I'm gonna be going to the BWCA in May, just a question about bringing in leeches...does anyone know a good way to transport them?

Thanks
Tom

hey to m i go in the bwca every year and i always bring leeches ....
I get them from voyageur north out fitters and i have them air pack them for me and i leaveave a little bit of space in my pack and stuff em in them when i get there i put them in a "leech locker" also purchased at voyageur noth and it works slick never a problem ...
thats just how i do it

Never leave them in the sun.

Change water frequently. I usually do it about every time I get into the canoe after a portage.

We always bring in a cooler with ice for cold beverages* and we always put the leeches in the air packed plastic bag in with the ice. Slows em down a lot and keeps em ready for when you get to your campsite.

Once you get to the campsite put them in a leech tamer.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jhtml?id=0014157&navAction=jump&navCount=0&indexId=&parentId=&parentType=&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fpod-link.jhtml.2_A&_DAV=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcontent%2FPod%2F01%2F41%2F57%2Fp014157ii01.jpg

Get one of these bags they are 20000 times better than one of those plastic leech lockers that are hard to pack and almost gay-ron-teed to come apart on you at one time or another.

Once we have transferred them to the leech tamer, you can always just leave them dangling in the lake water whenever you are in camp and don't have to mess with them again for the rest of the trip.

I would also advise bringing lots and lots of leeches. They tend to get snapped up quickly by the fish in the bwca and you will probably need every single one of them.

Jimbo

* I know a cooler full of ice is a silly thing to pack in, but it is our one creature comfort. And while the poor sap bringing it across the portages on the way curses the idea, cold drinks are worth it while in camp.

leeches and worms is all we have ever brought--

as for the leeches, don't need to do anything fancy.. we usualy bring 1-5lbs, pack them in a big plastic jug with a lid. We do change the water every few hours.. once into camp, we punch a hole in the top and bottom of the jug, slip a few rocks in side and sink it in the lake. I should point out, the jub is placed into a netsack and attached to a rope. We've never had any problems with leeches, however we have had issues with worms getting to warm during the day. Now we bury them in there container, too keep them cool

I have used tupperware a couple of times. It doesn't leak, and it isn't heavy. If you hear of a better way to transport, let me know.

Snoopy

im just wondering...what bites on leaches the most up there...last year i bought a lb and the only fish that hits it is small mouths...this time was around the end of june at Snowbank to Disapointment lake...let me know any good spot out there to use leaches cus im planning on a 1 week trip to Lake One and on...leaches are the easiest live bait to carry so im getting a bunch when i get up there.

Not really much of any smallies in Lakes 1 - 4.

Are you exiting back at Lake One or going on and out at Snowbank?

Face it, in late June, July and early August, the walleye are down deep and hiding from the sun and warm water, so they are hard to find. (tho' not impossible)

Just a quick note for you if you happen to get on Hudson. There is a deep hole where Insula runs into Hudson. Two years ago we caught several nice Walleye, upwards of 5lbs in that hole. Try it if you get the chance... could be a big one in there... and plenty to eat, and they love leeches.

Sounded like I was suggesting to eat the big ones, I would rather recommend the smaller ones... Let the big ones go free to produce more big ones... Sorry

Good practice Arkansas man! Thanks for giving that advice out!

We went in early July and we used slip not bobbers. We had alot of success and had a few big walleyes. Once I was bringing back in my leach and a big 5 lb. smallmouth hooked on and I thought it was a carp. Always keep your leeches cool and change the water when the leeches were in the sun.

Please forgive my ignorance, I am first timer to the bw. I am heading out brule to winchell, then to the temperance area, any ideas about trout or walleye?

Also, do artificial leeches work as well? Are they primarily for walleye? bass? and what type of rig do you use most often.

Thanks, Bryan

Live leeches work better. IMO

My favorite method for fishing around camp is a floating lindy rig or jig head right out in front of camp (keeping the leech about 1 - 2 feet off the bottom) and keep an eye on your rod or tie it too something.... they have been pulled into the drink that way.

Drifting or jigging a jighead and a leech off the bottom works well.

Jighead and leech under a slip bobber works well also.

Dragging a worm harness with a leech behind you works.

I've caught Walleye, Small mouth, Lakers, Bluegill, and even suckers while using leeches.

Hex

Oh yeah, pike will eat them too... especially while jigging... you'll know your into them when you start getting hit's and loosing the jigghead. (either move to a different area or put on a leader)