The days are getting shorter, the leaves are beginning to change color, water and air temperatures are dropping, there is a little nip in the air, anglers are cooler and their adrenalin is rising, and the fish are beginning to bite again. We must be about to begin the fall fishing season.

The fall season is defined as that period normally from early October through the middle of December. Those are not exact times, as I will explain later.

The fall fishing season is further defined as that period of time when most of the fish will be located in water that is between one and twelve feet deep. Gamefish move shallower in the fall because that is where their food source is located and that is where they will fine cooler oxygen rich water.

Several factors affect the fall fishing season. Those factors are water temperature, length of daylight, location of the shad and bluegill, and the weather and wind.

When does fall arrive based on water temperature? Fall water temperatures from the upper 70s to middle 50s define the fall angling season. Do not go by the calendar since the fall fishing season will vary each year. Pay attention to the actual time when the water temperature begins to drop several degrees.

Do not depend on air temperature. I have fished in the early fall wearing a jacket with air temperatures in the upper 40s but the water temps were still in the middle 70s and vice-versa I have fished in shirtsleeves and the water temperatures have been in the upper 50s. Fall is the time of year when you need to pay special attention to your temperature gauge and depth finder.

To demonstrate the changes in the fall fishing season, I went back and plotted the water temperatures in Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair for the last three years. In 2008, the fall fishing season based on water temperature occurred between October 9 (water temperature 77) and November 25 (water temperature 58 degrees). The 2009 fall fishing season occurred from October 8 (water temperature 77) through December 24 (water temperature 58) and in 2010, the dates were October 14  (water temperature 75) through December 9 (water temperature 57).  

The length of daylight plays an important part in determining when the fall season begins. Less daylight and more overnight cooling slowly begins to lower water temperatures. Already the cooler nights have dropped the water temperatures over the last couple of weeks from 90 degrees to the lower 80s.

The location of the baitfish is the single most important factor in successful fall angling. Gamefish will be where the baitfish are located. In Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair, threadfin shad are the primary baitfish but do not overlook bluegill. Often the bluegill will be located in the center of small ditches and creek channels.

Gamefish like largemouth bass reverse the migration paths they took back in the spring when they migrated from deep water to the shallows to spawn. The fall migration back to shallow water begins with the first significant drop in water temperature. The drop in water temperatures of almost ten degrees over the last three weeks has begun the initial fall migration back to the shallows to feed.

Those same parameters apply to the threadfin shad. Shallow water will cool faster and in most cases shallow water will provide better oxygen levels for both prey and baitfish and more plankton is available for the threadfin shad.

In Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair, the shallow water areas in fall will tend to be slightly cooler than the lake in general. The main lake cools down throughout the water column slowly in the fall through the mixing of the water from pump back operation.

Wind is very important to good fall fishing. If I had to choose one important weather related event in the fall, I would choose some wind. Wind really causes the bass to go on a feeding spree. Fish the wind during the fall and you will be rewarded. Windy points, pockets, and banks are excellent places to catch bass during the fall.

The good fall fishing season is just now kicking in so get ready for some good fishing. Fall is a beautiful time to be on the water and better still, it is a great time to be on the water when the fish are in a biting mood. Good fishing and see you next week.