These management goals, where appropriate, are referenced in this report.Įffective all walleye between 20.0-26.0 inches long must be immediately returned to the water, a possession limit of 4 walleye with one longer than 26.0" allowed in possession. These recommendations were incorporated into DNR's 2016-2020 Fisheries Management Plan for Leech Lake. This group outlined sportfish population goals, objectives, and management actions. The MN DNR convened a citizen input committee (Leech Lake Fisheries Input Group LLFIG) comprised of 16 stakeholders representing local and statewide interests in Leech Lake management. Regardless, it is important to remember that all populations of flora and fauna fluctuate dramatically and that this natural variability is strongly influenced by the changing environment in which they live as well as the other species of plants and animals they share it with. These may include invasive species introductions, shifts in habitat availability and/or quality, beneficial or adverse environmental conditions, and increased or decreased competition for resources between species or among different year classes of the same species. While highs and lows are normal and rarely sustained beyond one year, consecutive observations at either extreme can be indicative of changes to an ecosystem. Population metrics for a particular species, such as the highs and lows in gill net catch rates or the growth rates of fish, are constantly changing as they move from one extreme of their observed normal range to the other, much like a pendulum. These long-term data sets can also provide insight into other lakes having similar physical and biological properties that are not sampled as frequently. Establishment of long-term data sets on Leech Lake and Minnesota's other large walleye lakes allow biologists to compare current observations against historical averages. Leech Lake has been surveyed annually with standardized assessments since 1983. Leech Lake is well known among anglers as a tremendous multi-species fishery, including excellent fishing opportunities for walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, sunfish, and black crappie. Walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge are the primary predator species, while yellow perch and cisco serve as the principal forage. Similar to other large lakes in Minnesota, the fish community is dominated by species in the perch and pike families. Approximately 80% of the lake is less than 35 feet deep.
The deepest area of the lake is located in Walker Bay where depths approach 160 feet deep. The lake is geographically located in three glacial zones and has an irregular shape with many large and small bays. Leech Lake is the third largest lake entirely within the boundaries of Minnesota and has approximately 112,000 surface acres.
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