Find The Food, Find The Fish!

The fall feeding frenzy is getting under way across Northern Ontario.

Do not even think about putting the boat away for the season. The fall feeding frenzy is getting underway across Northern Ontario. As a matter of fact, I was out fishing the other day and the action was unbelievable. I didn't move the boat more than a cast or two over a delirious hour and landed between 35 and 40 sassy smallmouth bass. At the end of the session, I was black and blue having pinched myself so many times to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

Pyzer 01
In the fall, bass group up in large numbers to maximize their feeding efforts

By pure coincidence, I happened to present my Fish Talk With The Doc segment on FISH 'N CANADA LIVE the evening prior and host Angelo Viola had asked me a superbly pertinent question. Shouldn't we spend as much, or more time thinking about the food the fish are eating, as the top predators themselves?  

I had to laugh when I thought about Ang's question while I was fighting a gorgeous four-pound smallmouth because it spits a six-inch long silvery ciscoe at me that it had just swallowed. But it highlighted the point beautifully - when you understand what the baitfish are doing, they will typically lead you straight to the walleye, bass, northern pike and muskies that are eating them.

Pyzer 02
As Gord Pyzer explains, the baitfish will lead you straight to the walleye, bass, northern pike and muskies

Indeed, as most anglers know, during these cooling days of autumn the fish are gaining the most energy possible to survive the upcoming winter starvation period.  It is why I caught so many bass without barely moving the boat. They were grouped up in large numbers, so they could efficiently and effectively achieve their nutritional demands by hunting as a pack, mauling schools of ciscoes, without wasting calories.

But here is also Ang's point: there are several varieties of ciscoes (herring, tulibees, call them what you will) across Northern Ontario and the baitfish react quite differently in different waters, usually in response to specific environmental conditions like water clarity, water temperatures and overall water depths.  

The key point to remember, however, is that the soft silvery baitfish are very temperature conscious. Locate the thermocline in the summer months, for example, where water temperature typically falls one degree Fahrenheit per foot of depth, and you’ll generally find the ciscoes. It is why some biologists refer to the thermocline as the ciscoe layer.

Pyzer 03
Look for underwater structures that block, obstruct and impede the movement of baitfish

Something else to keep in mind is that ciscoes are typically pelagic.  As a general rule, they’re constantly roaming the open water in schools, as opposed to setting up shop and living beside a specific piece of structure. This doesn't mean that structures (points, bars, shoals and reefs) aren’t important for catching the bass, walleye, pike and muskies that feed on the baitfish, however, because they are critical. But you need to find the ones - the seasonal structures - that best intercept the wandering prey.

In the summer, for example, when you find the thermocline at, say, 28 feet deep, the best structures will typically top out around this same depth or at least have plenty of portions at, or below, the level. In other words, a reef that rises up out of 20 feet of water and tops out at 8 or 10 feet will likely not be as productive as a similar shoal that rises up from 30, 40 or 50 feet of water. The latter is much more likely to be in the path of the ciscoes, and therefore, much more likely to block, obstruct or impede their progress.  

Pyzer 04
Look for underwater structures that block, obstruct and impede the movement of baitfish

It is important to remember, too, that ciscoes spawn in the fall, in another month or so, on shallow gravel shorelines and shoals. So, as the water temperature continues to fall, we'll find the baitfish rising up even higher in the water column and moving shallower. Current also attracts ciscoes at this time of the year, so channels and necked-down areas through which the wind is blowing will often point you to the best fall fishing locations.

What it all means, of course, is that you need to charge up the trolling motor batteries, fill up the boat with gas and pour some hot tea, coffee or chocolate into your thermos. And when you launch on your favourite Northern Ontario lake, you need to scan your sonar for roaming schools of forage, because when you find the food, you will find the fish.

About Gord Pyzer

Gord Pyzer is the fishing editor of Outdoor Canada magazine and field editor of In-Fisherman magazine. He is the co-host of the Real Fishing Radio Show and host of Fish Talk With The Doc.

Recommended Articles

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

Top 10 Fly Patterns for Brook Trout

Learn Brook Trout Fly Pattern Choices for Surface Fly Fishing

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

Muskies are fish of 10,000 casts and are found in large bodies of water in Northwestern Ontario.

Top 5 Musky Destinations in Ontario

The Musky Hunter shows you where to land the best musky in Ontario waters.

Top 5 Flies for Smallmouth Bass

The inside scoop on bass flies from the hosts of The New Fly Fisher.

Spring Fishing Tips For Any Angler

Increase your chance of fishing success

Ontario Brook Trout

Fish these 10 sweet spots.

Buck Lake Lodge

Fishing Walleye at Witches Nose

Eating Northern Pike

The Best Recipe to Cook This Fish

Fishing and Foraging

Add some fresh foods and forage to your fishing adventures!

20 Years With Fish TV!

Fish TV discusses their favourite Ontario catches

Smallmouth Bass With Still Water Fishing and Tours

For the pike and musky anglers, Lake Huron really shines bright.

Top 5 Tips To Fish Smallmouth Bass in Ontario

Ontario has some of the top smallmouth bass opportunities. in the world.

Steelhead of the Upper Ganaraska

Known to most trout and salmon anglers as one of Ontario’s most popular fishing destinations.

The Tigers of Sunset Country

The most picturesque of all freshwater fish.

Bass Fishing at Agnew Lake Lodge

This family-owned lodge is the perfect base for excellent angling adventures in Northeastern Ontario.

Spring Perch Fishing

Use These Tips on Your Next Ontario Fishing Trip

5 Lakes, 4 Seasons, and Plenty of Fish

Fish TV selects their favourite lakes in Ontario.

Top 5 Baits for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

What baits do you use to target bass? Find out why these 5 are the best!

Four Seasons of Bass in Ontario

Northern Ontario is home to year-round bass.