Leech Lake Blog

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Happy New Year from Trapper’s Landing Lodge!

Ice Conditions are improving daily as this cold weather continues to move in, we should have the access open to all vehicle traffic by the end of the week.  We have 12”- 18” of ice in the areas we travel and fish throughout the south end of the lake. This week’s forecast looks great for making ice! There is a crack that has formed running from Rogers Point to the northeast towards the north tip of Pipe Island.  Lakewood Lodges currently has a bridge over that crack, limiting some traffic across it at this time, so it can seal shut in the next few days. The roads on the south end are expanding this week to cover more of the south end of the lake as there are more humps and areas to fish than a man can cover. Yes, the ice fishing season on Leech Lake is in full swing! If you have not done so already…  Now’s the time to take advantage of our Ice Packages and make your winter reservation!   

Many nice walleyes were caught this past weekend, from 27” down to 16” were reported as a solid evening bite picked up. The walleye bite has been kicking into gear around 4pm as the sun drops down and has been running through the early morning. Set up on a rock hump or on a shoreline break in 14’-26’ ft. of water where there is a solid transition on the bottom. The anglers keeping on the move with their portables have been finding fish across the entire main lake; Submarine, Annex, Variety and Pelican reef have had a consistent day bite working the shallows, then working their way down to 17’-24 ft. of water in the evening. Fishing aggressively with a Acme Hyper-Glide or Rapala Jigging Rap has been working during the day and switching to a VMC Tingler Spoon or Northland Macho Minnow tipped with a minnow head during the twilight hours has been working for those mid-lake structures. Perch and Panfish have been biting well up in Boy, Sucker and Steamboat Bay in 8’-11’ ft. of water. Perch have been biting best with a crappie minnow and a small Northland Forage Spoon. While the Crappies and Sunfish are biting on small tungsten jigs tipped with your favorite plastic.

This cold weather will improve our ice conditions so many more can come enjoy this great sport! The bite should continue to improve for anglers as we get further out on the lake. Good luck and we hope to see you on the ice.

JB