Lake Whitefish fishing at Leonard Lake

In spring, lake whitefish run shallow here, mostly 15 to 45 ft. By summer they slide out to 18 to 59 ft, and by winter most fish are in 18 to 59 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 50 ft, rated prime for summer lake whitefish. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon and you're in the game.

Walleye fishing at Leonard Lake

Spring walleye on Leonard Lake hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 15 to 35 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 27 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

Yellow Perch fishing at Leonard Lake

Spring yellow perch on Leonard Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Leonard Lake

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 45 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 15 ft, rated prime for fall smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Rock Bass fishing at Leonard Lake

Start shallow in spring: rock bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. They move out to 5 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 12 to 30 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 15 ft that scores prime in summer. Plan around the evening in the warm months. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.

Pumpkinseed fishing at Leonard Lake

Start shallow in spring: pumpkinseed sit in 1 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 2 to 10 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 18 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for pumpkinseed in spring. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A micro tube or a sponge spider (fly) covers the summer program.

How deep is Leonard Lake?

Leonard Lake is about 59 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Leonard Lake?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, lake whitefish, burbot, rock bass, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead on Leonard Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Leonard Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 50 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Leonard Lake?

For lake whitefish, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.