Report from the Dock
There was quite a bit of preparation taking place early this week statewide for the upcoming fishing opener. Minnow and leech supplies sound as if they should be much better than last year heading into opening weekend, and walleyes are expected to be shallow in most locations. Water temperatures are still relatively low or about normal for where they should be at this time of year, and with nice weather expected, everything points to a solid start to the walleye season. If for some reason walleyes are tough to locate, panfish will be a solid secondary option based on reports. While crappies and bluegills continue to move in and out of shallow water, there was a noticeable improvement and better numbers of panfish in those shallow bays, harbors, and channels this week. If they aren’t shallow, they should be just outside of the shallows and willing to move up when the sun shines. Pitch jigs with minnows or plastics under floats.
Leech Lake Report
Crappie action has improved, and fish are now being found in the harbors and shallow bays throughout the lake, with better activity when the sun is out. Pitch jigs tipped with minnows or plastics under a float in 2 to 4 feet on bright days, and look slightly deeper when it’s cloudy.