Was it just me, or were there more wheel houses out last weekend than i have ever seen on Mille lacs? I can only assume all of them are keeping at least one fish over the weekend and the quota for 2021 will be gone soon. I checked the MNDNR Mille Lacs creel for 2021 and there is nothing. 
Was it just me, or were there more wheel houses out last weekend than i have ever seen on Mille lacs? I can only assume all of them are keeping at least one fish over the weekend and the quota for 2021 will be gone soon. I checked the MNDNR Mille Lacs creel for 2021 and there is nothing.
While I cannot confirm the number of wheel houses out there visually, I would have to imagine that they were only recently allowed to go out with a truck because of the ice conditions. At least on the mud flats. I think they have been permitted closer to shore for a while now. It simply has not been very cold this winter.
According to reports and updates, even people on this very website, the fishing has been quite poor this winter (and last fall) compared to recent years. There is supposedly a lot of bait fish in the lake from recent perch and tulibee hatches so the fish are not as willing to bite. I wouldn’t worry about the quota if this is the case.
There were quite a few out, but I’m not seeing anything different than last couple years. I do know some resorts are limiting how many wheel houses they are letting out of their access to the pre plowed spots. It’s still not real safe to be off-roading in uncharted territory. Many large drift with lots on slush underneath.
I doubt everyone is keeping their one keeper. I know a few people who haven’t even caught a fish. They all park in a circle, 8 houses in a 50 square yard area & they wonder why they haven’t caught much. With resorts relaxing their driving restrictions, more people are stopping at the Big Pond instead of going to Red or LOTW.
I’ve caught upwards of 40 fish since getting the skid house out 3 weekends ago. only 2 fish have been “keepers”. Both went back to swim another day.
Was it just me, or were there more wheel houses out last weekend than i have ever seen on Mille lacs? I can only assume all of them are keeping at least one fish over the weekend and the quota for 2021 will be gone soon. I checked the MNDNR Mille Lacs creel for 2021 and there is nothing.
You won’t find anything until the quota is actually set. That doesn’t happen until the ice season is over.
Seams like there is more, these resort owners must be making a killing.
Seams like there is more, these resort owners must be making a killing.
Well no, not really. Keep in mind it’s an eight weekend season most years, this year even fewer with the late ice setting up. 6-8 weeks of revenue is a small window to make hay when there’s zero revenue during the off seasons.
Was it just me, or were there more wheel houses out last weekend than i have ever seen on Mille lacs?
It was just you, likely there’s fewer out there the last few weeks than there would’ve been during a typical year.
The “illusion” is that they’re all concentrated in smaller areas due to limited access farther out. Few resorts have been able to plow out and open up to the mid lake structure. Just starting to get out there now and most places have been limiting 1 tons and tandem houses. Once they’re able to open things farther out, wheelhouses will spread out and what looks like fewer will actually be more in total.
Seams like there is more, these resort owners must be making a killing.
With a 3 week late start I doubt it.
Seams like there is more, these resort owners must be making a killing.
Based on the dozens of past posts about resorts closing/struggling on ML, if they are in-fact making a killing, good for them! If these resorts are to stay in business, then business needs to be good…
I was out on the flats last weekend with a buddy in his wheel house. From what I could see the 2nd break was packed like sardines with wheel houses. Out on flats you were able to find elbow room if were willing to go off road. We did alright and did catch 4 legal fish. one was a a 17 and one was a 15, the rest were over the slot.
I was out on the flats last weekend with a buddy in his wheel house. From what I could see the 2nd break was packed like sardines with wheel houses. Out on flats you were able to find elbow room if were willing to go off road. We did alright and did catch 4 legal fish. one was a a 17 and one was a 15, the rest were over the slot.
This is either a great joke that will rile some people up (kudos if it is), or living proof that whatever restrictions are put in place even on the most publicized walleye lake in the area will never completely change what people do.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Justin riegel wrote:</div>
I was out on the flats last weekend with a buddy in his wheel house. From what I could see the 2nd break was packed like sardines with wheel houses. Out on flats you were able to find elbow room if were willing to go off road. We did alright and did catch 4 legal fish. one was a a 17 and one was a 15, the rest were over the slot.
This is either a great joke that will rile some people up (kudos if it is), or living proof that whatever restrictions are put in place even on the most publicized walleye lake in the area will never completely change what people do.
Sorry that was worded poorly. I will edit it. Of all the fish caught 2 were below the slot coming in at 15 and 17. The rest were over 21 inches. We kept what is legal for a fry and let the other legal fish go.
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