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Message Subject: Does or how does weather effect walleye fishing?

bigdogg

Posted 1/1/2006 3:46 PM (#38428)
Subject: Does or how does weather effect walleye fishing?

I'm wondering if and how the weather effects the walleyes bite? Right now it's been overcast and mild for over a week with the pressure staying just as constant and the walleye bite has faded away.

walleye express

Posted 1/2/2006 9:18 AM (#38437 - in reply to #38428)
Subject: RE: Does or how does weather effect walleye fishing?

Member

Posts: 2680

Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay.

Bigdogg.

I'm guessing there won't be many answers to your question. And that's only for a couple reasons. One is, the answer could become almost as long as a short book if somebody wanted to explore every nuance or variable that weather and fronts could possible have on walleye fishing or the food chain their lives revolve around . And second, there is really no factual answer that has any scientific basis or proof that positively confirms what each weather front does to walleyes given all their different global locations or in the environments they live in. I could write down all the ways I think weather effects walleye fishing in my neck of the woods, and the changes I often make when fishing certain conditions, while Joe Blow could come right behind me and write the exact opposite. There seems to be some specific criterion with weather that most will agree on. With most of them having to do with Cold Fronts or Low Pressure systems. I'll simple state here, that I've had my best luck on a moving Barometer or one that is changing quickly and sharply. The rest is in essence, conjecture.

Edited by walleye express 1/2/2006 1:49 PM

Jayman

Posted 1/3/2006 9:19 AM (#38458 - in reply to #38428)
Subject: RE: Does or how does weather effect walleye fishing?

Member

Posts: 1656

In my humble opinion, that barometer has very little effect on walleyes. With that being said, I believe weather does have an effect, but mostly because of the wind and also overcast vs blue bird days. Walleyes have very keen sight, especially during low light periods, wind and overcast contribute to low light and can "turn the fish on".

Sunshine

Posted 1/3/2006 9:29 AM (#38459 - in reply to #38428)
Subject: RE: Does or how does weather effect walleye fishing?

Member

Posts: 2393

Location: Waukesha Wisconsin

bigdogg - 1/1/2006 3:46 PM

I'm wondering if and how the weather effects the walleyes bite? Right now it's been overcast and mild for over a week with the pressure staying just as constant and the walleye bite has faded away.

The conditions you describe would NOT have a negative effect on fishing. I'd say a neutral effect. Other things happening around you may be more important under these conditions.

Barometric pressure effects fishing and fish immensely. A slow rising barometer is the best. But as Dan has indicated, a drastic barometric change indicating a sudden change in weather will give you a small window of opportunity where the fishing is awesome. This short period is generally followed by poor fishing until things stabilize again.

Different fisheries are effected differently by barometric change. My experience is that river systems are effected the least while gin clear waters are effected the most. The more turbid the water the less effect.

Edited by Sunshine 1/3/2006 9:37 AM

Bigdogg

Posted 1/3/2006 12:39 PM (#38461 - in reply to #38428)
Subject: RE: Does or how does weather effect walleye fishing?

Well I think the jury is still out on this weather and fish biting thing, I think i'm going to start keeping a log of the Weather conditions when I go and how I did. I know my fishfinder I just bought for my boat has a little window for Barometric pressure with arrows indicating up or down, it also has 30 day history of conditions, I'm kind of waiting to use this in summer. Speaking of summer, last summer we went to a northern lake for walleyes and we were glad the two or three days of rainy crappy weather that they had just had, turned to summer blue skys for our trip. Talk at the filleting shack was of exellent fishing during those crappy days. So we set out with high expectations and wouldn't you no it, we had poor fishing, every lure we had got a try with no sucess, so i'm kind of leaning to this weather change thing, but I appretiate your honest answers and good fishing.

walleye express

Posted 1/3/2006 2:17 PM (#38464 - in reply to #38461)
Subject: RE: Does or how does weather effect walleye fishing?

Member

Posts: 2680

Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay.

Bigdogg.

As you can see from just the 2 other answers besides mine above (and both from fishermen I respect) this weather answer your looking for, will for the most part stay ellusive. And I couldn't have scripted it better between Dennis and J Man, to illustrate the meaning of my original answer to you.

And even though a casual understanding of how weather effects fishing might be helpful at times. You might be better served to consintrate on the right gear and techniques, when planning trips to places to far away to judge what the weather will be when you get there.

Edited by walleye express 1/3/2006 5:36 PM

Bigdogg

Posted 1/3/2006 5:15 PM (#38472 - in reply to #38428)
Subject: RE: Does or how does weather effect walleye fishing?

Yes your right on the technique aspect, there will always be two out of the four people in the boat wanting to do the wrong thing when a school of Walleye are found. But I have learned how to fish off points or areas were the choppy water is stiring up the water on windy days, somtimes this works really well. But one must remember the time of year has a big play in filling the livewell too. Early in the season and later in the season will bring better succes than a hot July day. And even now Walleye fishing will start to slow from here on till later in march when it will pick up again just before the season ends, at least around here anyway.

walleye express

Posted 1/3/2006 6:02 PM (#38475 - in reply to #38472)
Subject: RE: Does or how does weather effect walleye fishing?

Member

Posts: 2680

Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay.

Bigdogg - 1/3/2006 6:15 PM

Yes your right on the technique aspect, there will always be two out of the four people in the boat wanting to do the wrong thing when a school of Walleye are found. But I have learned how to fish off points or areas were the choppy water is stiring up the water on windy days, somtimes this works really well. But one must remember the time of year has a big play in filling the livewell too. Early in the season and later in the season will bring better succes than a hot July day. And even now Walleye fishing will start to slow from here on till later in march when it will pick up again just before the season ends, at least around here anyway.

Bigdogg.

The bottom line is that your going to have some things happen to you when fishing, that aren't always going to fit the established pattern of things. Some on lakes and rivers you fish the most and simply learn its secrets. And often when mentioning these oddities, guys who have not had that experience (for whatever reason) will question your stories authenticity. I've had 3 occasions now that the walleyes practically jumped in the boat on severe barometer changes. Its obvious Jman has not. Does that make me right and him wrong? Not at all. Fishing is a sport that will never have a master.

Edited by walleye express 1/3/2006 6:07 PM

Tyee

Posted 1/3/2006 9:50 PM (#38480 - in reply to #38428)
Subject: RE: Does or how does weather effect walleye fishing?

If the sky is clear, the winds are light, and a high baro you WILL find me on the water with my livewell full along with lots of company.
The only other advantage to how weather affects my fishing is the fact that when it's crappy out most people are at home!!!!!!!!! although I have to work a bit harder!
Good Luck
Tyee

Jayman

Posted 1/4/2006 10:19 AM (#38495 - in reply to #38428)
Subject: RE: Does or how does weather effect walleye fishing?

Member

Posts: 1656

"I've had 3 occasions now that the walleyes practically jumped in the boat on severe barometer changes. Its obvious Jman has not. Does that make me right and him wrong? Not at all. Fishing is a sport that will never have a master."

Whoa, whoa, whoa........I've never said I haven't experienced a great bite on a changing barometer. My post above was based on a general basis, there is always exceptions to the rule. I would not consider 3 occasions a rule but rather the exception also. My post above also was not meant to be a "devil's advocate" post either, although it may appear that way. But hey, Dan says he still respects me so all is cool right?

Okay, barometer...I do have a fishing barometer at home stored in my garage somewhere. I have litte credence in what it means as stated above. Possibly for sale to the highest bidder, going once, going twice....But seriously, I played wiht it for a couple of years and could not find a pattern to when fishing was better or worse based on barometer alone. I did notice that barometric pressure is not as steady as I once thought. Meaning, I found if I traveled that the barometer would vary as I traveled across the country side very much like temperature will vary from one town to another.

One thing to consider is a changing barometer is often associated with some kind of weather change, albeit a front or low pressure/high pressure system. Often times a change in the weather usually means some kind of cloud cover. Which brings me back to my low light conditions theory. Walleyes are known as low light feeders, night time fishing, etc. But much to my surprise an even more agressive feeder during low light periods is, at risk of ruining my reputation *gulp*, are Bass. Hands down given low light conditions from an overcast day you will find more active biters than on a high sky kind of day.

Another factor that occurs with these changing weather conditions especially spring and fall is changing temps. But that's a whole 'nother chapter.

Just some food for thought.

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