The weather has turned fall-like a few nights over the past few weeks, meaning fish will be coming out of the late summer slumber. Cooler temperatures and shortened daylight hours trigger more activity in fish to search for food and build energy reserves for their winter habitat. These actions make them more predictable and easier to find. According to Joe Larsheid of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Bureau, Yellow perch, muskies, crappies, walleye and large and smallmouth bass enter a last-minute flurry of activity before winter. He advises anglers to use live bait—particularly minnows—small tackle and fish slowly in cooler water. He adds, these are excellent fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.
