Fishing report 5-12-06

[Spinach]

LEECH LAKE ? Anderson?s Resorts, Tim (1-800-516-0077) Leech Lake has warmed up nicely this spring crappie fishing has been great! We are looking for a super opener. There are plenty of big walleyes in the lake and we have the fourth best hatch on it?s way to being keepers by the end of this year. The pike fishing is as good as it gets anywhere. The best bait is the Fireball Jig tipped with minnow. Leech Lake is alive and well, so come enjoy it with us! Plenty of specials throughout the lake!

[shakey legs 2]

I missed the opener on Leech for the first time in 20 years.  Anyone who doubts the effect of the cormorants and maybe the rusty crawfish on the walleye population in the lake is not very well informed.  I have seen a steady decrease in the catch rate as well as the number of boats on the lake.  The Walker Pilot reports over 15 businesses closing last year.  In the past you could almost walk from boat to boat on places like Hardwood, Otter Tail and Pine on the opener.  Last year we saw maybe a dozen boats on the North side with most of them up steamboat bay.  We caught 0 fish on Saturday of last year and were lucky to catch 8 in Kabekona bay on Sunday. 

I am heading up this weekend and will give a report when I get back.  I feel sorry for the people whose livelihood depends on the tourism industry.  Let's hope that the restocking plan will be as successful as it was on Red and that Leech can again be one of the premier walleye lakes in Minnesota.

[jigglestick]

it is nice to see them finaly stand up and take affirmative action.
 the cormorants aren't the only problem leech lake has though, i think it was two years ago i read an articly about the milfoil.
do you have any reports regarding that mess?

i used to fish walker bay during the winter.
i would either drop off or pick up my son in town, every other weekend, so i had many opportunities to fish the humps.
i used to do very well there. like every where else, it too has declined.

my brother inlaws dad owns chippewa lodge on leech. it sounds like their buisness is thriving, but it is only a matter of time before even the diehards give up and follow the fish.

[ScottPugh]

Looks like the govener will be on Leech next year.

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Leech Lake Area Announced as Site of 2007 Governor's Fishing Opener
by Leech Lake Area Chamber

Governor Tim Pawlenty announced that the Leech Lake area and Walker, Minnesota will host the 2007 Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener. Governor Pawlenty made the announcement at the end of this year's event at Rainy Lake.

"We are thrilled to host the 2007 Opener," said Walker mayor Brad Walhoff, who was present at the announcement "The whole area is excited about the opportunity to highlight our beautiful lake, fishing, and all of the other activities we have to offer."

Leech Lake - the state's third largest inland lake - previously hosted Governor Harold LeVander at the 1968 Opener and Governor Elmer Anderson in 1961.

"It's a great time to have the Opener at Leech Lake," said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism, the state agency that coordinates the Governor's Fishing Opener. "The area is experiencing remarkable growth and activity, and there are many positive things happening around Walker. They have been working with the Department of Natural Resources to enhance the fishing experience on Leech Lake."

The Governor's Fishing Opener has been a tradition in Minnesota since 1948. The event was designed to promote the development of Minnesota's recreation industry. In recent years, the Opener has served as a celebration kickoff for the summer tourism season. It provides host communities with an opportunity to highlight local fishing and other recreational activities, attractions and other points of interest.

[shakey legs 2]

I am glad to see the Governor's opener will be held on Leech next year.  There are plenty of big fish in the lake as they are too large for the cormorants.  It's the fingerlings and slightly larger fish that need to be protected.  A friend of mine has a cabin on Leech and we frequently stop in on our way to Red.  The motel traffic and resteraunt business has been way down, both summer and winter so maybe the attention of the Governor's opener plus the renewed stocking will help.

a well known guide by the name of Jeff Woodruff reported that he only had one walleye trip booked as of March when he normally is fully booked for the year.  Another guide by the name of Gary Trimble who I know personally had more bass and musky trips booked then walleye.  The downtown Walker business district has suffered but hopefully it is at a low point and will now be turning North.

As far as the Milfoil is concerned, Jigglestick, most of it is in the bays like portage and sucker.  The traditional hardwater points like big and little hardwood, star, pine, ottertail, goose island are relatively millfoil free, probably due to the harder bottom.