leeches

[geo17]

i recently moved here from florida. i have done a lot of walleye fishing in canada and some here in mn. how come you can't find leeches this time of year. but if you did or saved some and kept them healthy would they produce the same as in the spring and summer.

[PerchJerker]

Leeches ball up in cold water. You need it to be warm enough that they are swimming and undulating in the water, otherwise it's like fishing with a Tootsie Roll on your hook. I'm not sure what the temp break is, probably low-mid 40's?

Also, I think leech availability in the fall has to do with the time of year the leeches spawn, and are trapped, and this is the lowpoint - ie. last year's leeches are gone, this year's leeches aren't here yet???

[MuskyBug85]

with steady circulating cold,low 40's, water you can winter them all right, you must check them every day and remove any sickly or dead ones. they keep alot like crawlers, keep an eye on them and their fine, dont and your in trouble. Jonah

[Grant Pearson]

Leeches start to ball up when the water temp is 55 degrees or cooler. That's why they're hard to find this time of year.