Report from the Dock
It’s taking a while for traditional, fall fishing patterns to develop in most parts of the state. While minnows are turning some walleye, the majority of better walleye catches are still happening with nightcrawlers. Covering water with a spinner and crawler is still the best option, likely due to the fact that water temperatures have remained unseasonably high and walleyes are still spread out. Crappies also haven’t made a big push to deep water in many areas; they’re biting, but the vast majority remain weed-related. Start looking for them to suspend over basin areas once water temperatures start to drop a bit more. Bass, pike, and bluegills are also relating to green weeds at this point. The only real hint of fall fishing this week has occurred with muskies, which have started hitting big sucker minnows in some locations. There don’t appear to be many new ducks moving into the state, and grouse reports remain favorable.
Leech Lake Report
A jig and crawler is turning walleyes around Goose Island in 11 to 14 feet and the Annex area in 14 to 16 feet, while crawlers or a jig and minnow are producing on the mainlake reefs in 8 to 12 feet. There have been a few muskies caught on the shallow rocks, and while you will have to sort through some small perch, anglers are putting together bunches of nice fish along the north shore of Walker Bay in 9 feet.