mille lacs 2020 Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Reports

[hugonian1]

It sounds like some big cracks opened up out from Hunters.

Their website says their roads are closed until further notice.

[BradB]

It sounds like some big cracks opened up out from Hunters.

Their website says their roads are closed until further notice.

Darn it! I'm going stir crazy and want to get my house going. Everything is restrung, organized, cleaned, and I'm more than ready.

Thanks for the report, though.

[Chumba]

Was up at the pond last night for NYE out of appeldorns. They pulled our 8x16 house out on sat about 2 miles out. We unfortunately only caught 1 all night. Came at 11:15 on a rattle Reel while I was jigging another line. There were definitely some new cracks this morning. One parallel to the road. They had to add at least 2 new bridges today. I know their FB page said they were not allowing cars out today, but I think they just didnt want any un necessary traffic. Their service is top notch there

[Stick in Mud]

After the big freeze last night and tonight, I have to believe that we can't be long from trucks and big houses. I called Macs on Friday and they weren't letting vehicles or bigger houses out yet (mine is a 10 x 20). I'm sure hoping to get out ASAP. Are any other resorts letting trucks out and pulling big permanents?

Myr Mar is letting pretty much everything out now, but check in frequently because the shoreline can bust up and complicate things for a day or so.

[pushbutton]

I called Macs on Friday and they weren't letting vehicles or bigger houses out yet (mine is a 10 x 20). I'm sure hoping to get out ASAP. Are any other resorts letting trucks out and pulling big permanents?

[TRZ II]

Spent new years on deep gravel. Got 17 eyes and 12 were under 17" go figure. 2 man limit and a few 20-24". Good sign to see some smaller fish.

[wingnut38]

Was out on Sherman's for new years. Caught 15 Walters 20-24". Not one keeper. Had fun though. North star resort has a road marked out to the 20 footer. From there you can drive all over the flat.

[Craigums]

Is there a side of the lake that is concidered "better" for walleyes? Most of my ice fishing has been on the East side and at times I've done well with the Perch. North Side I've gotten into Tullibees, bet never had much luck with the walleyes..

[Stick in Mud]

I prefer the north and west sides of the lake, but that's because it's where I fish 99% of the time.

[willyfahey]

Is there a side of the lake that is concidered "better" for walleyes? Most of my ice fishing has been on the East side and at times I've done well with the Perch. North Side I've gotten into Tullibees, bet never had much luck with the walleyes..

I don't think one side is better than the other because all areas of the lake produce good amounts of walleyes on any given day. It's more a matter of putting time in on the water trying to find the target areas and applying different techniques. I tell people that ML is like 20 lakes in one but they all present differently depending on where you are. So, don't get discouraged and keep plugging away. Also, keep reading these forums and ask questions of people around the lake.

[mnfathead]

So whats the prefered mode of travel out on the pond??? Cars and trucks going all over yet or sleds and wheelers a better bet? Heading up on Sat. with the pa in law and wondering what we should plan on. Thanks

[willyfahey]

Atv is going to be the safest bet for criss country travel. There are still little cracks popping up here or there. Also, most of the snow blew off the lake. But, if you plan to stick close to the staked roads a truck will be fine.

[Stick in Mud]

I guess it kind of depends on which bite is "hot"...if it's a sand bite, you won't do well on the southside. If they're biting best on the gravel, you won't do well out of Wealthwood. In all honesty, at least in the summer, I'd say the "best" side of the lake is the one that has the wind blowing into it.

[Zenit]

Was out on Sherman's for new years. Caught 15 Walters 20-24". Not one keeper. Had fun though. North star resort has a road marked out to the 20 footer. From there you can drive all over the flat.

We're going out to Sherman's this weekend, were planning on just taking ATVs and sleds out, but it sounds like driving a vehicle should be good to go. Did you happen to notice what teh public landing at Shah-Bush-Kung-Bay looked like?

[TRZ II]

There was a big heave out there last thurs. trucks weren't going past it. About 2 miles out.

[hart0670]

Can anyone recommend an access to use if I wanted to fish northerns (tip ups) and pan fish in a bay during the day and walleyes at dark? I've fished in Isle Bay before, and may just do that again, but any other suggestions would be appreciated as I'd like to try other parts of the lake.

[FLAG!!]

Hart, you should be able to find the eyes at dusk/night in 15' - 18' straight out of Father Hennepin. Close enough to fish pike out of isle bay or even right in front of the launch at father Hennepin... Saw a few guys there last week fishing pike in/around the first drop off. That said, I don't know much about pike fishing on Mille lacs but I know the eyes are there. deadsticks and or tip ups... Seem to get spooked by spoons. Good luck.

[leech~~]

Wahkon Bay

[griff321]

It sounds like some big cracks opened up out from Hunters.

Their website says their roads are closed until further notice.

What a mess. Saturday night everything went south. They had a huge crack on their southern road that was a couple feet wide in places and three smaller ones right up in shore. Sunday morning they would only let one vehicle at a time go over a bit more than a half mile of road and the bridges next to shore, and you couldn't bring a wheelhouse with you. What a nightmare of a wait. I pity the poor people that waited for an hour or more only to figure out they had to drop their wheelhouse and get back in line. We got in line early and it still took a couple hours. When we finally hit shore their was a line as far as we could see. Funny thing was they said their was a lot of drunks tearing around at night, but I was close to the road and I didn't hear anyone going nuts that night. Their was a lot of drunks, but people were going slow. I felt like their own trucks towing out rentals were way worse all day saturday. They have some massive rentals and those guys were flying. Anyway, sounds like they finally opened things back up, so it's all moot.

Still the fishing was really good. We pounded them. We found scattered fish through the day and night with a really strong morning bite. Don't get too hammered like me, because that rattle wheel alarm will come around six or earlier and not stop until a bit after 8. Some other people had terrible weekends. I heard a lot of reports of two fish all weekend or just a few more. Hope everyone has a great weekend on The Pond and keep it safe.

[Shack]

Here is some concise info from around the lake found on the internet.

Quote:

Ice Thickness Reports from Around Mille Lacs 01-04-2013

Ice and Fishing Reports from the Major Resorts from Around Mille Lacs

Perfection to mayhem is the tone of how the ice is going on Mille Lacs for this up coming weekend. Actually as the week has played out so have all the road and ice conditions around the entire lake. Ice fishing and drive-able ice for cars, trucks and even wheel houses is certainly being had on all four sides of The Pond.

As always it is very wise to call ahead to your destination to make certain they have their roads open to the public if you plan on traveling via car or truck but wheeler or sled you should fine absolutely no issues what so ever. Cracks, heaves and bridges are more common this year than in previous years but all the resorts on Mille Lacs make extra sure their roads are safe on ice that is actually never safe.

The one additional major alert which rings loudly through out all the resorts and their reports is to keep your speed down under the 15 mile per hour mark when using anf of the mark resort roads. Even when using a wheeler you are encouraged to keep it slow and I will extend this to sleds if you are running them any resort road.

Fishing for walleyes and perch is starting to heat up and amazingly deeper flats are producing more than shallow structure and the night bite also seems to be out doing the day bite in certain areas of the lake.

Have a great weekend and GO Vikings!

East Side:

Appeldoorns Sunset Bay Resort reports roads are officially open to half ton vehicles and single axle wheel houses. They had some issues with cracks earlier in the week but have since worked their rear ends off to fix those issues and are good to go. Rumor has it that they have their plow trucks already out to 7 mile and trucks working on finishing up the road to 9 mile. Fishing reports are sparse but this will change any day as more come in but as always, Doe Island reef, if you can get around it, always holds good numbers of eater and trophy sized walleye and perch early in the season. Plus they have an all you can eat pizza and pasta deal going for the Packers and Vikes game this weekend so stop in and ask for Waldo for further details but also about the current bite info.

We are unsure of Nitti’s Hunters Point Resort as they have had some severe crack issues this past week but some reports and web cam images report travel on their roads so call ahead to be sure.

South End:

Wilderness Warmth Resort out of Cove Bay Reports having good roads out to King’s Hump and Sprite Island with ice thicknesses ranging from 14 – 16 inches. Walleyes are being found in 18-20 feet of water and a very hot northern bite right in Cove bay. If you have questions stop in and see either Jay or Amber for the latest.

Chapmens Resort reports approx 14-15 inches of ice on southeast side of lake 3 miles out near the wharf and big point. Roads are in good shape but call before hand and only cars to half ton vehicles are allowed but reports say they are allowing small to mid sized wheel houses.

Agate Bay Resort out of Isle reports no new cracks and they are even pulling some bridges back that spanned over cracks that have healed. They are allowing single axle wheelhouses through their access and are not allowing the bigger rigs through just yet. They report their roads have a solid 15 inches of ice and snow pack around the area is about 6 inches. If it has not been for all the cracks this year Agate Bay reports that this years ice is the best they have seen for many years. Fishing seems to pretty good even with the extreme temps and sunlight swings. Walleyes have been reported along Agate Bay reef and depth does not matter as much as your proximity to the reef. Anglers are finding a decent perch bite along Tullibee Trail off the fast break between 28 and 32 feet of water in the mud.

Brandt’s Resort reports they have roads opened to 1 1/4 reef but they are only allowing cars and single cab 1/2 ton trucks and are keeping an eye on the crack at Sloppy Joe’s which is not passable as of yet.

North End:

Red Door Resort Reports all is fine on the ice on the north shore as of late 1-3-2012 and they have a solid 15 inches out on the flats and the least they have found is 14 inches which was closer into shore. The crack at the shore which has been bridged is tight on the bank now and no live cracks between shore and the south tip of Eileens. The Red door has houses out as far as Weimer, Bombeck and Eileens and their road is out to the south tip of Eileens–following the east side of Resort . They also report that the ice is almost snow free and driving cross country is fine but watch closely for any fresh cracks or heaves. As far as fishing goes the walleyes seems to be most active after dark and though out the night on the deeper flats ranges from 26-30 feet deep. They ask all driving on the ice to please drive slowly.

Barnacles Resort reports they have ice houses out as far as the Bumps, Rock Pile and Sands in 20 feet of water and have 12-14 inches of ice with the 14 inches in closer to shore. Anglers are catching walleyes and perch on the Sands and East Flats.

West Side:

Rocky Reef Resort reports all of their houses are out on the ice and a solid 15 inches can be found all around. They do report a very narrow road going out to the first hump but after they plow through the heave and the North Northeast winds of December sure did a number on the first mile and half of ice but they will be plowing through the mess slowly.

[ReelTimes]

Any issues with going out of the public access in Garrison? I was planning to pull portable behind sled? Enough snow on the lake for the hyfax?

[maxpower117]

Is there anything more recent than a year ago?

[TDOT]

Going out tomorrow. Trying to find a safe spot to drive out that has walleye during the morn/eve bite and panniers during the midday bite.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks

[Stick in Mud]

Any issues with going out of the public access in Garrison? I was planning to pull portable behind sled? Enough snow on the lake for the hyfax?

There's a decent crack running right in front of the North Garrison access, but I'm pretty sure you could get over it with a sled. I'd be leery if you had a wheeler, though.

[ChildersFishing]

Is anybody doing any good on indian point? Driving out there now for so

e eyes! Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

[elusivecrappiecatcher]

Seems as if they're driving everywhere from what I have seen today. Fishing was not good today. Tried every color and type of lure all depths and many different spots. My normal hotspots didnt even produce. Managed 1 11" perch, a 21" walleye and a 19" smallmouth which was my first through the ice in my life and a blast! Pretty slow for us though. Ice is 15-17" everywhere I checked.

[SerendipityFishi]

My neighbor told me that a truck went for a swim today... just west of doe island... Luckily every one safe. I was driving my SUV today on the ice. I will drive my ATV tomorrow for sure.

Be carefully every one

[Stick in Mud]

Fairly slow weekend out in the Carmike House(s). Got up Saturday afternoon, headed out to the loneliest flat I could find. Saw four fish total, brought two through the ice. Last night, in Secret Spot #2, got two fish, one this morning. Left SS #2 for happier hunting grounds (shallower water), and got three more in about eight feet.

Fish were definitely in a negative mood. Jigging once again scared them away. All fish (except for the two on the flat) were caught on the set lines.

A buddy of mine kinda whooped me this weekend...caught more than I did all weekend in one night, and I hear from others that the bite up on the northwest end was either hot or not, depending on the tiny GPS coordinate you were on. We weren't on the right one this weekend, but there's always next weekend.

And hey, it's only a bit over four months 'til opener!

[Suomi]

Fished Seguchie Today. 26-32 fow. Caught Tulibee on demon and waxie. Two walleye 18.5 and 19.5. Both on set lines with fatheads. 32 fow. Not marking many fish. Those marked negative.

Wish I could have stayed for the night bite. Saturday night and Sunday morning strong walleye bite. 15" of ice. St Albans Road was excellent. Thanks Chris.

[Stick in Mud]

Oh yeah, and I gave myself quite a cut (I'll show you the "clean" picture...taken right after I cut my leg...the latter version is a bit gory). A Nils-Master will cut through ice...and legs.