Report from the Dock
Ice conditions continued to improve across the entire state during the past week. With just a few exceptions, ATVs or side-by-sides are now being used and at the very least, you should find enough ice to walk on, no matter where you go. There have even been a few areas where trucks are starting to appear on some lakes, and bigger fish houses are popping up on a few water bodies.
With back-to-back years of poor ice and lake conditions, this year has started out with nothing but positive reports. Minnesota’s bait and tackle stores have been busy, anglers are excited, and based on lake activity in all areas, anglers are taking advantage of prime conditions.
While you still need to check the ice, especially on big, deep lakes (and of course those you’re unfamiliar with), the state is way ahead of the curve as far as ice thickness compared to the past two years. There was some warm weather expected this week, but hard-water observers believe it shouldn’t have a big effect on the ice.
Leech Lake Ice Fishing Report
There hasn’t been a lot of activity on this water body, but a few walleyes are being caught during the evening hours and after dark in 10 to 17 feet or 22 to 30 feet along the south shore, Bear Island area, and main-lake structure. Walker Bay is giving up a few walleyes in 14 to 18 feet, mainly on structure not far from shore. Ice depths vary from 12 to 17 inches on much of the lake, with less ice in Walker Bay. There are some cracks and ice heaves to deal with throughout the main lake; do not cross them. Trucks are being used out of some resorts so work through them for travel options heading into this weekend.