Leech Lake Fishing Report for April 17th, 2024
April 18, 2024
Report from the Dock
The warm and bright weather late last week and last weekend definitely improved the shallow-water crappie bite in many parts of the state. It took only a day or two for water temperatures to spike enough in the dark-bottom bays, harbors, channels, and shorelines for crappies and some bluegills to move into these locations. The afternoon and evening hours, when water is at its warmest, have been best. Traditional spring panfish presentations such as Flu Flus, tubes, hair jigs, wax worms, plastics, and minnows under floats are all producing crappies and a few bluegills. The heavy rain and cooler air early this week could push these fish out of the shallows, although they won’t go far. If they aren’t shallow, look for them just outside of these locations, generally still in less than 10 or 12 feet. We’re in that time of year when they’ll be moving in and out of shallow water and it’s all dictated by the weather.
Leech Lake Report
Any ice that remained went out last weekend. There have been a few boats on the lake, mostly anglers looking for perch – with limited success. Start looking to the dark-bottom bays, channels, and boat harbors off the main lake for crappies.