leech mystery

[cisco]

Anyone who has spent time on Leech Lake knows how it was named. Leeches are abundant. Question: Why is it the natural leeches are poor bait? I've tried them without success and I've talked with locals who claim fish don't eat them. What's the deal? Natural forage should be forage.

[Joe]

Here in the shallow praire lakes walleyes love em. The first leeches that are alvailable we can catch all kinds of fish under a lited bobber. I see your point, why do walleyes bite on a crawler? They sure don't live in the water.

[Bob Z]

I would like the answer tothat one also. I have noticed that leeches I find in the lake a brown and the ones I buy are black. Does that mean anything??

[Skeeter Boy]

I surely won't claim to be an expert but I have a friend that traps leeches. The big brown ones you see in lakes we call horse leeches, the black ones you buy at the bait store are ribbon leeches,and are trapped in shallow ponds and I don't believe they live in the deep waters of natural lakes. Why the fish don't like the brown ones I'm not sure, but it probably is that they just taste bad to them. I've even tried the brown ones in Canada and the walleye's their won't eat them either.
Skeeter Boy

[acp]

I have used the "brown" and the "black" variety of leeches in Canada of the past many years.

As I look back I believe I had better luck with the brown ones. It may be the particular year where either type would work poorly or work well. I have nver had both kinds on the same trip.

Later....

Al

[FJH1]

I am also no expert on leeches, however, occasionally in a batch of leeches we will get several leeches that are considerably different from the standard black (or shade thereof) of ribbon leech. These odd leeches are considerably tougher (tough to put a hook through), have very pronounced ridging and seem to be physically "stronger". I have been told that these are the "blood sucker" leeches. We have tried using them and the fish will not touch them. Just my $.02.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Russ B]

He guys I am far from a leech expert too, but I have been told that the major difference in the leeches are: horse leeches can get out of a jar or container as the have a sucker (one larger than the other) on each end. The leeches I find the fish do not eat are the variety with the rings around them and they are very soft and stretchy. I have used the brown and black varieties of ribbon leeches and I think they work equally well.
Good Fishin'
Russ

[Jesse-WI]

According to my new North America Fishing Book "Live Bait"(p69);

Good Leeches

Ribbon Leech - These common leeches may be brown, black, olive, or mottled. Their body is firmer than that of a horse leech and the crosswise grooves are less distinct. They range in length from 2 to 6 inches when stretched out.

Tiger Leech - Much less common than the ribbon leech, the tiger leech is one of the most active leech species. Tiger leeches, which usually measure 2 to 4 inches in length, get their name from the 4 parallel black stripes on their
back.


Bad Leeches

Horse Leech - Ranging in length from 3 to 12 inches, horse leeches may be black or mottled brown. They have very distinct grooves, a "squishy" feel and a powerful sucking disk that enables them to crawl out of the bait bucket.

Medicine Leech - Once used for sucking blood from sick humans, medicine leeches are easy to identify because of the row of red spots down the back and their rust colored belly. Like horse leeches, they have a squishy feel and distinct grooves.

[rich]

for my 2cents worth leeches are my favorite bait.
grew up on chicagos lake frt and caught many perch and bluegill on them.smallies love themtoo.But fished leech lake for many years and sure caght tons of walleyes on them,but funny thing walleyes
sure love night crawlers to. big fat juicy ones .
Medium size leeces are the best on leech lake,fished on a lindy rig,with a floater especially by goose island,and big harwood point.
Leeches are cheaper by the pound buts its total team work changing the water every day .great fishing to ya.
Rich

[Jeff Jensen]

Well, I'm no leech expert either, but this is what a "walleye expert" said, more or less at a seminar.
The black ones are simply better eating. In fact, they are so good to eat, that they are best trapped in ponds where freeze-out occurs every year. In waters where larger fish are abundant, the black ones are awful hard to find. But find a tiny little pond with no adult fish, and you will find your black leeches. That's where the leech trappers find your bait.

[cisco]

Hey Rich -- I wasn't asking if leeches were good bait, I was asking if anyone knew why the natural leeches in Leech Lake WERE NOT good bait. I know commercial leeches produce very well. Why not natural?

[yukonjack]

I am no expert either, but the locals I know call those big brown ones bloodsuckers. and the black ones with a small red stripe fish dont eat either.