Fishing reports for July 16, 2018
Leech has proven to be in those dog days of summer and you have to have your arsenal of tricks ready to go right now. Paying attention to peak feeding times has been by far the best and then covering water during the day to find fish. Look to those early morning and evenings hours to provide the most consistent action along windblow points and reefs, sand flats, and shoreline breaks in 15-25 feet of water, sometimes even shallower in the evenings. Slip bobbers, lindy rigs with blown up crawlers or chubs, and trolling spinners or crankbaits has been best.
During the daylight hours, try covering ground and trolling along major breaklines on the Main Lake. Trolling spinners with larger blades or #5 or #7 Shad Raps or Flicker Shads has produced fish during times of the day that have been tougher for folks. It won’t be a fast and furious bite but you will cover ground and that means scouting and locating fish that you can also come back to at other times of the day. Try trolling faster with spinners to keep the perch off so something like 1.2-1.5 MPH and for cranks 2.2-2.8 MPH.
Muskies have been starting to show on Main Lake Rock structures as well as deep weed beds. Like walleyes the peak feeding windows are key along with fishing before fronts come in. Bucktails, top waters, and jerkbaits are your best bet right now.
Also many other local lakes are turning out great multi species action for things such as smallmouth, largemouth bass, pike, walleyes, and panfish. Weeds are a big key in these lakes so focus on weed edges in 15-22 feet of water. Drop Shots, wacky rigs, and jig worms are all good presentations for bass, casting spoons and spinner baits for pike, and a 1/32oz or 1/16th oz jig with a crappie minnow or plastic is a great presentation for crappies and gills. So many lakes to explore and try. Give it a whirl!
Give us a call if you are looking to get out on Leech Lake or check out some of the other awesome lakes in the Leech Lake and Walker Area.
1-855-LOA-HOOK
www.leisureoutdooradventures.com
