Leech Lake, Longville, Deer River, Grand Rapids Area Fishing Report- Wheezy Outdoors

[Wheezy Outdoors]

Walleye: Are still scattered as they are currently in transition. We were finding them in the fresh cabbage in 8’-12’ of water, as well as off the deeper structure in 18’-32’ of water. For the shallow bite we were having the best luck using a bullet sinker with a spinner rig and either a crawler of fathead on. In the deeper water and structure we using a bottom bouncer with a smiley blade rig and slow death hook tipped with a crawler. Jigs and minnows have still been producing as well, look to the rocks on windblown points. Panfish: Sunfish Can be found shallow in 4’-12’ of water on the weed flats or along the steep drops and edges of the bulrushes. Crappies can be found swimming with the Sunfish and out just a little deeper anywhere from 8’-14’ of water. A jig and live bait as well as beetle-spins has proven to be most successful. Bass: Starting to head to deeper weeds and off rock structures. Smallmouth can still be found off their spawn beds on larger bodies of water. Success can be had wiggle-worming or using a Drop-Shot rig. Largemouth are found in the reed beds, shoreline weeds, and out from shoreline structure wherever the bottom is slightly softer. Spinner Baits, Frogs, and Plastics are all working well!
Cheers Friends!
-Alice, Wheezy Outdoors

For more information reach us by phone at 218-275-7525 or email us at [email protected]

[smurfy]

Great report!! I know you guys usually hit the bigger lakes but have you heard any reports of lakes with severe winter kill?

[gunner55]

23 hours ago, smurfy said:

Great report!! I know you guys usually hit the bigger lakes but have you heard any reports of lakes with severe winter kill?

Yeah, they're  all by Talmoon.

[smurfy]

2 hours ago, gunner55 said:

Yeah, they're  all by Talmoon.

 listen bubba, i know this guide service..............i'll have'em put a bear bait in your living room!!!!!!!!!

[gunner55]

16 hours ago, smurfy said:

 listen bubba, i know this guide service..............i'll have'em put a bear bait in your living room!!!!!!!!!

But do they know you?

[smurfy]

42 minutes ago, gunner55 said:

But do they know you?

yes!!!!!!!!!

[gunner55]

5 hours ago, gunner55 said:

But do they know you?

 

4 hours ago, smurfy said:

yes!!!!!!!!!

 & admit to it?

[Wheezy Outdoors]

gunner55 hey how have you been and thanks for the response!! In our  local area there was not too many reports of such, however I know of several waters across the state that had significant die off

[Wheezy Outdoors]

Although the Northland has been about a month behind it seems from where the fish would normally be this time of year, the recent heatwave has bumped up our surface temps and the cabbage beds are getting thick, good news for us as we target the green cabbage at least 70% of the time on our trips as the heat of summer sets in and we always end up with the most plentiful bags! The cabbage provides cover, shade and holds tons of baitfish so why wouldn't fish thrive in it?

Walleye: ANYBODY’S GAME RIGHT NOW! No matter your preferred style, they’ll hit it! Walleye can be found in 13’-16’ of water or also in 24’-32’ of water pulling spinners and bottom bouncers tipped with crawlers, Lindy Rigs tipped with either crawlers or leeches, Crank Baits, pitching Shiver Minnows, or Jigging Raps have all been producing well!

Bass: Smallmouth have moved off the shallow flats now. You will find them on the rocky or gravel points, bars, and humps. Try using Drop-Shot, Carolina-Rig, or even Lindy-Rig with leeches. Largemouth are hitting Spinnerbaits in the shallows. Try working the pencil reeds, cabbage beds, or soft bottom bays.

Panfish: Crappies and Sunfish alike can be found, you guessed it, in the cabbage beds as well as off the weed lines. Using small jigs like a Clam Tungsten Drop-T, tipped with either live bait or plastics under a slip bobber, has worked quite well. If you prefer a more active method, toss small Mepps spinners or Beetle Spins.

Pike: Of course, well pulled up several of these through our efforts in targeting others. However, if it is the lurking Northern you seek, you’ll find the best luck tossing spoons such as a Dare Devil or pulling spinners over the cabbage, on the weed lines or along the shallow breaks leading to deeper water. Floating a sucker minnow under a float can be hot early morning or in the evening.

 

-Alice Wiese

 Wheezy Outdoors

[Wheezy Outdoors]

Update: I also wanted to add, as many of you know we have finally hit a major Mayfly Hatch here in the Northland. Although, it does bring forth a little bit more of a challenge, use the hatch to your advantage! The technology that we have today with down-imaging is unbelievable! If you notice a large cloud of mayflies on the graph, the fish are usually located right below them or around. Even though they are getting a belly full of bugs, you can still entice them by slowing down, using simpler presentations! 

Cheers!

— Justin & Alice Wiese, Wheezy Outdoors Guide Service 218-275-7525

[smurfy]

On 7/10/2019 at 8:51 PM, Wheezy Outdoors said:

gunner55 hey how have you been and thanks for the response!! In our  local area there was not too many reports of such, however I know of several waters across the state that had significant die off

yea so now I know how gunner gets his fish!!!!!!!!! those trips to rapids!!!!!!!!!!

[Wheezy Outdoors]

The sweltering heat, high humidity values, and intermittent thunderstorms have certainly provided some challenges for anglers but even as we enter the dogdays of summer the fish are still on the chow!

As we all know there is never any shortage of action when one sets out to target Bass. Smallmouth Bass can be found along the deep weed lines, rocks, and sunken humps. Try using a Drop-Shot Rig tipped with a Leech. Largemouth on the other hand can be found working the weeds inside and outside the lines using Tubes, Spinner Baits, and Carolina Rigs. In the early morning, try working docks, shoreline structure and swimming platforms next to sharp drop-offs.

Of course, usually by this time of year we have shifted our focus to chasing Large Slab Crappies. The weed beds are holding large numbers of both Crappies and Sunfish. Pay especially close attention to the cabbage along deeper drop-offs. Slip-Bobbers using live bait or plastics, Small Swim Baits, Spinners, Beetle Spins are all working well, these buggers have been hungry!!

The Walleye bite is also one that has yet to relinquish to the torrid, humid conditions. A lot of techniques have still been producing good numbers of fish. Anything from pulling Spinners in the weeds, Lindy Rigs, Slip-Bobbers, jigs tipped with Leeches, Crawlers or Chubs… Cranks, Shiver Minnows and the list goes on!! It really is Dealer’s Choice it seems, trolling Cranks on the mid-lake flats has been best toward the evening hours until after dark, Spinners have been enticing them during the mid-day, as well as jigging raps for the walleye found out over the deep structure.

-Cheers!

Alice Wiese

Wheezy Outdoors

218-275-7525

 

Edited July 21, 2019 by Wheezy Outdoors

[Wheezy Outdoors]

Ice conditions have varied extremely across the Northland. From smaller lakes laden with slush and heavy snow having roughly 6”-9” of ice, to larger lakes having scant snow cover and moderately fishable ice in upwards of 5”. Although ice conditions have room for improvement, the fishing has been rather exceptional. The early season Walleye bite, is never disappointing to say the least. We are finding them in 6’-12’ of water and also in 17’-28’ on area lakes, working edges of the breaks off of flats or shoreline points. Small Spoons tipped with a minnow head or jigging raps have been the best. Also, try using set-lines with a simple set up, plain hook and a Shiner or Sucker Minnow. Crappies and Bluegills have been good on smaller bodies of water over the basins and along the weedlines. Look to the inside turns or weed points, most productive baits have been tiny spoons or tungsten jigs tipped with Clam Maki Plastics or a Waxworm. As it always is, mobility has been key to staying on active fish. “Hole-Hopping” and moving around following the school has led to the best results. As I write this report the outside temp is currently -9° and with the continuing weather it is safe to say we are going to be making some serious ice this week. So, we are looking forward to the week ahead of us, as ice conditions will continue to improve and become more traversable. Of course, we still advise you to take all necessary precautions, and remember No Ice is Ever Safe Ice.

 

-Alice Wiese

Wheezy Outdoors Guide Service

218-275-7525

 

[IceHawk]

Great report keep them comeing!

[ChampionBoatGuy]

Thanks for the report, heading to the cabin close to hackensack/backus area next weekend, are all of the smaller lakes still pretty much a sloppy dangerous mess? Or has the last 7 days changed any?

[Wheezy Outdoors]

23 hours ago, ChampionBoatGuy said:

Thanks for the report, heading to the cabin close to hackensack/backus area next weekend, are all of the smaller lakes still pretty much a sloppy dangerous mess? Or has the last 7 days changed any?

 

Smaller bodies of water in the area are still sloppy and snow covered with a considerable amount of slush pockets up to 8” thick. The ice itself is varying anywhere from 4-12 inches so use extreme caution when venturing out. Sadly I don't expect much improvement either with the upcoming temperatures calling in the 30's-40's
-Alice