Report from the Dock
The weather, specifically heavy rains in most parts of the state, has had a major impact on fishing this week. Generally, water levels have risen on lakes and rivers everywhere, limiting fishing opportunities in some locations, closing accesses in others, and creating no-wake requirements in select locations. Although some parts of the state saw fewer anglers going out as a result of the conditions, fishing hasn’t been that bad, even in the hardest-hit regions. Summer patterns have developed quickly, meaning deeper weeds and main-lake structure have started to produce more walleyes than shallow water. While jigs and minnows continue to produce fish, there’s been a big switch to leeches or crawlers on live bait rigs and spinner rigs or crankbaits for walleyes, which allow anglers to cover water. The majority of reports for bigger panfish and bass also indicated they’ve moved deeper, along main lake vegetation.
Leech Lake Report
Walleye reports have been light, but fishing activity has been limited for many days due to strong winds. The fish being caught are being taken with a slip bobber and leech or spinner and crawler along the 7- to 10-foot cabbage weeds in Sucker Bay and Portage Bay. There have also been some fish taken around Sand Point on the north end of Walker Bay in 11 to 15 feet. Largemouth bass and panfish continue to be caught in the 6- to 9-foot cabbage in most bays.