An angler's favorite fishing resort on MN's
Leech Lake. Brindley's Harbor central location is near hot
spots for walleye, muskie, and perch. Quickly fish Pine Point,
Stony Point, Ottertail Point, Traders Bay, Agency Bay, Goose Island,
Walker Narrows, and The Hardwoods.
We feature a protected marina with a 17 foot
wide concrete ramp. There are 37 rental slips with electricity,
bumpers and lights for boats up to 26 feet. See
Harbor and Boats for details on our high
quality Lund boats and Honda outboard motor rentals. We sell
ice, tackle, maps and premium or regular gasoline. In the lodge we have a
snack bar for pizza, beverages, candy and ice cream. Free fish
cleaning.
For basic lodging needs we offer 16 housekeeping
cabins from one to four bedrooms. New 3 and 4 bedroom homes
are available for visitors who seek luxury accommodations. |
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Muskie, and Jumbo Perch fishing on Leech Lake
are legendary
. . . and Brindley’s prime
Pine Point location provides ready access to many
of the lakes most popular and productive
sites.
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Topics
On This Page:
(for speedy access click on the
subject of interest)
Walleye
Muskie
Perch
Professional
Guides
License
Information |
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Brindley's Harbor is on the Traders
Bay side of Pine Point. The nearby Roosevelt Canal provides boat
access to Agency Bay. We are 15 road miles from Walker MN |
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Walleye:
Update - January , 2009
The DNR’s report released January 2009 on the status of the
Leech Lake fishery shows recent management actions and favorable
environmental conditions have led to quick improvements in the walleye and
yellow perch populations. All goals for the 2005-2010 action plan aimed at
improving the Leech Lake walleye population have been met or exceeded for
the second consecutive year. Establishment and fast growth of walleye year
classes during 2005-2008 have been primary contributors to improved fishing
quality.
Throughout 2008 Brindley's guests reported
very good catch rates. Many long time guests reported
"the best fishing ever". One group of
guests for the May opener had - 16
people and caught a total of 187 walleyes. 38 walleye were under 18
inch "keepers". The
percentage of "keeper" fish under the 18 inch protected slot continues to
grow. Almost everyone was able to enjoy several meals of tasty
walleye. Perhaps better yet is the excellent catch rate of larger fish
in the 23-29 inch range. In winter Brindley's offers a guided
ice
fishing package which is specifically focused on yellow perch. We have
been doing so for 14 years and never have our guests caught as many walleye
(by accident) as they have this January (2009). Many of these fish are
28, 29 and 30 inches !!
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2009 - Notes from Brindley's Harbor
Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources "DNR" netting, trawling, and creel
surveys continue to show positive conditions for excellent
walleye fishing in 2009. Each of the last 3 years we have seen
improved success. There is an ongoing
stocking program,
cormorant control and we have had good conditions for better than average survival
rates in young of the year fish.
Typically walleye fishing is
best from the seasonal opener in mid May through about the second
week of June and then again in fall starting late August. The best success continues to be in
the evening hours from about 8:00 pm to 12:00 pm. The popular
tactic is trolling a Rapala "SHADRAP" or equivalent. A #5
runs about nine feet deep and a #7 will run at about eleven feet
deep. If you prefer to "jig", green is historically a
preferred color and "Shiner" minnows the preferred live bait.
During summer months large leeches (and as the water warms) crawlers
are also popular live baits.
Since our harbor staff has contact with
almost all boats entering or leaving the harbor and regularly talk
with the professional guides, they are well equipped to advise our
guests of the current “hot” baits and areas.
So . . . plan a trip
and give us a call for reservations. If the budget allows consider
a professional guide. (Quality guides are charging about $350 per
day). Bring gear to enable night fishing. Make sure the lights on
your boat work and that you have a comfortable life jacket to wear.
Come and enjoy the comforts of Brindley's and the joys of the Leech
Lake Area. |
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Slot Limits:
As with most of Minnesota's
large walleye lakes, Leech Lake has slot limits. All
walleye from 18" through 26" must be immediately returned to the water.
One fish over 26" is allowed in possession. The daily and possession
limit is four fish. |
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The following
are excerpts from the Walker, Minnesota -
Pilot Independent Newspaper. Published January
21, 2009, with permission.
Leech Lake Creel Survey
Results
The 2008 creel survey showed approximately 585,371
angler-hours of fishing effort were expended on Leech between May 10
and Sept. 30. An estimated 67,502 walleye totaling 81,410 pounds
were caught at a rate of 0.115 fish per hour across all anglers.
Targeting anglers (those fishing specifically for walleyes) caught
walleye at a rate of 0.459 fish per hour. A total of 136,096 yellow
perch (59,149 pounds) were taken at a rate of 0.233 fish per hour
for all anglers. Anglers who targeted perch had an hourly rate of
2.73 fish. Season totals of catch and harvest rates of walleye,
yellow perch and northern pike during recent summer creel surveys on
Leech, Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods (LOW) and Winnibigoshish are
presented in the chart, for general comparison.
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Walleye per Hour |
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Yellow Perch per Hour |
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Northern Pike per Hour |
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Catch |
Harvest |
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Catch |
Harvest |
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Catch |
Harvest |
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All Anglers |
Leech, 2008 |
0.278 |
0.115 |
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0.766 |
0.233 |
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0.087 |
0.029 |
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Mille Lacs, 2007 |
0.305 |
0.101 |
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0.105 |
0.026 |
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0.009 |
0.001 |
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LOTW, 2007 |
0.544 |
0.288 |
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0.022 |
0.009 |
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0.012 |
0.002 |
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Winnibigoshish,2007 |
0.432 |
0.164 |
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0.657 |
0.173 |
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0.182 |
0.037 |
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Targeting Anglers |
Leech, 2008 |
1.064 |
0.459 |
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6.881 |
2.730 |
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0.881 |
0.339 |
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Mille Lacs,2007 |
0.391 |
0.129 |
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5.061 |
1.184 |
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0.110 |
0.048 |
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LOTW, 2007 |
0.550 |
0.290 |
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n/a |
n/a |
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0.110 |
0.040 |
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Winnibigoshish,2007 |
0.545 |
0.229 |
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4.380 |
1.380 |
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0.451 |
0.123 |
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Leech Lake Stocking
Update
During May 2008, 22.1 million Woman Lake-Boy River
walleye fry were marked with oxytetracycline (OTC) and were stocked
into all major bays of Leech Lake. A total of 511 young-of-the-year
walleye were collected in July using shoreline seining, in August
using bottom trawling, and in September
using shoreline electrofishing. All were examined for the presence
of an OTC mark. Of those fish, 55 percent were found to be stocked
fish. The hatch of wild fry during 2008 was estimated at 0.31
percent, the second highest since stocking began in 2005. To date,
the walleye hatch rates have been similar to, if not better than
those estimated in Red Lake. Based on actions of the 2008
Legislature, 22.5 million walleye fry will be stocked into Leech
Lake in 2009.
To see a PDF file
with the entire DNR update including charts go to:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us
Then select /areas /fisheries/ walker |
To read past MN DNR reports and related articles from Pat, Harlan and the
area DNR staff click here. "Fishing
Articles"
Muskies:
|
Rob caught
this 54 inch monster 9/12/06 |
Wow!
Leech Lake continues to verify
it's reputation as one of the nations premier Muskie fisheries. The Leech
Lake strain of muskie is recognized as one of the most aggressive and
rapidly growing anywhere. It has distinctive black spots on
silver skin. Trophy class fish above 50 inches tend to be recorded
in late summer through October.
Unofficial tally of:
The Frank Schneider Jr. Memorial Tournament
held September 7 - 9, 2007
39 of the total 93 fish registered came
from Leech Lake.
Both the 1st place winner (with four fish) and the 2nd
place winner (with three fish) enjoyed their success on Leech. |
Perch:
 Perch
are the pan fish of choice for Leech Lake. They are very abundant and
can be found almost anywhere on the lake. In summer nice perch are readily caught off
the 4 lake
piers at Brindley's Harbor and provide lots of fun angling for young and old alike.
They are great eating and if the kids catch a basketful for "mom", our
harbor staff will fillet them for "dad".
Large catches of
"Jumbo" perch are common in mid September and October with another nice Jumbo
bite in March.
Ice Anglers, click to see
details of our guided package under
the "Ice
Fishing" page
Leech Lake remains one of Minnesota’s top fishing lakes. There are acres and acres of
UN-crowded clear water to explore, fish and just generally enjoy. Brindley’s is
a great place to call home while you enjoy the lake.
After you catch the fish,
sip a cool beverage while we clean !
Each year our harbor staff
cleans many thousands of fish . . . Yes, we fillet, wrap and freeze the fish for our
guests! We remove all the bones, even the "Y" bones on Northern
Pike. It’s complimentary.
Professional
Guides:
Tim Campbell and Mike Bridges
of our staff, guide only in the winter season but
are charged with keeping our summer guests updated on "hot spots" and
"hot techniques" shared by other quests and drawn from their own
personal experience. Their famous harbor service includes meeting and
greeting most boats arriving in the harbor so you will have considerable daily
contact with them.
We encourage guests unfamiliar with the lake to employ a
professional guide early in their
stay to help maximize fishing success. There are 10 or so area
professionals who are well equipped to share their knowledge of the lake and
their skills in catching fish. The guides typically meet you with their
boat at Brindley's gas dock. Guide boats are well rigged with multiple
depth finders, GPS and the latest electronic tools to maximize success.
Most of their boats are comfortable for up to three guest anglers. Daily
fees range from $300 to $335. While guides operate
independently of Brindley's Harbor Resort, we will be pleased to assist
with contact information and logistics in booking arrangements.
Several of the quality profession
guides we work with frequently are:
Ted Gwinn, Al Maas, Jim Murphy, Rick
Runquist
A
brief introduction to each may be seen by clicking on the
name list. Click back to return to this page.
| Fishing License Sales
Brindley's Harbor no longer sells Fishing and Hunting licenses !
In 2000
the State of Minnesota initiated an instant on line (or telephone) license
issuing program and retailers must have an on line terminal to sell licenses
across the counter. (The "Y Mart" and "Reeds Sporting Goods" among
other local retailers continue to offer over the counter licenses.)
To get an Instant MN License by phone or via the internet:
dial toll free:
1-888-MNLicense.
(1-888-665-4236)
or go online to:
www.dnr.state.mn.us
Have your credit card and
personal information ready when you call. (MN residents will need
their drivers license number). You will be issued an instant
"License Identification Number" (LIN) so you may begin to fish or hunt
immediately. Phone or online license sales are assessed an additional
$3.50 convenience fee.
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2009 Minnesota Resident Fishing License Fees
(Price does not include an approximate $3.50 fee for telephone
or DNR web site purchases)
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Individual (age 16 and over) |
$17.00 |
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Conservation Individual (1/2 limit) |
$11.00 |
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Combination (husband, wife) |
$25.00 |
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Conservation Combination (1/2 limit, husband, wife) |
$17.00 |
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Individual 24 Hour |
$8.50 |
2009 Non-resident Fishing License Fees
(Price does not include a $3.50 fee for telephone
or DNR web site purchases)
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Individual |
$39.50 |
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Family (one or both parents and children
under age 16) |
$52.50 |
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Individual 7 Day |
$28.50 |
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Individual 24 Hour |
$8.50 |
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Individual 72 Hour |
$24.00 |
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Husband & Wife 14 Day |
$40.50 |
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Individual Youth (under 16) |
$17.00 |
2009 Seasons and
Limits for Leech Lake
Species
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Open Season
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Possession Limit
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| Walleye |
May
9,
2009 (to)
February 28, 2010 |
All from
18" through 26" must be immediately returned to the water. One fish
over 26" allowed in possession. Daily and possession limit is 4 fish. |
| Northern Pike |
May
9,
2009 (to)
February 28, 2010 |
3 (not more than 1 over 30 inches may be taken each day) |
| Muskellunge |
June
6,
2009 (to)
December 1, 2009 |
1 - (minimum
48 inches) -
New |
| Largemouth Bass |
May
23,
2009 (to)
February 28, 2010 |
6 |
| Perch
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Continuous |
20
daily/40 in possession |
| Crappie |
Continuous |
10 |
| Sunfish & Bluegill |
Continuous |
20 |
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Future Opening Dates for
Walleye, Bass and Muskie |
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Walleye |
Bass |
Muskie |
| 2009 |
May 9 |
May 23 |
June 6 |
| 2010 |
May 15 |
May 29 |
June 5 |
| 2011 |
May 14 |
May 28 |
June 4 |
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