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.
Monday, April 13, 2009
August 12, 2008 on Leech Lake
Above is a picture taken this evening from the edge of the harbor at our Leech Lake house. You wouldn't know it from this picture, but earlier in the day it was very windy. Under overcast skies and a temperature of only 68 degrees, the winds were relatively strong at 10-20 mph from the SW.
Despite the wind, I decided to do some more drifting for panfish since the bite had been so good the previous two days. I used a 1/16 oz. Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jig and a gold Colorado spinner blade, tipped with either a Gulp 2" orange grub or a Gulp 3" pearl silver minnow. And boy did the fish go after these baits today.
Drifting north from in front of our house to just past Norm's cabin in 7-10 feet of water, I caught dozens of good-sized perch, including some jumbos, a number of good-sized crappie and bluegill, and for good measure, a couple of rock bass (the scourge of Northwoods fishing; although they do put up a good fight).
In the evening I stayed on shore and enjoyed watching the beautiful sunset with Kathleen. Anther great day at Leech Lake.
August 11, 2008 on Leech Lake
Much like yesterday, today was a perfect day to drift for panfish. The sky was overcast, the temperature had cooled to 70 degrees, the water temperature dropped slightly to 74 degrees, but the winds were almost identical to yesterday -- calm to 8 mph out of the south.
I left the boat lift at 1:15 p.m., pulled the boat out to 8 feet of water, put the drift sock in the water and drifted from our cabin to between Norm's and Schiebe's. I used a very similar system that I did yesterday, with one small change. Like yesterday, I used a 1/8 oz. white crappie jig tipped with a Gulp silver pearl minnow. The change was that I added a small, silver-colored Colorado blade spinner to the jig. I have found that using the spinner blade adds a little more flash to the lure and can many times mean more fish in the boat.
I had a good afternoon of fishing, catching numerous perch, crappie and rock bass, before heading to shore for some lunch at 3:30 p.m.
After a quick bite to eat, I was back on the water by 4:15 p.m. I used the same jig/spinner blade set up and again caught a number of perch and crappie. Then right around 6:30 p.m., something big hit my lure, peeled off a good amount of line before biting right through the 6 lb. test Fireline Crystal; no small feat. It was obviously some type of heavy toothy critter on the line, I'm guessing either a big pike or a small muskie. I took this as a sign to call it a day. I'll be back on Leech Lake tomorrow, weather permitting.
I left the boat lift at 1:15 p.m., pulled the boat out to 8 feet of water, put the drift sock in the water and drifted from our cabin to between Norm's and Schiebe's. I used a very similar system that I did yesterday, with one small change. Like yesterday, I used a 1/8 oz. white crappie jig tipped with a Gulp silver pearl minnow. The change was that I added a small, silver-colored Colorado blade spinner to the jig. I have found that using the spinner blade adds a little more flash to the lure and can many times mean more fish in the boat.
I had a good afternoon of fishing, catching numerous perch, crappie and rock bass, before heading to shore for some lunch at 3:30 p.m.
After a quick bite to eat, I was back on the water by 4:15 p.m. I used the same jig/spinner blade set up and again caught a number of perch and crappie. Then right around 6:30 p.m., something big hit my lure, peeled off a good amount of line before biting right through the 6 lb. test Fireline Crystal; no small feat. It was obviously some type of heavy toothy critter on the line, I'm guessing either a big pike or a small muskie. I took this as a sign to call it a day. I'll be back on Leech Lake tomorrow, weather permitting.
August 10, 2008 on Leech Lake
The winds today were relatively calm -- from 2 to 6 mph out of the SSW -- which meant that if I wanted to drift for panfish, all I had to do was pull the boat out of the lift, motor out to about 7 or 8 feet of water, turn the boat sideways, drop in the drift sock (to keep the boat from spinning rather than to slow the speed of the boat) and drop a jig into the water, which is exactly what I did.
I pulled the boat out of the lift at 1:45 p.m., with the temperature 78 degrees and the water temperature at 75.5 degrees. I used a small, 1/8 oz. white crappie jig tipped with a 3" Gulp silver pearl minnow. The slight breeze blew the boat from straight out in front of our house past Norm's on the way toward Schiebe's. Most of the fish I caught, however, came from the stretch of water from in front of our cabin north to Norm's.
I caught numerous perch, rock bass, bluegill and crappie. The highlight of the day was catching a crappie so big it can only be described as humongous. It was by far the largest crappie I've ever put in the boat. I also caught another giant crappie, not quite as big as the first one, but close, and monster bull bluegill. All of the fish were released unharmed.
At 5:00 p.m., after an enjoyable day on Leech Lake, I returned the boat to the lift and called it a day.
I pulled the boat out of the lift at 1:45 p.m., with the temperature 78 degrees and the water temperature at 75.5 degrees. I used a small, 1/8 oz. white crappie jig tipped with a 3" Gulp silver pearl minnow. The slight breeze blew the boat from straight out in front of our house past Norm's on the way toward Schiebe's. Most of the fish I caught, however, came from the stretch of water from in front of our cabin north to Norm's.
I caught numerous perch, rock bass, bluegill and crappie. The highlight of the day was catching a crappie so big it can only be described as humongous. It was by far the largest crappie I've ever put in the boat. I also caught another giant crappie, not quite as big as the first one, but close, and monster bull bluegill. All of the fish were released unharmed.
At 5:00 p.m., after an enjoyable day on Leech Lake, I returned the boat to the lift and called it a day.
Friday, April 10, 2009
August 9, 2008 on Leech Lake
I went fishing twice today. Once in the afternoon by myself, and the second time in the evening with my son Joe.
I left the boat lift at 1:15 p.m. with the temperature right 78 degrees, water temperature at 76 degrees and the winds 5-8 mph out of NW. It was another perfect afternoon to do some drifting along the weed line near the Birches. I stopped the boat in about 10 feet of water straight out from Jerry Schiebe's cabin. From this location I would drift SE directly to the reeds and grass in front of Norm's cabin.
I decided to use a Northland Mimic Minnow Spin lure, which over the past two years has become one of my favorite "confidence" baits. I've caught countless perch and crappie on this bait, and I've also caught a good number of walleyes using it. Today only reinforced my confidence in the Mimic Minnow Spin.
Drifting from Schiebe's toward Norm's, I cast out the Mimic Minnow Spin and let it fall to the bottom. I then reeled in just enough to keep the lure off the bottom. Within seconds I hooked a nice perch. For the next hour I caught perch after perch, and even hooked a nice 14-inch walleye. All fish were released unharmed. By 5:00 p.m. I was back on shore.
That evening at 9:00 p.m., Joe and I launched the boat for some after-dark trolling for walleye. I piloted the boat into 11 feet of water and we let out our Rapala Minnow Raps a good 40 feet behind the boat. Trolling at roughly 2.5 mph, this gets the lure down about 9 or 10 feet, or just off the bottom where the walleye are feeding.
We only made one round-trip pass from our house past Second Duck point back to the Malay's cabin then back to our cabin. During that short 1 hour and 30 minute run we caught one 19-inch walleye, which is in the slot limit so it was immediately released.
Based on my success earlier in the day, I think tomorrow I'll focus my attention on panfish -- specifically crappie, perch and bluegill.
I left the boat lift at 1:15 p.m. with the temperature right 78 degrees, water temperature at 76 degrees and the winds 5-8 mph out of NW. It was another perfect afternoon to do some drifting along the weed line near the Birches. I stopped the boat in about 10 feet of water straight out from Jerry Schiebe's cabin. From this location I would drift SE directly to the reeds and grass in front of Norm's cabin.
I decided to use a Northland Mimic Minnow Spin lure, which over the past two years has become one of my favorite "confidence" baits. I've caught countless perch and crappie on this bait, and I've also caught a good number of walleyes using it. Today only reinforced my confidence in the Mimic Minnow Spin.
Drifting from Schiebe's toward Norm's, I cast out the Mimic Minnow Spin and let it fall to the bottom. I then reeled in just enough to keep the lure off the bottom. Within seconds I hooked a nice perch. For the next hour I caught perch after perch, and even hooked a nice 14-inch walleye. All fish were released unharmed. By 5:00 p.m. I was back on shore.
That evening at 9:00 p.m., Joe and I launched the boat for some after-dark trolling for walleye. I piloted the boat into 11 feet of water and we let out our Rapala Minnow Raps a good 40 feet behind the boat. Trolling at roughly 2.5 mph, this gets the lure down about 9 or 10 feet, or just off the bottom where the walleye are feeding.
We only made one round-trip pass from our house past Second Duck point back to the Malay's cabin then back to our cabin. During that short 1 hour and 30 minute run we caught one 19-inch walleye, which is in the slot limit so it was immediately released.
Based on my success earlier in the day, I think tomorrow I'll focus my attention on panfish -- specifically crappie, perch and bluegill.
Here's a picture of my Lund 1800 IFS on the boat lift at the cabin.
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