Walleye Fishing On Leech Lake Makes a Comeback

Originally published in the Mankato (MN) Free Press.

Leech Lake Makes a Comeback

Leech Lake traditionally has been a favorite opening-day destination for walleye anglers.

But in recent years, a bit of the luster has been lost on the sprawling lake with its many bays, islands and rocky points as the walleye population fell on hard times.

For whatever reason — a real or perceived problem with unchecked cormorant populations, poor walleye recruitment and overfishing, angling success four or five years ago was poor.

Well, measures have been taken to control the cormorant population, the lake has received intensive walleye stockings, and beginning last year, a slot limit was imposed to restrict harvest.

And I’m pleased to report that Leech Lake once again is back as a walleye angler’s destination.

On Saturday morning, along with Brian Fowler of Eagle Lake, Larry McCreary of Faribault, and probably 75 other boats, I fished off of Leech Lake’s Stony Point.

It was typical weather for an opener, of course: cloudy skies, temperatures in the 40s, northwest winds whipping up a bit more than a walleye chop, and just for good measure, an occasional squall line of rain.

Just the kind of weekend weather you’d be tempted to complain about, except that you were fishing.

We began fishing at a leisurely 9 a.m. and by 9:15, had our first fish in the boat — a fat 16-incher that went right into the live well for the evening fish fry.

The imposed slot limit for Leech requires that walleye from 18 to 26 inches be released. There is a daily limit of four fish and one fish 26 inches or larger may be kept.

Fishing in 10 to 16 feet using jigs and shiners, through the course of the day, we had steady action.

And judging by all the landing nets waving in the breeze, so were most everyone else.

By 3:30 p.m., we had our 12 legal fish to ensure sufficient walleye for our supper. But the kicker really was the fish we didn’t take home.

Through the course of the day, we caught and released several dozen fish that fell into the protected slot. A few measured just a fraction over 18 inches but most were in the 24-inch range — fat, deep-colored healthy walleyes that bode well for the future of Leech Lake.

The largest fish we boated was the 26 inch-plus walleye I hooked about mid-day. While it could have been legally kept, we instead were intent on taking home some eating-sized ’eyes instead.

It was late in afternoon Saturday when the sun finally poked through the heavy cloud cover briefly and spread some welcome warmth into our chilled hands.

At about that time, Larry McCreary landed yet another slot-protected fish — this time a 25-incher.

“Isn’t it something when you start to consider big fish like this a nuisance,” he said as the big female walleye drifted back into the depths of Leech Lake.

Leech Lake is back and the future looks bright.