Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Reports 2017


Stick in Mud

Recommended Posts

Well, the hot winter bite has definitely carried over into the open water season.  We got out at midnight last night, fishing shoreline breaks with bobbers and leeches.  Two hours and 27 fish later, we decided to head in.  No monsters, but lots and lots of the ubiquitous 16'' fish with enough in the mid-20's to keep things interesting.  A nearby launch went out at midnight, and they lost count somewhere near 100. Everyone else we talked to did well last night, too, so it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out the bite this year.

 

The day bite has been a little slower, but it's flat calm and we didn't try that hard.  Found a few fish on the sand, then headed back in to nap, eat, and get ready to head back out tonight.

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got 47 last night.  Quit fishing when our half-pound of leeches ran out....Good problem to have. :)  

 

Now I'm headed up to Leech for the week, and then I'll be out of town until July.  No more reports from me, maybe for the rest of the year if the lake shuts down this summer. 

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bass fishing was good on opener. Top 5 weighed 21 lbs. Found bass in the pre-spawn, mid-spawn, and post-spawn stage. Some areas had bedding bass in a couple feet of water with bellies as big as baseballs, and some areas had bass staging on the breaks waiting to spawn. They were hitting on deep-diving jerkbaits, ripped and bounced into the rocks.

Edited by BassThumb.
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice report, BT.  We didn't catch a smallie, alas.  I'm a bummed I won't be around this June to chase them. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went out yesterday and got 25 eyes from 16-24" midday...Jig and shiner or jig and plastic were the best baits.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also where are the good public access on Mille lacs? I feel like every access I've been to is super shallow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 5/19/2017 at 8:44 AM, DLD24 said:

Also where are the good public access on Mille lacs? I feel like every access I've been to is super shallow.

The four I use are pretty shallow for at least the first hundred yards, but I've never damaged my boat or prop. Just gotta take it slow and trim the motor up. 

 

I use Isle, Cove, Garrison, and the one near the casino, Shaboshkung or whatever.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Fished yesterday kind of slow but nice fish. I run a small boat and a vexilar for depth finder so by no means running around the lake like crazy. I fished a mud flat and got two in about 28 ft of water. Then fished some rocks in about 20 feet and picked up a half dozen. Definitely not out during prime time, 1400-1830. Tried everything got all but one fish on a Lindy rig and leech. Only one fish under 20". Biggest two were a 27 inch and a healthy 29 inch. All fish were netted and never lifted out of the water while unhooking and releasing. 

Screenshot_20170601-190111.png

Screenshot_20170601-190102.png

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

One of these days I gotta fish for smallies on Mille lacs...I've caught 3 while walleye fishing and they went 19.5,20.5,21.5" they appear to be pre-spawn still...

IMG_0850.jpg

IMG_0859.jpg

IMG_0861.jpg

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

beasts !

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In regards to the boat launches the best public one I have found is the furthest west one in father hennepin. A day pass is 5$ and I think my season one was 20$. In regards to a pay launch I like agatt bay (spelling?) North East side of the lake. Malmo is shallow and Westwood is just about impossible for a dual axal bunk trailer

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any story behind all the tagged smallies? I caught 3 yesterday but only got pics of 1 to register. Saw probably 4-5 more with tags. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Couldn't make it to the mud today, too windy in the little boat. Found a few around 18-20 ft on the gravel. Biggest 28, smallest 18 inches. Lindy's and leeches. Healthy looking eye's 

IMG_20170605_210052.jpg

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You guys are killing me...I can't get out fishing the Pond until July. :(

 

Anyways, thanks for the reports.  Good to see the 'eyes are still looking healthy. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stick in Mud, they'll still be biting when you do get up here. I did see a decent amount of smallies in the shallows launching yesterday, they'll keep you busy during the walleye July break. I'm sure come Aug you'll be able to catch them on the mud. I'm catching them out of a 14 ft with a vexilar for electronics so anyone can find them and catch them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Well, after six weeks of being away, it sure was nice to get back on the Pond. 

 

I honestly don't remember walleyes this dumb (well, except for this winter...).  I don't know how many fish we caught, but it got boring reeling them in.   Plenty of big fish out on the mud, then when the kids literally couldn't reel in any more fish, we went in shallower with leeches whacked 'em there, too, until the bait ran out. Shallow fish were definitely smaller, though.  

 

Just for fun, we tried trolling spinnerbaits on leadcore, and yep, that works.  Also caught them on a daredevil (I told you we were getting bored) and a crawler harness that we attached to the leadcore just for shiggles and gits.  More traditional tactics worked, too -- cranks, jigging raps, road hunting, spinners, etc.  Pretty incredible, to be honest.  And it ain't rocket surgery, so if you're curious about trying to learn a new technique, now would be a great time to get some practice and build some confidence. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey guys.

 

New on here. I'm going to make the trip up to the pond on Thursday, first time getting up there in a couple years and want to get out before it closes!

 

Stick in the mud - any pointers you could spare to help me out? depth? cork or rigging ? are all flats productive right now or are there specific ones to check out?

 

Thanks fellas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm heading over there tomorrow, and since the eyes are closed anyone one have some direction for smallies?  Never fished it for smallies so I got a blank slate.  Staying at Fishers in Malmo.  Weather looks decent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • The title was changed to Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Reports 2017
On ‎7‎/‎4‎/‎2017 at 10:18 AM, depsps said:

Hey guys.

 

New on here. I'm going to make the trip up to the pond on Thursday, first time getting up there in a couple years and want to get out before it closes!

 

Stick in the mud - any pointers you could spare to help me out? depth? cork or rigging ? are all flats productive right now or are there specific ones to check out?

 

Thanks fellas.

I'm very sorry I didn't read this until now.   We fished the northwest side and hit Matton, Purity, Phils, the Broken Wishbone, Krause, Myr Mar, and Hourglass Flats (pretty much all of them).  All had fish.  From what I hear from others, it doesn't really matter.  We also did very well fishing in the middle of nowhere, just driving around until we started marking big pods of bugs and the associated walleye arcs.  I assume the bite will still be better than average in August, so all I'd recommend is using electronics to first start marking fish...and then fish them. 

 

I fished Wednesday and Thursday (today).  Yesterday was unbearably hot with very little to no wind.  We got ten pulling leadcore and Hornets on the top edge of the flats.  The bite definitely slowed for us, but between the ankle-biting flies and heat, we didn't stick it out very long.

 

Today/Thursday, we fished the reefs.  Our first two passes were with leadcore off the deep side, fishing between 23 and 27 feet.  Didn't catch a walleye (did get some big bass, though).  Decided to get lazy and throw out some bobbers in 22 ft., and we got 25 in about three hours.  I don't know why they weren't biting the cranks, but they weren't.

 

Hopefully you caught some fish, depsps.  I'll be back out in late July and August (if the lake actually does "reopen").  I'll make sure to post reports when I do. 

 

Fishhawk, we did catch some tanker smallies pulling lead off the reefs, and we caught a few on bobbers and leeches walleye fishing on Garrison Reef.  I was out of town from opener until this week, so I haven't had much time to chase smallies.  I wish I had them dialed in, but I don't.  I do see a lot of guys in fancy bass boats fishing mid-depth rocks (looks to me like...12 to 20 ft, give or take), but I don't know what they're using, and I haven't watched them enough to see if they're catching any fish.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I made it out Wednesday and it started good then when the wind died my bite did too...I was marking a lot of fish and couldn't get them to go so I pulled out a jigging rap and they were loving that... Got my new PB walleye (really fat 28.5), of course I was by myself so no good pics... I couldn't believe how hard that thing fought, I thought I had a big pike... I marked tons of fish off the side of the flats when the wind died, but couldn't get them to bite...I should have rigged up a slip bobber, but I was lazy... Everyone keeps saying about the walleyes being skinny, but the majority I have caught have been thick.

IMG_7805.png

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

so what is the rule right now?  Can you fish for walleyes with artificial bait or not at all?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not supposed to target Walleyes.  Guess it will be up to the Wardens discretion as he pulls his pad of violation tickets out. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Curious to know how busy the lake was this past weekend? would really love to make it up to the pond while the walleye season is shut down, unfortunately there just isn't enough time :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pressure has been very modest, at times the bass boats far outnumber the walleye folks, or so it seems. There were very few boats out on the deep gravel, even over the somewhat busy 4th of July weekend.  The DNR's latest "hooking mortality" numbers are at 31,769 lbs. through June 30th. Fishing pressure during the period June 16th through the 30th was estimated to be 85,106 angler hours, with 174,461 lbs. of walleyes released, and 10,650 lbs. of mortality. How that can be possible is anyone's guess.

To keep that in perspective, in 15 days, there were 11,630 lbs. of released fish a day, and 710 lbs. of dead fish a day.

Can't make this stuff up....and everyone that fishes better hope "Hooking Mortality" does not come to a lake near you. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I understand what you are saying scilpin.  From the papers I read launches were sometimes catching 300-400 eyes per 4 hr trip.  My buddies consistently caught 40-60 walleye a evening.   Those numbers can add up quickly. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.