January 21, 2002
FROM: Leech Lake Guide Coalition
SUBJECT: Leech Lake Area Report
PHONE: 218.547.3212
Ice conditions have improved dramatically in the past few days with the recent cold snap. Vehicle traffic on the lake has increased as well as Leech Lake has very good ice in most areas. As always, one always wants to proceed with caution as changing temps can change ice conditions quickly.
Even though in some ways it seems like early ice this mid January and therefore it really is mid winter. Fishing on Leech Lake has been consistent. Not necessarily fast, yet consistent. Some perch and walleyes being caught. Perch fishing has been difficult to locate schools of perch and size has been running a bit small. Look to Sucker Bay for the larger jumbo perch 10″ + and plan on looking around. It seems that the larger perch have moved to deeper water this past week concentrating in depths of 16-20’. Small jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads producing fish. You are better off, using aggressive techniques and drilling lots of holes with your StrikeMaster. Just a couple good fish from each hole and keep moving is the norm.
Walleye bite has been fair in Walker Bay with the best action towards dusk. This is pretty normal for this time of year. Shinner minnows on a Northland Ghost Grub, under a float producing the best as the fish are very lathargic lately. Maybe this will change as weather warms a bit or we settle into a more consistent weather pattern.
The only thing keeping you from enjoying time on the ice is you!
Leech Lake Guide Coalition.
218-547-3212