Leech Lake Blog

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WEATHER & ICE CONDITIONS

It’s great ice making weather here on Leech Lake

We are expecting below zero temps for lows for the next couple of days with highs only expected to be in the single digits. The high on Christmas day will be -12 hopefully Santa layers correctly and packs plenty of hot cocoa.
Ice conditions out in front of Trappers Landing Lodge are improving. Ice thickness is being reported at 12″-16″ of ice with an average of 13″ out to Huddles Reef. There is one large crack that formed since the last report running from Rogers Point over to Diamond Point. We have a spot plowed across that crack and ask that you go slowly less than 10 MPH over that crack.

FISHING REPORT

Fishing has been spotty this week with the recent cold front moving in, but as we have some consistent weather the next couple of days it will pick up. The main depth to look right now is 13-18 ft of water on any of the rock humps and first breaks near the resort. Olson’s, reef, Huddle’s Reef, Diamond point and Pipe Island all have plenty of unfished spots to head out and are popular first ice destinations. Set lines with rainbow minnows or shiners are right now are outfishing the jigging spoons or aggressive jigging. They will come into the jigging spoons and usually decide to take the easy bobber target.

LOOKING AHEAD

Ice house rentals will be starting on the day after Christmas. The Merit will be open this weekend Friday at 4P-9P for food and then Saturday 11A-9P for food and bar service after. We have a good selection of clothing, fishing accessories and bait for sale in the lodge. When you stay with us, we also have a proshop available for you to use free as our guest.

WALKER BAY REPORT

Ice reports in the Walker Bay area continue to improve with the temps we are having. We did have 4-5” of new snow midweek but most was pretty light and should not affect ice making too much. Ice reports still have been pretty consistent with 6-10” in the Bay area. We are seeing more people venturing out to the main bay humps and fishing some of the deeper water. Continue to use caution and keep checking ice as you go. There are a few active cracks so make sure you know where you are heading before you head out. The main one is from First Point heading back to City dock. Fishing in the Bay has stayed pretty good even with the cold weather. Many of the humps have active fish on them so keep moving to find the active biters. 25-30ft on most of the humps seems to be the target depth. The shoreline breaks also have been producing fish in the low light hours. Look for 16-22ft along the breaks.

Be safe on all your outdoor adventures and hope to see you on the ice.