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Leech
Lake, Minnesota - Fishing Info
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 Leech
Lake is the third largest lake in Minnesota,
the fertile waters harbor some of the best
muskie and walleye fishing in the Midwest.
It is the source of the Leech Lake strain
of spotted muskie which has been stocked
throughout Minnesota.
Most
of the lake is within the boundaries of
both the Chippewa National Forest and the
Leech Lake Indian Reservation.
A
voluntary catch and release program is in
effect and is aimed at preserving quality
walleye fishing . It is sponsored
by the Leech Lake Chamber of Commerce, North
Star Sportsmen’s Club. Leech Lake
Association. Leach Lake Reservation
Business Committee and the Minnesota DNR.
Size
& Depth
112,835
acres with a maximum depth of 156 feet in
Walker Bay. The main basin east of Walker
Narrows has a maximum depth of 40 feet and
an average depth of 20 feet. Nearly 80 percent
of the lake is less than 35 feet deep.
Water
Source
Drainage
lake: There are a total of 19 inlets, including
Steamboat River, Kebekona River, Benedict
River, Shingobee River, Boy River, Sucker
Creek and Crooked Creek. The Leech
Lake River outlets at the dam on the northeast
side and is a tributary of the Mississippi
River.
There
is an annual winter drawdown of about 1
foot to accommodate spring run-off.
 Shoreline
Primarily
upland along the south and west sides. Large
areas of bog, swamp and marsh dominate much
of the north and east sides. Most
upland areas are moderately developed.
There are 195 miles of shoreline.
Of that total, approximately 78 miles of
rock/gravel/boulder shorelines are considered
walleye spawning habitat.
Bottom
- Glacial action created three distance
areas within Leech Lake.The bays on the
north and east sides (Sucker, Portage, Boy
and Headquarters) are generally shallow
and have gradual shoreline drop-offs.
Sand and muck are the primary bottom materials.
The main basin of Leech Lake contains most
of the major rock reefs and bars.
Areas of coarse gravel and rubble are common
and provide significant walleye spawning
habitat. Walker and Kebekona bays
have steep drop-offs to deep water. Gravel,
rubble and boulders are the significant
bottom components.
Water
Fertile
with moderate clarity. However, due
to the lake’s irregular shape and diverse
basin configuration, water clarity and temperature/oxygen
profiles vary considerably from Kebekona
and Agency bays can be almost twice as deep
as in the main basin, Portage Bay, Sucker
Bay and Trading Post Bay. these shallow
bays are exposed to more wind and wave action
making the water more turbid. Secchi
disc readings range from 5 to 13 feet throughout
the lake.
The
depth of the thermocline ranges from 30
to 48 feet. However, the shallow windswept
bays do not stratify. They remain
well mixed, having nearly uniform temperature
and oxygen levels from top to bottom.
Leech Lake is classified as a hard-water
walleye lake by the MDNR and the main basin
is considered to be mesotrophic.
 Cover
Vegetation
is abundant in sheltered bays or on shorelines
protected from the prevailing westerly winds.
Submerged varieties include large-leaf pondweed
(cabbage), coontail, milfoil and sandgrass.
Several species of emergent vegetation are
present around much of the shoreline.
Bulrush, bur reed, wild rice and cattails
are the common types.
Forage
Perch
are the primary walleye and northern pike
forage. Biologists believe that juvenile
perch comprise 90 percent of the prey fish
consumed by walleye until age two.
After that, perch account for 70 percent
of the fish in the walleye diet. Additionally,
cisco (tullibec) are an important forage
for trophy northern pike, muskie and large
walleye.
Spottail
shiner, mimic shiner, darters, and logperch
are common. Insects, such as mayfly
and midge larvae, also provide an important
food source. Rusty
crayfish are present as an established population.
Stocking
The
Leech Lake Reservation Hatchery operates
a whitefish rearing and stocking program.
Currently, tribal biologists are stocking
approximately 50,000 whitefish fingerling
annually to augment natural reproduction.
Additionally, modest state stocking of muskie
fingerling occurs as a plant-back for egg
taking activities.
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Muskie
Leech
Lake is noted throughout the Midwest for
its world class muskie fishery. Excellent
natural reproduction and good growth rates
have produced numbers of fish in the 40
inch range. Recently, a 52 pound class
muskie was caught and released. This
trophy was recognized as the second largest
ever recorded in the state. Many anglers
believe that Leech has the potential to
produce a world record. Catch-and-release
is strongly encouraged to protect this exceptional
fishery.
 Muskie
Fishing Tips
Early
season muskie action is best in the shallow
bays that develop submergent and emergent
weed growth. Headquarters, Boy, Sucker
and Steamboat bays are all excellent early
season choices. Small twitch baits,
crankbaits or jerkbaits slowly retrieved
over the developing cabbage and coontail
beds are effective at this time of year.
If the action is slow on the submergent
vegetation, move to the shoreline reed beds
and work the reed pockets and points with
surface baits, such as the small Mud Puppy,
Hawg Wobbler or Jackpot.
Areas
of submergent vegetation and the rock/gravel
reefs offer the most consistent muskie action
from mid-July through August. Shallow rocks
on the windward side of a reef can be particularly
good for large fish. Top water baits
are suggested to effectively work the shallow
rocks. Pelican Reef, Submarine Island
and the reef complex around Pelican Island
always hold good numbers of fish.
Lush growths of submergent vegetation are
found in Portage, Sucker, Agency and Walker
bays. Tandem spinnerbaits (Marv’s, M&G)
and black bucktails with prism blades, such
as Mepps Giant Killers and Buchertails,
are local favorites.
Fishing
pressure for muskie during fall is extremely
light, although it is considered by many
anglers as the best time to land a trophy.
At this time slowly troll deep-diving cisco
or perch colored crankbaits along the deep
weed edges. Weighted jerkbaits and
live suckers on quick-strike rigs also produce
when fished along the deep cabbage. By late
fall, the steep drop-offs and deep weedbeds
in Walker Bay are the top muskie locations.
Walleye
Walleye
are the dominant predator and continue to
exhibit excellent growth rates and outstanding
natural reproduction. while year class production
varies, Leech typically exhibits above average
reproduction, avoiding the “boom or bust”
years typical of most famous walleye fisheries.
Many of the fish are in the 18-21 inch range,
and Leech offers a good chance at boating
a 10 pound trophy. The lake has been
recognized as Minnesota’s most consistent
walleye fishery. Exceptional year
class production in the mid-to-late-90’s
is adding to the lake’s walleye reputation.
In fact, Minnesota biologists have recognized
that one of these walleye year classes is
the largest on record.
 Walleye
Fishing Tips
Walleye
are found tight to the rock and gravel shorelines
in early spring. Concentrate on windswept
stretches and cast small (1/16 to 1/8 ounce)
jigs and fathead minnows. Long
casts and a quiet approach are suggested
when working the clear, shallow water.
Local experts often note that walleye live
bait rigging begins and ends with shiner
minnows until early-to-mid June, depending
on the warmth of the spring season.
Jig color suggestions start with fluorescent
green, lime green, and green/orange bi-colors.
By
early summer, walleye leave the shoreline
zones and move to sand/gravel points, weedbeds,
shoreline flats and rock reefs. Slowly
backtroll a Lindy or Roach rig tipped with
a leech along the weed edges and drop-offs.
Additionally, bottom bouncer rigs are locally
popular. If the fish are difficult
to locate, try trolling perch-colored Shad
Raps along the first major break to find
active fish. Again, always fish the windward
side of points, islands and reefs.
The
deep rock humps and bars of Walker Bay turn
on during fall. Slowly backtrolling with
big redtail chubs on a slip sinker rig is
a recommended method for taking a late-season
trophy.
The
lack of wind or “walleye chop” makes Leech
Lake walleye fishing difficult, especially
if those conditions continue unabated for
several days. Local experts often
turn to evening fishing on becalmed days.
Trolling crankbaits - Shad Raps Rapalas,
Rogues - along shallow shoreline breaks
after dark will often take fish that are
virtually impossible to catch during the
daylight hours.
Ice
fishing for walleyes and perch is popular
in Walker Bay, Walker Narrows and Agency
Bay. Walleye are generally active
during low-light periods, while perch bite
well throughout the day. The majority
of walleye and perch are taken on jigging
spoons and jigs tipped with minnows.
Light jigging poles with small spinning
reels are used by a growing number of anglers.
Jigging Rapalas and Swedish Pimples work
best on active fish. If fishing is
slow, switch to a plain jig and minnow.
Northern
Pike
Northern
pike display excellent growth rates and
natural reproduction. Average size
is very good and numerous 5 to 10 pounders
are caught each year. Northern up
to 15 pounds are still available.
Catch-and-release is important to maintaining
this fishery.
Northern
Pike Fishing Tips
In
spring, northern pike are caught in many
of the same areas that hold early season
muskie. Most of the shallow weed areas,
such as Headquarters Bay, Boy Bay, Steamboat
Bay, Sucker Bay, Brevik Narrows and the
Sheep Pasture, yield good numbers of fish
throughout the year. During summer,
cast or troll spoons, in-line spinners (No.
5 Mepps), perch-colored crankbaits or large
tandem spinnerbaits on the weed edges.
If they fail to respond to artificial, switch
to a 4-6 inch sucker suspended below a bobber.
Largemouth
Bass
Leech
Lake supports an outstanding and expanding
population of largemouth bass which has
grown in angling and tournament popularity
in recent years. Quality size bass are present,
with fish in the 3-5 pound range considered
common. Sheltered bays with abundant
weed growth, such as Boy and Steamboat,
contain the greatest concentrations of fish.
Catch-and-release is significant to this
bass population, with estimates ranging
as high as 90% release rate. Leech
Lake bass are often concentrated and vulnerable
to overharvest. Smallmouth bass are
present in minor numbers, but don’t represent
a viable fishery.
Largemouth
Bass Fishing Tips
Bass
in Leech are concentrated in the shallow,
weedy bays. Steamboat, Boy Headquarters
and Leech River bays all provide the needed
habitat to hold good numbers of fish.
During spring cast 1/4-ounce white spinnerbaits
or 4-to 6-inch Texas rigged plastic worms
into the developing vegetation. As
the weeds become thicker, bass move into
the “slop” and wild rice beds. Weedless
spoons, such as Moss Bosses or Jaw-Breakers,
should be worked through the heavy cover.
Flipping or pitching a 6-inch plastic worm
or a jig n’ pig into weed openings can also
produce.
As
water temperatures drop in fall, bass stay
in the rice and reeds and can become very
active during periods of warm, stable weather.
Crappie
Crappie
are present in modest numbers, but display
above average growth rates and exceptional
average size. Fishing n the 2 pound
class are available. Most crappie
fishing occurs in early spring before the
walleye season opens. Portage, Sucker
and Steamboat Bays provide excellent early
season action.
Crappie
Fishing Tips
Early
spring crappie are attracted to the shallow
bays soon after ice-out. Slip bobber rigs
baited with small fathead minnows should
be worked over the developing weeds or tight
to reeds, docks and shoreline cover.
By late spring, crappie leave the shallows
and move to deep water. During this
period they can be difficult to locate and
are ignored by most anglers.
Perch
Perch
abundance has increased due to several years
of above-average reproduction and recruitment
in the mid-to-late 90’s. Perch over
8 inches are common and fish up to 14 inches
are available.
Panfish
 
Recent
creel surveys indicate that bluegill and
pumpkinseed angling popularity is increasing,
despite relatively small populations of
both species. However, recent surveys
indicate these panfish populations seem
to be maintaining themselves even with the
increase in angling attention.
During
the winter season, anglers have discovered
an excellent cisco fishery. The average
fish harvested is 14.1 inches long and weighs
1.1 pounds.
Eelpout
Leech
is noted for its large and abundant eelpout.
This freshwater cod is targeted in winter
during their spawning period. Fish
in the 7- to 10- pound range are considered
average.
Eelpout
Fising Tips
Leech
Lake is widely known for its winter eelpout
fishery. This freshwater cod is often
caught accidentally by walleye fishermen.
The techniques and locations that produce
walleye are also suggested for “pout”. These
fish are most active after dark when they
move onto the rock reefs and humps to spawn.
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