Leech Lake Advice

I will be fishing leech lake next week, despite the negative comments. Looking for some advice on where to find the fish. I will be staying in Steamboat Bay, and primarily fishing the west side of the lake. I prefer Walleye, but would love to catch whatever is biting. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Burr]

Fish deep, start at 25 feet and go deeper. Live bait is good, Redtails are IMO the best live bait. If I were to adjust that advice, I would say start at 30 feet and go deeper.

I'll try to say this without being negative, but if you have some time before you leave, and you will be there for a full week - go to the DNR website and research additional lakes in the Park Rapids area. You will be within 30 miles of some great walleye fishing. It is a possibility that you may become a little frustrated after 2 or 3 days on Leech, if your success is like mine.

By all means, fish Leech, but don't ruin a weeks vacation being dedicated to just that lake when there are ton's of great lakes very close. Plus, if the wind blows you off the water, it may be nice to have a smaller lake option.

Walker Bay is good, and out in the Main bay closer to islands can be good as well. I spent too much time looking for a shallow bite when I was there.

[DaveB]

So you are saying to start on Cass and Winnie and go from there?

[Burr]

>So you are saying to start on Cass and Winnie and go from
>there?

For a fisherman, like myself, with limited talent - they are quite a little easier to catch on Winnie, Big Sand, Cass, Big Sand, Chain of Lakes, Big Sand - did I mention I like Big Sand?

Burr

According to the DNR web site there are 3 Lakes Named Big Sand... which one are you talking about?

[MN_Moose]

I used to have a camper on Steamboat bay. Sad story:( But anyway, go to east side of Steamboat bay, north east of Minnesota Island. The river channel runs through there and drops down to 10' - 12'. Try going from old white farm house south to rock wall (about 1/2 mi).
Try the west side of Steamboat (way south of island) north of the houses. Look for weed beds of bull rushes and dollar weeds. There will be areas of 8'-10'
There is a hole on the north west side of Minnesota Island. Look for red tin shed. This spot is usually better in spring but worth a try.
Your best bet will be fishing the sand flats from sand point east over to Cedar Point. This is always a good area as it nears Labor day. Drift live bait or troll shad raps. Dusk is about only time you'll catch anything. Bright sunlight and I'd be on the humps in Walker bay.
You can try the Walker Narrows. North side as you're going into big lake.
Hope this helps. I haven't fished Leech yet this year. (did I say sad story???)

[MN_Moose]

I used to have a camper on Steamboat bay. Sad story:( But anyway, go to east side of Steamboat bay, north east of Minnesota Island. The river channel runs through there and drops down to 10' - 12'. Try going from old white farm house south to rock wall (about 1/2 mi).
Try the west side of Steamboat (way south of island) north of the houses. Look for weed beds of bull rushes and dollar weeds. There will be areas of 8'-10'
There is a hole on the north west side of Minnesota Island. Look for red tin shed. This spot is usually better in spring but worth a try.
Your best bet will be fishing the sand flats from sand point east over to Cedar Point. This is always a good area as it nears Labor day. Drift live bait or troll shad raps. Dusk is about only time you'll catch anything. Bright sunlight and I'd be on the humps in Walker bay.
You can try the Walker Narrows. North side as you're going into big lake.
Hope this helps. I haven't fished Leech yet this year. (did I say sad story???)

[Burr]

Hubbard County

[Muskiefool]

Troll between Ceder piont and sand in the eve, glass shad BLK clear and Pearch Clear, watch to see what others are doing keep your distance and fallow their run till you get it down, and also bait rig the biggest redtails you can get on the humps in 20-30 feet and the drop around ceder, try SA in baxter or SW bait south of Nisswa not much for bait in the walker area these days, the real fun is in the Largies huge fish 3-5# are always hungery try rice and the edges of the windswept bullrushes where they begin around the rocky areas, Crayfish are the primary forage, also look off the SE corner of Ottertail trolling all big fish no keepers in the main lake at this time, Good luck, Muskies Suck!!!!