*Its gettin old guys*

[Guest]

Alright, so people say that the the bite for eyes on mille lacs is the best its been in like 12 years or something. Its a lot of fun but its gets old throwing back fish after fish after fish. The slot should be lengthened to 16.5 inches, Then I would go home with a limit everytime. It seems all people care about are those walleyes just cause they taste the best. So why not hit up some other fish that are equally challenging but yet a bit more exciting. I was up there today and had a blast catching them. A 18 inch small mouth fights harder than a 26 inch walleye. Anybody been after them this year?

[eye]

Great post!! I have been thinking about trying to catch some smallies, but I really don't have any idea on where to start. I have only fished for them on the Mississippi. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Rick]

The Southeast side of Mille lacs from Big Point to Cove contain many great smallie areas. If it has rocks and sand/rubble nearby, it very likely contains smallies. Don't be afraid to explore sand/rubble areas for rocks.

Depths can be from 1' to 8' of water. The 5" mega Tube jig in Pumpkin Seed can be very effective. You can find many in the 20" plus class in this area of the lake and they are a blast to catch.

Don't be afraid to run Lil' Rascal cranks past them as well as other soft plastics (Fish Candy) and Fingerlings.

To see more about this highly effective line-up Click here

Have fun going after those huge smallies, I know I have.

PS. As the water warms look for them a bit deeper in the same general areas and don't be afraid to toss Spinner Baits and Ghost Shad cranks.

PPS. These fish love to feed on the abundant rusty crayfish population.

[Guest]

I agree too! Heading up for a 3 day weekend Friday... would like to tie into some smallies myself!

[early007]

I was up there last week for the wave wackers. I talked to a kid that has a cabin on the south end. He said he'd been out for the smallies and really pounded them in the shallow rocks on tube jigs. Many nice ones.

[Guest]

I am a proponent of the slot limit for this reason: The few ruin it for the many. For those of us that drive in for the day from the cities it becomes an expensive trip and taking some fish home to eat would be nice (even thought it then runs about $100 per pound).

Unfortunately, there are many people (not all) that either live on the lake, or are retired and fish daily, that can easily take advantage of the rules. How many times have you heard of a cabin owner on the lake catching their limit, dropping it off at the cabin, and going out for more? Too many.

Result: Supply of fish goes down again and we stop driving to Mille Lacs because the fishing sucks!!

If I could make one change I would say that the 1 over 28" should be reduced to 1 over 24". I have yet to go out this year and not catch at least a 24" walleye. Put one of those with a couple slots and you will have a meal. That's all anyone needs.

I feel for the resorts if they are hurting. But many people, including myself, are going to Mille Lacs more than ever. So is it true they are losing busines?? Dunno.

Finally, FISHING IS A SPORT, NOT A MEANS OF SURVIVAL. Walleye at the supermarket is a hell of a lot cheaper.

[Guest]

nothin is a secret on mille lacs, so I'll tell my story. I went out isle, and headed north going in and out of the bays. My buddy and I were using great big salt tubes. He used craw and I used white. The white out did craw 2:1,(maybe it was technique ) We did very well. We tried some beetle spins and road runners but didn't do as well. I noticed that they were mainly in light rush, or on the bottom of small drops in the shallow water. Don't be afraid to go inside the buoys. Sorry it takes me so long to post lately. Work is really slowing me down.