Report from the Dock
After the cold front last week, weather conditions stabilized a bit more and walleyes seem to be responding in most areas. Minnows are still productive, but leeches, nightcrawlers, and even crankbaits have started to produce better numbers of fish. Work the points, shorelines, and other shallow structures during low-light periods or windy conditions and slide off to the first break and main lake structure in slightly deeper water during the day or with bright, calm conditions. Weeds also have started to rapidly develop and many of the better walleye and crappie reports were coming off weed edges or weed flats this week. Largemouth and smallmouth bass, along with bluegills have remained shallow and active in most locations as they continue to go through or wrap up their annual spawning rituals. With some warm weather in the forecast for this week, expect most spawning efforts to wind down, so expect a push of bluegills and bass to the weeds and deeper structure as well. Most lakes that are kicking out walleyes are producing pike as well.
Leech Lake Report
A jig and minnow or spinner and crawler is turning walleyes in 9 to 14 feet along with the wind-driven points and shorelines in Portage Bay, north of Goose Island, Otter Tail Point, and Pine Point. There’s also some fish going in 12 to 16 feet of Pelican Reef and Gull Reef during the day. Work the points and shorelines in 8 to 12 feet for perch.