Report from the Dock
Mayfly hatches continue to limit walleye success on many of the state’s bigger bodies of water, but for early July, the bite is still going pretty strong in most areas. Anglers seem to be putting more effort towards the early morning and evening hours, taking advantage of these low-light periods for more consistent walleye action. Leeches and nightcrawlers on spinners, live-bait rigs, and even under floats are working best along weedlines, points, and on main lake structures in 12 to 20 feet in many locations. Muskie activity seemed to pick up a bit this week, although anglers continue to see more fish than they’re catching. Small bucktails and some topwater baits are triggering fish along established weedlines more than on rocks. Panfish continue to be weed-related and active with some fish on cabbage and others still hanging the reeds. Bass anglers are hooking fish on deeper weeds with plastics or topwater baits over the slop.
Leech Lake Report
Crawlers and leeches continue to work best for walleyes in 12 to 19 feet throughout the structure in Portage Bay and Sucker Bay. Slip bobbers and leeches are producing walleyes during low-light periods in 12 to 16 feet off Sand Point, Cedar Point, and defined weed edges. Muskies are being seen more on the cabbage in most bays rather than rocks. Panfish and bass are being found in the reeds or emerging cabbage beds throughout Boy Bay.