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2020 Leech Lake Fishing Reports - Hackensack, Longville, Walker MN Also


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I drove through Walker on saturday and there were white caps in the bay if that helps. we only got 2-3" of snow and lots of wind.

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I checked Walker Bay yesturday and we have 5 inches right off shore but is goes downhill in a hurry after that. 30' off shore we are down to 2.5" to 3" of sketchy ice(used a tape measure). I will check again on tomorrow but we really aren't getting the temps to make a lot of ice.

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Howdy,

Planing a trip with portables to Leech Lake in late January or early February. Hoping to get some suggestions on best areas to access the lake and any resorts that maintain an ice road out onto the lake. Any suggestions for areas of the lake target for walleyes would also be appreciated, thanks in advance!

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Last night Joe and I got out of cochrons landing for a couple hours for the walleye bite and it felt like lake of the woods all over again!! We got some areas from jr's guide service and man was he on the spot!!! We fished 2 separate humps in 30 to 35 fow and had tons of success on both. around 60 walleye caught in those couple hours. There were some points where 7 fish would fight for the spoons. Toms tackle pink charmer and glow green charmer were the hot tick along with the 1/8 buckshot in chartreuse. We fished the edge of the humps during the daylight hours and slid up to the top after dark. The bite did slow down once the sun went down but we were still catching a good amount. Relating to the mood of the fish was definitely the key. Some fish would charge with a aggressive action when others would want it slow moving to strike. Ice was in good shape and people are slowly starting to drive wheelers. Ice is still very spotty on the rest of the lake so it is a good idea to call the local bait shops and resorts on ice reports before heading out. Hope everyone has a great holiday and hope to see you all up here soon!!

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Can anyone provide any ice updates now that we got this great freeze up weather?

Wondering if trucks are going out or if there is any snow on the ice. Not sure if I should bring the sled, the 4 wheeler or neither if trucks are drying out.

Thanks in advance.

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The Ice conditions on leech are getting better by the day and in some areas there may be some vehicle traffic going out in certain areas stoney and pine point are still kicking out a good number of fish. I have been hearing this past week that alot of the target structure for walleye has been humps ranging from 10 to 30 feet.

Really look at the day to decide on going deep or shallow. If it is a sunny day slip into the deep water. walleye will dive deep when the sun is out and move shallow if there is overcast. Alot of slots have been coming out with a few big lads mixed in.

The bite is definitely on so get up there before it changes!!!

Happy fishing!!!:)

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  • 2 weeks later...

how is the snow on the lake, is a 4 wheeler a good mode of transport or snowmobile and plowed roads only ?

thanks headed up this weekend

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I was driving my s10 out of cohcrons landing. Fished some new humps this weekend with alot of success. they were finicky and looking at the spoons so I dropped down a Lindy slick jig in clown color with just the fat head body sideways to give it a good swimming motion and it was game on!! 38 to 40 FOW is where I found them. I stayed 4 feet above the bottom and gave the lure a nice swimming motion. They would see that and race towards it. Drilling holes is the key. Drill in different depth and find the sharpest drop off that hump and you will find them.

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Hey Mike i see u fish Leech quite a bit! Have u come across any Tullibie action yet? I know later in the season can be better but i mite be coming up there in 2 weeks. Just want some tullie action thats it. Any info would be appreciated! Thanks

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I have found a little action this year but mainly randoms that roll threw for the walleyes. actually caught a 5 pound white fish last weekend. I have herd from many that walker bay can be productive all though I haven't herd much from this winter. I will ask around and send you a pm with what I find. smile

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Any new reports on Leech? Heading up there Friday and thinking of going out of Stony Pt. Wanna try to get into some tullibee action if possible

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we got one out in 19" of water it was very spotty everywhere we did find one spot that was productive all day. If the weather allows you need to search out the big fish. Last weekend was horrible.

marked many fish though

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We fished last weekend on Leech out of pine point, we had four guys. Friday we fished outside for a few hours and cought our limit of perch and a few nice walleyes. On Saturday we sat in the wheel house and some portables ended up with a few more nice walleyes and 45 perch on the ice and a northern. Fished Sunday until noon ended up finishing our limit of perch just sitting in the wheel house. Overall a pretty fun weekend!! Stayed in 14' - 16' of water out twards the island. Hopefully heading back up in a few weeks! (Cameras seemed to help find active fish)

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Thanks for the replies guys! Forgot to ask the most important question of all how much ice and snow is out there? Will i be able to drive a Tahoe out on the ice? Thanks again....

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16" of ice with not much snow we drove everywhere just fine even pulling the wheel house around.

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If anyone is looking for a good bite on leech it will be this weekend. With the front moving out and the warmer weather coming in this weekend should be the perfect ingredient for these fish to turn on. To all the perch guys shallow humps and flats are going to be a good choice. The walleyes should be deep from 30 to 40 feet with the high sun. Edges of humps and inside turns will be the key ingredient for them. There is tons of structure on leech so for the non crowd fisherman so you should have some choices of non pressured areas.

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Glad to hear the optimism. My brother and I will be coming up to fish sunrise to sunset on Friday for the 1st time ever on the lake. We are completely self sufficeint with gear and portables and ideas BUT if any locals might be interested in tagalong or a TRIP SWAP (Mpls urban fishing or possibly upper Mississippi)feel free to send me an email at [email protected] and maybe we can work something out.

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The deeper humps in walker bay are loaded with very small walleyes, you may be able to sort out some keepers but the mortality rate is high from bringing small fish fish up out of deep water. Look to the shallower humps (24-30max) for better fish. Also shore line fish will be better quality. As for the walleyes its a morning evening bite for the most part.

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If you can find them they bite all day. I have not been targeting them. You just have to move around. They also roam so give a spot some time. The real good perch fishing isnt till march but they can be found now.

Is there a mid day perch bite? How have they been running for size?
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