LEECHES

[RHYBAK]

O.K. Folks.

Pronature is taking leech orders . (819-627-9432)
I just reserved mine for my trip.

At the moment they are 50 dollars Canadian Funds per pound.

[RickOnt]

Yes Just picked some up today.  $50 per pound,$25 for 1/2 pound and $5 per doz

[GregL]

Hi,

This is the first time we have purchased this many leeches at once. What do you guys store them in?

[RickOnt]

Keep em in a bucket in the fridge.  Rinse them thru a minnow net and change the water every 2 days.

Have fun
Rick

[Jay Thomas]

Here's what the literature says about caring for leeches:

Leeches can drown because they breathe through their skin like worms. Leeches only need enough water to keep moist, don’t cover them with water. 

They must be kept below 45° to keep them dormant, otherwise they will go through their reproductive cycle and die 

They must be rinsed 2-4 times per week to keep them fresh and lively. They must have the "white stuff" rinsed off of them. When you see the "white stuff", rinse immediately and cool them.

Leeches don't like light, so keep them in a dark, cool, place. Leeches can be dormant for many months, if properly cared for. Never use chlorinated water unless you have let the water stand for a few days so the chlorine can evaporate.

I always keep my leeches in a Leech Tamer Bag.

Jay 

[T-Bone]

Good info Jay....thanks. That explains why we buy 5 pounds each year and lose about 60% of them by Tuesday. Complete and disgusting waste of money. And we were blaming the leeches. Dumb a$$es...

Keep cold, little water, no white goop. Got it...

[puckster_guy]

I stopped by Stop101 for the usual beer, ice and worms. their cooler was stocked with leeches as well. I've always used just worms and have no trouble catching numbers of walleye. Seeing as you guys are so adamant maybe I'll give'em a shot this summer...

[Kyle Skelding]

On average how many leeches in a pound? (rough estimate is fine)

[Jay Thomas]

A jumbo leech when flat is about 2 inches long, when it stretches out it may be 6 inches.

A large leech is about 1-2 inches flat and 41/2 inches stretched out.

A medium is about 1 inch flat and 21/2 inches stretched out.

A small leech is about 1/2 inch flat and 1 inch stretched out.


Leech size   Doz. per lb.
      
Jumbo      8 to 10 dozen      

Large      10 to 15 dozen      

Medium   16 to 20 dozen      

Small      22 to 30 dozen      

Jay

[Kyle Skelding]

Super helpful thanks Jay! I've been buying leeches by the dozen for about 15 years now at Alwaki lodge, they always have nice big leeches but may try a bulk order this year. Where's your best recommendation for big leeches?

[JohnPK]

I just ordered 4 lbs from Corina at Kipawa Bait...right by the launch. We have got our leeches from her for I believe the past 6 years. I emailed her a week ago and she thought the price would be 55.00/pound for jumbos...yet to be confirmed. We put our 4 lbs into a small Styrofoam cooler with water and some ice when we get to Alwaki and really don't lose any...or very few in a week. Change water every other day and keep cool. We put our cooler under the deck out of the sun. Likely easier to keep cold the first week in June compared to summer. Trick is to keep cool or cold.
 

[kipawa4]

  We do the same thing JohnPK. Keeping them in cold water is big. And changing the water. Throwing a couple walleye gills in with the leeches helps also. They do need something to eat sometimes. But then you have to make sure you change that water. It does make a mess of the water after a day. Just change the water. And throw ice cubes or ice packs in the water with them.  My buddy Al's job is taking care of the leeches when we get there. And he does a very good job of it!

[Jay Thomas]

Where's your best recommendation for big leeches?

Hi Kyle,

Anyone you find that will sell you leeches by the pound in selected sizes is the place to do business. Although some leech vendors will sell by the pound, they won't sell by size. Sounds like Corina at Kipawa Bait will let you order by the pound and by size. I haven't heard how Sebastian at ProNatur does it.

Jay

[crackers42]

We have also kept them in a leech bucket for the dock about 10 fee down and they will keep for weeks.  Just make sure they have a heavy enough lid to keep the snapping turtle out

[Hodgey1]

We have also kept them in a leech bucket for the dock about 10 feet down and they will keep for weeks.  Just make sure they have a heavy enough lid to keep the snapping turtle out

Is this a practical method to keeping the leeches alive? After reading previous posts, this seems counter to what is being recommended above? I only ask because this is our first time at Kipawa and my first time having to try to keep leeches alive. If keeping them in a leech bucket, submerged works, then that seems way easier than keeping them refrigeratorAted and rinsed?