Report from the Dock
The weather was the most dominant theme over the past week as many parts of the state experienced measurable rain and dangerous storms with strong winds. That has really stirred up the lakes in many locations, and water levels have also risen, which has added to the frustration anglers have experienced over the past week. You need to watch your surroundings, not everywhere in the state, but floating debris and no-wake designations are now in place in some areas. With that, walleye activity hasn’t changed much since last week; really, over the past few weeks statewide. Low-light periods continue to be most productive on structure or weedlines with crawlers, leeches, crankbaits, and minnows- in that order. Panfish have offered a bit more consistency as they pile up in and along green vegetation. Look for bluegills to bite throughout the day, while crappies have become more of an evening event.
Leech Lake Fishing Report
A slip bobber and leech or jig and piece of crawler is producing walleyes on the weed/sand areas 9 to 12 feet. Look to the Annex in 16 to 18 feet and the Stoney Point area in 14 to 16 feet for walleyes as well; a spinner and crawler is working best. Bucktails are raising muskies on the weedbeds in Portage Bay and rocks off Pelican Island. Pitch plastics on the 10- to 16-foot rocks for smallmouth bass, and you’ll find panfish in the 6- to 9-foot weeds in Boy Bay and Sucker Bay.