Mille lacs / Mankato area

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Any one from our thred been up sticking a few of these eyes? If so were and how safe is the Ice, Are people using wheelers or trucks?I have acess to a hot maps chip for my Lowrance H2O so any details would be a pluss.

[Team Otter]

There are active fish on the north end mud flats that haven't seen a lot of fishing pressure. Look to the deep edges of the mud in 28 - 32' of water with jigging spoons and a small minnow head. Orange and yellow colors have been the best lately.

Good luck up there!

[Browning83]

I've been going up there a lot lately being home in the cities for break. I would say it is safe to bring wheelers and sleds out there but I'd double check with resorts to double check. There is a lot of ice up there but it isnt strong ice.....a resort guy told me it is comparible to "march honey comb ice". My buddy and I have done well on the flats (sorry....not going to give specific ones because there hasnt been pressure where we've been fishing) and we've gotten a limit each time out. One tip I'll give you is to try an all white swedish pimple with a minnow head.

[flipper]

There are a lot of unnamed flats on the north-end that work for me as well as the popular ones-- without the crowds. Look for the fish to be on the deep edge 28-32 fow. I think that ATVS or Snowmobiles should be ok but I would still be careful. I couldn't believe the (Contact US Regarding This Word) driving heavy trucks and suburbans all over.

Flipper out

[Sifty]

This may sound like ONE OF THOSE STORIES. But I have a friend who's brother live's by the lake. He has been hitting it pretty good. I've fished with him before and he has the run and gun style. He has been fishing pretty much the whole lake and is getting them everywhere. The better place's he has been doing good is on the 18 to 24 foot GRAVEL not rocks.

Good Luck

Sifty

[bitz]

Can someone explain how you use a minnow head (do you just pinch off the body and place the head on the hook)?

I have done that a few times, but with no luck

Bitz

[Team Otter]

Yeah, I typically just pinch off the body right behind the gills of the minnow head. Some use bigger portions of the minnow head. This is just my preference. I also like to hook the minnow head from the top of its head through the mouth, as if to "close" its mouth. Others go up through the bottom of the mouth to the top of the head.

[LaZyDayZ]

We went up the second weekend in January and had great success on the boot flat. Fished 24fow about 1' off the bottom with a jiggin rap and a minnow head.

Was up to the pond for 6 days over the New Year weekend.

Good solid 14" of clear ice and good roads plowed out of Terry's boat harbor. The fishing was slow on the main flats but we did manage to do ok getting off in areas without traffic. Caught many above the slot on a green crappie jig with a shiner head about 2' off the bottom in 28 to 30 fow off of the flats. We obviously threw them all back in but where fun to ice.

The ice conditions really vary around the lake. Heaves and cracks on the East side make it tough. The Northwest is in good shape.

I did pull my 8x12 wheel house with my F150 all over the middle of the lake. Good ice in my opinion but I highly advise you talk to the resort owners before you venture out.

[Ice Yet]

I grew up on mile lacs and get up there 1-2 times a week, shoot me an email and I will put you on a couple of spots just let me know what part of the lake you want to fish. [email protected]

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Thanks so far for the info keep it coming. I will shoot you an email if I get up there this weekend otherwise it will be after two work in rotation. As far as the minnow head I leave a chunck on the head and push the insides up instead of out great adder.

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Is this realy just a two hour a day bite? one in the morning and one in the eavening? What do you do all day if your up there in a permanant? also are some reefs or flats better for pearch this time of year?

[Team Otter]

I would start to refer to the Mille Lacs forum for more up to date information.

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

thanks otter