2022 opening fishing report for Leech Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish.
Leech Lake West Side:
Another year and another good start to the fishing season on Leech Lake. Overall fishing was good this weekend. Water temps ranged anywhere from 48°-52° in most areas. With the cooler water temperatures the fish were a little sluggish at times, but there were clear bite windows during low light periods and when the wind picked up.
The area around Goose Island is a good place to start your search. Sandy flats in 7’-9’ of water, and anywhere you can find bait fish held the most actively feeding keeper sized fish. Areas with scattered boulders in 9’-12’ of water held some fish as well, including some of the nicer fish. It’s no surprise a jig and a minnow was the bait of choice this weekend. A jig and minnow will likely continue to be the most productive presentation for the next week or so.
Steve Nosbisch
Leech Lake Guide Team
Leech Lake East side:
Early morning and evenings produced most of the fish on some of the main rock piles and Sandy shoreline flats around Sugar point and Bear island. 1/8 jigs tipped with Spot tail shiners and Fatheads seemed to produce equally. Most of the fish caught this past weekend ran larger than 20” with some of the smaller “keeper sized” fish coming from slightly shallower water 5-8’. Water temps are still cold which should lead to better fishing in the coming weeks.
George Wells
Leech lake Guide Team
Lake Winnibigoshish
Lake Winni didn’t disappoint this past weekend with many groups reporting success in both numbers of smaller keeper fish and a very large number of fish caught in the protected slot (18-23). The shallow sand and pea gravel shoreline points produced great numbers of 20”-25” fish. Drifting or long line trolling very slow (.3-.7mph) with a 1/8oz green/chartreuse jig (such as the Kenkatch Tackle Co. banana head) tipped with a Fathead was deadly in 8-13 FOW. While the biggget numbers of keeper sized fish seemed to be slightly deeper in 14-22 FOW adjacent to the shoreline flats and points. Key areas were little Stoney point on the south end, Duck Pass, and Tamerack Bay. Water temps ranged from 42°-49°. Fishing seemed to be more consistent as the water warmed throughout the day as well. The coming weeks should be prime for the jig and minnow bite to continue.
Kevin Joslyn
Leech Lake Guide Team