First Open Water Report for 2016

[Walleye #1]

Well we are ice free and ready to go for open water on Leech Lake.  Water temps vary right now anywhere from 44-54 degrees depending on the location.  The shallower bays such as Steamboat, Boy, and Headquarters all have warmer temps in the low 50s where as other parts of the lake such as Walker Bay, Kabekona, and Agency have colder temps with the deeper water.

 

In terms of the bite, things are overall fairly slow.  When the weather cooperates for a few days in a row the perch bite starts to pick up in 4-7ft of water with a 1/16oz jig and a fathead or rainbow.  Dragging the jig is sometimes the key and other times a short hop or under a slip bobber.  Crappies are showing up at times in the harbors, but be aware some of them are private.  The panfish bite will definitely pick up as the water temps start to maintain themselves in the low to mid 50s.  A 1/16ox or 1/32oz jig with a crappie tube or puddle jumper under a float is a great place to start.  

 

Stay tuned for some great Walleye Opener tips in the next week or so!  

[ozzie]

What do you mean the harbors are private?  If you can navigate by boat into the area and are in water then it is public no matter what they try to tell you...at least that is my understanding by reading the rules and talking with the DNR

[Walleye #1]

Ozzie I believe you are correct, I should have been more specific and said on land vs. boat.  The big thing is to respect people's docks when in those harbors.  I have heard of some conflicts of people using peoples docks to tie up to   Thanks for the reply.