7/22/19
Fishing has improved over the past few days on Leech Lake. The yearly bug hatches are finally starting to wind Down, and the walleyes are beginning to target other food sources. Many of the walleyes in the cleaning shacks this week have had either small perch or crayfish in their stomach.
Trolling crank baits over mud to sand transition areas has been producing a good number of walleyes this week. Try trolling at 2.0-2.5 MPH in 12’-16’ of water near Red Rocks reef and Stony Point.
A Lindy rig and a leech has been producing well during low light hours on the break lines in Walker Bay. Start out in 7’-9’ of water and try to locate a school of fish. Once they are found, follow the fish deeper as the sun gets higher in the sky.
The panfish are setting up nicely along some of the weed beds on Leech Lake and the surrounding lakes. Moving along the weed lines with a 1/16th ounce jig and a panfish Leech or part of a night crawler is sure to locate a few fish. When you find them anchor near by and casting jigs or bobber rigs through the school of fish will put more in the boat.
Muskie fishing is slowly showing more and more signs of life. Anglers who are willing to work for it have been putting some nice fish in the boat. Being persistent and casting bucktails and glide baits around the cabbage beds is producing a few fish.
7/10/19
The walleye fishing on Leech Lake has been both up and down this past week. The good days have been really good with a nice mix of keepers and big fish being caught in the same areas. The areas and techniques are very similar to last week. The bug hatch is still underway, so a spinner rig and a crawler at 1.0-1.5 MPH or a Lindy rig and a crawler or leech at 0.4-0.7 MPH are great options. As usual this time of year the fish are beginning to slide out over softer bottom areas close to rocky transitions. They are constantly moving around these areas, so don’t be afraid to move around until you find them. The east side of Pelican Island, Stoney Point, and Annex reef are good places to start your search.
The multi species fishing on Leech Lake and surrounding lakes is really good right now. The shallow weedy areas are holding a lot of life right now. Lots of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and northern pike are being caught. Casting spinner baits or jerk baits around these areas areas in 3’-6’ of water is a safe bet. Panfish can be found in and around the weedy bays as well. A slip bobber and a leech or worm in 3’-12’ of water are sure to produce plenty of action for all.
Muskie fishing is just starting to take off for those chasing them. Small bucktails retrieved quickly over the cabbage weeds are turning a few of the active fish from lookers into biters. Jerk baits or glide baits are also producing a few fish as well.
