Taking a Marine fishing

Hey guys, I know I’m not a huge poster here (obviously) but I have a favor to ask. My nephew is a Marine…3rd Battalion, 11th Marines…and he is on leave for next week only. It kind of came together for him at the last minute so I was not able to change my schedule to spend as much time with him as I’d like to. Basically, Tuesday is the only day I’ll get to see him and he wants to go fishing with me.

I’ll be perfectly honest, I don’t get near as much time to fish locally as I’d like…95% of my fishing comes on canoe trips in Quetico park (Canadian version of BWCA). If we had more time, this is where I’d take my nephew as he really loves to spend time up there but we just don’t have that much time. Therefore we are going to be looking at somewhere within a couple hours of the Twin Cities/Rochester area…I’m in the Cities, he’s in Rochester. I do know some local spots for largemouth but I’ve never really found the fishing to be all that fast. I’d like to do better than that for him.

He really prefers fishing for smallies with artificials but the main thing I’m looking for is to put him on a hot bite regardless of species. He’s not too interested in really slow livebait presentations but bait is OK with him as long as we can troll it or cast it.

I was thinking of three potential spots to take him: St. Croix river for smallies/whites, Pepin for walleye, or Mille Lacs for smallies or walleye. I do have a boat with all the necessary toys so I just need some advice on where’s the best place to take him and the best way to fish wherever that might be. We’re not going to be killing any fish unless we happen to run into a mess of eater-sized walleyes. He’s perfectly happy to do CPR.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide in putting him on some fish!

I am heading out to Mille Lacs next Saturday and have a open seat but I understand that might not work for you / him.

I would imagine the water is still up a bit on the St Croix so I am no help there. If I was you I would head up to Mille Lacs for smallies & walleyes. With a nice little chop and a leech under a bobber you might be able to pick up both smallies and walleyes.

Please thank him for his service.

I know Joe had offered up a couple great trips to those who serve, but cant find the post to link it, could the powers behind the scene help?

If you get on the river the fishing is good right now. Lots of fish, walleye, smallies, white bass & sheepheads by trolling snells with worms or leeches on them. Look in 15-22 FOW. If you do head down there, feel free to PM me and I’ll give you a couple of great spots.

Mille Lacs is always a great option if you don’t mind driving up there. I don’t fish smallies but the walleyes have been going great this weekend.

If he’s just up for a good bite and a lot of fish, I would check the Chisago area. Check the bait shops up there. I know Frankies is great and telling you exactly where to go to get what you’re after.

Thanks for the tips, guys! I’ve never been to the lower St. Croix before…just one of those places I’ve always wanted to get to. Where would you recommend putting in at? Also, I kinda caught something about no-wake zones on the river…is that still going on and how much of a big deal would it be to get to decent fishing if we go that route?

Mille Lacs is probably our third choice just due to the distance from Rochester, but if that’s where the best bite is, we’d do it.