Op’ner 2017 is finally here! I’m so glad to be back in the swing of things here at the resort and I’m looking forward to continuing this blog/report for all of you. Just a little side note – this is my 20th year working at Big Rock, I was just a wee lad of 16 when I started and now I’m… well, you can do the math. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long, time sure flies when you’re having fun!
Pictured below from L to R: Levi Vorlicek from Glencoe, MN – Aaron Luehrs from Glencoe, MN and Mike Burnside from Cedar Rapids, IA – couple dandy slot fish and a big ol’ smallie.
The last few days have been quite a ride, it seems no matter how much you prepare or how good you feel about how things are going at a resort the last couple days before guests begin to return are always a rat race, but of the good kind. There was a steady trickle of cars, trucks and boats coming down our driveway on Friday, we ended up with 42 from guests and another handful from our seasonal owners, our harbor was at capacity.
Saturday morning we were greeted with east winds that made the tips of waves white and it was a welcome sight a nice chop always helps if you’re tracking down Walleye, as we dished out shiner minnows the general feel was very optimistic. Water temps cooled a few degrees thanks to the wind (upper 50’s) but that didn’t last long, by 9 am the winds began to lay down and the sun decided to show its self, by noon, you would have thought it was July and you know what that does to Walleye fishing.
Pictured below from L to R: Jan and Dave Beniak from Eden Prairie, MN and Mike Wolcenski from Champlin, MN – a nice pile of eaters and a 27.5″ big mama.
As the sun began to fall and temps cooled off fishing improved drastically limits started making their way into livewells and it was as normal as Walleye fishing can be, fish were up tight on rocky points and shorelines. Grassy Point, Marshal Point and out in front of Horseshoe Bay Resort there were producing, patrolling the first emergent weeds in Sucker Bay around Hardwoods to Deadhead bay were also a good areas. Walleye tend to be shallow this time of year, so stay in the 3-8 foot range, don’t be afraid to work shallow water, especially at low light. The only way to go right now is jig and a minnow, with the shiner population looking great into the forseeable future I wouldn’t try anything else.
While we’re off to a running start for the 2017 season, we still have a few cabins that we would love for you to stay in, if you’ve never stayed in the Leech Lake area you don’t know what you’re missing, we would be grateful for the chance to introduce you to our little slice of heaven, I’ll even clean your fish.
Featured image up top is of Big Rocks very own Jerry Emery.
Thanks for reading
Ray
Come see us at Big Rock Resort
800-827-7106
Ray@bigrockresort.com
Ray. It’s good to read your fishing reports again!! It’s been a long winters wait. Hope the bite this year is as excellent as it has in past. I already know the hard work and effort you give your guests to make their stay at Big Rock will be there again this year as well. Thanks to all for making our stay so pleasant and fun. See you in three weeks. Keep the bite on and the sun shinning. Enjoy looking forward to each week reading your fishing updates and tips. Thank you!!