Leisure Outdoor Leech Lake Report for August 10th-17th

[Walleye #1]

Even though we are in the midst of whats considered the dog days of summer, Walleyes continue to feed on Leech Lake.  There has been a strong crankbait bite all over the lake right now in 8-14ft of water.  Rock piles, mid lake flats, weed/sand transition areas....you name it, the fish are there and willing to cooperate.  The best areas have been in and around the Sand Point area, Goose Island, Grand Vu Flats and the eastern rock reefs.  Look for the fish to slide from 8-11 ft during the morning to 11-14 during the afternoon.  Rapala #7 Shad Raps, Berkley Flicker Minnows and Flicker Shads have been the most productive in Crayfish, Silver or Purpledescent patterns.

 

Muskies have picked up over the course of the last couple weeks and we are seeing and hearing of more fish moving or caught each day.  As water temps rise into the upper 70's, with a chance to touch 80 degrees, these fish will becbme even more active.  Remember to be VERY responsible with these warm water fish.  Have the camera and net ready to make a quick scoop and snap a couple pictures so that the fish can be returned to the water as quick as possible.  Many fish that are mishandled or kept out of the water for too long during these warm stretches are not able to recover.  Juice bucktails, Phantom Jerkbaits and an occasional topwater has been most productive thrown over the rocks during prime times of the day.

 

Bass and panfish are also going strong in the Leech Lake area.  There are so many lakes in the area that offer whatever kind of fishing or fish you are looking for.  Stop in at Reeds and have them mark a map and send you in the right direction.  Take advantage of these last few weeks of summer as we hang on by a thread before the fall season begins!  Good Luck!