Late Sept. Report

[Walleye #1]

Well one might say one day it seems like fall is here and other days it is like July or August and at times that has seemed to confuse the fish also. The fall bite and pattern is definitely getting closer and some of those classic presentations for putting fall walleyes into the boats are starting to produce. 

 

The Jig and Minnow bite on the points, windblown shorelines, and the flats around Goose Island is starting to improve, but really depends on the day.  Some days snap jigging and moving more quickly is the key.  Using an 1/8th oz KenKatch 3D jig with a rainbow has been a good producer at times or a Northland Vegas Jig.  Jig colors will vary by the day, but gold, green, red, and blue all seem to be good colors on Leech Lake, alot just depends on sunlight and water clarity.  If the jig and minnow bite is slow, try lindy rigging with a crawler in those same areas of 8-14ft of water.  Going faster seems to help, so anywhere between .7-1MPH is best.  A slow death hook and crawler is another great option to use.  Agency Bay and Walker Bay are also producing walleyes on steep shoreline breaks in 18-30ft of water pulling live bait rigs or working the humps in 25-35ft of water with a creek chub or redtail.  

 

Some of the best fishing should come when the water temps drop down near 60 and dip into the 50s.  Enjoy the woods and water this fall!  This truly is one of the best times of the year to enjoy the outdoors in Minnesota.

[Walleye #1]

This week's Report

Things have definitely changed in the last week and it is going to be changing even more as the temps begin to drop this week.  The key last week was Shallow, Shallow, Shallow.  Anywhere from 4-7ft of water seemed to produce the best action for a variety of perch and walleyes.  The perch bite is very good right now.  A 1/16th or 1/8th oz jig with a small rainbow or fathead minnow is the best.  Look for isolated weed or sand patches, pencil reeds, or small depressions to locate these schools of fish.  Walleyes are also shallow and mixed in with the perch.  Same thing is working for them, but rainbows and golden shiners seem to be the bait of choice. 

Areas to focus on are windblown shorelines, points, and the flats.  With the SE/E winds we have had the last week the west side of the lake continues to have the best fishing from Ottertail, Hardwoods, Goose Flats, Stoney Point, and the Walker Narrows.  Millers and Boy Bays on the South end of the Main Lake have also had a solid perch bite this past week.

With the full moon phase, there has also been a good crank bait trolling bite after dark.  Trolling cranks in Portage and Sucker Bay as well as the North End of Walker Bay near Sand Point in 5-10ft of water is a great way to catch numbers and also put some big fish in the boat.  Husky Jerks, Thundersticks, or Shad Raps are all great producers.

Until next week

Leisure Outdoor Adventures