Dropper Rig!
This is a deadly fly fishing rig for trout right now. There’s two ways we like to rig hopper-droppers: Option #1 a clinch knot off the hook bend of the hopper & Option #2 a clinch knot off the hook eye of the hopper. Both systems work great, but I tend to believe you’ll get a better drift of both the hopper and nymph with option #2.
Upcoming Classes & Events
Indoor Fly Casting Lessons!
Back by popular demand, we will be returning to the gym at Two Rivers High School in Mendota Heights for our Indoor Fly Casting Lessons! Don’t let your casting arm get rusty over winter, we can help you polish up your skills, whether you’re a beginner or advanced caster. Bring your own fly rod, a small number of loaner rods will be available. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. $50/angler/session.
Sessions: 7:30-9pm @ Two Rivers High School, Mendota Heights MN
November 21
December 19
January 9, 30
February 20, 27
March 6
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