I fished for about 2 1/2 hours today, from 2:30 to about 5:00 p.m. The temperature was 56 degrees, almost 10 degrees warmer than yesterday, the winds were 10 mph from ESE, it was very overcast and the water temp was 57 degrees.
My excursion began at "the Birches," where I used a Northland Gum-Ball jig tipped with a Northland Slurpies Swim'N Grub (in firetiger) to catch a couple of jumbo perch, which I released, and a couple of rock bass, which I would never consider keeping. And while I'm on the topic of keeping "junk" fish such as rock bass, let me pontificate for a moment on the people who visit Leech Lake and stay at one of the many resorts that offer access to our Northern Minnesota wonderland.
Many of these "resorters" are what we who own property on the lake refer to as FIB's -- or F^*#ing Illinois, Indiana or Iowa Bastards, which is where many of these people call home. These meat-hunters are here to load up their coolers with as many fish fillets as possible with no regard to the size or species of the fish. I've seen FIB's at Birch Ridge Resort cleaning perch no bigger than 6 or 7 inches. Many FIB's think nothing of keeping 12" walleye, 18" pike, big largemouth bass (these days who eats largemouth bass for goodness sake!!) and of course, the king of junk fish, the rock bass. I know many "dock boys" and "fish cleaners" at the resorts who simply refuse to clean a rock bass. And if they do agree to clean them, it often carries a price double what they charge to clean other fish. I know, the lake is here for everyone to enjoy, but those of us who live here want to see the fishery remain healthy; and most FIB's are a disease we could live without.
Now where was I? Oh yeah. After my jigging efforts at the Birches, I started trolling from the Malays to past Second Duck Point, but landed no fish.
Friday, November 28, 2008
June 3, 2008
The temperature dropped dramically overnight and only reached a high today of 48 degrees. Winds were relatively light at 5-10 mph out of the ENE, but there was a steady rain all day.
Kathleen is in St. Cloud today visiting her mother, so I decided to lay low and spend the day working around the properties -- clearing fallen tree limbs, trimming dead tree branches, organizing the fish cleaning house, etc.
No fishing today.
Here's a photo of the "cabin," which is next door to the "house." The picture was not taken today, but it's on this property where I spent most of the day.
Kathleen is in St. Cloud today visiting her mother, so I decided to lay low and spend the day working around the properties -- clearing fallen tree limbs, trimming dead tree branches, organizing the fish cleaning house, etc.
No fishing today.
Here's a photo of the "cabin," which is next door to the "house." The picture was not taken today, but it's on this property where I spent most of the day.
June 2, 2008
With winds out of the NNE at 10-12 mph, I thought today would be a good day for drifting Sucker Bay jig fishing for walleye. The temperature during my 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. drift was 58 degrees. The water temperature had cooled slighty over the last few days to 61 degrees.
Using a Parakeet-colored Northland Gum-Ball "neon-tone" jig tipped with a 3" Gulp Alive! black leech I caught one small walleye.
The fishing was slow, but it was great to be on the lake. This was the first time this year I'd been on the lake fishing by myself. While I always enjoy fishing with others -- be it Rick or one of my many neighbors/friends -- it's nice to have some solitude on the water. It really gives me time to reflect on the world and my place in it. I don't know if I found any profound answers, but the search was very rewarding.
This evening I went trolling from the Malays to past Second Duck Point. Using my standard "hot steel" Minnow Rap, I hooked a 15 1/2" walleye, several perch, and a northern pike that was almost 30". The winds tonight were calm, the temp was 60 degrees, and the moon was 1% waning, almost a completely new moon.
Using a Parakeet-colored Northland Gum-Ball "neon-tone" jig tipped with a 3" Gulp Alive! black leech I caught one small walleye.
The fishing was slow, but it was great to be on the lake. This was the first time this year I'd been on the lake fishing by myself. While I always enjoy fishing with others -- be it Rick or one of my many neighbors/friends -- it's nice to have some solitude on the water. It really gives me time to reflect on the world and my place in it. I don't know if I found any profound answers, but the search was very rewarding.
This evening I went trolling from the Malays to past Second Duck Point. Using my standard "hot steel" Minnow Rap, I hooked a 15 1/2" walleye, several perch, and a northern pike that was almost 30". The winds tonight were calm, the temp was 60 degrees, and the moon was 1% waning, almost a completely new moon.
June 1, 2008
Kathleen and I took Rick to the Bemidji airport today so he could begin his Bemidji-to-Minneapolis-to-LA-to-Sydney-to-Brisbane trip home.
Afterward, we did some grocery shopping and other in-town errands. No fishing today.
Afterward, we did some grocery shopping and other in-town errands. No fishing today.
May 31, 2008
From 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Rick and I fished Bass Bay. We started near the "harbor" entrance just north of Paul Wagner's cabin and worked our way south toward Paulsen's. We were again using Northland Reed-Runner spinner baits. The air temperature was a very pleasant 65 degrees, the water temperature was 60 degrees, the winds were calm and the sky was mostly sunny.
On my second cast of the afternoon something strange happened -- my rod broke. I was using a Shimano Compere baitcasting rod, and when I went to cast the spinner bait the rod just snapped -- right between the second and third line guide. I have no idea why it broke. I did not contact Shimano about the incident since the rod was past its warranty period. It didn't leave a great impression on me regarding the quality of Shimano rods. Usually I use St. Croix rods, made in Park Falls, Wisconsin, for my spinning reels, and maybe I need to switch to St. Croix for my baitcasting rods as well.
I caught one largemouth bass and Rick caught three. Then we decided to head down to Second Duck Point to jig for walleye. We fished that spot for roughly an hour before heading back to the cabin. In that time, Rick caught, and released, a very nice 20" walleye and a small one under 12". Rick was using a silver flash Lindy Techni-Glo Fuzz-E-Grub tipped with a 3" Gulp Alive! black leech.
That evening we went out on the water at 9:00 p.m. and fished for about two hours. The air temp had dropped to just under 60 degrees although the water temperature had actually warmed to 62 degrees. The winds were still calm, and the moon was 13% waning. While trolling Minnow Rap crankbaits we caught and released five walleye. I had fish of 14", 15" and 23", while Rick boated 'eyes of 20" and 21". This was to be Rick's last night of fishing. On June 1, Kathleen and I drove him to the Bemidji airport so he could start his long journey home to Brisbane, Australia. See you in the Fall Rick.
On my second cast of the afternoon something strange happened -- my rod broke. I was using a Shimano Compere baitcasting rod, and when I went to cast the spinner bait the rod just snapped -- right between the second and third line guide. I have no idea why it broke. I did not contact Shimano about the incident since the rod was past its warranty period. It didn't leave a great impression on me regarding the quality of Shimano rods. Usually I use St. Croix rods, made in Park Falls, Wisconsin, for my spinning reels, and maybe I need to switch to St. Croix for my baitcasting rods as well.
I caught one largemouth bass and Rick caught three. Then we decided to head down to Second Duck Point to jig for walleye. We fished that spot for roughly an hour before heading back to the cabin. In that time, Rick caught, and released, a very nice 20" walleye and a small one under 12". Rick was using a silver flash Lindy Techni-Glo Fuzz-E-Grub tipped with a 3" Gulp Alive! black leech.
That evening we went out on the water at 9:00 p.m. and fished for about two hours. The air temp had dropped to just under 60 degrees although the water temperature had actually warmed to 62 degrees. The winds were still calm, and the moon was 13% waning. While trolling Minnow Rap crankbaits we caught and released five walleye. I had fish of 14", 15" and 23", while Rick boated 'eyes of 20" and 21". This was to be Rick's last night of fishing. On June 1, Kathleen and I drove him to the Bemidji airport so he could start his long journey home to Brisbane, Australia. See you in the Fall Rick.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
May 30, 2008
Rick and I again focused our walleye fishing tactics by trolling crankbaits near sunset. There was a light rain falling, the temperature was 60 degrees, the water temp was 57.7 degrees, and the winds were at 10 mph from the NW. There was very heavy cloud cover.
Using a purpledescent Minnow Rap, Rick caught walleyes of 12", 16", and 21". I used my old stand by, the hot steel Minnow Rap, and caught two walleyes that taped out at 12", and others at 16", 16 1/2", 20" and 23". This highlighted link will take you to an In-Fisherman video of Doug Stange and Mark Fisher casting and trolling with the Rapala Minnow Rap, which for my money is the best walleye crankbait on the market. All in all, Rick and I had another great evening of walleye fishing on Leech Lake's Sucker Bay.
Here's Rick with another nice walleye.
Using a purpledescent Minnow Rap, Rick caught walleyes of 12", 16", and 21". I used my old stand by, the hot steel Minnow Rap, and caught two walleyes that taped out at 12", and others at 16", 16 1/2", 20" and 23". This highlighted link will take you to an In-Fisherman video of Doug Stange and Mark Fisher casting and trolling with the Rapala Minnow Rap, which for my money is the best walleye crankbait on the market. All in all, Rick and I had another great evening of walleye fishing on Leech Lake's Sucker Bay.
Here's Rick with another nice walleye.
May 29, 2008
The temperture today hovered around 55 degrees all day, the winds were calm, it was overcast and the water temperature was 58 degrees. Since we were having our best luck walleye fishing when trolling crankbaits at night, Rick and I decided that today we would hang out around the cabin and concentrate our fishing efforts near sunset.
We left the dock around 6:30 p.m. and immediately started catching fish. With the sun sinking lower in the sky, the perch and pike were both biting. I caught numerous perch and a couple of medium-sized pike. Likewise, Rick caught several perch, including a "pygmy" perch that topped out at just barely 4". The perch was the same size as the Minnow Rap with which Rick was trolling.
At just after 8:00 p.m. a steady rain began to fall, and that's when the walleye turned on. Rick caught a small 'eye of about 12", and others at 17", 19" and 22". I caught a personal one-day best 10 walleye: four approximately 12", then six others at 16", 16 1/2", 17", 20", 21" and 22". As usual for us, all fish were released. In fact, if I don't mention that a fish was kept, you can rest assured that it was released unharmed.
Here's a photo of Rick (in yellow) and me (in green), each with a walleye taken this night.
We left the dock around 6:30 p.m. and immediately started catching fish. With the sun sinking lower in the sky, the perch and pike were both biting. I caught numerous perch and a couple of medium-sized pike. Likewise, Rick caught several perch, including a "pygmy" perch that topped out at just barely 4". The perch was the same size as the Minnow Rap with which Rick was trolling.
At just after 8:00 p.m. a steady rain began to fall, and that's when the walleye turned on. Rick caught a small 'eye of about 12", and others at 17", 19" and 22". I caught a personal one-day best 10 walleye: four approximately 12", then six others at 16", 16 1/2", 17", 20", 21" and 22". As usual for us, all fish were released. In fact, if I don't mention that a fish was kept, you can rest assured that it was released unharmed.
Here's a photo of Rick (in yellow) and me (in green), each with a walleye taken this night.
May 28, 2008
We worked on the cabin deck most of the day (see May 26 entry for photos), so our fishing was limited to trolling in the evening. We left the dock at 9:00 p.m. to light winds from the south, air temperatures of 56 degrees, and water temps of 60 degrees.
Rick was using his bleeding copper Minnow Rap, while I stuck to my hot color, hot steel. I caught three walleyes, a 16", a 19" and a 23 1/2". After catching a couple of small walleyes on the bleeding copper color -- a 16" and a 16 1/2" -- Rick switched to a purpledescent colored Minnow Rap and caught a couple of larger walleyes -- 17" and 23". We were back on shore by 11:00 p.m. Another great night of walleye fishing on Leech Lake.
Rick was using his bleeding copper Minnow Rap, while I stuck to my hot color, hot steel. I caught three walleyes, a 16", a 19" and a 23 1/2". After catching a couple of small walleyes on the bleeding copper color -- a 16" and a 16 1/2" -- Rick switched to a purpledescent colored Minnow Rap and caught a couple of larger walleyes -- 17" and 23". We were back on shore by 11:00 p.m. Another great night of walleye fishing on Leech Lake.
May 27, 2008
The winds today were out of NNW at 10-15 mph. The air temperature varied between 55-65 degrees throughout the day and the water temp was 56 degrees. It was a perfect day to drift for some walleye.
We worked on the cabin deck early in the day, so we didn't hit the water until nearly 2 p.m. It didn't long for us to get onto the fish at Second Duck Point. Using an 1/8 oz., Lindy Techni-Glo Fuzz-E-Grub in a silver flash color tipped with a 3" Gulp Alive! black leech, Rick caught and kept a beautiful 17" walleye.
A little over an hour later, we had switched to trolling crankbaits, and using a MR09 Rapala Minnow Rap in "bleeding copper," Rick caught another nice walleye, this one 16 1/2", and again, we kept it. Two nice 'eyes in the box which would become dinner in a day or two.
At 9:00 p.m. we went out again. The winds had died down to nearly calm, and the water temp had warmed slightly to 57 degrees. Trolling Minnow Raps (Rick using his bleeding copper color, while I opted for the hot steel) we had great success. In less than two hours Rick boated walleyes of 10", and two at 22". I caught three fish as well, a 10", a 16" and a 20". Since we already had a couple of walleye in the basket from earlier in the day, all six 'eyes were released. Heck, we're not meat hunters from the resorts.
Here I am lowering the boat into the water.
We worked on the cabin deck early in the day, so we didn't hit the water until nearly 2 p.m. It didn't long for us to get onto the fish at Second Duck Point. Using an 1/8 oz., Lindy Techni-Glo Fuzz-E-Grub in a silver flash color tipped with a 3" Gulp Alive! black leech, Rick caught and kept a beautiful 17" walleye.
A little over an hour later, we had switched to trolling crankbaits, and using a MR09 Rapala Minnow Rap in "bleeding copper," Rick caught another nice walleye, this one 16 1/2", and again, we kept it. Two nice 'eyes in the box which would become dinner in a day or two.
At 9:00 p.m. we went out again. The winds had died down to nearly calm, and the water temp had warmed slightly to 57 degrees. Trolling Minnow Raps (Rick using his bleeding copper color, while I opted for the hot steel) we had great success. In less than two hours Rick boated walleyes of 10", and two at 22". I caught three fish as well, a 10", a 16" and a 20". Since we already had a couple of walleye in the basket from earlier in the day, all six 'eyes were released. Heck, we're not meat hunters from the resorts.
Here I am lowering the boat into the water.
May 26, 2008
The weather today kept us on shore. It was roughly 55 degrees, winds 25+ mph from the NNW with rain off and on throughout the day. The bay was churning with whitecaps. Since we couldn't go fishing, Rick decided he'd rip out the old deck at the cabin and replace the rotted boards. Over the next few days, Rick would wake up early and work on the deck. Here are a few photos from the restoration project. Thank Rick, the deck looks great!!
Later in the evening, around 9:30 p.m., we did try casting crankbaits off of the dock, but had no success. Several years ago, my son Joe and I did the same thing, and caught numerous large walleye right off the dock. But with the late spring this year, the fish were probably still spawning and not in the mood to eat.
Monday, November 24, 2008
May 25, 2008
Since it was day three of Rick's visit to Leech Lake, we decided to go fishing three different times during the day.
We started at 1 p.m. and were met with light winds at 10 mph out of the south. The water temperature was 58 degrees. Our first stop was "Bass Bay, " a nickname for a cove near Third Duck Point on Sucker Bay. At this time of year the vegetation in Bass Bay is more fully developed than other parts of Sucker Bay since it is relatively shallow, about 3-5 feet, and on the north end of Sucker Bay, thus getting more sunlight throughout the day than other parts of the Bay. With warmer water and plenty of emerging weeds, bass, pike, bowfin, sunfish, bluegills, and crappie all migrate to the area to spawn and feed.
As the name Bass Bay suggests, Rick and I were targeting largemouth bass. We were casting Parakeet- and sunfish-colored Northland Reed-Runner spinner baits as close to the shoreline as we could, then reeling them back through the weeds. Rick caught 3 medium-sized largemouths and I caught two, along with a 28-inch northern pike.
Later in the day, around 3:30 p.m., we moved to Second Duck Point for some walleye fishing. I was using a 3/16 oz. Bass Pro Shops XPS Walleye jig in a lime/black hologram color tipped with a 5-inch Gulp Alive! black leech. I caught a very healthy 15 1/2" walleye, which I returned to the lake.
It was at that time that Rick and I decided on our own slot limit. You see, on Leech Lake, all walleyes between 18-26 inches must immediately be returned to the lake. You may keep four walleyes per day, only one of which can be bigger than 26". Many people, especially those who stay at the resorts, will keep a 14- 15- or 16-inch walleye. We decided that for us to keep it, the walleye had to be between 16 1/2" and 17 1/2". Not a big slot limit, to be sure, but a sporting one no doubt.
We went fishing for the third time between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Our target was walleye, and our method of fishing was trolling crankbaits. The wind had picked up some to 15-20 mph out of the southwest creating a good chop on Sucker Bay. Under a quarter moon, Rick caught two small pike and two small walleyes --10" and 12". I caught a 24" pike, but no walleye.
After coming home that night, we heard on the news that there had been a water spout on another part of the lake that afternoon. It was in the vicinity of Battle Point and Sugar Point on the southeast end of Portage Bay. Here's some footage of that bizarre weather event.
We started at 1 p.m. and were met with light winds at 10 mph out of the south. The water temperature was 58 degrees. Our first stop was "Bass Bay, " a nickname for a cove near Third Duck Point on Sucker Bay. At this time of year the vegetation in Bass Bay is more fully developed than other parts of Sucker Bay since it is relatively shallow, about 3-5 feet, and on the north end of Sucker Bay, thus getting more sunlight throughout the day than other parts of the Bay. With warmer water and plenty of emerging weeds, bass, pike, bowfin, sunfish, bluegills, and crappie all migrate to the area to spawn and feed.
As the name Bass Bay suggests, Rick and I were targeting largemouth bass. We were casting Parakeet- and sunfish-colored Northland Reed-Runner spinner baits as close to the shoreline as we could, then reeling them back through the weeds. Rick caught 3 medium-sized largemouths and I caught two, along with a 28-inch northern pike.
Later in the day, around 3:30 p.m., we moved to Second Duck Point for some walleye fishing. I was using a 3/16 oz. Bass Pro Shops XPS Walleye jig in a lime/black hologram color tipped with a 5-inch Gulp Alive! black leech. I caught a very healthy 15 1/2" walleye, which I returned to the lake.
It was at that time that Rick and I decided on our own slot limit. You see, on Leech Lake, all walleyes between 18-26 inches must immediately be returned to the lake. You may keep four walleyes per day, only one of which can be bigger than 26". Many people, especially those who stay at the resorts, will keep a 14- 15- or 16-inch walleye. We decided that for us to keep it, the walleye had to be between 16 1/2" and 17 1/2". Not a big slot limit, to be sure, but a sporting one no doubt.
We went fishing for the third time between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Our target was walleye, and our method of fishing was trolling crankbaits. The wind had picked up some to 15-20 mph out of the southwest creating a good chop on Sucker Bay. Under a quarter moon, Rick caught two small pike and two small walleyes --10" and 12". I caught a 24" pike, but no walleye.
After coming home that night, we heard on the news that there had been a water spout on another part of the lake that afternoon. It was in the vicinity of Battle Point and Sugar Point on the southeast end of Portage Bay. Here's some footage of that bizarre weather event.
Friday, November 21, 2008
2008 Open Water Season in Review, intro
I'm back in California after spending a spectacular six months at Leech Lake. I know the purpose of this blog it to provide real-time reports on fishing news from Leech Lake, but I was too busy on the lake fishing to take the time to sit in front of a computer and enter my day-to-day fishing experiences.
Luckily, I kept a written log of my time on the water -- including air temperature, water temperature, wind speed, and of course fish caught and lures used.
During the next several weeks/months, I will be posting a review of my 2008 open-water fishing experiences on Leech Lake.
Stay tuned.
Luckily, I kept a written log of my time on the water -- including air temperature, water temperature, wind speed, and of course fish caught and lures used.
During the next several weeks/months, I will be posting a review of my 2008 open-water fishing experiences on Leech Lake.
Stay tuned.
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