In front of the biggest crowd of the season the home side were simply unstoppable as they tore apart their opponents, who had travelled across the Pennines on the back of an impressive unbeaten run of eight games.
But once Nathan Ellington gave Wigan a tenth minute lead the outcome of this exciting game was seldom in doubt.
Ellington pounced for his 19th goal of the season when he converted Gary Teale's cross from six yards out, and the only surprise at half-time was that the home side were not out of sight.
The outstanding Jason Roberts might have had a couple but was thwarted by Neil Sullivan in the Leeds goal, while the Scotland keeper also produced a top-class stop to deny Jimmy Bullard.
Lee McCulloch blazed over following a glorious Wigan move while Ellington also had an effort disallowed following a dubious looking offside decision.
The much vaunted Leeds strike-force of Rob Hulse and David Healy were well marshalled by a solid l home defence, and the visitors' best effort came midway through the first half when Aaron Lennon saw his fierce drive gathered by John Filan at the second attempt.
Wigan left the field to a half-time standing ovation and there appeared to be an unsavoury incident in the tunnel when Sullivan and Lennon were involved in a fierce argument.
Any hopes that Leeds might claw their way back into the picture were dashed 11 minutes into the second half when McCulloch got on the end of Bullard's corner and his header took a deflection off Roberts on its way into the net.
Roberts almost added a third after 74 minutes but saw his shot clip the inside of the post.
However Leeds' joy was short lived as midfielder Alan Mahon capped an impressive performance with Wigan's third goal - a thundering effort from 25 yards.