Early January Report from Leisure Outdoor Adventures

[Walleye #1]

Leech Lake was up and down this past week and with the recent cold snap things have slowed down somewhat.  The front has caused the walleyes to be less aggressive and anglers are having to really hone in on those peak periods as well as as staying mobile to stay on top of the walleye bite.  Most fish are still being caught throughout the Main Lake in 12-16 feet of water.  This has held true with reefs, shoreline breaks, as well as breaklines and points.  Many anglers are utilizing the south end access and heading out to the reefs and breaklines around Pipe and Pelican Islands where as on the west end of the Lake, Traders Bay, Stony Point, and Pine Point are all seeing action.

 

Walker Bay has a decent walleye bite, with eater fish being more prominent.  18-28ft of water on humps that are near shore as well as shoreline breaks and points.  The Ice in Walker Bay is really varying so use caution and stick close for now constantly checking and drill holes.  Ice is varying from 4-6" in some places to 11-12" in others so it is best to continue to exercise patience with the Bay.  

 

Perch fishing has been good, with better fish coming on both main lake rock-to-sand transitions, and depressions in shallow sand/weed flats. Site fishing for perch can also be a fun thing to do all winter long, especially on weed flats.  With the abundance of small perch in the system, try upsizing your presentation to combat those little perch and catch more jumbos.

 

Panfishing remains good for Crappies and Bluegills with both species showing up in typical mid-winter areas like basin edges and mid-depth soft bottom flats. Look for those dishpan style lakes to focus your efforts on.  Tungsten jigs with plastics or euro larvae as well as small jigging spoons are working for both species.  

[Walleye #1]

Well it was an up and down week on Leech Lake, and the weather didn't help matters.  With a major cold front setting in last week, it created some challenges for fisherman, but fish were still put on the ice.  

 

Main Lake

 

On the Main Lake, 12-16 feet of water is producing the best. Shoreline breaks, secondary humps and reefs, and points have all been the best producers.  Anglers are finding 12-16" of ice in most all places throughout the Main Lake and fishermen have been able to get around with atvs and sleds most any places. There are some large pressure ridges forming, so please use caution when near these.  A large heave runs from Pelican Island to Uran Bay and another from Ottertail to Pelican.  

 

Walker Bay

 

In Walker Bay, 20-30 feet of water has been the best producer.  Fishing humps, points, and shoreline breaks have all been effective in the Bay.  Ice varies from 10-15" and there is a heave that runs from First Point all the way over to Cedar Shoreline.  

 

Tactics

The cold front still had fish moving and anglers found fish cruising in and taking some long looks.  Live minnow presentations with dead sticks have been producing fish, especially convincing those lookers.  Downsizing can sometimes pay off with going to a 1/8th oz or even 1/16th oz jigging spoon at times with a minnow head.  Although, don't be afraid to mix it up and still use a aggressive jigging presentation such as a jigging rap, chubby darter, or larger spoon to provoke fish into a reaction bite.