Fall bass and walleye bite holds as Hudson Valley waters cool
Fall patterns are in full swing across New York, and the best first-hand testimony this week comes from the western end of the state. Per Brookdog Fishing Co., the bass bite was excellent in the week of 10/05 to 10/11, including some giant smallmouth, even with wind making conditions rough on Lake Erie, the Upper and Lower Niagara, and the Lake Ontario bar. Their earlier reports describe a strong walleye bite and good lake trout action through September, with jigging becoming part of the program, and a transition week in early October as Lake Erie's temperature dropped. On our home waters, the USGS gauges near the upper Hudson show water temperatures of 61 to 62°F. Gauge 01357500 reads 2,330 cfs and gauge 01358000 reads 5,500 cfs. That is a comfortable range for active bass and walleye, and it fits the October shift toward baitfish-driven feeding. NY DEC's The Fishing Line, October 9th issue, is pointing anglers toward fall fishing and reminds trout anglers of regulation changes with the October 16 trout season date, so check state regs before keeping any fish.
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Water in the low 60s should keep drifting down as nights lengthen, and that usually pushes bass and walleye to feed harder ahead of winter. Expect the best action during the lower-light windows around dawn and dusk, with midday bites slower on bright days.
For bass, Tactical Bassin points to an overlooked shallow approach for October: jigs, soft jerkbaits and topwater fished in shallow water, with finesse presentations such as tiny topwaters and swimbaits for the tougher days. If pressure or a cold front shuts down the reaction bite, downsizing is the move they recommend.
For walleye, Fishing the Midwest describes a plain rig, a bottom bouncer with a snell and a nightcrawler, as a dependable choice in cooler water, and notes that fish tend to relocate to green, living weeds as other weed beds die back. Brookdog's walleye and lake trout jigging reports show that vertical presentations are working for them on deeper water.
Waxing crescent moon means darker evenings, so there is little moonlight to lean on for night bites this week. Watch the 5,500 cfs reading at gauge 01358000 and the 2,330 cfs at gauge 01357500. A rain event that pushes flows up will muddy edges and may slow things for a day or two, while steady flows favor clear-water presentations.
If you plan to chase trout, note the October 16 trout season regulation reminder in The Fishing Line, and check the DEC rules for your water before you go.
Context
Mid-October is typically peak transition time for freshwater in New York. Surface temperatures that fell out of the 70s weeks ago are now settling into the low 60s, which is on schedule for the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes. Bass move off summer patterns, chase baitfish along weed edges and shoreline flats, and walleye feed more aggressively as water cools.
Weed beds start dying back, so green vegetation becomes a magnet for baitfish and the predators following them. Anglers who find the last healthy weeds often find the fish.
This is also the stretch when crowds thin, since many anglers shift to hunting season. Fishing the Midwest notes that October brings solitude on the water, which is a real advantage for anglers who stay out.
Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.
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