HOW LIGHT INTENSITY IMPACTS WALLEYE FISHING There are many factors that walleye anglers need to consider when they hit the water in pursuit of walleye.
the eye shine we see when light falls on a fish in the water or on our line. This organ captures all available light in the environment and allows the creature to harness that light to enhance their vision capabilities. This is the same organ found in mammals, such as deer, dogs and other organisms that are known for their eye shine.
BYNICK HARRINGTON
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There are many factors that walleye anglers need to consider when they hit the water. Anglers are constantly looking at factors such as wind direction, wind speed, cloud cover, temperature and water clarity to dictate where and how they should target fish. Whether you are discussing wind, clouds or water clarity, they all factor into one topic: light intensity. Walleyes are famous for their low light vision capabilities. They’re equipped with more rods than cones in their eyes and most famously their tapetum lucidum. This is the organ responsible for
Walleyes are adequately equipped to feed at all times of the day, but they are most active during twilight periods. This is because their prey is still active, but their vision capabilities are quickly fading. This makes them vulnerable to attacks from walleyes. Indeed, there are lakes that are known for an outstanding night bite and there are other rivers and reservoirs where you can catch fish all day long. The ability to target fish at different waterbodies is one of the aspects that makes walleye fishing so exciting.
intensity is important “ Light to walleyes for two reasons: comfort and foraging. — DANNY COYNE, BCFISHN.COM
Light intensity is important to walleyes for two reasons: comfort and foraging. Increased light intensity can make walleyes, particularly larger walleyes, uncomfortable and drive them to deeper water or shaded areas to become more comfortable. Decreased light intensity allows them to utilize their vision capabilities to give them the edge
over their prey, triggering feeding. Light intensity impacts anglers every time they hit the water, whether they know it or not. Many anglers, particularly anglers fishing from shore, will focus their fishing efforts around sunrise or sunset. During this twilight period, walleyes are often most active and utilizing their low light capabilities on prey. In addition to when anglers fish, anglers are often looking for where the wind is creating a “walleye chop” or dictating what waterbody they fish based on its water clarity. Photoperiod The first, and arguably most important factor in light intensity, is photoperiod. Photoperiod is how long the days are based on the length of the light. This will stay consistent all year long and not be impacted by weather conditions or other factors. Photoperiod is a major driving factor in spawning activity, as well as other major natural activities such as bird migrations, the rut in deer and even vegetation growth. On a more specific level, photoperiod can also dictate bite windows on an individual day. In fact, these specific bite windows are often most visible in trophy caliber fish. These patterns will emerge on rivers, reservoirs and lakes of all sizes. Walleyes, particularly large walleyes, are creatures of habit. They often become active when light conditions reach levels MORE ARTICLES BY HARRINGTON
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