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.

Pros.....

Guest

By Guest
in Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Reports

 Share

Recommended Posts

Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

Well the bite has fell off the edge and I haven't heard anything on this board for quit some time. Guys like Scott S. & other "pros" haven't had much too say. I here about the Smallies and the Muskie..Thats only obvious. Anyone that spends time on the lake knows where to find the smallies and knows were the muskies are lurking. Its those Walleyes. Where are they? Besides that, where are the FM guys that talk so much....is evertyone at their summer hide outs? Are you catching the infamous EYE? I don't think so. The walleye bite is horrible. Places I've caught eyes minute after minute in the dead of the summer are cold as can be. There are a few spots that produce....But,...there is something wrong..what? I don't know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Scott Steil Proficient

Scott Steil

Posted
Posted

Pretty busy this time of year! If you are used to pulling leeches on snells, then yes, the bite has slowed. I have been pulling cranks on boards for the most part the last 3 weeks. Sure it is not like the hot South End Gravel bite we had going a couple weeks ago, but the size it terrific, the numbers are good and there are always some bonus fish thrown in!

We are getting to that time of year where the bobber bite at night on the mud is the way to go. Derek does a lot of this has been having a lot of fun to say the least.

The trolling pattern continues to be good. I let me electronics tell me where the fish are. Then it is just a matter of adjusting the presentation.

------------------
Mille Lacs Guide Service
www.millelacsguideservice.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Fathead Community Regular

Fathead

Posted
Posted

WalleyeRMe

For non BOARD users as well, crankbaits and three-ways are the ticket this time of year. Try stepping up to a #9 minnow rapala combined with the approach of running your rigs higher in the water column at faster speeds. I have had my best fishing when the crank is running 3 to 4' above the bottom. This allows the bait to travel above or at the same depths as the active fish you are seeing on your locater. I also think you should consider speeds around 2mph or even greater, to take advantage of the "Reactionary" bite that seems to work well when the water temps hit 75 degrees or higher.

Try the west and north tip of Gregs Flat. Paralleling the flat first and then trolling off-to-on and vice versa. This technique works amazingly well for Gregs northwest edge. The water drops from 25 to 36 sharply, and the fish seem to love to ambush the bait here.

Also try Agates needle, the north edge of Fishers and the south tip of Backers. These are good areas now, and are less traveled than the traditional Boot, 7mile and Blue Jug flats. These areas are also good, but generally get too crowded.

Side Note...When fishing Fishers north edge, make sure you try trolling off the flat 20 to 50 yards in the deeper areas. These can produce very nicely sometimes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

Scott: When you are pulling those cranks on boards are you fishing the bottom or are you chasing suspended fish...Not looking to bump hulls with you I'm more curious about any incidental Smallmouths you might be running into...I've caught Smallies on other lakes that are in open water but never on Mille Lacs...Just looking for a new pattern to target the fish that don't see as many lures. Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mayfly Proficient

Mayfly

Posted
Posted

If you have the electronics, people are catching a fair number of fish suspended. Walleyes are targeting the swarms of baitfish. If know a guy who found schools of cisco suspended and ran cranks through them and had a lot of walleye success. The trouble is finding them. Once you find them its all about timing and knowing how to run your crank bait I guess. Just my two cents guys.......

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

The nite bobber bite had been great on the mud. The edges and tips have been producing well. The bite starts at sundown then tapers off until around 11pm and then picks back up again.
I suggest pulling cranks on boards during the day, even if you only fish two lines, your still covering more water when fishing the basin areas..

Good Luck

------------------
Mille Lacs Guide Service
651-271-5459
www.millelacsguideservice.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Scott Enthusiast

Scott

Posted
Posted

I've had some success lately pulling the little reef runners inbetween the flats. Two weeks ago I caught 3 fish between 27 and 28, nothing over but it sure is fun catching them. I have also been keeping the speed right around 2 mph with about 200 feet of line out.

Scott and Derek,
I've never used boards before, but I'm thinking of trying it in the future. Question for you, when using boards how much line do you let out before attaching the board, and then how much additional line do you let out once the board is attached.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Adam Adler Enthusiast

Adam Adler

Posted
Posted

For people looking to try new techniques like running leadcore, snap weights, planer boards, etc. the precision trolling book will help point you in the right direction.

To run in-line planer boards you let out as much line as needed to get your bait to the desired depth, clip the board on the line, and then let out as much line as you want from the rod to the board. The more line you let out, the further away the board will run. I suggest only letting out twenty or thirty feet of line from the rod to the board to start with and increase the length as you get more comfortable reading the boards. The further the board is away, the harder it becomes to tell when a fish hits.

There are other reasons to run boards than just fishing shallow water. The main reason is spreading lines out especially in clear water like Mille Lacs.

Another reason would be to give your lure action. At times the board bouncing in waves will give your lure action that a walleye can't resist. We have had days when we got all our fish on the boards and none on the flat lines. It goes the other way at times too.

You can also use boards to cover different depths. On some of the flats you can fish the top, middle, or bottom all at once by running on the center of the break with one line out the back and boards off both sides. Once you get a pattern figured out you can adjust you lines accordingly.

When your old stand-by presentations aren't working try experimenting. It can pay off.

[This message has been edited by Adam Adler (edited 07-21-2003).]

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Roosterslayer05 Proficient

Roosterslayer05

Posted
Posted

Pull deep diving shad raps, they seem to work the best, I troll fast at 2.6-3.2 mph. YOU dont have to use boards unless you are fishing with more than three lines, people only use boards to get lines away from the boat so they can fish more lines, when you fish that deep you dont need them. I wouldent advise trolling slower than 2.2 mph cause I have never caught an eye slower than that

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Scott Steil Proficient

Scott Steil

Posted
Posted

I haven't been running into much for smallies on the mud. Nice pike though! Most of time we are fishing suspended, although some days the bottom fish go. I have been trying to run where the bait fish are hanging. The water is still clear and the fish have no trouble finding the lure. A safe bet is to run at the same level or just below the bait fish are you marking.

------------------
Mille Lacs Guide Service
www.millelacsguideservice.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rms Enthusiast

rms

Posted
Posted

Bronzeback,

I was running a rattlin rogue on leadcore off the west side of 3-mile about two weeks ago and was picking up some nice smallies in about 18'-25' of water--go figure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Scott Steil Proficient

Scott Steil

Posted
Posted

I have nothing more to add. Adam covered it very well.

As for where we have been running our cranks. Look for the baitfish. As Adam said, then use the trolling bible to target depth with a specific lure.

------------------
Mille Lacs Guide Service
www.millelacsguideservice.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      Great Week for Anglers

      By LakeofthewoodsMN · Posted

      On the south end...  A great week of walleye and sauger fishing on Lake of the Woods.  Lots of limits.  Good numbers of fish being caught, which includes eaters, slots and some trophy walleyes to make things interesting!    Most anglers are jigging with a frozen emerald shiner or live minnow.  Jig colors to consider are gold with a bright color such as gold / pink, gold / glow white and even gold with some tinsel.     Some reports of spinners starting to work well tipped with a minnow or crawler.  A great technique is drifting with a 2 ounce bottom bouncer and spinner rig. Fish being caught around the lake.  Trust your electronics and watch for fish.  In addition to the south shore where various schools of walleyes and saugers are living, consider the Garden Island area, Knight / Bridges Island area, and Twin Islands where good fish are being caught.   Most walleyes in that 18 - 24 foot depth.    Good pike reports.  Back bays are still holding good eaters and a few big females.  Some of the larger fish have made their way to the lake.   On the Rainy River...   Walleye anglers are finding some nice eater walleyes in the River.  There is always a number of walleyes that stay in the river all year.  Whether you like the beauty and secluded feel of the river, have a small boat or simply want to get out of the wind, the river is a great summer spot with little traffic.  Anchored up or slowly moving upstream with a jig and minnow, trolling spinners / crawlers or trolling crankbaits are all effective right now.     Smallmouth bass are plentiful in the Rainy River.  Whether you are a bass angler or simply want to mix up species, target feeder rivers, bridges, and areas with rocks.   The sturgeon season will re-open again July 1st. Up at the NW Angle...  Excellent walleye fishing this past week.  The jig and minnow is the goto bait.  Anglers using spinners with crawlers or minnows and crankbaits are catching lots of fish as well.     Structure around the many islands holding walleyes.  Shallow flats areas with current are also heating up.     Great fishing reports from both sides of the border.  NW Angle anglers boating into Canada to fish cannot possess or transport any bait, alive or dead.  Most are using jigs / plastics, artificial crawlers on spinners and crankbaits with great success.  If desired, live bait is available and can be purchased for the day just over the border via boat in Canada, check with your resort for details. This entire area is great for multispecies action.  In addition to walleyes, big pike, smallmouth bass, jumbo perch, crappies,and muskies are also being caught on a regular basis.  
    • Rivergroup
      2023 Lake Vermilion Fishing Reports

      By Rivergroup · Posted

      We are heading up a week from Friday if anyone has walleye thoughts on the West end. Thanks!
    • delta dude
      Whitefish Chain Fishing Reports

      By delta dude · Posted

      Fishing for Walleyes slow. Panfish are going good however.  Lots of junk floating around the lake be careful. Pontooners give the fishing boats a wide birth.
    • Feathers Rainin
      2023 Lake Vermilion Fishing Reports

      By Feathers Rainin · Posted

      Thanks to all that have shared reports.   Please post water temps and general area of the lake from the weekend and throughout this week.  I am heading up this weekend and water temp will play a role in our tactics.  Thanks!
    • Rick
      OutdoorMN News - Fish and Wildlife Almanac, May 30 (published May 30, 2023)

      By Rick · Posted

      A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management.Discuss below - to view set the hook here.
    • Rick
      OutdoorMN News - Lake sturgeon egg take on Rainy River key to restoration success in Red River Basin (published May 30, 2023)

      By Rick · Posted

      DNR now leading egg take effort in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Red Lake and White Earth nations.Discuss below - to view set the hook here.
    • Rick
      OutdoorMN News - Newborn bison calves join herds at Minneopa, Blue Mounds state parks (published May 30, 2023)

      By Rick · Posted

      The state park herds usually grow by 25-30 calves each spring.Discuss below - to view set the hook here.
    • geniejamess
      Filming hunts - tips & advice

      By geniejamess · Posted

      Great idea! Filming your hunts and watching the footage during the offseason is a fantastic way to stay connected to your passion. YouTube offers a wealth of non-professional hunting videos filled with tips and inspiration. Your friend's camera stands for shallow water hunting sound impressive! It's a clever way to capture memorable moments. Enjoy your hunts and happy filming!  
    • chucker1101
      2023 Lake Vermilion Fishing Reports

      By chucker1101 · Posted

      Fished for about 4-5 hours this weekend with the kids, all time in Big Bay. Had a mix of rainbows and pike suckers for bait. Rainbows out-fished pike suckers, and the small rainbows were bringing in fish. Caught about 12-14 fish, kept 8 for a fish fry. Biggest was 16". Limited sample says action seemed better in the morning than evening. Working 16-18' in the morning was our best run. Evening was slow. Didn't get to too many places, hit four reliable spots and caught fish in 3 outta 4.
    • SkunkedAgain
      What's the water temp today? Please update

      By SkunkedAgain · Posted

      I generally found 65 degrees in Black Bay, and 60-62 degrees in main areas of the west end. Ideal swimming temps in my opinion, where you jump in and notice the cool and then it feels great after you swim around a bit.
×
×
  • 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.

  I accept