Wednesday, April 15, 2009
August 17, 2008
The temperature today was 85 degrees, the hottest it's been all summer. But like yesterday, the wind was blowing very hard, today out of SW at 15-20 mph, covering the lake with large white caps. I only saw one or two boats out on the water all day, and neither of them was me. No fishing today on Leech Lake.
August 16, 2008
Today is Melissa's last full day at Leech Lake. Tomorrow, Kathleen will drive Melissa to St. Cloud to see Grandma Coyle, then the next day it's on to the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport so Melissa can fly home to San Jose.
Today was a very windy day, with the winds initially coming from the SW at 12-18 mph, but shifting throughout the day until finally blowing at near 15 mph out of the WNW. The lake was very choppy and covered in white caps, so we decided to hang out on shore and spend time together. The temperature was a very pleasant 80 degrees, although with the wind it felt cooler. As the day wore on, the winds died down, but since it was Melissa's day at the lake, we decided to stay on shore and skip an evening of trolling for walleye.
We had BBQ chicken for dinner, one of Melissa's favorites, and then built a roaring fire in the fire pit at the cabin. We made s'mores, played ping pong and pinball in the game room, listened to the jukebox and enjoyed one more night of all of us -- Melissa, Joe, Kathleen and I -- being together at Leech Lake.
The Sucker Bay sunset as we made our way to the fire pit at the cabin.
Today was a very windy day, with the winds initially coming from the SW at 12-18 mph, but shifting throughout the day until finally blowing at near 15 mph out of the WNW. The lake was very choppy and covered in white caps, so we decided to hang out on shore and spend time together. The temperature was a very pleasant 80 degrees, although with the wind it felt cooler. As the day wore on, the winds died down, but since it was Melissa's day at the lake, we decided to stay on shore and skip an evening of trolling for walleye.
We had BBQ chicken for dinner, one of Melissa's favorites, and then built a roaring fire in the fire pit at the cabin. We made s'mores, played ping pong and pinball in the game room, listened to the jukebox and enjoyed one more night of all of us -- Melissa, Joe, Kathleen and I -- being together at Leech Lake.
The Sucker Bay sunset as we made our way to the fire pit at the cabin.
August 15, 2008 on Leech Lake
The temperature today was near 80 degrees, the sky was clear blue, the wind was nearly calm and the water temperature was between 74-75 degrees.
For the past several days the panfishing has been fantastic so I thought I'd use the exact same tactics and try to boat some perch, crappie and bluegill.
I have noticed for the past several weeks that the lack of rain has really dropped the water level of Leech Lake. I once was told by a member of the Army Corps of Engineers stationed at the Federal Dam on the far east side of Leech Lake, that on sunny days the water evaporation rate can be as high as 1/4 per day. If you figure we haven't had rain in several weeks, couple that with sunny skies and a steady wind, it's no surprise that the lake level has dropped a full 12" from early June.
The panfish bite today was much slower than it's been. I caught several small- to medium-sized perch, but no crappie or bluegill. So after fishing from 12:30 p.m to 3:00 p.m., I decided to call it a day.
For the past several days the panfishing has been fantastic so I thought I'd use the exact same tactics and try to boat some perch, crappie and bluegill.
I have noticed for the past several weeks that the lack of rain has really dropped the water level of Leech Lake. I once was told by a member of the Army Corps of Engineers stationed at the Federal Dam on the far east side of Leech Lake, that on sunny days the water evaporation rate can be as high as 1/4 per day. If you figure we haven't had rain in several weeks, couple that with sunny skies and a steady wind, it's no surprise that the lake level has dropped a full 12" from early June.
The panfish bite today was much slower than it's been. I caught several small- to medium-sized perch, but no crappie or bluegill. So after fishing from 12:30 p.m to 3:00 p.m., I decided to call it a day.
August 14, 2008 on Leech Lake
For the past several days the perch, crappie and bluegill bite has been fantastic. So again today I decided to work the weed line between our cabin and the Birches in 8-12 feet of water.
The temperature today was near 80 degrees, the skies were clear, the wind, however, had shifted, and was now blowing from the SE at 8-12 mph, a complete 180 degrees from where it was blowing yesterday. The water temperature had dropped a half a degree to 74 degrees.
I started fishing right at noon, and for the next 3 1/2 hours I let the warm summer breeze gently drift my boat from our cabin all the way to the Birches. I used the same set up that I have for the past few days, which included my Shimano Saros 1000F spinning reel, St. Croix Premier 5'6" fast action rod, and 6lb. Fireline Crystal line. On the terminal end of the set up, I had a 1/8 oz. Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jig tipped with either a 2" orange Gulp grub or 3" Gulp silver pearl minnow.
This set up led to the same results I'd had for the past several days -- numerous perch, including some jumbos, big slab crappies and plenty of bluegill, including some real bulls. With all of the great summertime panfishing going on, I've almost forgot about the walleyes that roam Leech Lake. Almost, but not quite.
The temperature today was near 80 degrees, the skies were clear, the wind, however, had shifted, and was now blowing from the SE at 8-12 mph, a complete 180 degrees from where it was blowing yesterday. The water temperature had dropped a half a degree to 74 degrees.
I started fishing right at noon, and for the next 3 1/2 hours I let the warm summer breeze gently drift my boat from our cabin all the way to the Birches. I used the same set up that I have for the past few days, which included my Shimano Saros 1000F spinning reel, St. Croix Premier 5'6" fast action rod, and 6lb. Fireline Crystal line. On the terminal end of the set up, I had a 1/8 oz. Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jig tipped with either a 2" orange Gulp grub or 3" Gulp silver pearl minnow.
This set up led to the same results I'd had for the past several days -- numerous perch, including some jumbos, big slab crappies and plenty of bluegill, including some real bulls. With all of the great summertime panfishing going on, I've almost forgot about the walleyes that roam Leech Lake. Almost, but not quite.
August 13, 2008 on Leech Lake
Today I went fishing on two separate occasions, first, from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., then later from 8:15 to 10:00 p.m.
The temperature today was warmer than it's been the past several days, hitting a high of 78 degrees. The winds were from the NW at 5-8 mph and the water temperature was 74.5 degrees.
In the afternoon I took advantage of the gentle breeze to drift from in front of Schiebe's cabin south toward Norm's cabin. I started in roughly 11 feet of water, which meant I would drift along the weed line. I used a Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jig tipped with either a 2" orange Gulp grub or a 3" pearl silver Gulp minnow. Just as yesterday, I caught numerous perch, crappie, and bluegill. A great afternoon of fishing for panfish on Leech Lake.
For my evening trip, I used my trusty trolling methodology. Using a baitcasting reel spooled with 15lb. Fireline Crystal, I tied on my favorite walleye lure the Rapala Minnow Rap in hot steel color. Trolling in 8-12 feet of water from Malay's to past Second Duck Point, I caught two nice walleye -- one 14" and the other 18 1/4". Both were released back into Leech Lake unharmed.
The temperature today was warmer than it's been the past several days, hitting a high of 78 degrees. The winds were from the NW at 5-8 mph and the water temperature was 74.5 degrees.
In the afternoon I took advantage of the gentle breeze to drift from in front of Schiebe's cabin south toward Norm's cabin. I started in roughly 11 feet of water, which meant I would drift along the weed line. I used a Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jig tipped with either a 2" orange Gulp grub or a 3" pearl silver Gulp minnow. Just as yesterday, I caught numerous perch, crappie, and bluegill. A great afternoon of fishing for panfish on Leech Lake.
For my evening trip, I used my trusty trolling methodology. Using a baitcasting reel spooled with 15lb. Fireline Crystal, I tied on my favorite walleye lure the Rapala Minnow Rap in hot steel color. Trolling in 8-12 feet of water from Malay's to past Second Duck Point, I caught two nice walleye -- one 14" and the other 18 1/4". Both were released back into Leech Lake unharmed.
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