Leaf Lake

Leaf Lake near 46.7964, -96.0407 is a lake in Becker County, Minnesota. Leaf Lake covers about 521 acres, reaches a recorded 26 feet and holds about 4,923 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Leaf Lake Affect Fishing

Leaf Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.

Fish and Baits at Leaf Lake

Fish reported from Leaf Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, common carp, golden shiner, green sunfish, iowa darter, largemouth bass, mimic shiner, northern pike, pugnose shiner, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Leaf Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth, and work a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait across rock and firm points for smallmouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Leaf Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.

Walleye

For roaming fish at Leaf Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.

Northern Pike

For large predators at Leaf Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.

Bullheads and Carp

For bottom fishing at Leaf Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.

Rock Bass

At Leaf Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.

How the Seasons Change Leaf Lake

Spring at Leaf Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Leaf Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Leaf Lake

On a first trip to Leaf Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.

Useful Tackle for Leaf Lake

A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Leaf Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.

Leaf Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 521-acre Leaf Lake?

At Leaf Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.

Should anglers fish the 26-foot deep end of Leaf Lake?

Not every trip. A better place at Leaf Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.

What does the 4,923 acre-foot storage figure mean at Leaf Lake?

At Leaf Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.