The Shallow Water is Heating Up - Leech Lake Panfish

 I took a few hours this week to scout some of my usual early season panfish spots. What did I find? Crappies, Bluegills, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Perch, Largemouth Bass, Pike and even a Bowfin.

I always start by looking for a "hard edge" like a harbor sea wall or thick bullrushes with 3-6 feet of water running up against it. 

53 degrees and rising is what kicks 'em into gear. These fish will still live in the 5'-15' stuff for a few more weeks but will picnic in the shallows on warm afternoons. 

There is just one more week to go before full-on Walleye mode, time to hit the shallows!

Cheers and hook-sets!