Bob, where are you at?????? 
I thought you were going to have that live feed at the end of your dock so we could monitor water temps from our desks at work?????? 
Anyone have a temp reading from the POND lately?????
70.4 last Sunday on the main lake.
What does the water temp matter? Mille lacs has no thermocline.. 
For the last two years Dustin and I have had the privledge of chatting with the DNR up doing test netting in the fall. They report that they don’t see the large influx of big walleyes into the shallows on the west and north side of the lake until water temps hit 55 degrees. My guiding up there over the years bears this out to be largely true. There’s fish to be had shallow all year long but for the best fishing you need to be into the 50’s.
So… that’s why temp matters. 
I agree there is a fall migration. Its the turning point where the fish turn on the chow before ice up. 42-43 are also magic numbers for the big fish during the tulipee spawn.
But this time of year, I think water temps are over-rated and I also wanted to give Lip some *&%^$ 
James,
shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Ok… in my short research and small data I have collected(compared to James), what James says holds very true. However to extend on this a little, I have notcied a magic # when it comes to water temps that gives me the ok-dokay to troll. This temperature reading is what makes me switch gears from other presnetations Fall and Summer and start trolling. Not that you can’t catch fish above or below this temp #, but it seems to be a productive time for me to switch presnetations. 65 degrees seems to kick the bite going in the Summer for open water trolling and also Fall for the September bite. There is another magic # that James eluded to that really seems to bunch the Big Girls up shallow in the Fall and mid 50’s seems to be the start of it, but there is even a more of a magic # where I have really noticed my #’s of big fish go up.
So yes while there is fish around shallow all year long, water temps do matter to me.
Hey Derek
You got a ways to go before your magic numbers kick in. You better stay home and paint the garage this weekend.
Yep….it’s still too warm for the early evening trolling bite to start up yet!!
Well, since I never catch any fish on this lake I’d have to agree that water temp doesn’t matter very much 
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Rootski
James,
Is it water temp or is it photo period (in other works, the length of the day) that triggers major migrations? It would seem that photo period would more reliable as an indication of what season you’re in. I’d think that 55 degree water could happen any time between late September and mid October, depending on the year. That’s quite a spread. Just thinking….
Rootski
Water temp 55 or colder has been a major key along with the moon phase for trolling in the fall. At least that is what I have learned over years of trolling the big POND. Lip we will cross paths soon enough on the big Pond. Did you happen to purchase that new 620?
Todd I did, but I will not have possession until October 8th or 9th after the FLW Championship in SD. 
I will have to wait to make the Jump after the night of October 10th to the new boat. Until then look for the Black /Tan Crestliner and yes we need to cross paths this Fall.
Tuesday night the temp was 68.5 degrees.
Personally, I think the moon phase (Although very nice for the angler!) is not a “Major” factor in the bite in the fall. I have had success when it is sooooo black you cannot see your hand in front of your face!
Right Lip?
Temps and light help the weeds to lay down, exposing all those bait fish we have been seeing all year! They move into the shallows to take advantage of the warmer water during what daylight is left.
Hey Rob,
I’ve been with out a working pc for 3 weeks and now have experienced some of the resent site problems getting on IDA 
I plan to get out this weekend…..what I have heard is this!!!! The daytime bobber bite is going when the wind is blowing, there has been a pretty good evening bobber bite just at dark also. The after dark cranking is in the early stages!!! it won’t be long!!! Water temps are dropping, we need this colder weather that is in the forcast along with the rain! That will do a number on the water temp’s!!
Quote:
Right Lip?
Nope… I don’t remember that night on the West side last year we 
them all night long in the Black of Night. I don’t remember a thing. 
I just posted in another thread about that night. WOW now that was fun.
Bring it on! 
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