Fall Perch on Leech Lake

What are the thoughts on this falls Perch population on Leech lake? We have a group trip planned on Sept. 18th-22. It sure would be nice if the #’s and size returned to what they were 5-7 years ago. Each year the # of quality fish has gone done. Hope this is the year it makes a turn around. Not sure how the great population of walleyes this season will affect the Perch. Maybe they will eat up some of the tiny fish allowing more room and food for the nicer Perch to glow. Then again more walleyes mean less food source for the Perch to eat. Looking forward to the trip anyway. Maybe this year I can catch a few slot limit walleyes to keep for a meal or 2

Lots of nice ones this spring up there. We weeded out the small ones by casting #5 Rippin Raps to emerging weeds. Walleyes liked them as well…

our crew will be up there that same time frame. Last fall was one of the best years we’ve had in many years. We will most likely be moving around a bunch, but getting on a crappie bite is also very fun.

I go up the first weekend of October every year (11th year this year). We only fish the narrows for perch and last year was disappointing perch wise, keepers anyways. What we did catch were a lot of northern pike in the 18-28″ range. I too agree it was better about 4-5 years ago. Then again the eyes were down around that time

chomps wrote:

our crew will be up there that same time frame. Last fall was one of the best years we’ve had in many years. We will most likely be moving around a bunch, but getting on a crappie bite is also very fun.

I here about that fall Crappie bite up there but have never located them on our trip. We added a few more days to the trip this year so I may have to spend some time locating them this year.

We stay way up on the North End of Steamboat bay. Goose Island or Pine point is about as far out into the main lake we tend to run. Any good crappie bites in our area?

Jonesy wrote:

I go up the first weekend of October every year (11th year this year). We only fish the narrows for perch and last year was disappointing perch wise, keepers anyways. What we did catch were a lot of northern pike in the 18-28″ range. I too agree it was better about 4-5 years ago. Then again the eyes were down around that time

We fish the Narrows area a lot as well. Some years right in the middle of the Narrows was real good to us. Lots of worms in the fish from that real shallow water areas the last few years has pushed us to fish a little deeper water the last few years. You have the same problems with worms in the fish you catch from that shallow water?

chomps wrote:

our crew will be up there that same time frame. Last fall was one of the best years we’ve had in many years. We will most likely be moving around a bunch, but getting on a crappie bite is also very fun.

What area of the lake do you mostly fish on your fall Trip

We camp at Federal Dam, Portage Bay is where we end up at most of the time, we have trailer-ed to some bays on the south east side for crappies.

fishthumper wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Black98TransAm wrote:</div>
I go up the first weekend of October every year (11th year this year). We only fish the narrows for perch and last year was disappointing perch wise, keepers anyways. What we did catch were a lot of northern pike in the 18-28″ range. I too agree it was better about 4-5 years ago. Then again the eyes were down around that time

We fish the Narrows area a lot as well. Some years right in the middle of the Narrows was real good to us. Lots of worms in the fish from that real shallow water areas the last few years has pushed us to fish a little deeper water the last few years. You have the same problems with worms in the fish you catch from that shallow water?

I have not but then again I wasn’t looking at them too closely haha. We usually don’t fish any shallower than 6-8ft. What depth were you starting to see the worms?

Jonesy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Black98TransAm wrote:</div>
I go up the first weekend of October every year (11th year this year). We only fish the narrows for perch and last year was disappointing perch wise, keepers anyways. What we did catch were a lot of northern pike in the 18-28″ range. I too agree it was better about 4-5 years ago. Then again the eyes were down around that time

We fish the Narrows area a lot as well. Some years right in the middle of the Narrows was real good to us. Lots of worms in the fish from that real shallow water areas the last few years has pushed us to fish a little deeper water the last few years. You have the same problems with worms in the fish you catch from that shallow water?

I have not but then again I wasn’t looking at them too closely haha. We usually don’t fish any shallower than 6-8ft. What depth were you starting to see the worms?

In most all fish caught shallower than 5 or so ft of water. Mostly fish from within the Narrows leading from Walker Bay into the mainlake as well as far up on the North end of steamboat bay. Tons of fish in those area’s but most all had worms. Some just a few other had lots of them.

chomps wrote:

We camp at Federal Dam, Portage Bay is where we end up at most of the time, we have trailer-ed to some bays on the south east side for crappies.

That is about as far away from us as possible. Unless we trailer over there not likely to get to that area. Bummer. I thought we could help each other out and share some fishing Info. Good luck on your trip and have fun.