Leisure Outdoor Adventures: May 2013

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Memorial Weekend Fishing Report

The LOA guide crew had a busy Memorial Day weekend on Leech Lake. To say the fishing was great would be an understatement. From beginners to experienced fisherman, clients of all ages went home with sore shoulders and memories that will last a lifetime. With this special weekend in mind, we want to take the time to honor and remember all of those who are serving and have served to protect our freedom. Without this, none of us would be able to spend these great moments with one another. For that, we are extremely grateful!

With East winds present for the last two weeks, we focused our efforts on western shorelines. Fish were found still in shallow water close to spawning areas, with some of the bigger fish starting to move out along the first set of breaklines. Shiners, Rainbows, Leeches and Crawlers all produced. Jigs and minnows worked best, but a few of us experienced that first few fish of the year on a lindy rig, always a good feeling!

Really, all areas of the lake produced over the weekend. Some of the more popular places we spent time on were Hardwoods, Star Point, Ottertail Point,Traders Bay and Walker Bay. Each of these areas produced good numbers as well as a few fish in the slot.

This bite should continue for the next week or so until the water warms up to that 60 degree mark. Right now we are seeing anywhere from 52-57 on the main lake, and 48-51 in Walker Bay. Soon fish will start moving out past the first breaklines to some of the mid lake structures.

Stay tuned, as a few of our guides will be fishing the Leech Lake Walleye Tournament this coming weekend. We will make sure and give a full report with results after the weekend is over!

Check out the Leisure Outdoor Adventures Fishing team and all we have to offer for your next guided fishing outing at www.leisureoutdooradventures.com We provide premier guided fishing trips on Leech Lake and the Brainerd Lakes Area.

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Call 855-LOA-HOOK to book your next fishing trip of a lifetime!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Leech Lake Guide Fishing Report (Weekend of May 17th-19th)

LOA Guide Chuck Hasse with a dandy Leech Lake Walleye

Our team of guides was out in full force from the Brainerd Lakes to Mille Lacs to Leech Lake. Leech didn't disappoint this weekend. With so many anglers facing the disappointment of an icy Minnesota Fishing Opener throughout much of the Northland, last week's weather brought warm temps and rainfall and open water throughout all of Leech Lake. Anglers were out in full force throughout the weekend, including the LOA Team.

Clam Owner David Osborne with a Leech Lake Eye

Fishing was fairly solid all weekend. Water temps ranged through out the low to upper 40s in most places. Many of your traditional and favorite early season locations had fish on them. Wind played a pivotal role in pushing warmer waters and bait fish, so that was where we spent out time on the water, focusing on shoreline breaks and large expansive flats on the Main Lake where fish were cruising and on the prowl for a good meal. Walleyes and jumbo perch were caught everywhere from 4-12 ft of water. The key was moving around and finding those active schools of fish and it varied from spot to spot on the depths. A Jig and rainbow or a jig and a shiner were the ticket most all of the weekend. For jigging, I was able to try out the new Jason Mitchell series of rods this weekend, and used both the 6'2" and 6'4" rods for jigging and they were great, if you are looking for an affordable and well made rod, this is the one for you. Various colors and jig profiles produced fish throughout the weekend, but a key was changing up your jigging cadence and presentation from time to time, and of course staying away from the crowds and fishing on the edges. On busy weekends such as last weekend, those shallow water walleyes get spooked easy by a lot of boat traffic, so work that to your advantage.

Dean Kvalevog putting the hurt on another Leech Lake Walleye

If you are looking for a place to buy some of the finest bait in the Walker area, check out Swansons Bait and Tackle in Hackensack, Minnesota. They are your one stop shop and will have all you need for your fishing adventure as well as other things you may be looking for. The fishing is only going to get better as the next few weeks rolls around and we our guide service season is starting to get busy and the calendar is filling up. If you are looking for some awesome fishing and lodging packages be sure to check out the Chase on the Lake website and give us a call at 1-855-LOA-HOOK to get hooked up on an adventure of a lifetime. June can be dynamite on Leech so don't miss out.

Leech Lake Walleye The End Result!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

MN DNR Considers Relaxing Harvest Regulations on Leech Lake in 2014

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is initiating the public input process on potential walleye regulation changes on Leech Lake.

The DNR is considering relaxing harvest regulations for the 2014 fishing season. The current 18- to 26-inch protected slot limit was put in place March 1, 2005 and extended on March 1, 2011. Modification to a 20- to 26-inch protected slot limit would become effective March 1, 2014.

Walleye abundance, including spawning stock, has increased on Leech Lake. Data indicate natural reproduction continues at rates similar to other large walleye lakes throughout the region. Public input during the 2010 regulation review process supported continuation of the 18-to 26-inch protected slot limit provided there was flexibility to adjust to a 20- to 26-inch protected slot limit if thresholds established during the regulation review process were met. The Walker area fisheries office is following through on this commitment.

Anglers can expect to see informational signs on all public water accesses on Leech Lake beginning on the statewide fishing opener May 11. In addition to the signs, the DNR will host public input meetings this fall.

Comments may be sent to Doug Schultz, DNR area fisheries supervisor, 07316 State Highway 371 NW, Walker, MN 56484 or emailed todoug.w.schultz@state.mn.us<mailto:doug.schultz@state.mn.us>.

Link to the Press Release: http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/2013/05/09/dnr-initiates-public-input-process-on-leech-lake-special-walleye-regulation/#more-12093

Book a Guided Fishing Trip with Leisure Outdoor Adventures Fishing Team at www.LeisureOutdoorAdventures.com We are providing guided fishing trips on many lakes including the Brainerd Lakes Area, Gull Lake, Whitefish Chain, North Long, Pelican along with the Leech Lake Area.

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Monday, May 13, 2013

Leech Lake 2013 Current Ice Conditions

Leech Lake Current Ice Conditions Photos taken 5.13.13

Shingobee Bay and Miller Bay

Walker Bay Public Access

South Walker Bay

Walker Bay Facing Cedar Point

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Updated Ice Out Satellite View 5/12/13

Here is the most up to date satellite view of Leech Lake. As you can see, we are starting to make some progress. Steamboat Bay is almost ice-free, and shorelines are starting to pull back. The forecast for the first few days this week is for warm temps and south winds. This should help to start moving the ice. Check back in a few days for new information!

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Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Leech Lake Ice Out Photos

I took a drive around some popular parts of Walker Bay last night and took a few pictures of the ice out in process. We made quite a bit of progress yesterday with temps in the mid 70's, today figures to be more of the same. We need a little bit of wind now to start moving the sheets around. Shouldn't be long now, so stay tuned for pictures throughout the week as I will try to keep this updated each day till opener!

Walker Bay Looking North from City Park