Leech Lake Fishing Report for September 4th, 2024
September 5, 2024
Report from the Dock
Hunters across the state’s bear range seemed to have plenty of harvest opportunities during the first few days of the bear season. Many tags have already been filled, while some people are waiting for bigger bears to approach baits. Overall, it was an exceptional start to the bear season, with many hunters reporting multiple bear sightings, that baits were getting hit regularly, and the overall harvest could eventually be much higher than last year. Reports from early season waterfowl hunters varied a bit more, although goose and teal numbers both seemed solid in most areas. Generally, hunters who took more time to scout before the season shot more birds than those who didn’t. Walleye activity remained about the same this week. Low-light periods have been best, and minnows, crawlers, and crankbaits are still the presentations of choice. Fish are being found shallow and deep. Fall patterns are slowly starting to develop.
Leech Lake Report
Cover water with a spinner and crawler on the main lake bars or 16- to 23-foot breaks in Walker Bay for walleyes. The north end of Walker Bay is also producing perch and walleyes in 7 to 9 feet on a jig and minnow. A jig and piece of crawler is turning walleyes on the flats around Goose Island in 10 to 12 feet, as is a jig and minnow on the 9-foot rocks on the south end. The 7- to 11-foot weeds in Portage Bay started giving up walleyes, perch, and a few crappies. The cabbage in Broadwater Bay is also producing muskies, while muskie reports have been best with bucktails on shallow sand rather than weeds. Waterfowl hunters seemed to shoot more geese than teal to start the season.