April Fishing - The Salty and Sweet

I found myself headed way south to the Gulf of Mexico this month for some family and fishing time. We all experienced good action with over 25 species caught. 

I was also able to close down the Rainy River pre-spawn season with two quick trips way north to hunt Walleyes. Many fish were caught and new techniques explored on this incredible fishery.

It's time to get ready for the Leech Lake Walleye opener on May 9th, I can't wait!

Cheers and hook-sets!

My Lake Winnipeg Greenback Get Away

With ridiculous reports coming from lake winnipeg year after year, I just had to get up there. This massive lake full of massive walleyes did not disappoint. Huge fish inhale ripped rattle baits and lake trout sized spoons. And judging by most accounts, the fishing we had was on the slow side.

Cheers and hook-sets!

February and March Fishing Forecast - Leech Lake

With about a month to go in the season, Walleye fishing here on Leech lake has now settled into it's typical late winter doldrums for the most part. Mobile anglers can still catch their limit and then some by staying mobile and concentrating their efforts at dawn, dusk, and during  pre-frontal conditions. Small presentation details are critical now as well. Gold flutter spoons, hand picked shiners and glow teardrops are some good options to try out when the bite gets slow. More than any other time of year, punctilious presentations prevail for mid to late winter Walleyes.

Turning your attention to panfish now can really help fill in the lulls in the Walleye bite. Perch, Tullibee, Crappies and Bluegills often bite mid day and might even make you forget about old Walter. 

I'm seeing quality Perch now and it should only get better in the coming weeks.

                  Mid winter Crappies can be quite easy to find provided you are mobile.

Selective harvest can help ensure good fishing for future generations.

                    

Cheers and hook-sets!

Yellow Fever - Leech Lake Perchin'

Small Perch don't garner much respect from fisher folk, but when the Jumbos show up, even hardened predator anglers have to give props. These thugs cruise mid-depth flats now but will move ultra-shallow if cover and food are present. Up-sizing minnows and spoons can help select for bigger fish, while sight fishing in the shallows allows us to play "keep away" from the dinks. Staying fairly mobile and presenting hand selected Golden Shiners or 1/8oz Slender Spoons has been the best presentation for me, as of late. 

"Might I compare thee to a farm animal..."

                                                         Cheers and hook-sets!

Minnesota N' Ice

I recall being in my early twenties and rolling my eyes at the subject of local culture. I suppose that young people everywhere, thinking the grass is greener, believe that their surroundings are tacky or boring. Fast forward a decade and and half or so and to me; pac boots, hot dish and ice fishing are some of the best things about living here in the north woods. 

                                          B.Y.O.H.D = Bring Your Own Hot Dish!

                                                      Cheers and hook-sets!

Dude, Just Find the Food.

 We have all read piles of articles that stress the importance of finding baitfish when in search of predator fish. Being completely focused on this not-so-secret secret when searching for productive water bears universal  consequence across any ecosystem an angler can encounter. In other words, unless the screen is blowin' up, you might just be wasting precious time on the water.

This was our screen shot on a recent trip to the Gulf of Mexico. Looking like a cacophony on sheet music, the high notes supported feeding King Mackerel and at the bottom were Grouper. 

                                                      Cheers and hook-sets!

Winter Solst-Ice Fishing Leech Lake

Leech lake fishing remains solid with a nice balance of eater sized Walleyes and chunky slot fish. Mobility has been key during early ice as fish move on and off of key structural locations. Being able to fish 2-3 locations during prime times has been crucial when fish are in a neutral feeding mode. Mid-depth humps and shallower flats have been most productive. It is often important to know where and how fish move on and off of these structures to be able to intercept them. I believe that the next few months will be just as productive.  Sure, the Walleye bite often slows a bit by mid-late January but fishing during prime times can still be quite productive. Adding in other species like Perch, Pike, Crappies and Bluegills can keep the action going during mid-day. Gold spoons have been my presentation of choice with the bobber rod/dead stick going ignored most of the time, but I expect that to change as the winter progresses. 

With the lack of heavy snow cover, sight fishing for shallow water Walleyes has been a real treat. Big fish often prowl 8'-12' troughs running up into the shallow flats during mid day. Playing keep-away with small Perch passes the time until  larger figures swim into view. Walleyes come a long ways to investigate aggressively jigged, flashy spoons and gobble them like Cookie Monster. 

    Walleyes from 24"-28" are pretty common catches these days thanks to
   protective slot limits and selective harvest.

 Here is Brian with a true daily double.

 Big Panfish are not protected so it's up to us to sustain these beauties. 

                                                            Cheers and hook-sets!