Another week in the books for the Leisure Outdoor Adventures Guide Team. As the summer goes along we start to get off on other lakes to explore which can be a ton of fun. This week we guided on Winnie, Leech, Brainerd Lakes Area, and in and around Hackensack. Right now it is a stick and move approach when on the bigger lakes especially. Big shout out to one of our LOA Guide team members in Chuck Hasse as well, as his partner Randy Topper and Chuck won the second day of the AIM Shootout on Leech Lake against some great anglers. Here are the reports
Leech Lake
The bite has been real up and down and taking advantage of peak feeding periods is the key right now. Early morning and evening are producing the best bite in 8-16 feet of water along sand flats and breaks either using slip bobbers and leeches or pulling lindy rigs with crawlers and leeches. During the day covering ground by either pulling crankbaits, throwing jigging raps, power corking, or pulling lindy rigs with crawlers, chubs, and leeches is still working in 18-28 feet of water. Water temps are in the mid to upper 70s right now. The crankbait bite should start to pick up more as well, in and around the Goose Island area.
Musky fishing on Leech is starting pick up by throwing bucktails, top waters, and jerkbaits along the rock piles and reefs on the Main Lake. Peak feeding periods are the name of the game right now.
Hackensack
Fishing has been good on the “littles” in the Hackensack area for multi species. Fishing the weed edges in 18-22 feet of water with lindy rigs and leeches or minnows has been the best for action. Walleyes seem to slide off deeper in the more clear lakes and sometimes pulling spinners is best for them with a crawler or minnow. Largemouth are relating to the weedlines try throwing ned rigs, jig worms or bass jigs. Small mouth bass are setting up on main lake rock piles and reefs. Ned rigs, drop shots, and tubes seem to be the best bet for the small jaws.
Brainerd Lakes Area
Fishing in the Brainerd Lakes Area has been hit and miss with the inconsistent weather and recent storms probably playing a significant role. As always a little wind and cloud cover go a long way. Taking advantage of the wind when it’s blowing is crucial and the bite gets very tough when it’s calm. We are finding walleyes on weed edges or rock areas in 12-18 feet of water using side imaging and then working them with a bobber and leech or a lindy rig and redtail. They seem to spook easy so making good on the bites you get is important. Keep moving to find active fish and don’t sit in one spot too long.
Until next week!
Leisure Outdoor Adventures Guide Team
