What a great night to get back in the swing of things night trolling on Mille Lacs. Joel, Bob and I hit the lake about 6:30 last night to a great sunset shining on the east shore. We started out trolling right out of the landing and even before the sun had set had a perch, walleye and small mouth in the boat. Nothing big but a good start to the trip.
After trolling the shore for a while we finely made it to the first reef I wanted to check out. Spent maybe a couple of hours on this with one small walleye and a couple of misses. I was hoping as the moon rose the fish would come up on the reef to but by 10pm it wasnt happening and we needed to move.
Next we headed to a reef a few miles out on the lake. Before even getting the lines in the water we had noticed this reef was full of fish. First pass threw and running over lots of fish we only had one hit on a lure to show for it. With to many fish on the screen I decided to keep working this area and see what we could put together. About a hour into this we we had 2 rock bass in the boat and I was really starting to scratch my head.
About 11pm and many lure and presentation changes later the east wind picked up a little. That was it and the fish started hitting. Joel was on 1st with a nice little walleye. Then every pass after that it was a fish or 2 coming in. Bob and I even doubled up at one point. Nothing real big but nice sized fish most running just over 20″s. I did loose on real big one that hook up out in 20′ while turning the boat to get back on the reef. All in all by the time we pulled the plug around 1 am we had had hooked into about 15 nice walleyes and had lost many more.
Lures for the night where #7 red flicker shads and Tiger Roan suspending Rouge. I really think it was a night where more important than color was getting the baits in the right spot when the fish turned on. Speed was 1.5 to 2MPH. We got a few fish to hit up on top of the reef but getting those lures to pull off the reef in areas where we where marking lots of fish seemed to work pretty good to.
Last night was a great way to start fall trolling up on the lake. Brite moon, light winds and just enough fishing action to keep it entertaining. You couldnt ask for much more. If this was any indication to what the fall bite is going to be on Mille Lacs I think we are going to be in for a treat.
Good luck to you guys that are getting out.
We kind of left early (around 1:00) and the fish were still going. That smallie was the last fish of the night and it was a tank just under 20″ Thanks for the excellent Captaining sir! 
hope to see it before freeze up. 
My cell can’t even take decent pics under optimal conditions. 
Hope it goes well for you Mike. Looking forward to the report. 
