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

[Walleye #1]

Fishing is Heating Up on Leech Lake! The last ten days on Leech Lake have begun to see a steady change in the fishing with stable weather conditions and hungry walleyes on the feed. Anglers who have been willing to change things up and stay mobile are having success throughout the lake.

The best fishing has been in Walker Bay for us. 18-30ft of water is proving to be the highlighted depth. Working over humps, shoreline breaks, and underwater points with a lindy rig and chub, leech, or nightcrawler have all produced fish. Also in the last week pitching or vertical jigging a jig with a fathead or small chub has produced well and can often times produce good multi species action. The key is to have different kinds of bait and presentations ready, because it doesn’t seem like one keeps working day in and day out. Northern Pike are on the prowl on the humps in Walker Bay, and have provided some great action and respectable size, with multiple fish between 30-38” being caught.

The Main Lake is starting to pick back up with anglers having success trolling crankbaits on West Goose Flats and Snake Pits. The evening and early morning bite is by far the best for this. IF you happen to find a pod of fish, marke them and come back later in the morning and try pitching a jig and a minnow there way. The South End of the lake is producing on the rock and gravel humps around Horseshoe Bay, Bungy Bay, near Rogers and Diamond Points. Rigging with crawlers or minnows is a great tactic here. Also try slip bobbering fish with leeches on the tops and edges of these rock structures.

Some of the best fishing is yet to come as September nears!

[hart0670]

Went out musky fishing Saturday morning from 6-11. Fished some shallow mid-lake reefs and some shoreline areas. Raised 7 fish to the boat total, including one that looked to be 50+ inches, but not a single one would bite. Had them come flying up to the lure, only to settle in behind it, follow to the boat, then slowly swim off. Frustrating, but awesome to see so many fish, and that big girl.

[BuckSutherland]

I fished leech last friday. Got a real nice batch of crappies. Put some big ones back for someone else. 7-10 FOW with a 1/8 jig and 3" white twister. Then went out and trolled for some eyes. Got 3 in a couple hours. 15,18, and a 22. Also had a handful of slimers. Probably would have done better with some wind.

[Walleye #1]

There is a good slip bobber bite going on right now in the sand of North Walker Bay, jigs tipped with minnows or leeches have been taking fish. Mounds point and and Little Hardwoods also have fish starting to show up. Evening trollers are having success pulling cranks in 5-7 feet of water near Pine Point and the West Goose Flats area. Lindy rigging creek minnows and redtails continue to produce fish in Walker bay and Agency Bay. Fish are setting up near the steeper edges of structure anywhere from 25-40 feet of water. This past week, wind was a key component as well, when the wind blew, fish definitely bit better. When it was calm, the fishing slowed down considerably.

[BuckSutherland]

Got to do some trolling Monday and Tuesday on the east side. Picked up around a dozen. 8 Very nice 18-20s and a couple overs, had a hog right up to the boat that we lost, and missed several other strikes. Very windy, but had the lake all by ourselves. Off to work.

[Walleye #1]

The Fall Bite is ON!

Well the leaves are changing colors and the Fall Bite is ON! Anglers throughout Leech Lake are reporting fairly consistent action for walleyes and a perch bite that is getting steadier by the day.

Walleyes can be found in a variety of places. On the Main Lake, Stoney Point, Duck, Little and Big Hardwoods, and the flats around Goose Island are all producing a mixed back of keeper fish as well as nice fish within in the protective slot. The best method has been either a 1/8th oz jib and a rainbow minnow or shiner or a lindy rig with a leech or crawler. When you have wind, use it to make drifts and begin honing in on the areas you are catching fish eliminating dead water. With no wind, work the areas over fan casting and working you jigs. On the South end, wind blown shoreline breaks down near Trappers Landing and Huddles have been producing walleyes as well. Look for depths of 6-11 ft to target active walleyes on the Main Lake.

Walker Bay and Agency Bay are also producing walleyes. Steep breaks, under water points, and the various humps area all producing fish. Lindy rig with a crawler or minnow have been good presentations.

The perch bite is also picking up and will only get better. The Walker Narrows as well as Goose Flats have been prime locations, pitching a 1/6th oz jig with a fat head minnow. The action can be fast and furious at times.

[Mistermojo]

Hello - Any update on the bite report on Leech? Heading up tonight to give it a go. Looking to fish over on the south east end.

Thanks,

Mojo

[Mistermojo]

Well, I tried to catch some walleye, but as usual things didn't work out so well. I fished the south shore near trappers, fished the windy side of Bear, and trolled around Big and Little Pipe at night and got skunked other than a couple of scrawny northerns.

Did manage to get into the perch both in Miller's Bay and in the Walker Narrows. Kept 6 nice ones and sorted through probably 40 or 50 little ones to keep 6. At least it was some fun action on a sunny day, until the wind kicked up.

[haleysgold]

Just got back from a week there. Caught Eyes when the wind blew. Brought home our limit and let some overs/under 15" go back in.

You got 6 nice perch? Better than we did if they were really over 10 inches. We kept about 20 - 9 inchers and really, shoulda thrown them back too.

We never had 1 perch over 10"...disappointing. Seems like the perch fishing has declined for about 3 years now.

To me, too many years of LOTS of people keeping buckets of jumbos has taken it's toll...

[Walleye #1]

Leech Lake Fishing Report

Leech Lake was busy making ice and putting out fish this past week. Ice conditions on the lake still vary, but are becoming much more consistent. On the Main Lake and out of Trappers, anglers are finding anywhere from 20-24" of good ice. Travel is very easy, just keep an eye open for cracks and pressure ridges. In Walker Bay, there is 16" of good ice in most places throughout the Bay.

In regards to fishing, it has been good. Lots of big fish being caught throughout the lake, especially in shallower water. Shoreline breaks are producing, with active walleyes coming into eat in the early morning and evening hours. Look for inside turns and weedlines in 10-16ft of water. Be sure to be stealth have your holes pre drilled before the bewitching hour starts. Tip Ups are another great way to fish for these fish, with a bigger minnow.

Otherwise reefs on the Main Lake are still producing larger amounts of fish in the slot with some nice keepers mixed in. Huddles, areas off of Pelican Island, and Olson's Reef are still producing fish. Look for areas that having been fished. Fish the edges and off of them during daylight hours, but drill holes on top and and fish them throughout the day, especially during the evening and morning bites.

In Walker Bay, fish are still getting caught on the humps, it seems the size of these fish are the smaller keepers, but also some nicer fish being caught as well. Humps topping out at 25-30ft of water seem to be the best.

We were able to get out and fish some of the local lakes in the Walker area as well for crappies and gills this past week, and had some great fishing. Found crappies and gills on the edges of the basins and in the weeds in anywhere from 12-30ft of water. Tungsten jigs, such as a Clam Drop Jig or Dingle Drop with a plastic or tipped with some Red Spikes have been the ticket. This area is full of panfish gems in the winter, so get out and explore. You may find you have the whole lake to yourself.

Tight Lines!

Leisure Outdoor Adventures

[Walleye #1]

Well it seems the cold snap has finally left us and hopefully that means the fishing gets back to being more consistent. That has been the report of late, some good days and some bad ones, especially when fishing walleyes. On the main lake, there has been good reports of a good number of walleyes being caught after dark, throughout the lake. The area off of Pine and Stoney Points has been productive as well as the Trench. The South End of the main lake is still showing some consistency on the Reefs. The rock reefs off of Pelican Island have been good as well as the reefs near Trappers Landing. Best thing to do at this point is get away from the crowd and look for areas such as other reefs, smaller rock piles, or sand/gravel transition areas and see if you can find some new and fresh ice to fish.

In Walker Bay it has been a mixed bag of walleyes, with many of them running on the smaller side. Hump hopping is your best bet, and it seems like 25-32ft of water has been the best producer for numbers. You may have to do some sorting, but the action can be good at times. Shoreline breaks and points are also producing fish, and in some instances nicer fish. The key with the shoreline breaks and fishing shallower, such as 8-15ft of water is to be set up and ready for that peak bite, too much noise can hurt your chances.

UV Buckshot spoons and flutter style spoons have been the best presentations of late and somedays a simple deadstick rod will outproduce with the spoons calling the fish in.

Have not heard much for a perch report, but that will start to change as fisherman start transitioning to that. The panfish bite in the Leech area has been great. Find a lake that doesn't get much pressure and you can really be rewarded. Do some research ahead of time using the DNR Lake Finder and Survey results to see what the lake has in it. Tungsten jigs with a plastic or euro larvae is a great presentation to start with or upsize to a small jigging spoons and you will catch both gills and crappies. Gills are still relating to weed edges and flats in 8-14ft of water and the crappies in many places are still holding near those same areas, but don't forget to fish the deeper holes that are adjacent to these weed flats or points.

Remember to be safe and use caution when on the ice. Last weekend a couple trucks went through near Sand Point. Stay away from the pressure ridge that is up that way, stay away!

Tight Lines

Leisure Outdoor Adventures

[Walleye #1]

Leech Lake Fishing Report

Feb. 2nd, 2015

Well with some warmer and more stable weather the bite was great this past weekend on Leech Lake, with reports of walleyes, perch, and pike all being caught throughout the lake. Many of our renters this weekend shared successful reports catching both perch, pike, tullibees, and walleyes in Walker Bay where our houses are rented. For example Adam Broderick and his group of buddies had a stellar three days in our rentals catching jumbo perch, pike, and eater walleyes. Check out a couple of the pictures!

For walleyes, Walker Bay, Stony Point, and the South end of the Main Lake reefs by Trappers Landing all produced a mix of both slot fish and keepers for the frying pan. In Walker Bay, working shoreline breaks has been the best bite with some days being better than others but as a whole shoreline breaks have out produced humps in regards to quality fish, maybe not necessarily numbers. The low light bites in the AM and PM have definitely still been the best windows for action. Look to 15-25 ft of water and places where there are inside turns or flats for ambush locations for these walleyes. Glow jigging spoons and jigs are still out producing more than anything else. The South end of the Main Lake is still producing bigger slot fish and some keepers, in 17-25ft of water. Depending on conditions, fishing off the edges of the reefs during the day seems to produce better than on top or on the edges and bigger profile lures and minnows seems to be the ticket of late. Have also heard some mixed reports off of some of the Points on the East end of the lake such as Battle and Diamond.

The Perch bite has also begun to pick up on parts of the lake. 10-15ft of water where you can find sand, gravel, or weed lines has been good, but also deeper mud basins found on the Main Lake are also producing some decent action. Still a lot of sorting to be had, but we had fisherman who reported some Leech Lake Jumbos up to 13” this past weekend. Be ready because they will come through in waves!

Pike are also going strong, especially on the Main Lake in Uran and Millers Bays as well as on the Reefs. Tip Ups with sucker minnows is a great way to target them and can be a fun way to get the kids involved as well.

Only a few weeks left of game fish season so get out and enjoy the ice and put a few fish on top of the ice!

Call us for the up to date report or any of your ice house rental needs, we still have openings for February.

Leisure Outdoor Adventures

1-855-LOA-HOOK

[Walleye #1]

Well it seems like Leech Lake is always changing. Reports were very mixed from last week and really depended on the day.

On the Main Lake, The night bite still continues on this side of the lake in 12-15 feet of water any of the reefs on this side are throwing out good sized keepers and even some big fish over that 26” mark. During the day anglers willing to move and cover the deep water basins are finding walleye in 28-32 feet of water using ¼- 3/8 oz jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head.

On the Walker Bay side, the bite has been up and down. The key is to still look for areas that are not getting pressured and be mobile. Staying in one spot, may produce one day, but most days hitting various humps or shoreline pieces of structure is the key. 20-35ft of water as good for off shore structure this past week and the shoreline breaks, especially in the low light periods and after dark were good some evenings. With the changes in weather patterns, down sizing may be the key to putting more fish on the ice.

Perch fishing still remains fairly quiet. Some perch are being caught in shallow water 5-10ft of water, but nothing in great numbers yet. We had our best luck in 5-8ft of water wherever we could find clumps of weeds to hold the fish there. Jigging spoons with a full minnow produced the bigger jumbos. The best fishing is yet to come for this!

Area lakes are also still pumping out good numbers of gills and crappies. Focus your efforts on the edges of the basins in 22-35ft of water for those suspended crappies. Tungsten jig packed with euro larvae or a plastic has been the ticket or even a small jigging spoon. For gills, weed flats and weed lines in 9-14ft has been fairly productive. With both species, put the auger to work and start searching for them. Small tungsten jigs with a plastic or wax worm is a tough combo to beat for those picky gills.

Still a lot of ice left. Get out there this week and enjoy the weather and time on the ice. If you are looking for a last minute day house rental for the month of February be sure to give us a call.

Leisure Outdoor Adventures

www.leisureoutdooradventures.com

1-855-LOA-HOOK

[MNBEEF]

Jason thanks for the very detailed reports. I'm heading up to leech this Thursday and was wondering if you had any info on ice thickness and snow on the ice. Will I be able to drive most places with my truck do to snow? Also if you have any perch updates that would be great too.

Thanks.

Mnbeef

[Walleye #1]

MN BEEF sorry I didn't see this until now. Was super busy last week and weekend getting ready for the Eel Pout Festival and tournament for that. Perch fishing has been spotty, but they are still to be found. Try sight fishing them in 5-9 ft of water on shallow weedy or sand flats. The area around Sand Point has been decent at times and some of the areas by 1st, 2nd, and Moors Point in Walker Bay have kicked out some nice perch. Have not heard a whole lot of reports from the Main lake except bring some auger gas and be ready to drill holes to stay on top of them.

How did you do last weekend?

[Walleye #1]

Leech Lake Fishing Report

Well the walleye season has come to a close and time to start looking at the late ice bite for perch, panfish, crappies, tullibees, and eelpout. This is one of our favorite times of year to be on the ice. The sun is higher, warmer, you can often times hole hop around and more often than not find some success.

Last weekend was the 2015 International Eel Pout Festival. Our guide service once again was in charge of the fishing tournament piece and it was a banner year for the amount of pout caught. We weighed in over 570 eelpout this year which is one of the largest amounts in quite some time. The larger pout didn’t get caught in large numbers but we weighed a lot of fish in the 3-6lb range. The winner was Calen Zubke from LaPorte, Minnesota who weighed in a 10.55lb eelpout, it was awesome to see a young angler win the grand prize. Kevin Joslyn of LaPorte, MN won the individual tonnage award with 173.97lbs and Jamie Johnson of Mentor, MN won the Puny Pout with a pout that weighed in a .20 pounds. It sounded as if the fish were caught anywhere from 15-50ft of water using big spoons tipped with two to three minnows. This is the time of year they are starting to stage for the spawn, so the best pout fishing is still ahead of us. If you are looking for a fish that will bend the rod, put up and awesome fight, and taste great give pout fishing a try this late ice.

The perch fishing is still spotty throughout the lake. Shallow sight fishing is still producing fish and the best and most concentrated perch fishing has been in the weeds as well as small holes or indentations in sand flats if you can locate them. One of the best tools to use this time of year is your power auger and underwater camera to look for these structure characteristics. Look to areas around Sand Point, weedy bays such as Miller and Uran Bay on the south end, the areas around Duck and 2nd Duck Point, and all of the sand flats around Goose Island to start your chase.

The local lakes are still producing a solid panfish bite. With the limited snow cover a lot of fish are still being caught shallow in 7-10ft of water with tungsten jigs tipped with a plastic or euro larvae. Crappies are all over it seems. Some lakes finding them in the basins, especially more concentrated numbers of fish, but some of the bigger ones are still roaming the weed flats. Try upsizing your spoon or use a Chubby Darter when targeting these bigger slabs.

Give us a call if you are looking for a late ice bite!

Tight Lines

[MNBEEF]

Again thanks for the report Jason, haven't be up yet leaving tomorrow afternoon. I read your latest full report and you said to try Miller Bay, my family cabin is on shingobee so I will definitely pound that area to see what I can find.

Thanks

Beef

[Walleye #1]

Well open water is finally here and it is time to gear up for the Walleye Opener on May 9th. Leech Lake is looking to have another banner year of fishing and May and June are two of the best months to be on the lake. With the abnormal spring we are having, the patterns should still remain similar for that early season bite on the lake. Wind blown points such as Pine, Stoney, Battle, Duck, and Sugar, and Ottertail are all great starting spots as well as the main lake sand flats around Goose Island always seem to produce fish. Pay close attention to water temperatures, fishing pressure, and conditions and should be able to catch yourself a few walleyes this spring.

When it comes to presentations it is tough to beat the most simple and effective method of a jig and minnow. 1/8oz to 1/2oz jigs, depending on depth and wind are the great starting points. With the wide variety of colors that are out there, tie on the jig you have the most confidence in. Green, chartreuse, gold, and parrot colors always seem to be great producers on the lake, but if things slow down switch up colors and even jig profile. Snap jigging, vertical jigging, and dragging jigs all produce at some point depending on the different variables.

In the mean time, get your rods rigged, boat ready, and get out and try the many great panfish lakes in the Walker area. There are so many gems. As the water gets into the upper 50s and low 60s crappies will start to move to their shallow water haunts. Tubes, plastics, small jig and a crappie minnow, and slip bobber set ups are all great ways to catch them. Look to 4-10' of water and emerging pencil reeds. This is a great time to take kids fishing because the action can be fast and furious.

Looking forward to seeing you on the water this spring.

[Deet]

Can anyone post recent water temps they've seen on Leech? If you'd include which area of the lake and the sun/cloud/wind situation at that time, that would be great. Thanks!

[Gofishleech]

water temps yesterday were right at 70 on the west side of the big lake with little wind and sunny sky's. Today there isn't much wind and its warm so the 70's will hold or rise a bit.

[Walleye #1]

Leech Lake Fishing Report

 

Well things are changing all over the lake with bugs still hatching, water temps in the mid  to low 70s, and tons of perch and minnows swimming throughout the lake.  With all of this, we have found a mixture of results with some days being excellent fishing and other days it being what I call the “walleye grind” on the lake.

 

The Main Lake Rocks are still producing fish.  Having a staggered bug hatch has helped keep this bite active.  The morning seems to be the best time to be fishing the rocks.  Pulling spinners is the best method and mixing up blade colors has been key.  Dialing in the color with the speed and you will set up a trolling program that will put fish in the boat.  With walleyes actively feeding and moving around, spinners are the ticket in covering water and finding the active schools of fish.  We have found that 1mph to 1.4mph has been the ticket in 16-20ft of water on sunny calm days and 11-14ft of water on windy days.  Annex, Submarine Island, Red Rocks, Pelican Reef, Mokey, Huddles, and West Bar have all produced fish this past week.   If spinners aren’t working, slow down by blowing up a crawler and using a lindy rig to work through the schools of fish.  

 

Wind Blown points are still producing fish if you get a steady wind from the same direction for a couple days in a row.  Depending on the conditions, you will need to cover the water column.  On a good windy day, fish are still being caught in 6-8 feet of water pulling lindy rigs with crawlers or leeches.  Stoney, Little Stoney, and Ottertail have all been good.  On calmer days, look to fish the steeper breaks in 14-18ft of water.  

 

Walker and Agency Bays are producing some fish on humps and shoreline breaks.  14-25ft of water has been the ticket pulling lindy rigs with crawlers or sucker minnows have all produced fish.  Also slip bobbering fish in and around cabbage beds or weed edges with a lively leech is also producing fish.  

 

Continue to be versatile and try fishing new water when you are out there.  Getting away from the fishing pressure like always is a major key to success.

 

Tight Lines

Leisure Outdoor Adventures

[Walleye #1]

We have hit the mid summer patterns on Leech Lake, with water temps in the mid 70s, the bug hatch finally slowing down, and the walleyes somedays can be very cooperative and others it is more of a grind.  The feeding periods are definitely smaller windows, so being in the right place at the right time is obviously the key.  

 

The Main Lake Rocks have slowed quite a bit with the bug hatches tapering off and the fish having been actively eating the last three weeks.  Focus your efforts on secondary rock reefs found off of the major well known structures.  Fish have been being caught farther down on the South end near Huddles, Variety, and Hogers Reefs trolling spinners in 12-19ft of water.  Let the wind dictate the depth you are fishing.  When the wind blew last week 11-12ft of water was the best, when it calmed down sliding out deeper in 17-19ft seemed to produced more.  Mess around with your color and bead combinations, one day last week a purple, gold, and pink blade was the best producer by far, who would have thought!  When they aren't going on the spinner bite slow down and lindy rig them with crawlers and leeches or try slip bobber fishing isolated humps or rock piles.

 

Walker Bay, Agency Bay, and Kabekona Bays are all starting to heat up.  The walleyes are relating the shoreline breaks in 14-18ft of water trolling spinners, lindy rigging with a minnow, crawler or leech are also producing. Also some fish are starting to show up on the various humps that top out from 15-30ft of water.  Seems they are favoring the edges and isolated points or shelves found on the various humps.  Also slip bobbering fishing the cabbage in Steamboat, Sucker, and Portage Bays has produced walleyes when the bite is tougher.  

 

Also this is the time of year to get the crankbaits out and troll leadcore in the basins or off of major pieces of structure as well as long lining on the flats.  

 

Pike and Musky are still relatively slow, but should start heating up here very soon with the water temps being where they are.  Try down sizing and using a smaller bucktail or twitch  bait to trigger bites.  

 

Until next week

[Walleye #1]

Well things have definitely slowed down in the past 7 days on the lake.  Fish are still being caught, but with the amount of bait that is in the water the fish aren't having to work real hard to find a meal.  For some reason, this time of July each year after all of the hatches always seems to be the "dog days of summer" on Leech Lake.  

 

Days where we have wind are still being the best producers with fish being caught in a variety of places.  Main lake rocks are still producing some fish, not nearly the amounts they were two weeks ago, but with some time and a fine tuned system of either lindy rigging, pulling spinners, or slow death in 12-20ft of water walleyes are still being put in the boat.  Variety, Hogers, Huddles, and secondary reefs off of Diamond Point for example are producing fish.  Also on the Main lake, slip bobber fishing rocky humps such as the ones found in Bungy Bay or around Big Rock Reef are a great way to catch fish in the early morning hours or evenings.  This is also the time of year to pull out the crank bait box and work the steep edges of structures and basins such as Paris Trench and the steeps breaks found by Pipe Island and Rogers Point.  

 

In Walker and Agency Bays, Walleyes are scattered between the humps and shoreline breaks.  Humps that top out at 20-30ft seem to be the best producers for larger walleyes, with some humps holding keepers.  Rigging them with chubs or leeches is proving to be the best tactic.  Four of the top five teams in the AIM tournament were focusing their efforts on these areas.  When using chubs also be prepared to catch alot of pike which is a great change up.  Try changing your leader though to a 10-14lb fluoro leader to keep from getting bitten off too much.

 

Musky fishing is starting to pick up with fish being found in the cabbage still and some fish are starting to show up on the main lake rocks.  Portage Bay, Sucker, Uran Bay, and Kabkekona have all been good for seeing and catching a few fish.

 

Another thing to take note of is the awesome fishing found outside the shorelines of Leech Lake.  There are so many great little lakes that yield exceptional bass fishing, panfish, walleye, and northern pike and are fairly easy to get into and figure out.  So if things aren't working on Leech, look at the DNR Lake Finder site and set up a day exploration.  You can hit two or three in one day.

 

Until Next Week

Jason Freed

Leisure Outdoor Adventures

[Walleye #1]

Leech Lake Fishing Report

 

Well things are definitely changing and it seems like somedays you gotta stick with the summer patterns and others you have to switch up to fall techniques.  Either way it won't be long and the pendelum will swing to the fall fishing patterns.

 

Throughout the lake, summer patterns such as trolling crankbaits and lindy rigging with crawlers, a slow death set up with crawlers, or a lindy rig with a creek chub or redtail are all producing fish.  Focusing on deeper humps, such as the ones found in Walker, Agency, and Bungy Bays are great places to rig with minnows.  Whereas working breaklines in 12-15ft of water along weed edges or sand flats with a crawler set up is the way to go to help put walleyes in the boat.  One thing to do is try different things such as using a small phelps float to put in front of the crawler or utilizing a slow death and small smile blade to cover water more quickly.  

 

The crankbait bite is still decent on those days it is warmer and the wind is less of a factor.  The areas around Hardwoods, Goose Island, Traders Bay, and some of the breaklines and edges of the rock reefs on the South end of the Main Lake.  

 

When temperatures have cooled off, a jig and a rainbow has been another way to put walleyes in the boat. Look 7-13ft of water has been the best target area with bonus jumbo perch also being mixed in.  The perch bite will continue to get better as we get into Sept. and early Oct.  

 

Musky fishing is very good right now with many fish moving and being put in the net.  Klack baits being throw into shallow reed beds as well as throwing bucktails on the Main Lake Rocks and in Portage Bay are peaking the interest of muskies. 

 

Some great fishing is still ahead!  Get out and enjoy it

 

Jason Freed

Leisure Outdoor Adventures

[Chimp]

Coming up this week. Looking for hints on the bite!   Have read past yrs reports but LOA.   So will put into play.   Thinking. Big rig chubs and jigging raps?    Any bite with slip bobbers?  ( bringing 8 yr old).    Thanks in advance.  CHiMP

[Walleye #1]

Well it was a good week on Leech Lake the last few days.  The fish are definitely on the move and somedays they are snapping and others spread out and negative.  With the winds we have been having of late the fish are congregating on the Main Lake Points and shoreline breaks.  4-8ft of water has been the best when fishing wind blown structures.  Ottertail, Little and Big Hardwoods, Five Mile, Pine Point, Little Stoney, and any wind blown shoreline that has had the wind blowing into it for a couple days have been good.  Also the fishing around Pelican Island fishing isolated rock piles by pitching a jig and minnow or slip bobber and minnow has been a great way to put a variety of walleyes in the boat.  Overall the jig and minnow bite has been the best and go to for most anglers.  

 

When fishing with a jig and minnow be sure to really dial in the cadence that is working for that day.  Whether you are snap jigging it going for the reaction bite, dragging them, pitching jigs and working them back, or just changing up the cadence from fast to slow, any of these will work on any given day depending on the factors such as wind, sun, water clarity, and frontal pressure.  

 

In bays such as Kabekona,Walker Bay, and Agency Bay walleyes have been setting up on traditional fall walleye structure.  Look to steep breaks off of points or humps in 30-40ft of water.  Lindy rigs with chubs or a jig and minnow have been decent producers.  

 

The Perch Bite has been sporadic of late, but you can still get into some good schools of fish.  We have not seen the big schools of true jumbos, but lots of 9-11" perch are being caught.  A 1/16th or 1/8th oz jig with a fathead or rainbow has been the best bet.  Look for isolate weed patches, pencil reeds, or sand spots surrounded by sand grass have been the key locations to finding these perch.

 

Have a great week

[Walleye #1]

Well it is almost the end of December and we can finally say that we are getting to that point where most folks are getting comfortable venturing out onto the ice.  Ice conditions still vary throughout Leech, but it is getting more and more stable by the day.  Walker Bay, like usual was the last to freeze over and would be the one to stay away from for a little while longer until it is safe.  In terms of the fishing report,

 

West Side of the Lake - Walleye fishing has been decent around Pine Point, Traders Bay, and Grand View Flats.  8-14' of water depending on the day seems to be the ticket.  The water was dingier to start the season, but has slowly begun to clear up and that has helped the bite.  

 

Walker Bay is slowly getting fishable.  Ice is about 6" but be careful because the BAY DID NOT FREEZE evenly.  I would stick to areas that are not far from shore, shoreline breaks or humps that are near by.  Always check the ice as you go, and this goes for anywhere on the lake.  

 

South End of the Main Lake - Millers Bay, humps around Pipe Island, Olson's reef, and the 1st shoreline breaks have all been the major places people are spending their time fishing.  The early morning and evening bites have been best in 14-16ft of water and during the day light hours when the bite slows, getting out into 20-23' of water has been the best.  

 

Tactics - Using aggressive presentations, such as rattle spoons or rattle baits, have worked to bring fish in and keep them around, but set lines are producing the best.  A glow jig or hook under a slip bobber with a fathead or shiner has been best.  When fishing shallow a tip up fished away from you on the edges or tops of reefs can be a great way to catch fish, especially bigger ones.  

 

Smaller Lakes in the area are locked up and producing panfish.  Weedy flats in 12-15ft of water have been good for cruising crappies and gills as well as fishing basins in 22-30ft of water for suspended crappies.  Tungsten jigs and plastics have been the best producers.  Pay close to attention to water clarity and what fish are eating as that should drive your presentation and color choices.  

 

Until Next Week!  Be safe and smart, there is alot of good ice fishing left this season.  Give us a call if you are looking for any guided ice fishing trips or day fish house rentals.

[Walleye #1]

Here is this week's Leech Lake Report.

 

Main Lake - The south end of the lake continues to get the most attention this past week, but rightfully so.  Many bigger walleyes are being taken on set lines or jigging presentations such as rattle or flutter style spoons with a minnow head.  Huddles and Olson's Reefs, and some of the smaller rock piles or reefs around Pipe Island are all producing a mix of eaters and bigger walleyes mixed in.  14-16 feet of water during the peak feeding periods and then sliding off deeper 18-25ft during the mid day hours.  Tip ups away from your shelter spread out on the structure are proving to be a great way to cover the water column and find active fish throughout the day.  

 

Fishing is decent on the western part of the Main Lake in Traders Bay, off Pine Point, and Grand View flats.  The bite window is short some days so it is very important to be set up and ready to go.  12-14ft of water seems to have the best bite with jigging spoons or a set line with glow jig and a shiner or rainbow.  

 

Walker Bay is getting closer each day, but we would exercise caution right now.  Their is an unevenness in the thickness of ice and therefore sticking close to the first shoreline break or humps and points that are relatively close to shore is the best bet until we get a better deep freeze.  

 

Many of the smaller lakes in the area are still producing a solid panfish bite throughout the day.  15-22ft of water seems to be the best producer with either small jigs and minnows for the suspended crappies or a jigging spoon and tungsten jig tipped with a plastic or euro larvae.  Gills are being found in 10-15' of water and using small tungsten jigs with euros or a plastic has been the best.  

 

Surely but slowly we are making ice and getting there, continue to be safe and exercise precaution when you venture out.  

 

Tight Lines Until Next Week!

[SquirrelMaster]

Can anyone post a recent update on the lake access? Thinking of taking the wheelhouse out. Any reports on the bite would be great too! 

[TheSpur]

I was out last weekend and went off of The Shores at Pine Point access, had to of been 2 feet of ice. The bite was slow for our group, but we managed to catch a few nice fish. 26" walleye and a 22" walleye. Mixed in a couple pike and 2 pout. We had 4 wheelhouses out there, so the action wasn't furious by any means.