Report from the Dock
There seems to be no problem catching good numbers of bluegills and crappies across the state. Just about every report this week indicates solid panfish action — sunfish during the day and crappies each evening, along established weedlines or weed flats. As we fly through July, panfish are also what most anglers have been fishing for. But anglers after walleyes have also done well, especially considering we’re kind of in those “dog days” of summer at this point. Low-light periods have been best with three main presentations producing fish: spinners of live bait rigs with leeches and crawlers; crankbaits; and slip-bobber rigs with leeches or crawlers. Fish early and late around main lake structure or deep weedlines and you’ll catch walleyes. Largemouth and smallmouth bass remain active, but key on deeper structure for bigger fish during the day, while topwater baits are turning bass in shallow water during low light periods.
Leech Lake Report
Walleyes are being caught on Mokie’s Reef, Annex, and the rock pile east of the Trench in 13 to 18 feet on a slip bobber and leech or jig with a piece of crawler. Cover water with a Lindy rig and crawler on the north end of Walker Bay in 12 to 16 feet for walleyes. The 12-foot weed edge out from GrandVu Resort is also producing a few walleyes on a spinner and leech or jig and leech. Muskie action has picked up on the deep rocks, 12- to 15-foot weed edges, and sand flats adjacent to deep water. Largemouth bass are being caught in the rice around Minnesota Island, while a mixed bag of panfish can be had in the 8- to 12-foot cabbage in most bays.