Diver hunting guides on leech/winnie

[DUCKHTR]

Looking for names and contact information for guides/resident(s) who could show me the ropes for diver hunting on Leech and Big Winnie this coming fall.  I have become very familiar with Portage Bay and Waboose Bay on Leech since buying a cabin on the lake in Federal Dam in the fall of 2009.  I have only been on Winnie a couple of days while ice fishing.  I have duck hunted different areas of Portage Bay on Leech but only early in the season prior to winterizing the cabin and heading back south (Des Moines) for the winter.  This year (2018) will be the first year that we intend to keep the cabin heated and open for use throughout the winter months, so for the first time I will be able to hang around as long as required to hit the divers arrival on these two lakes.   I have been searching the Internet without much success, trying to identify area guides who specialize in diver hunting.  If I am unable to make arrangements for a guided diver hunt I would also be interested in getting something set up with a local duck hunter familiar with diver hunting on Leech or Winnie.  We could use my boat so long as there is a decent boat ramp to launch from.  My boat sets on a bunk trailer, is an 18 footer with a 70hp outboard.  It has a permanent aluminum blind that has foam insulation and central heating as well as a four burner cook stove for a hot breakfast and lunch; very warm and comfortable.  The down side is that you have to float it off and on the trailer.  There is no backing this rig off into a ditch or trying to make use of a mud ramp where you could sink in up to the axle and still not be in enough water to float the boat.  I would greatly appreciate any information re someone in the Leech or Winnie area that I could contact.

[monstermoose78]

I just got into diver hunting and it’s a blast. I hunted Mille Lacs will be doing it again. I will ask around I know a couple duck hunters in that area.

[gunner55]

I would give Fred's Bait in Deer River and / or The Winnie Trading Post a shout. Both are on the web as well, if you'd rather send an e-mail. I'm sure they mostly deal with the area fishing but I think they know more than a few guides & may be able to at least point you in the right direction. It's at least the 2nd, maybe the 3rd generation running Fred's now.

[DUCKHTR]

Thanks guys for the information.  I will stop in at Fred's sometime this summer and say hello.

[smurfy]

Check out weezie outdoors. They guide bear, and all kind of things. I know they hunt Winnie for ducks. They also supply a dog if needed. They also do fish guiding. They have a website also.

[smurfy]

One thing I'd like to add, they live about 2 miles north of remer on hwy 6.

[Bigfatbert]

Hey there DUCKHTR . No need for a guide to hunt divers on Leech or Big Winnie . Your spots that you hunted early season on Leech will also be good spots for later season . I don't duck hunt anymore , but I used to hunt a lot on Winnie , mostly all my hunting there was on the north end Third River Flowage . Travel north from Deer River up Hwy 46 to the sign that directs you to turn left , then travel west on that gravel road for about 10-12 miles to the 3rd river boat landing . You should have no problem launching your boat there . From the landing outward is a lot of tall reeds on both sides of you  , this flowage widens out as you go farther out ,and depending on your wind direction on the day of your hunt , you can just pick and choose a spot  , all the way out , and down to Mallard Point where it really opens up to big water on Winnie . You will need to buy up 3-4 dozen Bluebill decoys , and also use your Mallard decoys you must already have . We used to have great shoots in that area of the lake . In the dark of the morning when your heading out you may have other hunters shine a flashlight your way , they are just letting you know that they are already set up in that spot , don't worry , there is plenty of room for many different hunting groups in the flowage . Once you get a few hunts below your belt , you will then have a better understanding of some of your favorite spots to set up ..  I had one particular spot we used to call the "Meat Market" because we used to kill so many ducks there in that spot . Just put out your decoys in the spot you choose , and then  pull your boat into the reeds parallel to the water , wait for legal shooting hrs , and have at it . From my recollection the Bills would start to trickle down from the north around the 20th or so of Oct .. I I hope this helps you out somewhat .

[DUCKHTR]

Thanks for the info Bigfatbert.  I have wanted to check out the Three Rivers area in the past but tried getting there by going north on the West Winnie Road.  Got into major construction and detours and never did find my way up to the area and boat ramps.  Will give it another try this month after I get back up to Federal Dam.  I have checked out the area via Google Earth and it looks like it should be a great area to hunt.  I realize that it can change from one year to the next but do you recall if the "hunting areas/spots" were generally good wading or was it putting out and picking up decoys from the boat?

[Bigfatbert]

6 hours ago, DUCKHTR said:

Thanks for the info Bigfatbert.  I have wanted to check out the Three Rivers area in the past but tried getting there by going north on the West Winnie Road.  Got into major construction and detours and never did find my way up to the area and boat ramps.  Will give it another try this month after I get back up to Federal Dam.  I have checked out the area via Google Earth and it looks like it should be a great area to hunt.  I realize that it can change from one year to the next but do you recall if the "hunting areas/spots" were generally good wading or was it putting out and picking up decoys from the boat?

It is all from your boat ,putting out in the dark In the a.m ,and then also picking up your decoys from your boat . Then you just navigate your boat into the tall reeds parallel to the open water out in front of these reeds .always remember to choose your spot according to the wind direction that day , keeping the wind to your back as you hunt . When placing out those Bluebill decoys , always try to leave a open pocket right in front of were your boat is .  Place some of your Mallard decoys closest  to the reeds .We used to run out a big long J pattern also way out into the Flowage that would attract Bills flying down the Flowage ,they would just follow that long string of Bill decoys into your set up in front of you , and then it was lights out for decoying Blue Bills , Ringbills ,Redheads , Canvasbacks , and some Mallards . If you use a dog to retrieve , then it would be time to send it out and let it find your down birds , or else just exit the reeds to use the boat to retrieve your birds or go after any cripples ,remembering that your outboard motor must be shut down if you have to use the boat , before you shoot to finish off a cripple , and the gun cased while the outboard is running , then just return to your spot in those reeds ..  Oh man oh man we used to have some fantastic days back then , probably seeing what most duck hunters these days will never see . . I’m sure you will have fun still these days though .. check it out , no guide needed , it’s a great , ducky habitat area ..  remember life jackets are needed by law .. Get em !!!

[theharvester]

Ah no case case required just unloaded.

[Bigfatbert]

1 hour ago, theharvester said:

Ah no case case required just unloaded.

Alrighty then , I guess times have changed since the 70s and 80s , my mistake .

[ColeIrene310]

Get ahold of Michael P Charwood on facebook. He is a guide out of leech lake and focuses on divers or actually any ducks that come his way. Hes a family man so try getting ahold of him on there