Leech Lake Muskies

[10,000 Casts]

I have never fished Leech and there is a very good chance that I am moving to Walker this May.I'm looking forward to fishing the mile long stretches of cabbage and the rock piles. I have heard stories of people hooking 50"ers in the reeds and having their lines clip the reeds when the Muskie takes a run.

What do you guys think of this monster body of water? Is the population of Muskies on the incline or decline? Are people seeing alot of small fish or a few big fish? Will they ever heavily stock it? Do you think that they need to stock it? Is Leech in the top 5 lakes in Minnesota?

I would love to hear what you have to think.

Thanks,

John

[No_Net]

The muskie fishing can be awsome at times. We have caught lots of smaller fish over the last couple of years. There are plenty of bigger fish in there too. For stocking I don't think it is realy nesacary for the lake. IF I remeber right the DNR use to trap the fish and strip them for stocking in other lakes.

The best is when the big 50"ers are in a foot or two of water sitting in the middle of the reeds or in the rocks.

There are also plenty of other smaller lake in the area to try. This is nice when its windy out and a person can't get out on Leech

[setterguy]

You are moving to one of the best muskie lakes in the world, for sure in the US. Congratulations, and have fun. Plenty of other great muskie lakes in the region also to keep you busy. I am jealous, I think Forest Lake is about 20 miles farther north than my wife ever thought she would live. As long as there is a Starbucks within a couple miles I'm OK.

[VMS]

Speaking of Mile long stretches of cabbage...

I was out there in July on portage bay and could not locate any decent weedline...seemed to be all bare sand on both sides. Went all the way down the east side, and back up the west... couldn't find a thing... Are the rusty crayfish that bad? I was pretty perturbed I could not find a decent weedline... I checked shallow and deeper (I figured I would be seeing good weeds in about 7 - 12 feet of water but nothing...)

Any help on this one?

Thanks

Steve

[Random guy]

I guided on Leech for many years and it is a awesome Muskie fishery. It can be a bit moody at times but always time well spent.

As for the Portage bay weeds they can get spotty some years and yes the Crusty Rusties have wrecked a few beds.

[RK]

Hiya -

Leech is still, to me, a premier muskie lake. Definitely.

The learning curve on Leech can be steep though. It's not a lake that gives up fish easily, but if you take the time to learn it, it has some awesome fish.

As far as the population goes, I think it's pretty stable at this point. Unless something tragic happens, they won't stock Leech. No need to. As someone mentioned Leech was the original source of the eggs used to start MN's brood stock lake program, and they still take spawn from it every few years to stock in the brood stock lakes to keep the genetics fresh on those lakes.

As someone also already mentioned, some great lakes in the area too besides Leech. Lots of options if you get blown off Leech.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Muskiefool]

Rob hit it on the head with Leech, it is a tough nut to crack but when you hook up you know you earned your fish and to me it means so much more, also another nice thing about the lake is there are ways to get around the wind by launching near Kabakona, Millers Bay/Shingobee area, the lakes nearby are some of the best anywhere, I can't wait to move up there, I hope less that 10 years.

[Professional Edge]

The best piece of advice I could give you is to hire one of the local guides the first time you go out. You will really cut down the learning curve and if you really want to cut it down try to book a day with Dan Craven. A really good on the water teacher.

Keith

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[Meat-Run]

YES!!! Do get a guide right out of the gate. Al Maas is legend in that area and I think he still guides up there. Either way if your going to live in Walker that should be a prerequsite to fishing Leech for the first time. Good luck.

mr

[10,000 Casts]

Thanks,

The realtor that I am dealing with is a huge muskie fisherman so I am going to make him take me out for opener and show me around.

I have talked with Al Mass a couple of times and he is a great guy. I have heard that Dan Craven is very good as well.

John

[Random guy]

10,000

Youn say the realtor that you are working with is a huge musky guy, if we are thinking the same guy you are correct. I have spent some time in the boat with him and he is a top notch leech musky guy, as is Dan Craven. Now Al Maas I can only think of goodl things to say about Al.

[10,000 Casts]

ya, I had no idea that he was a big muskie guy until I told him why I was choosing the locations that I was and then he told me that he loves to muskie fish and we talked for about an hour on spots and tactics. I will be in Walker looking at houses Saturday and it will be fun picking his brain while we walk through houses.

[VMS]

Hopefully not Bill Hanson Jr...

If it is, buyer beware...

Steve

[10,000 Casts]

the realtors name is Pat Ingstrom and he is a really good guy to work with.

[Random guy]

Pat Idstrom with a D, also was a avid member here before he start juggling a booming career, babies and musky fishing.

You will have to ask Pat about the muskie I caught on GrandView with him and Jeremy Smith. We had everything thing in the boat tangled up and Pat more or less saved the day with some crazy over the shoulder double swing reverse net job.