Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Reports by Wilderness Warmth

[WildernessWarmth]

We drilled and staked our road all the way out to Spirit Island today. Ice thickness in the channel was between 10-11", from the channel to Kings Hump the average was between 11-12". From Kings to Spirit Island average ice thickness was 12" though we did have four holes that were 10". From the Beard/Horseshoe area we have to shave down 3-4 heaves to gain access with trucks to pull houses. At this point we recommend ATV traffic only (from the channel on) for a couple more days. Be safe and be smart.

[Fisher_Dude]

hows the Ice today? can I drive a minivan out to Spirt?

[WildernessWarmth]

We have roads staked and marked all the way to Spirit Island.  From just short of Kings Hump to Spirit Island we recommend ATV traffic only.  There are a couple of heaves that we have flooded and are waiting for them to firm up.  Ice thickness from Kings Hump to Spirit Island is 12-14".  Our road is open for vehicle traffic from the bay through the channel to our first three structures including the Beard, Horseshoe and Sunken Boat.  Ice thickness in these structures ranges from 12-14". We are hoping to open the road to Spirit Island within a couple days.

Fish report:  fishing in the bay has been excellent for northerns with numerous fish over 20 lbs.  Some individuals reported still catching walleyes in the bay. Perch actions is fast and steady with 1 out of 20 being a keeper.  The main lake walleye bite was good for house in the 21-23' range and houses in the 12-15' range all did well.  Some houses reporting over a dozen fish per night (can't tell you who ;D).

As always be smart and be safe.  Please drive 10 MPH or under as it is early ice and we will be stopping all vehicles driving faster. 

[leech~~]

Is there a lot of busted up ice out around Spirit this year?

[WildernessWarmth]

Our road is now open to Kings Hump and Spirit Island!! Average ice depths are 14" - 16".  The walleye bite has been good in 18'-20' of water and the northern bite is still hot in cove bay. 

Please keep your speed while driving out from 10-15 MPH, we ill be stopping all vehicles driving faster.  Be smart and be safe.

[WildernessWarmth]

Updated ice report: road is fully open to Kings Hump and Spirit Island. On the average 15-17" of ice in these areas. We will be staking our road past Spirit Island hopefully by Sunday to our next structure and working our way out toward the mud. Fishing remains consistent in 18-20' of water with many reports of keeper limits and several fish over 29". 26-28' of water is also starting to pick up with mostly larger fish being caught. Cove Bay remains extremely hot for northerns with several over 20lbs being caught this week and a lot in the 32-37" range. Remember, be safe, be smart and DRIVE SLOW!

[leech~~]

Is there a lot of busted up ice out around Spirit this year?

Since I was out there on Sat, I guess I will answer my own question. Yes, there is one He11 of a lot of busted up ice that is hard to get around. The whole right side of Spirit is unpassable. But, you can get out behind it on the left side. That's where I was all by myself with sled and porty until two resort trucks pulled up with a house and dropped it about 80 yards from me and I had to shag their two labs away with my ice scoop! But, it's a big lake and I moved!

[tisosy11]

How's the road/ice after this warm up? Looking to come up this afternon and tomorrow. Wanted to get my boy on some pan fish during the day and hopefully a walleye or two at night...any suggestions on depth?

[WildernessWarmth]

We will be staking our road in the morning past Spirit Island approximately 1 1/2 miles to the mud. This will open up all the structures to the north and the east of Spirit Island to vehicle traffic. We have two small cracks by Mazominee Point which are bridged but should be healed by the weekend. There are not any other cracks past Mazominee Point at this time.

Fishing report: Wednesday night through Saturday morning fishing was very good in 26-29' of water. The bite has slowed down in the 20-24' of water range. The last couple days with the cold weather has slowed the bite.

Remember be safe, be smart and drive slow.

[WildernessWarmth]

Ice Report:  We have a consistent 18-20" of ice in most areas.  Our road is open to the mud past Spirit Island.

Fishing Report:  the 28'+ depth range has been hot as of the last 3 days.  The 24-26' depth range has been pretty steady and the 18-22' depth range has slowed.  The perch bite has been slow. 

Everyone seems to be doing well on large shiners.

Be safe, be smart and remember the speed limit on the lake is 10 MPH.

[WildernessWarmth]

Ice report: We have 20"+ of ice in most areas. We do have a bridge to cross by Mazominee Point but after that there are no more bridges. We hope when temperatures rise to zero the cracks will heal and stabilize. Twenty below is not good weather for healing cracks (too cold too fast).

Fish Report: 18-20' on gravel over the weekend was good. 24-26' just off the rock over the weekend through Tuesday was very good. 28-31' in the mud was the best, the last five days has been very hot despite the weather conditions. Most all fish are being caught on rattle reels instead of jigging. Shiners seem to continue to be the ticket.

Be safe, be smart and drive slow. Cross the bridge at a CRAWL (slow, slow, slow)!!!!!! Faster is not better when crossing the bridge. 15MPH or less on the main road!!