I've only done two BWCA trips and our main focus was fishing and we did all our fishing with artificial baits. I'm heading back the end of June this year and I've seen so many people talking about using leeches that I'm wondering if I'm missing out on something.

My trips were to Insula and then Knife and we did great, caught smallies, pike, walleye and even lakers in Knife and Kekekabic. Both trips were the 1st week of June. This one will be the last week of June.

Would I have better luck with leeches? I've never fished with leeches at all, but I don't mind buying some to take in if it will greatly improve my chances of catching fish.

Like mastercard.........
Never leave home without it.

yogi59weedr: "Like mastercard.........
Never leave home without it."

+1

End of June is a great time for leeches. They are easy to transport and even easier to keep alive, just change the water every so often and you are set!

It's hard to top the fun of fishing for walleyes with slip bobbers and leeches. Going the last week of June will be perfect for using that setup.

~ Start with 6# or 8# mono on a spinning reel.
~ I'd use a 6'6" medium/fast spinning rod (longer rod helps on the hook set)
~ Slide on a bobber stop
~ Bead
~ Slip bobber
~ Split shot about 12" - 18" up the line from the hook
~ Bare hook (I prefer an offset #6 walleye hook for hook setting)


Adjust your depth as needed by sliding the bobber stop up and down the line. Hook the leech through the sucker and let it wiggle like crazy. It's like the leech is waving a big sign that says "eat me!" :)

I rarely use live bait and I don't believe I'm missing out on anything. In fact, there have been times when my artificial lures out performed the leeches. My advice is to not limit yourself to one or the other. Bring both and see which one works better.

What Jackfish said.

Do leeches typically work better than nightcrawlers? Also what's the best way to transport and care for leeches? And where do you buy them? How many should I get for a 5 day trip?

My experience has been that we don't use the leeches we bring (i.e. they are not very important). Mostly because we don't reserve enough time for fishing. We spend more time trolling crankbaits, spoons, and casting crank baits and Mepps spinners. Also, if you're going to bring them, seal them in a Nalgene in your pack until camp. Traveling with a leech locker is a pain.

And if you have similar Nalgenes that are also used for drinking water, make sure you clearly mark which one holds the bait......and make the marking BIG

twistertail: "Do leeches typically work better than nightcrawlers? Also what's the best way to transport and care for leeches? And where do you buy them? How many should I get for a 5 day trip?"

Leeches are vital. They work better and keep easier than crawlers.

I use artificials most of the time but there are times when leeches can make a difference for walleyes, for every other species leeches are not that necessary imo .

yogi59weedr: "Like Mastercard... Never leave home without it."

Sorry to be so nit-picky, but I believe you mean American Express.

If they are available I’m taking a pound or two!

My bad.
Thought for sure it was Mastercard.


Look at that. May 3rd and I make my 1st mistake... usually dont make a mistake till at least july.
I'm slipping in my old age.

Must be all these drugs I'm om....damn hip replacement.

They can be very important while slip bobber or lindy rigging, it's hard to replicate that action without real leeches. If the bite is good on cranks and plastics it can be hard to change to such a slow, methodical rig; they just sit in the bottom of the boat. Easy to keep alive in a large CLEARLY MARKED nalgene if you keep them in the shade and keep the water fresh. If you have a spare nalgene cap you can drill some small holes it in and keep it in the water like a minnow bucket.

How many do you guys usually buy?

Usually a pound per person on a week long trip. But that is fishing 12 hours a day, everyday.

For me it depends on the type of trip and time of year. As BP said, other than Walleye I don't use leeches a lot of the time. Bass and Pike especially seem to be willing to bite on artificial baits. If there are going to be less experienced fisher-folks or kids I would definitely bring them. Nice to have for sitting around camp shore fishing too.

I would rather run out of food on the first day of my trip than run out of leeches on the last day.

Typically I buy 2 pounds of larges for a 4 days trip for 4 guys. Sometimes we run out day 3, sometimes we come home with extra. Depends on your fishing style and what the bite turns out to be.

fredbear: "Typically I buy 2 pounds of larges for a 4 days trip for 4 guys. Sometimes we run out day 3, sometimes we come home with extra. Depends on your fishing style and what the bite turns out to be."

I agree. 1 lbs per 2 people fishing 4ish days if you're going to an area known for smallies and walleye.

Buy a 1/2 gallon thermos at Walmart for like $6. Change out most of the water twice per day and they'll live a long time....just make sure you don't drink the water from the thermos. Quart size works good for a pound too, but the openings are not wide enough to get your hands into. Take a couple ziplocks, fill them with water and put some leeches in them for easy access when fishing (keep it out of the sun under your seat).

How important are leeches you ask? One of the most important things to bring after a rod and reel. I always say protect you Bait like you would your food pack. Because if a bear would get your food pack you still have bait to catch fish to eat. I always catch fish when leeches are along.

I keep getting mixed reports. I'm going in on may 22nd. Should I take leeches in with me?

And by mixed reports I'm being told use minnows at this time. It's too cold for leeches and some say bring them in they might work?

fredbear: "They can be very important while slip bobber or lindy rigging, it's hard to replicate that action without real leeches. If the bite is good on cranks and plastics it can be hard to change to such a slow, methodical rig; they just sit in the bottom of the boat. Easy to keep alive in a large CLEARLY MARKED nalgene if you keep them in the shade and keep the water fresh. If you have a spare nalgene cap you can drill some small holes it in and keep it in the water like a minnow bucket."

This is a good idea, but let me add, keep the holes you drill small, just barely big enough to let water seep in and out.

Take it from me, holes the size you find in a regular minnow bucket are big enough for leeches to squeeze out. I've seen them do it.

I am a crawler guy but never go without a half pound of leeches just for me. Yes, on May 22d too! I like the bait king keeper for leeches and bait canteen for crawlers. Some extra stuff to carry and care for a little; but worth it to me. oth

twistertail: "I've only done two BWCA trips and our main focus was fishing and we did all our fishing with artificial baits. I'm heading back the end of June this year and I've seen so many people talking about using leeches that I'm wondering if I'm missing out on something.

My trips were to Insula and then Knife and we did great, caught smallies, pike, walleye and even lakers in Knife and Kekekabic. Both trips were the 1st week of June. This one will be the last week of June.

Would I have better luck with leeches? I've never fished with leeches at all, but I don't mind buying some to take in if it will greatly improve my chances of catching fish. "

Not arguing with slip bobber/leecher approach. Tried and true. But IF jigging deeper water, based on my experience, tipping a bare jig head with 1/2 crawler is just as effective as tipping with a leech. And of course, vice versa. Spent a solid week doing nothing but this (deep vertical jigging), super successful trip, honestly couldn't tell the difference between the two baits. Both effective.

I never though about using an old nalgene bottle, definitely going to use that on our trip this year in June! Luckily I have two kids who can reach in and grab straight from it ;) The spare cap with tiny holes is also ingenious.

Thanks for all replies everyone, i think i'll take some along and give them a shot. One question i have though, I see a lot of people talk about the nalgene bottles, whats different about them from any other water bottle?

twistertail: "Thanks for all replies everyone, i think i'll take some along and give them a shot. One question i have though, I see a lot of people talk about the nalgene bottles, whats different about them from any other water bottle? "

The nalgene has a wide mouth opening so you can easily get leeches in and out of it.

CityFisher74: "I would rather run out of food on the first day of my trip than run out of leeches on the last day."

That answers the OP's question! I agree... you're my kind of fisherman.