Cabin open this weekend - Mille Lacs Lake - Mille Lacs Lake

Quote:

Never been there but looking for any insight for a December trip
Lodging?
Rentals?
Lures?
Locations?
Do’s and dont’s?
Places to eat?
What else am I missing?

I read a lot of good posts last early ice and would like to give a shot for the first time

I’m far from an expert or guide on that lake, but over the years have taken many trips up to URL. It’s a great body of water, and since the crappie fishing tailed off, the walleye fishing roared up to fill its place.

There’s several outfits around the lake, most of which are centered around the same resorts which will rent day houses and/or sleepers to you. Lodging is definitely in short-supply up there, so I’d start looking now if interested. I’ve stayed with Outdoors with Jonny P, Beacon Harbor, and Westwinds before, all with great results.

Most of my fishing has been on the east side of the lake out of Hillman’s Rd. Stop in to Hillmans, buy a pass and some bait, then listen to where guys have been doing well. Then drive to that location, go another 1/4 to 1/2 mile and start drilling.

Covering water in the basin is the truest and best way to track down fish in that lake. Not like take the auger and start walking, but have a guy on the tailgate, drive a 1/4 mile, punch 10 holes, then do it again. Keep doing it till you mark fish. Once you’re in them decent, then you can roam around on foot via auger. Often, there’s fish in every other hole, and the number of walleyes you can catch is directly related to how many holes you have the energy to drill.

Contrary to popular belief there is structure out there (besides center bar), and don’t be afraid to go shallower up against the break and to find rocks. Mid season, fish seem to be more basin-related. Earlier there’s some good breakline bites to be had.

Food is in short supply. There’s now a gas station in town which didn’t use to be the case, and this makes life much easier. Westwinds has good food and is the most popular (only?) spot on the lake in terms of a restaurant.

As for baits, that new VMC rattling spoon in the UV colors would be great as clarity is definitely poor. Cameras don’t work well there, and noise, vibration, and bright colors are a premium. Aggressive baits in red glow, UV colors, and chartreuse, working together with deadsticks and bobber rods for the less interested ones has always paid dividends for me up there.

Pay careful attention to what the locals are saying about time of bite. A sleeper with lines down at night is nice in this instance, as I’ve fished there when the best bites can be middle of the night. Roll out of bed and jig ’em up! Other years, you couldn’t buy a fish after dark and it really paid to be mobile out in the basin during the day.

If you don’t have rattle reels, bring tip-ups in the house with you and tie off a piece of mono to the tip of the flag, then the other end to the tab of a beverage can. Stack cans on top of the tied-off can, then go to bed….only to be awakened by cans flying everywhere! Lots of fun and works well.

Good luck and let us know if there’s any other info that might help!

Joel