Some of the boat channels are froze over already and water temps on the main lake hover right around 40 degrees… but the fish keep on biting. Find out the where and how by checking out the following report by James Holst.
First of all,
Thank you very much James Holst for the Walleye 101 lesson on Mille Lacs. I cannot thank you enough for the not only the importance of details but the time of my life joking and laughing for so long.
And now, when I say pay attention to details let me tell you all, this……. We were fishing no more than 100 yards from shore; James said we were working this point of some kind that seamed to run parallel with the shoreline. We caught fish here all night long. We trolled back and forth about 100 yards along shore in about 10-12 feet and sometimes shallower. We were pulling husky jerks with about 150 to 165 feet of 6lb. dia. super braid line out. I mean, after doing this for well over 8 hours catching so many fish in the 20″-26″ range how tough would it be to come back and have a repeat session the next night? Well it’s alot tougher than I thought….. First of all It took me over two hours to find that sweet spot we were fishing. And when I did find it my paddle wheel speed sensor told me I was trolling 1.5 mph, I should be good right on? Right? WRONG !! I turned on the GPS and I was actually trolling 2.7 mph, Way To Fast !!! So for the next two hours I tried to use gadgets to slow my trolling speed down. (My motor is a 50 hsp Merc, no kicker) What I came up with was using my front trolling motor. I do not recommend this, anyway, to hard to control, but it did get us some good fish on the line.
I can’t stress enough to link up with James on one of these trips and use what he teaches you. He actually told us to fish right here tomorrow night , right where we were, no big deal he said, I’ll just go over to another spot. I’ll attach a pic of another FAT eye I caught the next night.
Thanks James,
I’d like to plan another trip for next year.
I,ve ice fished up here before too and I asked James if he ever caught very many burbot(ellpout) while trolling. I think he said no . Well I did 
You’re kidding me! I’ve never… what are the chances only one night after you asking me if that ever happens!! Well, its never happened to me and I hope it stays that way. Caught plenty through the ice but on a crank in the fall, never. Just goes to show how cold the water temps are I guess.
It was a memorable time…. from the supper shared a the Goose to catching all those fish together… all the stories and chatter.
Good times. If you want to make it again next year, your welcome in my boat any time. That Len guy is a good egg too…lol Bring him with if he can stand to take a day away from work.
I really have to agree with ecnook or better known on the lake as “Yank Parker”.The fishing was excellant.James is a very knowledgable guide.I do plan on making this a yearly trip.The thrill of catching so many nice fish in one nite was fantistic!!!!!!!!!With all the fishin I do on the river on pools 9-10 I have never caught so many quality fish in such a short time.We boated 37 fish that nite.My arm is still sore from that,but it is a good pain.Thanks again James for a great nite of fishing.. 
LEN
Falling Rock Bar & Bait
EFN Field Staff
Fish The River
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