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2020 Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Reports


Rick

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Been fishing opener on Mille lacs since 1972 and My feeling for this years open is the same as years past. Be up and fishing at sunrise and fish shallow in sand. I use a Bottom rig with a floating jig head (RED} and 9 ft leader. As the morning progress I find 10-15 ft rock piles and fish with a slip bobber. I move a lot and keep a close eye on the depth finder. But the main thing I found was don't sit to long in 1 spot. Keep moving. GOOD LUCK.

Also, a lot of boats don't mean alot of fish.

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try split-shoting with a leech over the weeds.... or right over the tops of the rocks. split shot 3 feet from red hook and leech and keep it just ontop of the weeds or rocks... very very finesse... but works. kind of tough to feel where youre at but you wont miss fish...

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I'll keep that one in mind. I assume you will be up there also???

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I've never been to the big pond on opener. I don't know how you guys do it. I would love to be there, but every year I keep thinking the same thing.....Too many boats! I hate the crowds. Maybe it’s not as bad as I'm imagining it, but I'll be somewhere else on opener and hit Mille Lacs during the week.

Have a safe and happy opener everyone!

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i dont usually go up opener rodmaker. i usually wait till the weekend after to let the water warm up a bit. once that surface temp warms up a bit they really really start to go. but i do like th enight ban being off opener its fun getting the biggens at night.

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The key to Mille lacs opening day is get to a boat launch around 5:00. Usually there are only few boats to wait for. Seems like anytime after 6:-6:30 is when they get crowded.

Give it a shot.

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ill try my best i just dont like the crowds it seems everytime u get on a few bam no more.. but thats mille lacs i guess....

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those crankbaits can catch fish if you have a pretty good blow

comin from the south along that north shore in bout 3-5 fow

i tried it one yr just for the heck of it caught 4 nice fish

but i was by myself can be a little trickie in the wind like that bringing in the fish and keeping the boat out in deep water

but it was still fun i was using #5 i believe perch color shad rap

when i cleaned those fish they had perch in them exactly the same size as that rap

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walleyejoe,

That's what makes Mille lacs a blast on the opener. I'm usually off the water by 3:00 in the afternoon Sat. at the latest.

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My problem is getting off the water on opener the last two years 3 people in the boat done a 7am and then have to fight the crowds to get into the channel and take the boat out when everyone else is trying to get in. But like was said earlyer be their by 5am it will not be as crowded and you will be able to find a spot to park even with it being crowded on the water most people are very respectful and try to keep their distance unless it's very windy and then boat control plays a big part with that many boats.

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You are right, you don't want to be near a launch around 7:00am. or 4:00-7:00pm.

If it were me, and I like to fish ML, I would go and avoid the ramps during "prime time".

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But waiting at the ramp,seeing all the hollerin and crabbin, all the people that do not know that you should have already pre-ran the boat b4 hand, watchin people back up. Thats all part of the yearly tradition on ML on opener. I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

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Yes sir!!! boat ramp memories are priceless. gotta love it, great entertainment. Its half the fun, not that I'm perfect at the ramp but Im usually ready to launch when I get my turn. Have a safe opener all of you, and catch a couple also.

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It's one thing if they are backed in and trying organize their stuff, but if somoene is having trouble offer to help and assist, it is a very stressful time for people the first couple ramp visits a year...

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I'll be in the sand sat in a black Pro-Craft with red and gold trim , stop by and compare notes. Would like to see/meet other FMer's

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I know guys who do well trolling raps up by Malmo

RM, that sounds like that will be us this year, at least trolling raps. I hope the "do well" part follows! We are staying in that area through Monday. There will be two of us in a tan/black CL Sportfish 1850 with a yami on the back.

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I'll be in a YarCraft (white) 1895 Storm tiller. 3 of us. Good luck!!!!

Don't be afraid during the day to hit Carlsona and fish the deep sand 20 - 26 ft. Often we do well there when the shallow water isn't producting. Leeches single chart bead 7-9 ft snells.

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What's the slot right now. I've heard 16-18" but then I've heard it's up to 21" till sometime in June. Anyone know this?

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2009 Slot for walleyes on Mille Lacs right from the DNR Website:

Walleye: Release immediately all walleye 18.0" through 28.0"; Possession limit is 4, with only one over 28.0".

Also check the landings as this information is suppose to be posted there as well.

Heading out of Hunters...in a 1700 Lund Fisherman (Blue and Pewter).

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What is the "word" on the opener walleye bite on Mille Lacs?

Anyone coming in from fishing last night? smile

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Josh,

No one in yet this a.m. A few ventured out last night but not many. A few slot fish being caught on the gravel.

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Two of us boated 8 fish in 3.5 hours....26.5,26,26,23,23,22.5,22,21,21,17. Trolling Rapalas in 10-13ft....on was caught in 6 feet. Very unagressive bite, we had 4 other fished hooked, and lost...overall, a good night!

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All the neighbors in The Red Door area that went out at midnight did pretty good on Rapalas. Mostly too big but one pair had their 8 keepers in the mix. Most had one or two or three keepers and eight or ten big ones. Haven't heard anything this morning about the daytime catches. Cold, cloudy, windy and misting a little.

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Have they been running raps on the north end sand or over to the rocks somewhere?

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They all fished a half mile either side of the Knox Point area.

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