Well I'm finally here at Leech Lake. And it sure is wonderful.
I arrived in Bemidji yesterday around 4:30 p.m. CDT and went directly to Corner Sports to pick up my boat. Unfortunately, it wasn't ready. They hadn't yet fired it up to make sure it was running properly, nor had they installed new trolling motor batteries and a new starter battery. They told me they'd move it to the top of the list and get to it first thing on Wednesday (today).
So off I drove to the grocery store with no boat in tow. After loading up on supplies I headed to Leech Lake.
After unloading the groceries, turning on the well pump, and a few other "start up" activities, I opened a cold beer and started to make my way to the end of the dock to watch the sunset. As I walked out onto the dock, my neighbor John Newman called out for me to join him on his dock. I walked next door and chatted with John as the sun sank into the western horizon across Sucker Bay.
This morning, I called Corner Sports to see if my boat was ready. They told me it would be around noon before all work was complete. I decided to give them a little extra time so I didn't leave the lake until 12:30 p.m.
Once at Corner Sports I hitched the boat trailer to my truck and made the 50 minute drive back to Ottertail Peninsula. I positioned the boat at the top of my boat ramp and then walked to the end of the dock to lower the boat lift into the water so once the boat was launched, I could maneuver it onto the lift.
I hit the down switch on the lift motor and was met with a rough, grinding sound followed by a snap. The chain had come off the gears that raises the lift and in the process the clip that holds the main link of the chain to the rest of the chain snapped. There you go. Something always has to go wrong at the start of the season, it's tradition!
I called Mark at Shore Brothers, the outfit that I bought the lift from, and they'll be out either Thursday or Friday to fix it. Until then, my boat remains trailered at the top of the boat ramp.
After putting that business behind me, I went fishing with John. It was a beautiful day with temperatures in the high 60s, a steady stiff breeze out of the north at about 10 mph and mostly clear skies, with just wisps of clouds here and there.
We made several drifts at the Birches, starting in about 12 feet of water and then drifting to about 6 feet of water. We used jigs with plastic grubs, and then added a fathead for additional attractant. Since walleye opener in Minnesota isn't until Saturday, May 14, we were targeting jumbo perch. John already had about a dozen jumbos in the basket at his cabin and we were looking to add a couple more.
We each caught a few small perch, and I caught a nice jumbo which we kept. I added it John's stash.
It was my first day on the water this year and it felt great. I'm looking forward to getting my boat lift fixed so I can get my boat in the water and have the luxary of being able to fish when and where I choose. For now, however, I'm grateful that John is letting me fish with him.
The plan is to do some more perch fishing with John tomorrow afternoon after 2 p.m., weather permitting.
I'll post more tomorrow. Until then, I'm just glad to be back on Leech Lake!
Showing posts with label Minnesota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Minnesota. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Friday, July 03, 2009
July 3, 2009 -- At Leech Lake; 300th Post
I started this blog on February 20, 2005 to share my fishing experiences from Minnesota's Leech Lake with anyone who might be interested. Over the past 4 1/2 years, this blog has evolved to include my musings and observations about fishing, Leech Lake and life in general.
But at its core, this blog is still about fishing on Leech Lake. And today, before I drive down to St. Cloud to visit my mother-in-law Marge, I will make a point to get out on the lake to do some fishing and I will report my experience here in my 300th post on Fishing Leech Lake.
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The temperature this morning at 9:00 a.m. was 63 degrees. The sky was mostly sunny with some large patches of gray clouds. The wind is light at 5-8 mph from the NNE.
The Newmans left early this morning for their home in southern Minnesota, but before leaving, John put his boat in my boat lift in my harbor. I store my boat in the boat lift at the cabin because the water level at the end of the dock next door tends to stay deep enough for my boat to be easily removed from, and put back on, the boat lift.
The current water level in the lake is too low in Newman's harbor for him to get his boat on and off his lift. He was forced to use a winch, and the muscle power of his two sons, to get his boat off the lift and into the water. The water level in my harbor tends to be deeper, so John asked, and I agreed, to let him store his boat here. John plans to return to the lake next Friday.
At 11:30 a.m. I decided to go fishing. Yesterday, I had loaned my chain saw to my neighbor Don Poage so he could cut down a dead tree near his cabin. As a show of his gratitude, he purchased for me a scoop of shiners -- a valuable commodity at this time of year.
With my live well bucket of shiners I set out for 13 feet of water in front of our house and cabin. The water temperature had warmed to 71 degrees. The air temperature had also warmed to 75 degrees. It actually got very hot sitting out under the sun on the lake.
I was marking lots of fish on the Lowrance so I figured I was in a good spot. I put a shiner on my XPS lime green/black jig and dropped it into the water. Within minutes I felt a weight at the end of my line and tried to set the hook. Whatever had had my bait in its mouth was no longer there. I reeled in and discovered that my 3 1/2" shiner had been bitten clean through; only the head remained on the hook. The telltale sign of a walleye bite.
About 30 minutes later, I thought I felt another "weight" on my hook and went to set the hook. Again, nothing was there. As I reeled in my jig to check the status/health of my shiner, a 36" to 40" muskie followed my bait all the way to the side of the boat. I was wearing my polarized sunglasses, so I could easily see the big fish as it chased my shiner to within inches of the water surface. But unfortunately it never took the bait in its mouth and instead made a quick turn and headed deep out of sight.
I did manage to catch a couple of small perch, but that was it. By 1:00 p.m. the wind had all but died down, and so too did the perch bite. I decided it was time to come ashore and get ready for my trip to St. Cloud.
As I was coming up to the house, I noticed that a light breeze had started to blow again, but this time out of the SE at no more than 5 mph. If we get a couple of days of wind out of the south, the fishing should be good again by Sunday or Monday.
It's time to get ready now and head off to St. Cloud. It will be nice to see Kathleen's mom, Kathleen's sister Mary, Tim and Sandy Coyle, the St. Joseph Independence Day parade and A Prairie Home Companion, but it is always tough to leave Leech Lake.
But at its core, this blog is still about fishing on Leech Lake. And today, before I drive down to St. Cloud to visit my mother-in-law Marge, I will make a point to get out on the lake to do some fishing and I will report my experience here in my 300th post on Fishing Leech Lake.
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The temperature this morning at 9:00 a.m. was 63 degrees. The sky was mostly sunny with some large patches of gray clouds. The wind is light at 5-8 mph from the NNE.
The Newmans left early this morning for their home in southern Minnesota, but before leaving, John put his boat in my boat lift in my harbor. I store my boat in the boat lift at the cabin because the water level at the end of the dock next door tends to stay deep enough for my boat to be easily removed from, and put back on, the boat lift.
The current water level in the lake is too low in Newman's harbor for him to get his boat on and off his lift. He was forced to use a winch, and the muscle power of his two sons, to get his boat off the lift and into the water. The water level in my harbor tends to be deeper, so John asked, and I agreed, to let him store his boat here. John plans to return to the lake next Friday.
At 11:30 a.m. I decided to go fishing. Yesterday, I had loaned my chain saw to my neighbor Don Poage so he could cut down a dead tree near his cabin. As a show of his gratitude, he purchased for me a scoop of shiners -- a valuable commodity at this time of year.
With my live well bucket of shiners I set out for 13 feet of water in front of our house and cabin. The water temperature had warmed to 71 degrees. The air temperature had also warmed to 75 degrees. It actually got very hot sitting out under the sun on the lake.
I was marking lots of fish on the Lowrance so I figured I was in a good spot. I put a shiner on my XPS lime green/black jig and dropped it into the water. Within minutes I felt a weight at the end of my line and tried to set the hook. Whatever had had my bait in its mouth was no longer there. I reeled in and discovered that my 3 1/2" shiner had been bitten clean through; only the head remained on the hook. The telltale sign of a walleye bite.
About 30 minutes later, I thought I felt another "weight" on my hook and went to set the hook. Again, nothing was there. As I reeled in my jig to check the status/health of my shiner, a 36" to 40" muskie followed my bait all the way to the side of the boat. I was wearing my polarized sunglasses, so I could easily see the big fish as it chased my shiner to within inches of the water surface. But unfortunately it never took the bait in its mouth and instead made a quick turn and headed deep out of sight.
I did manage to catch a couple of small perch, but that was it. By 1:00 p.m. the wind had all but died down, and so too did the perch bite. I decided it was time to come ashore and get ready for my trip to St. Cloud.
As I was coming up to the house, I noticed that a light breeze had started to blow again, but this time out of the SE at no more than 5 mph. If we get a couple of days of wind out of the south, the fishing should be good again by Sunday or Monday.
It's time to get ready now and head off to St. Cloud. It will be nice to see Kathleen's mom, Kathleen's sister Mary, Tim and Sandy Coyle, the St. Joseph Independence Day parade and A Prairie Home Companion, but it is always tough to leave Leech Lake.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009 -- Eight Years at Leech Lake
The temperature this morning at 9:00 a.m. was 48 degrees. The wind was strong again today at 20 mph out of the NW, and the sky was overcast and gray. The only thing that suggests it's summer is that the leaves on the trees are green. By all other indications, it could be early October.
The weather, however, is not that much different than it was eight years ago -- on the last day of June 2001. That was the day that Kathleen and I signed the papers at the title company in Walker, Minnesota and became the official owners of our house on Leech Lake.
That evening, Kathleen and I sat in lawn chairs out by the lake, bundled up in sweatshirts and coats trying to stay warm against the strong wind as we watched our first sunset over Leech Lake. It was a wonderful evening and the start of many happy years for us at Leech Lake.
Since I can't go fishing, at least safely, I decided to go into Bemidji. I had to run a number of errands including picking up my newly repaired boat trailer from Corner Sports. They replaced the coupling with new style that provides visual confirmation that the trailer is secured on the hitch, as well as new safety cables and brake cable. I had no problems with it driving back to the lake. Of course the real test will come in the Fall when I take my boat back to Corner Sports for winterizing and storage.
I mentioned the problem I had with my Verado motor sputtering and then stalling, and one of the mechanics said he's had to replace the fuel float on a couple of Verados this year. I made arrangements to have a new float installed next winter.
At 4:30 p.m. the sky is still overcast and gray, the wind is blowing at 20 mph out of the NNW and the temperature is 58 degrees.
After dinner I went over to the cabin and got a fire going in the fire pit. A short time later, John, Johnny and Greg Newman stopped by. We sat around the camp fire and talked for more than two hours. When the Newmans left I stayed at the fire for another half hour or so, and finally doused the fire with a pail of lake water and came home.
Although it was too windy to fish again tonight, we all had a very nice time on the shores of Leech Lake.
The weather, however, is not that much different than it was eight years ago -- on the last day of June 2001. That was the day that Kathleen and I signed the papers at the title company in Walker, Minnesota and became the official owners of our house on Leech Lake.
That evening, Kathleen and I sat in lawn chairs out by the lake, bundled up in sweatshirts and coats trying to stay warm against the strong wind as we watched our first sunset over Leech Lake. It was a wonderful evening and the start of many happy years for us at Leech Lake.
Since I can't go fishing, at least safely, I decided to go into Bemidji. I had to run a number of errands including picking up my newly repaired boat trailer from Corner Sports. They replaced the coupling with new style that provides visual confirmation that the trailer is secured on the hitch, as well as new safety cables and brake cable. I had no problems with it driving back to the lake. Of course the real test will come in the Fall when I take my boat back to Corner Sports for winterizing and storage.
I mentioned the problem I had with my Verado motor sputtering and then stalling, and one of the mechanics said he's had to replace the fuel float on a couple of Verados this year. I made arrangements to have a new float installed next winter.
At 4:30 p.m. the sky is still overcast and gray, the wind is blowing at 20 mph out of the NNW and the temperature is 58 degrees.
After dinner I went over to the cabin and got a fire going in the fire pit. A short time later, John, Johnny and Greg Newman stopped by. We sat around the camp fire and talked for more than two hours. When the Newmans left I stayed at the fire for another half hour or so, and finally doused the fire with a pail of lake water and came home.
Although it was too windy to fish again tonight, we all had a very nice time on the shores of Leech Lake.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
June 23, 2009 -- At Leech Lake
The torential rain during the early-afternoon thunderstorm
It was near 80 degrees and the sun was shining at 9:00 a.m. this morning, but as the morning progressed it kept getting darker, and cooler. By noon, the sky was gray, overcast and was actually as dark as it is typically around 9:30 p.m. The temperature had dropped to 70 degrees.
I did a quick check of the weather on the NOAA marine station on my Uniden Atlantis 250 two-way VHF marine radio, and discovered that the National Weather Service had issued severe thunderstorm warning 497 for this part of northern Minnesota.
By 12:40 p.m. it started to rain, the wind out of the SW picked up to more than 20 mph, with gusts exceeding 30 mph according to the NOAA station. The storm was upon us. I could hear the near constant rumbling of thunder over the lake.
A large blue heron flew by with purpose, possibly on her way back to the nest to check on the safety of her chicks. The trees contorted in the wind and the white caps lashed at the rocky shoreline. Another Northwoods thunderstorm was here.
By 2:00 p.m. the sky had cleared, a gentle 8-12 mph wind was blowing from the SW and the temperature had once again warmed to 80 degrees. I heard that in the southern part of Minnesota the temperatures were in the 90s and in some parts of the state the heat index (which is the opposite of wind chill) was 115 degrees. Heat advisories had been issued in many cities in southern Minnesota.
At 3:30 p.m I decided to go fishing. I started in a spot between Duck and Second Duck Points in 8-11 feet of water. I used a jig and a fathead minnow, but caught only a couple of small perch. I relocated to Second Duck Point, but again caught only a couple of small perch.
I ended up in front of our house, and while more and bigger perch were biting, I still didn't hook any jumbos or walleyes. At 5:00 p.m. I came ashore to get dinner started.
Evening Fishing Data:
Time -- 9:15 - 10:45 p.m.
Temperature -- 70 degrees
Wind -- 8-15 mph WSW
Water temperature -- 72.9 -73.1 degrees
Locations -- Malay's to south of Second Duck Point
Water depth -- 8-10 feet
Lure -- #9 Rapala Minnow Rap
Ground speed -- 2.15 - 2.55 mph
RPM --570 - 600
Fish caught -- four rock bass, one perch, 15" walleye
Good night from Leech Lake.
Monday, June 15, 2009
June 15, 2009 -- At Leech Lake
The sunset over Sucker Bay, Leech Lake; taken from the boat
Today was the warmest it's been since my arrival in Minnesota back on May 19; the temperature hit 82 degrees. The wind was calm, with a slight breeze now and then from the south. The sky was hazy -- there were high clouds, but at the same time the sun was shining enough to where there were shadows.
At 10:30 a.m. my new refrigerator was delivered. I spent the morning cleaning it out with baking soda, per Kathleen's instructions, and then moving the food from the cabin back to the house. I still have a few more items to transfer, but I'll get to those tomorrow.After lunch I stained the door frame on the game room side of the new door that Rick installed during his recent visit. I was going to paint it white, but I found some white cedar stain that looks much better than the white paint in my estimation.
Once the door frame was stained I moved outside to paint the stairs on the side of the cabin. I had picked up some deck stain during my last trip into Bemidji, and completed that chore in about an hour or so. At this point I was dripping sweat and being eaten alive by hummingbird-sized Minnesota mosquitoes, so I decided to cool off and escape the mosquitoes with one activity -- a fast ride on the ATV.
During my ride I drove by Jerry Schiebe's place and came across quite an operation. Jerry had received a DNR permit to dredge his harbor, so there was a large front-loading shovel and dump truck removing and dumping the muck from the harbor. I stopped in to observe the work and saw Norm Hansen who was there doing the same thing. The three of us had a nice chat and then I left to continue on my ATV ride.
No sooner had I pulled out from Jerry's than I came across Noel Hancock who was driving his truck down to Schiebe's to check out the action. Heck, Jerry should have sold tickets with as many people that there were stopping by. Noel and I talked a while and I think he's going to stop by for coffee on Wednesday or Thursday.
At last I finished my ATV ride and went into the house to clean up and make some dinner. The sky is dark and it looks like it could rain, but the wind is calm and it's still warm out, so maybe later this evening I'll go trolling for walleye. I haven't been out fishing today and I have the urge to get out onto Leech Lake. I think I'll call John Newman to see if he'd like to join me on the lake.
It is 8:45 p.m. and John and I will be going out trolling in about 15 minutes. The wind is still calm, the temperature is a warm 70 degrees and the sky, while filled with clouds, does not look threatening, as if it were going to rain. It should be a beautiful sunset over Leech Lake this evening. I'll provide a full fish report when I get in later tonight.
John and I made several passes through The Alley pulling Minnow Raps in 8-11 feet of 67 degree water, but the only fish hooked were a small perch by John and a 12" walleye that I caught. Despite it being a beautiful night on the water, the walleye on this part of Sucker Bay were not biting. I'll try again tomorrow.
As was the case last night, the loons were in full voice tonight as we put the boat on the lift and came ashore. It was as if they were saying, "good night, see you again tomorrow."
Friday, June 12, 2009
June 12, 2009 -- At Leech Lake
At 10 a.m. today the sun was shining, but the sky was a bit hazy, the wind was out of the SW at 8-12 mph and the temperature was 62 degrees. I heard on the radio last night that the high temperature today was going to be 72 degrees. If that were the case, today would be the warmest it's been in more than two weeks. Maybe summer is finally arriving in the Northwoods.
Today is Rick's last full day at Leech Lake. Tomorrow I take him to the airport where he flies from Bemidji to Minneapolis to Washington D.C. After his conference ends in D.C., he's flying to Colorado to visit his sister before making the long trip home to Brisbane, Australia. I hope it's been a good visit/vacation for him.
After the pot of coffee was brewed the morning, I poured a cup and made my way out onto the dock to survey the lake. I was greeted by a flotilla of 24 fishing boats. Apparently the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tournament is being held on Leech Lake from June 10-13 and a number of the professional anglers decided that the stretch in front of my cabin is productive water (which of course it is).
I see that the leader of the tournament, a Chevy pro from Wisconsin, has a two-day weight of more than 34 lbs. for his 10 fish. That's not a bad weight at all for 10 fish. The tournament runs through Saturday afternoon, so I'm sure I'll have a number of boats in front of my house again tomorrow morning.
At 1:20 p.m. Rick and I took the boat out into 12-18 mph SW winds that created a decent chop on the lake. We started in 9-11 feet of water off Second Duck Point using jigs and shiners. Both Rick and I were using 1/4 oz. Bass Pro Shops XPS Walleye Angler Jig Heads in lime green and lime green/black tipped with spot-tail shiners (which we purchased at Froggy's Sports in Cass Lake and at Birch Ridge Resort on Leech Lake's Sucker Bay).
During the next two hours, and at least three different bouts with rain, we caught 8 small walleye between us ranging from 10" to 15", and numerous perch. All fish were released. With yet another storm front moving toward us, and this one showing some lightening and thunder, we headed to shore.
In about 30 minutes I'm going to go over to the cabin to clean the 17" walleye that's been in the basket for the past several days. I'm going to make pan-fried walleye for Rick's last dinner at Leech Lake during this visit.
As of 5:00 p.m., the wind has calmed somewhat to maybe 10 mph out of the SW and the temperature is 70 degrees. The water temperature was 62 degrees.
After our walleye dinner, Rick and I went out for one last troll for walleye before Rick leaves for Washington D.C. We got on the water around 8:45 p.m. and watched a beautiful sunset. The wind picked up during the next hour or so, and ended up at about 15 mph out of the SW. The water temperature had warmed just slightly to 62.5 degrees and the air temperature was 60 degrees.
In the north there was a very large thunderstorm system that kept us entertained all evening with spectacular lightening shows. There was a smaller thunderstorm system to the west that was also producing lightening. But directly overhead the sky was clear and stars were visible.
Unfortunately, the fishing wasn't nearly as entertaining as the lightening. We trolled #9 Minnow Raps in 8-10 feet of water from Malay's to Second Duck Point (newly dubbed "The Alley") but caught only 3 rock bass and one 16 3/4" walleye that hit Rick's purpledescent lure. At 10:45 p.m. we called it a night.
Despite the lack of walleye action, it was another beautiful night on Leech Lake.
Today is Rick's last full day at Leech Lake. Tomorrow I take him to the airport where he flies from Bemidji to Minneapolis to Washington D.C. After his conference ends in D.C., he's flying to Colorado to visit his sister before making the long trip home to Brisbane, Australia. I hope it's been a good visit/vacation for him.
After the pot of coffee was brewed the morning, I poured a cup and made my way out onto the dock to survey the lake. I was greeted by a flotilla of 24 fishing boats. Apparently the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tournament is being held on Leech Lake from June 10-13 and a number of the professional anglers decided that the stretch in front of my cabin is productive water (which of course it is).
I see that the leader of the tournament, a Chevy pro from Wisconsin, has a two-day weight of more than 34 lbs. for his 10 fish. That's not a bad weight at all for 10 fish. The tournament runs through Saturday afternoon, so I'm sure I'll have a number of boats in front of my house again tomorrow morning.
At 1:20 p.m. Rick and I took the boat out into 12-18 mph SW winds that created a decent chop on the lake. We started in 9-11 feet of water off Second Duck Point using jigs and shiners. Both Rick and I were using 1/4 oz. Bass Pro Shops XPS Walleye Angler Jig Heads in lime green and lime green/black tipped with spot-tail shiners (which we purchased at Froggy's Sports in Cass Lake and at Birch Ridge Resort on Leech Lake's Sucker Bay).
During the next two hours, and at least three different bouts with rain, we caught 8 small walleye between us ranging from 10" to 15", and numerous perch. All fish were released. With yet another storm front moving toward us, and this one showing some lightening and thunder, we headed to shore.
In about 30 minutes I'm going to go over to the cabin to clean the 17" walleye that's been in the basket for the past several days. I'm going to make pan-fried walleye for Rick's last dinner at Leech Lake during this visit.
As of 5:00 p.m., the wind has calmed somewhat to maybe 10 mph out of the SW and the temperature is 70 degrees. The water temperature was 62 degrees.
After our walleye dinner, Rick and I went out for one last troll for walleye before Rick leaves for Washington D.C. We got on the water around 8:45 p.m. and watched a beautiful sunset. The wind picked up during the next hour or so, and ended up at about 15 mph out of the SW. The water temperature had warmed just slightly to 62.5 degrees and the air temperature was 60 degrees.
In the north there was a very large thunderstorm system that kept us entertained all evening with spectacular lightening shows. There was a smaller thunderstorm system to the west that was also producing lightening. But directly overhead the sky was clear and stars were visible.
Unfortunately, the fishing wasn't nearly as entertaining as the lightening. We trolled #9 Minnow Raps in 8-10 feet of water from Malay's to Second Duck Point (newly dubbed "The Alley") but caught only 3 rock bass and one 16 3/4" walleye that hit Rick's purpledescent lure. At 10:45 p.m. we called it a night.
Despite the lack of walleye action, it was another beautiful night on Leech Lake.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
More On Leech Lake's Great Walleye Fishing
In 48 hours I'll be on a plane on my way to the Bemidji airport. From there, I'll pick up my boat and drive to our cabin on the Sucker Bay of Leech Lake. Then on Wednesday I'll put my boat in the water, and by that evening I hope to be able to post my own report on the walleye fishing at Leech Lake.
Until then, here's another report on the resurgence of Leech Lake's walleye population.
This is from TwinCities.com, the St. Paul Pioneer Press
Landing a Leech Lake lode
The walleye — and the anglers — are returning to this largely undeveloped north-central Minnesota area, where one guide says the fishing is the best it's been in years.
By Chris Niskanen
WALKER, Minn. — Even after 35 years, Jeff Woodruff hasn't lost the thrill of hooking the Minnesota state fish.
Sure, the walleye isn't a super-charged fighter like a bass, but Woodruff lives on Leech Lake, one of the finest walleye lakes in Minnesota. He may have guided his first clients in the 1970s, but Woodruff still couldn't suppress a giggle Monday when he felt a jolt at the end of his line.
"That fish just hammered that jig," Woodruff, 62, cried out, as he simultaneously reached to grab the landing net.
"He just choked on it. It is one of those good-sized ones, maybe too big to eat," he gushed.
Woodruff has a sweet swing with a landing net, like Joe Mauer belting a double up the middle, and with a flash of the nylon-webbed scooper, Woodruff had the flailing Leech Lake walleye in the boat. With a weather-cracked hand, Woodruff pinned the walleye against a metal ruler and eyeballed a piece of black tape set at 18 inches.
The fish's tail failed to touch the tape.
"Nope, that's a keeper," he said with satisfaction.
The walleye made a loud bonking sound when it hit the inside of the livewell.
PRETTY, UNCROWDED
Woodruff has seen tornadoes suck water out of Leech Lake. He's guided the wealthy and powerful. He has landed a 55-inch muskie. But it has been years since he has seen such good walleye fishing on this north-central Minnesota lake.
"We had no trouble catching a limit on the opener," Woodruff said. "A lot of guys had a limit by 10 o'clock."
With the feds continuing to control the lake's cormorant population and the Department of Natural Resources entering its fifth year of walleye restocking, Leech Lake is getting a helping hand.
I've been following the Leech Lake walleye resurgence for the past three years, so once again I marked my calendar to fish the lake on the Monday after the opener. Last year, on the same day, local bait shop owner Jack Shriver Jr. and I had fabulous walleye fishing, boating dozens of fish, so I wanted to see if I could duplicate our success.
When Woodruff and I sped out of the public landing Monday morning, headed for Star Point, it was no secret the fish were biting. Even on a weekday, more than a dozen boats drifted lazily across Star Point's shallows, with landing nets popping out of their holders with regularity.
Woodruff grew up in nearby Hackensack, the son of a lumberjack. He headed to the Twin Cities to find his fortune, but grew tired of the bustling city life and came back to Leech Lake 20 years ago when he landed a job as a fish-house operator.
Last year, he had 91 guide trips on Leech Lake and enjoyed all of them. In addition to its superior fishing, Leech Lake has another advantage, he said: miles of undeveloped shoreline. The place is just easy on the eyes, he said.
"Just look at this," Woodruff said, waving to an unending stretch of woods and wetlands. "Leech Lake is just a pretty place, with all these undeveloped points. In the fall, you can sit out here and practically watch the leaves change color. The lake's big enough, you don't ever have to sit in a crowd of boats."
HIGHS, LOWS
Woodruff almost didn't live long enough to see the walleye rebound.
A few years ago, he was driving down Woodtick Trail during the muzzleloader deer season when he had a stroke. When he finally made it out of the hospital and into physical therapy, the best he could hope for was to get around with the aid of a walker. Fishing from a boat — much less loading or unloading a trailer — was out of the question.
But there he is today, running his boat up and down the ramp and beating the waves for walleyes. His special gift, he said, is the chance to fish with his 13-year-old grandson, Ian, in a walleye-fishing tournament at the end of this month.
"That's the real bonus," he said.
Ian has learned a lot about his grandpa's fishing life because Woodruff sat down one day and wrote a 30-page book of fishing stories and gave it to the boy. Every so often, the boy calls Woodruff on the phone and asks, "Did that really happen, Grandpa?"
Woodruff has to answer "yes" every time, even to the infamous moment his dangling cigarette burned through the fishing line of a client trying to land an 8-pound walleye.
"Most embarrassing moment of my career," Woodruff said.
FISH R BITING
Possessing a GPS-like mind for Leech Lake's structure, Woodruff wasn't satisfied when things slowed on Star Point. "Let's reel up and try a new spot," he said.
Wind is a critical element of successful walleye fishing on Leech Lake, and a calm day can kill a good bite, so we kept our eyes on the sky, praying a few small storm cells would keep the water frothy and the walleyes biting.
When the walleyes weren't snapping at our rainbow dace minnows and spot-tailed shiners, the perch were hammering our baits. Some were small, but others were 9-inch keepers and a few were nearly a foot long. We were filling the livewell with yellow-flanked perch, in addition to keeper walleyes.
Regulations require anglers to throw back Leech Lake walleyes between 18 and 26 inches, and before long, we both had landed and released several walleyes over 20 inches.
One swam up to the edge of the boat and nailed my minnow as it drifted just below the surface. "Now that's a hungry walleye," Woodruff said.
He said he's satisfied the extra regulations are helping protect the lake's walleyes.
"You're able to keep about half of what you catch, which is good. When you got people paying you to take them fishing, you like to get a meal, too."
Fishing still sustains communities like Walker, even if the resort industry is about one-third the size it used to be. "I remember when there were 74 resorts on the lake, and in the chamber of commerce book this year, there are 23," Woodruff said. "Every year, we seem to lose a few more."
Resorts might succumb to the changing whims of vacationers and rising property values, but walleyes are still a draw on Leech Lake. We outraced a storm to the dock, having landed 15 walleyes, and kept a half-dozen "eaters" and a dozen fat perch.
The fishermen are returning, and Woodruff likes what he sees.
"On Sunday, the white spray was coming from all directions as boats headed back to shore and guys headed back to the city. It's good to see it again," he said.
Woodruff can be reached at 218-547-1405. His Web site is fishrbiting.com.
LEECH LAKE FISHERY AT A GLANCE
State and federal officials are taking a multipronged approached to restoring Leech Lake's walleye fishery.
Federal officials are continuing to cull double-crested cormorants from the lake, in hopes of reducing the population to 500 nesting pairs or about 1,000 individuals. This spring, there were 3,000 individual birds. It is the fifth year of such culling. Experts believe the birds eat not only walleyes but also young perch that are the mainstay of walleye diets.
This week, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources again will stock millions of fry into the lake, the fifth consecutive year of the stocking effort. The stocking continues next year, after which the agency will evaluate the effort. Managers want the lake to have self-sustaining walleye populations, as in the past.
DNR regional fisheries manager Henry Drewes said researchers may never know why Leech Lake's walleye population began to plummet in the early 1990s. He said the most important thing is that yellow perch and walleyes are recovering with cormorant numbers under control.
Until then, here's another report on the resurgence of Leech Lake's walleye population.
This is from TwinCities.com, the St. Paul Pioneer Press
Landing a Leech Lake lode
The walleye — and the anglers — are returning to this largely undeveloped north-central Minnesota area, where one guide says the fishing is the best it's been in years.
By Chris Niskanen
WALKER, Minn. — Even after 35 years, Jeff Woodruff hasn't lost the thrill of hooking the Minnesota state fish.
Sure, the walleye isn't a super-charged fighter like a bass, but Woodruff lives on Leech Lake, one of the finest walleye lakes in Minnesota. He may have guided his first clients in the 1970s, but Woodruff still couldn't suppress a giggle Monday when he felt a jolt at the end of his line.
"That fish just hammered that jig," Woodruff, 62, cried out, as he simultaneously reached to grab the landing net.
"He just choked on it. It is one of those good-sized ones, maybe too big to eat," he gushed.
Woodruff has a sweet swing with a landing net, like Joe Mauer belting a double up the middle, and with a flash of the nylon-webbed scooper, Woodruff had the flailing Leech Lake walleye in the boat. With a weather-cracked hand, Woodruff pinned the walleye against a metal ruler and eyeballed a piece of black tape set at 18 inches.
The fish's tail failed to touch the tape.
"Nope, that's a keeper," he said with satisfaction.
The walleye made a loud bonking sound when it hit the inside of the livewell.
PRETTY, UNCROWDED
Woodruff has seen tornadoes suck water out of Leech Lake. He's guided the wealthy and powerful. He has landed a 55-inch muskie. But it has been years since he has seen such good walleye fishing on this north-central Minnesota lake.
"We had no trouble catching a limit on the opener," Woodruff said. "A lot of guys had a limit by 10 o'clock."
With the feds continuing to control the lake's cormorant population and the Department of Natural Resources entering its fifth year of walleye restocking, Leech Lake is getting a helping hand.
I've been following the Leech Lake walleye resurgence for the past three years, so once again I marked my calendar to fish the lake on the Monday after the opener. Last year, on the same day, local bait shop owner Jack Shriver Jr. and I had fabulous walleye fishing, boating dozens of fish, so I wanted to see if I could duplicate our success.
When Woodruff and I sped out of the public landing Monday morning, headed for Star Point, it was no secret the fish were biting. Even on a weekday, more than a dozen boats drifted lazily across Star Point's shallows, with landing nets popping out of their holders with regularity.
Woodruff grew up in nearby Hackensack, the son of a lumberjack. He headed to the Twin Cities to find his fortune, but grew tired of the bustling city life and came back to Leech Lake 20 years ago when he landed a job as a fish-house operator.
Last year, he had 91 guide trips on Leech Lake and enjoyed all of them. In addition to its superior fishing, Leech Lake has another advantage, he said: miles of undeveloped shoreline. The place is just easy on the eyes, he said.
"Just look at this," Woodruff said, waving to an unending stretch of woods and wetlands. "Leech Lake is just a pretty place, with all these undeveloped points. In the fall, you can sit out here and practically watch the leaves change color. The lake's big enough, you don't ever have to sit in a crowd of boats."
HIGHS, LOWS
Woodruff almost didn't live long enough to see the walleye rebound.
A few years ago, he was driving down Woodtick Trail during the muzzleloader deer season when he had a stroke. When he finally made it out of the hospital and into physical therapy, the best he could hope for was to get around with the aid of a walker. Fishing from a boat — much less loading or unloading a trailer — was out of the question.
But there he is today, running his boat up and down the ramp and beating the waves for walleyes. His special gift, he said, is the chance to fish with his 13-year-old grandson, Ian, in a walleye-fishing tournament at the end of this month.
"That's the real bonus," he said.
Ian has learned a lot about his grandpa's fishing life because Woodruff sat down one day and wrote a 30-page book of fishing stories and gave it to the boy. Every so often, the boy calls Woodruff on the phone and asks, "Did that really happen, Grandpa?"
Woodruff has to answer "yes" every time, even to the infamous moment his dangling cigarette burned through the fishing line of a client trying to land an 8-pound walleye.
"Most embarrassing moment of my career," Woodruff said.
FISH R BITING
Possessing a GPS-like mind for Leech Lake's structure, Woodruff wasn't satisfied when things slowed on Star Point. "Let's reel up and try a new spot," he said.
Wind is a critical element of successful walleye fishing on Leech Lake, and a calm day can kill a good bite, so we kept our eyes on the sky, praying a few small storm cells would keep the water frothy and the walleyes biting.
When the walleyes weren't snapping at our rainbow dace minnows and spot-tailed shiners, the perch were hammering our baits. Some were small, but others were 9-inch keepers and a few were nearly a foot long. We were filling the livewell with yellow-flanked perch, in addition to keeper walleyes.
Regulations require anglers to throw back Leech Lake walleyes between 18 and 26 inches, and before long, we both had landed and released several walleyes over 20 inches.
One swam up to the edge of the boat and nailed my minnow as it drifted just below the surface. "Now that's a hungry walleye," Woodruff said.
He said he's satisfied the extra regulations are helping protect the lake's walleyes.
"You're able to keep about half of what you catch, which is good. When you got people paying you to take them fishing, you like to get a meal, too."
Fishing still sustains communities like Walker, even if the resort industry is about one-third the size it used to be. "I remember when there were 74 resorts on the lake, and in the chamber of commerce book this year, there are 23," Woodruff said. "Every year, we seem to lose a few more."
Resorts might succumb to the changing whims of vacationers and rising property values, but walleyes are still a draw on Leech Lake. We outraced a storm to the dock, having landed 15 walleyes, and kept a half-dozen "eaters" and a dozen fat perch.
The fishermen are returning, and Woodruff likes what he sees.
"On Sunday, the white spray was coming from all directions as boats headed back to shore and guys headed back to the city. It's good to see it again," he said.
Woodruff can be reached at 218-547-1405. His Web site is fishrbiting.com.
LEECH LAKE FISHERY AT A GLANCE
State and federal officials are taking a multipronged approached to restoring Leech Lake's walleye fishery.
Federal officials are continuing to cull double-crested cormorants from the lake, in hopes of reducing the population to 500 nesting pairs or about 1,000 individuals. This spring, there were 3,000 individual birds. It is the fifth year of such culling. Experts believe the birds eat not only walleyes but also young perch that are the mainstay of walleye diets.
This week, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources again will stock millions of fry into the lake, the fifth consecutive year of the stocking effort. The stocking continues next year, after which the agency will evaluate the effort. Managers want the lake to have self-sustaining walleye populations, as in the past.
DNR regional fisheries manager Henry Drewes said researchers may never know why Leech Lake's walleye population began to plummet in the early 1990s. He said the most important thing is that yellow perch and walleyes are recovering with cormorant numbers under control.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
October 7, 2008 on Leech Lake
I went fishing twice today. The first time was from noon to 2:00 p.m. I took advantage of the 5-10 mph west wind to push my boat from 12 feet of water off the Birches toward shore. This direction of the drift took me over the edge of the weed line and into the weeds near shore. At this time of year the weeds are starting to dying off, and the few healthy green weeds that remain typically hold bait fish. I figured if I fished the green weeds, this is where the predators, such as walleyes, would be staging.
The sky today was partly cloudy and the temperature was 54 degrees. The water temperature was a bit warmer at 55 degrees.
I used my standard Northland jig, silver spinner blade and Gulp minnow set up. I caught numerous perch, but no real jumbos worth keeping nor any walleyes.
Once back on shore I turned my attention to a 40-foot maple tree that had fallen on our property. I used my Stihl chain saw to cut it into 2-3 foot sections, then used my log splitter to cut it into fire wood. In the Northwoods of Minnesota, a person can never have too much firewood on hand.
Later this evening -- from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. -- I went trolling. Since my favorite hot steel-colored Minnow Rap had been destroyed by a walleye a few nights ago, I had to switch to a purpledescent Minnow Rap; similar in color to the hot steel. I trolled my usual route from Second Duck Point north to the Malay's cabin in 9-12 feet of water. I caught a very hefty 16 1/4" walleye which went into the live well of my Lund Pro-V 1800 IFS. That fish will make a nice dinner for me and Kathleen.
Another fantastic evening on Leech Lake.
The sky today was partly cloudy and the temperature was 54 degrees. The water temperature was a bit warmer at 55 degrees.
I used my standard Northland jig, silver spinner blade and Gulp minnow set up. I caught numerous perch, but no real jumbos worth keeping nor any walleyes.
Once back on shore I turned my attention to a 40-foot maple tree that had fallen on our property. I used my Stihl chain saw to cut it into 2-3 foot sections, then used my log splitter to cut it into fire wood. In the Northwoods of Minnesota, a person can never have too much firewood on hand.
Later this evening -- from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. -- I went trolling. Since my favorite hot steel-colored Minnow Rap had been destroyed by a walleye a few nights ago, I had to switch to a purpledescent Minnow Rap; similar in color to the hot steel. I trolled my usual route from Second Duck Point north to the Malay's cabin in 9-12 feet of water. I caught a very hefty 16 1/4" walleye which went into the live well of my Lund Pro-V 1800 IFS. That fish will make a nice dinner for me and Kathleen.
Another fantastic evening on Leech Lake.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
September 24, 2008 on Leech Lake
Today is Rick's last full day at Leech Lake until sometime next year. Rick would really like to have a "Leech Lake fish sandwich" for lunch tomorrow before he leaves for the aiport, which means we have to catch at least one eater-sized walleye today.
With our mission fully outlined, Rick and I fished from 8:15 to 10:00 p.m. this evening. The high temperature today was 63 degrees, the wind was out of the SW at 5-10 mph and the water temperature was 62.5 degrees.
We trolled Rapala Minnow Raps in 8-12 feet of water from Second Duck Point to the Malay's cabin. Rick caught a 23" walleye and I caught a 16 1/2" walleye which we kept. Not the best day of fishing success on Leech Lake, but we did catch the one eater-sized walleye that we had targeted.
With our mission fully outlined, Rick and I fished from 8:15 to 10:00 p.m. this evening. The high temperature today was 63 degrees, the wind was out of the SW at 5-10 mph and the water temperature was 62.5 degrees.
We trolled Rapala Minnow Raps in 8-12 feet of water from Second Duck Point to the Malay's cabin. Rick caught a 23" walleye and I caught a 16 1/2" walleye which we kept. Not the best day of fishing success on Leech Lake, but we did catch the one eater-sized walleye that we had targeted.
September 23, 2008 on Leech Lake
A view of Second Duck Point from the water.
The temperature today was 70 degrees, the wind was swirling all day long -- 5-15 mph out of the SE then 10 mph out of the SW before settling at 10 mph out of the west. The water temperature was 65 degrees.
Rick and I took a slightly different approach to our fishing today. We started at 4:00 p.m. and did some drifting for panfish, and then around 7:45 p.m., we switched to trolling for walleye.
While drifting, we caught several perch, bluegill and rock bass, but nothing really big. When we started trolling, in 10 feet of water, we were able to catch some walleye.
Trolling Minnow Raps from south of Second Duck Point to Malay's cabin, Rick caught 2 northern pike, a few rock bass and on 20" walleye. I had better luck and landed walleyes of 18", three of 20", a 21 1/2" and a of 23". All fish were released unharmed back into Leech Lake. We returned to shore at 9:00 p.m.
September 22, 2008 on Leech Lake: Autumn Equinox
At 10:44 a.m. CDT it officially became autumn in the Northwoods of Minnesota. The temperature today was a very pleasant 73 degrees, the winds were strong at 10-25 mph out of the SE and I recorded the water temperature to be 65 degrees.
Rick and I took to the boat into the rough water at 1:00 p.m. and started in 10 feet of water near Second Duck Point. We put the drift sock in the water to slow the speed of the boat and to keep it from spinning in the wind. Using 1/8 oz. Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jigs tipped with a variety of Gulp and Gulp Alive! baits we drifted for about an hour with no success.
We changed our strategy and decided to troll using Minnow Raps. With this new tactic, we caught numerous perch and we each caught a walleye. Mine walleye was 19" and Rick's measured 20 1/2". Both walleyes and all perch were released.
Later in the evening we went trolling again -- from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. -- but we caught nothing. Not even a perch. This is the first time I can remember when we were completely skunked while trolling Leech Lake.
Rick and I took to the boat into the rough water at 1:00 p.m. and started in 10 feet of water near Second Duck Point. We put the drift sock in the water to slow the speed of the boat and to keep it from spinning in the wind. Using 1/8 oz. Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jigs tipped with a variety of Gulp and Gulp Alive! baits we drifted for about an hour with no success.
We changed our strategy and decided to troll using Minnow Raps. With this new tactic, we caught numerous perch and we each caught a walleye. Mine walleye was 19" and Rick's measured 20 1/2". Both walleyes and all perch were released.
Later in the evening we went trolling again -- from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. -- but we caught nothing. Not even a perch. This is the first time I can remember when we were completely skunked while trolling Leech Lake.
Friday, April 24, 2009
September 18, 2008 on Leech Lake
The temperature today was 74 degrees, the wind was 10-15 mph out of the south and the water temperature was 64 degrees. The sky was mostly sunny.
Kathleen, Rick, Beth and I all worked on painting the cabin today, but around mid-day we took a break to take a boat ride around Sucker Bay on Leech Lake. The lake was pretty choppy, and there were white caps, but we enjoyed a trip on the lake nonetheless. I took the boat south past Duck Point, then back up Sucker Bay north to Birch Ridge Resort.
We didn't go fishing today, but we did enjoy a walleye and perch fish fry with the fish we caught over the past few days.
Me, Rick and Beth as we motor past Second Duck Point.
Kathleen, Rick, Beth and I all worked on painting the cabin today, but around mid-day we took a break to take a boat ride around Sucker Bay on Leech Lake. The lake was pretty choppy, and there were white caps, but we enjoyed a trip on the lake nonetheless. I took the boat south past Duck Point, then back up Sucker Bay north to Birch Ridge Resort.
We didn't go fishing today, but we did enjoy a walleye and perch fish fry with the fish we caught over the past few days.
Me, Rick and Beth as we motor past Second Duck Point.
September 16, 2008 on Leech Lake
Today, Kathleen, Rick and I spent a majority of the day painting the cabin. But around 7:00 p.m. we called it a day, and with the weather still being agreeable, Rick and I decided to go trolling for walleye.
The temperature today was 66 degrees, the wind was generally calm and the water temperature was 62 degrees. Rick and I fished from 7:45 to 10:00 p.m.
As has been our pattern, we trolled #9 Minnow Raps in 8-12 of water along the shore of the Otter Tail Peninsula from south of Second Duck Point to just north of the Malay's cabin.
Tonight I caught a northern pike right at sunset, and then walleyes measuring 17 1/2", 19", 20 1/2", and two at 22". Rick caught 18", 19", 20", 23", 25" and 26" walleyes. All told, we caught another eleven walleyes. All were released unharmed, with the exception of the 17 1/2" 'eye, which we decided to keep for a future fish fry.
Another great evening of walleye fishing on Leech Lake.
The temperature today was 66 degrees, the wind was generally calm and the water temperature was 62 degrees. Rick and I fished from 7:45 to 10:00 p.m.
As has been our pattern, we trolled #9 Minnow Raps in 8-12 of water along the shore of the Otter Tail Peninsula from south of Second Duck Point to just north of the Malay's cabin.
Tonight I caught a northern pike right at sunset, and then walleyes measuring 17 1/2", 19", 20 1/2", and two at 22". Rick caught 18", 19", 20", 23", 25" and 26" walleyes. All told, we caught another eleven walleyes. All were released unharmed, with the exception of the 17 1/2" 'eye, which we decided to keep for a future fish fry.
Another great evening of walleye fishing on Leech Lake.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
September 13, 2008 on Leech Lake
The temperature today hit only 60 degrees. The skies were grey and it rained pretty much all day long. The winds were out of the NW at 5-8 mph.
We stayed inside during the day, but this evening Rick and I decided to go trolling for walleye despite the rain. I pulled the boat off the lift at 7:45 p.m., and under a moon that was 97% waxing (although we couldn't see it) I maneuvered the boat into 9-11 feet of water. We let out our lines and began trolling. Rick again used a variety of colors of the #9 Minnow Rap, while I stuck to my favorite, the hot steel color.
I trolled from south of Second Duck Point to north of Malay's cabin, but not as far as Norm's cabin. I stayed in 9-12 feet of water and kept my Mercury Verado steady at 580 rpm thanks to the SmartCraft controls.
During the next 2 hours and 15 minutes, Rick and I caught eight walleyes between us. I caught 2 15" and one 18" walleye, and Rick caught walleyes of 14", 17", 18", 23" and 24". All fish were released back into Leech Lake unharmed.
We stayed inside during the day, but this evening Rick and I decided to go trolling for walleye despite the rain. I pulled the boat off the lift at 7:45 p.m., and under a moon that was 97% waxing (although we couldn't see it) I maneuvered the boat into 9-11 feet of water. We let out our lines and began trolling. Rick again used a variety of colors of the #9 Minnow Rap, while I stuck to my favorite, the hot steel color.
I trolled from south of Second Duck Point to north of Malay's cabin, but not as far as Norm's cabin. I stayed in 9-12 feet of water and kept my Mercury Verado steady at 580 rpm thanks to the SmartCraft controls.
During the next 2 hours and 15 minutes, Rick and I caught eight walleyes between us. I caught 2 15" and one 18" walleye, and Rick caught walleyes of 14", 17", 18", 23" and 24". All fish were released back into Leech Lake unharmed.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
September 12, 2008 on Leech Lake
Me with the two 17 1/2 walleyes I caught while trolling the night before.
Rick with one of the many nice sized crappie we caught near the Birches; Second Duck Point is visible on the far right.
The temperature today was a very pleasant 70 degrees, the water temperature warmed to 66 degrees, and the winds were calm.
Rick and I started fishing at 2:00 p.m. using shiners and shiner jigs over Snake Pit Flats to the north and east of Goose Island. Unfortunately, we caught nothing. From there we fired up the 150 hp Mercury Verado and made our way to Big Hardwood Point. The there was also slow, but I did hook into a gigantic walleye -- I'm estimating at least 26-28" and roughly 8-9 lbs. I got the fish to the side of the boat, but before Rick could net the fish, it turned and cut clean throught the 6lb. test Fireline Crystal I was using. Big fish, but no pictures.
Our third stop was the Birches. There we switched tactics and again fished for panfish. Above is a picture of Rick holding one of the dozens of crappie we caught. We also boated a good number of perch and bluegill. By 5:45 p.m., we were back on shore.
Back at the cabin, I cleaned the two 17 1/2" walleyes from yesterday's excurtion, as well as the one jumbo perch I kept from yesterday afternoon's trip on Leech Lake. Tonight we treated Rick to a wonderful fish fry, complete with French fries, Cole slaw and warm dinner rolls. There is nothing tastier than a Leech Lake fish fry.Monday, April 20, 2009
September 6, 2008 on Leech Lake
Today is Joe's last full day at the lake. He arrived at Leech Lake on July 1, and I can't believe how quickly the past two months have flown by. Since it's Joe's last day at the lake, we had to spend some time on the water fishing, and then have a fish fry for dinner.
With the temperature a cool 61 degrees and winds varible from calm to 15 mph and swirling in all directions -- SE then NE and finally out of the west -- Joe and I hit the water at 1:00 p.m. The water temperature was 67 degrees.
While we were in town yesterday, I decided to pick up a couple of scoops of spottail shiners. For more than 95% of my fishing this summer I've relied on artificial baits -- Gulp biodegradables, Northland plastic Slurpies and a variety of crankbaits and spinner baits. But I decided that Joe and I would fish with live bait at least once before he left.
We positioned the boat in 10 feet of water off the Birches and started fishing using Northland Tackle shiner jigs tipped with our spottail shiners. We caught a good number of perch, a few pike, a handful of rock bass, and Joe caught a small walleye. I'm glad he hooked a walleye on his last day on the lake in 2008.
We kept one of the jumbo perch Joe caught, and with the perch we had caught on previous trips on the water, we had enough for a fantastic fish fry.
We headed to shore at 3:45 p.m.
I cleaned the jumbo perch, and the prepped them for dinner. And were they ever delicious! As usual, we served the fish with French Fries, Cole slaw and warm dinner rolls. Malt vinegar, ketchup and tartar sauce joined our table as tasty condiments.
Joe leaves for California tomorrow and I'm really going to miss him. I really love having Joe here with me and Kathleen at Leech Lake.
With the temperature a cool 61 degrees and winds varible from calm to 15 mph and swirling in all directions -- SE then NE and finally out of the west -- Joe and I hit the water at 1:00 p.m. The water temperature was 67 degrees.
While we were in town yesterday, I decided to pick up a couple of scoops of spottail shiners. For more than 95% of my fishing this summer I've relied on artificial baits -- Gulp biodegradables, Northland plastic Slurpies and a variety of crankbaits and spinner baits. But I decided that Joe and I would fish with live bait at least once before he left.
We positioned the boat in 10 feet of water off the Birches and started fishing using Northland Tackle shiner jigs tipped with our spottail shiners. We caught a good number of perch, a few pike, a handful of rock bass, and Joe caught a small walleye. I'm glad he hooked a walleye on his last day on the lake in 2008.
We kept one of the jumbo perch Joe caught, and with the perch we had caught on previous trips on the water, we had enough for a fantastic fish fry.
We headed to shore at 3:45 p.m.
I cleaned the jumbo perch, and the prepped them for dinner. And were they ever delicious! As usual, we served the fish with French Fries, Cole slaw and warm dinner rolls. Malt vinegar, ketchup and tartar sauce joined our table as tasty condiments.
Joe leaves for California tomorrow and I'm really going to miss him. I really love having Joe here with me and Kathleen at Leech Lake.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
August 30, 2008 on Leech Lake
Joe and I went fishing today from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. I had told Joe about the great panfish bite I was experiencing and he finally decided to go with me to see for himself.
The temperature was 85+ degrees and the wind out of the south was 8-12 mph went we left the boat lift. We headed to the front of Norm's cabin in 10 feet of water, with a water temperature of 72 degrees, lined up the boat along the weed line, and then let the wind push us north toward the Birches.
We were both using Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jigs with silver Colorado blade spinners tipped with Gulp 3" minnows in smelt color. Together we caught numerous perch, bluegills, crappie and a few rock bass. A another good day of panfishing on Leech Lake.
The temperature was 85+ degrees and the wind out of the south was 8-12 mph went we left the boat lift. We headed to the front of Norm's cabin in 10 feet of water, with a water temperature of 72 degrees, lined up the boat along the weed line, and then let the wind push us north toward the Birches.
We were both using Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jigs with silver Colorado blade spinners tipped with Gulp 3" minnows in smelt color. Together we caught numerous perch, bluegills, crappie and a few rock bass. A another good day of panfishing on Leech Lake.
Friday, April 17, 2009
August 25, 2008 on Leech Lake
After four days of being stuck on shore, I was finally back on Leech Lake fishing today!
The sky was sunny, the temperature was 72 degrees, the winds were 5-12 mph out of the SSW. I hit the water at 1:30 p.m. to do some drifting for panfish -- I was curious if the great panfish bite from a week ago was still on.
I drifted from our house north to the Birches in 8-10 feet of water along the weed line. I used a 1/16 oz. firetiger colored Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jig tipped with Gulp 2 1/2" minnows. For a little added flash, I attached a #3 silver Colorado blade spinner to the jig.
By 4:45 p.m., I had caught numerous rock bass, bluegills, perch and crappie, but none of them the size of the fish I was catching a week ago. Nonetheless, it was a great day of fishing on Leech Lake.
The sky was sunny, the temperature was 72 degrees, the winds were 5-12 mph out of the SSW. I hit the water at 1:30 p.m. to do some drifting for panfish -- I was curious if the great panfish bite from a week ago was still on.
I drifted from our house north to the Birches in 8-10 feet of water along the weed line. I used a 1/16 oz. firetiger colored Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jig tipped with Gulp 2 1/2" minnows. For a little added flash, I attached a #3 silver Colorado blade spinner to the jig.
By 4:45 p.m., I had caught numerous rock bass, bluegills, perch and crappie, but none of them the size of the fish I was catching a week ago. Nonetheless, it was a great day of fishing on Leech Lake.
August 19, 2008 on Leech Lake
I spent nearly five hours fishing today, although I love being on Leech Lake so much, that the time went so quickly that if you had asked me, I probably would have guessed I was fishing for no more than an hour and a half.
I left the cabin at 12:30 p.m. under mostly sunny skies, variable winds from near calm to 8-10 mph out of the NW, a temperature of 85 degrees or warmer and a water temperature of 77 degrees.
I again started my fishing in 12 feet of water in front of Schiebe's cabin and drifted SE toward our cabin along the weed line, a distance of roughly 3/4 of a mile.
Like yesterday, I used the 1/16 oz. yellow Northland Gum-Ball jig, tipped with either lime-green 2" Gulp grubs, 2 1/2" Gulp minnows in smelt or shiner color, or 3" Gulp Alive! minnows in the emerald shiner color.
I caught one nice eater-sized walleye (about 16 1/2 inches), more perch than I can count, upwards of 75, including several large jumbos, lots of bluegill, and a number of pound-plus slab crappies. The panfish bite has been outstanding for the past 7-10 days, but today was by far the best action of the lot. I decided to keep the walleye and two of the jumbo perch for a later fish fry.
I finally headed home at 5:00 p.m., even though I would have sworn it couldn't have been later than 2:30 p.m. Another fantastic day of fishing on Leech Lake.
Upon my arrival at the cabin, I found that Kathleen's mother and Kathleen's sister, Margaret, had arrived. I knew they were coming for visit, but figured they wouldn't arrive until later that evening. It was nice to see both of them again, and I promised them a fish dinner with the walleye and perch I caught today. Although I thought to myself that we'll need a few more jumbo perch or a nice walleye to ensure we have enough fish for all of us (I guess I'll have to fishing again tomorrow). Everyone loves a fresh fish fry when visiting Leech Lake.
I left the cabin at 12:30 p.m. under mostly sunny skies, variable winds from near calm to 8-10 mph out of the NW, a temperature of 85 degrees or warmer and a water temperature of 77 degrees.
I again started my fishing in 12 feet of water in front of Schiebe's cabin and drifted SE toward our cabin along the weed line, a distance of roughly 3/4 of a mile.
Like yesterday, I used the 1/16 oz. yellow Northland Gum-Ball jig, tipped with either lime-green 2" Gulp grubs, 2 1/2" Gulp minnows in smelt or shiner color, or 3" Gulp Alive! minnows in the emerald shiner color.
I caught one nice eater-sized walleye (about 16 1/2 inches), more perch than I can count, upwards of 75, including several large jumbos, lots of bluegill, and a number of pound-plus slab crappies. The panfish bite has been outstanding for the past 7-10 days, but today was by far the best action of the lot. I decided to keep the walleye and two of the jumbo perch for a later fish fry.
I finally headed home at 5:00 p.m., even though I would have sworn it couldn't have been later than 2:30 p.m. Another fantastic day of fishing on Leech Lake.
Upon my arrival at the cabin, I found that Kathleen's mother and Kathleen's sister, Margaret, had arrived. I knew they were coming for visit, but figured they wouldn't arrive until later that evening. It was nice to see both of them again, and I promised them a fish dinner with the walleye and perch I caught today. Although I thought to myself that we'll need a few more jumbo perch or a nice walleye to ensure we have enough fish for all of us (I guess I'll have to fishing again tomorrow). Everyone loves a fresh fish fry when visiting Leech Lake.
August 18, 2008 on Leech Lake
Under partly cloudy skies, a temperature of 82 degrees and winds out of the NW at 8-17 mph, I again continued my week long hunt for trophy panfish on Leech Lake. I left the boat lift at 3:00 p.m. and had to battle some pretty big waves and white caps as a result of the stiff wind. The water temperature, I noted, had increased to 77 degrees due to the 80+ degree temps we've had for the past several days.
My fishing location today was in 8-11 feet of water from in front of Schiebe's cabin drifting SE toward our cabin along the weed line.
Despite the wind, I decided to try a smaller jig than I've used for the past several days. Today I tied on a 1/16 oz. yellow Northland Gum-Ball jig, and tipped it with either lime-green 2" Gulp grubs or 3" Gulp Alive! minnows in smelt color. I caught numerous perch, including some nice jumbos, a number of beautiful slab black crappie and a few nice bluegills.
Around 5:00 p.m. I headed back to shore. On my way I noticed a boat with an Illinois license and saw they had a bag full of fish off the back. Typical FIB meat hunters.
My fishing location today was in 8-11 feet of water from in front of Schiebe's cabin drifting SE toward our cabin along the weed line.
Despite the wind, I decided to try a smaller jig than I've used for the past several days. Today I tied on a 1/16 oz. yellow Northland Gum-Ball jig, and tipped it with either lime-green 2" Gulp grubs or 3" Gulp Alive! minnows in smelt color. I caught numerous perch, including some nice jumbos, a number of beautiful slab black crappie and a few nice bluegills.
Around 5:00 p.m. I headed back to shore. On my way I noticed a boat with an Illinois license and saw they had a bag full of fish off the back. Typical FIB meat hunters.
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