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!