Catch a consistent supply of leeches

Leeches are an excellent live bait used on many Upper Michigan fresh water lakes, rivers and streams. Au Train Lake in Alger County is a prime example. Weed wandering walleyes selectively dine on leeches. Very few anglers realize how valuable this bait item can be. 

Fishing with Leeches

 Oftentimes bait shops here in the far north, do not have a consistent supply of leeches, or their leeches appear somewhat dull and/or inactive. So on your next visit to our neck of the woods, remember to bring along a couple coffee cans...a very useful tool enabling you to procure all the leeches that you could possibly need or want! Noting is more better than fresh, alive and active run-away leeches. Here's how.

Begin by adding some rocks to a coffee can for weight, along with a few fish heads for attractant. (Prolific sunfish or perch are ideal) Next, close the top of the can by crimping the can center rims together, leaving narrow slits along the sides of the can. Place can in shallow, weedy marsh area. Remove the can before sun up the next day.

Open the can and allow it to sit a couple of hours. Those leeches that have escaped are "horse leeches" and are not an acceptable bait to use. Keep leeches that remain in can for your bait.

Fishing with Leeches Information Resources

Leech Care Tips *

Maintenance Information for Fishing Leeches *

Live Baitin' with Leeches *

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Document updated
Sunday, 06-Apr-2008 12:21:24 CDT