I was talking to someone at one of the lakes in the Isabella area a few months ago and he told me that if you're willing to put up with the cold, the walleye fishing in late October is superb. Does the walleye bite at this time of year make going out on the water worth the cold? How near is that time of year to when the first ice typically appears on the lake surface?

Sometimes your breaking ice to get out on the water.

Thanks Brad, I'm not sure if I would want to take my kayak out in that then. I don't think it would break through the ice very well haha.

Late October has been berry berry good to me.

I have done pretty good during the deer hunting season and again at first ice. Fishing can be hit or miss but you can realy score when everything comes together.

Well, I took my kayak out on Thanksgiving morning and caught a couple walleyes on Little Lake Wissota in Chippewa Falls, WI. Then took it out again on November 27 on a lake in northern WI and caught a couple brown trout. The ice was forming on the edges, and in the middle of my time it started snowing pretty heavy. By the time I got back my wool sweater and hat were largely covered with snow, and lures in the exposed track I use to hold them were completely iced in - had to chisel them out. And had to keep dipping my fishing rods into the water to keep the guides free of ice. But it was BEAUTIFUL, and I had a blast. Even saw 5 tundra swans fly over! Both times I had the lakes to myself! That said, I have a very stable Wilderness Systems Commander kayak. I had no fear of tipping over into that cold water. And I have the Chota fishing gloves - very nice.

quote Arlo Pankook: "I have done pretty good during the deer hunting season and again at first ice. Fishing can be hit or miss but you can realy score when everything comes together."

+1 I love ice fishing around first ice. I've had my best times ice fishing walleyes around Christmas week, if ice conditions are good of course.

As for walleyes late Oct. Biggest floating raps, at night works well. Also jig and big minnow. I know Infisherman had an article re late fall timing, trying to match up with the frog migration.

Moonman.

YES, the Walleyes are in a eating frenzy trying to beef up for the long winter ahead. They can be tricky to locate but when you find them you will find a lot of them. This is an excellent time to catch trophy fish.

I think your buddy was just trying to keep you off his favorite grouse trail...everyone knows late October is when you grouse hunt. You got 11 other months to catch a walleye. LOL!!