Man, oh man! Fishing the Big Pond this weekend was a blast! Lots of 6-10 inchers, Lots of 14-17 inchers, and a few bonus hogs! 22-27 inchers! Bobber under a rattle reel was the ticket for us. Fishing 24 foot rocks, bait 2-4′ off bottom. Can’t wait to get back up there this weekend!
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Glad to hear you got some 8″ fish. I had 42 up the hole this weekend. 80% were 16-17″ and the rest were 24-25″. I was on the mud and rattles too were the best bite by far.
What was the best minnow type for you guys last weekend? Shiners? Fatheads? Big minnows or small minnows?
Big golden shiners on a plain red hook, 3 ft. off bottom caught the 27″, 2 26″, & 2 24″. Demons were working well too. Upgraded the #6 Demon to a #4 trying to not catch the 6-10 inchers but it didn’t seem to matter. Fish were hungry for just about anything I had down.
I am so glad to hear that someone is catching smaller fish out there! I’ve been up once and my brother twice and have not seen a fish under 14″. I was/still am concerned about the most recent year classes. This report is a step in the right direction, no matter how much it stinks catching dinks. Yes, I planned the rhyme.
Yes, the smaller fish is great news. I love it. 
As I am out here currently just north and west of Hawkbill reef on a rock pile in 23 feet, I can report that the “action” has slowed some. Nothing jigging with a menu of various spoons. What I have caught was just on setline (rattle reels) with small minnows. Didn’t seem to matter so much what kind, just small and sitting still. Definitely can tell they are for the most part in a negative feeding pattern. One jingled in at 3 in the morning.
Encouraging report though IceNEyes86…!
FWIW, since last June I have caught more over 20″ than under that.
Now where did they come from? 
Anyone seeing any perch? Good fishing on Mille Lacs typically coincides with lower forage. Hopefully there is a decent amount and the lake is getting back on track.
Anyone seeing any perch? Good fishing on Mille Lacs typically coincides with lower forage. Hopefully there is a decent amount and the lake is getting back on track.
I’ve seen some good numbers come from the north end sand, so they are out there. Just not everywhere. I’ve caught a few, but 3 “nice” perch a weekend isn’t exactly crushing..
Friday night I froze by butt off chasing the dog around the lake for half an hour. It was his first time on the ice and I think he believed he was suppose to go find me a bird. That’s the last time I turn my back on him on the ice, damn dog.
Then I socialized the rest of the evening away. Good times.
Had the in laws up Saturday into Sunday. This was mainly social again with cribbage etc. We saw large numbers of perch on the camera during the day. There was a nice mix of sizes. Ended up with 8 nice perch and had a tip up line get cut on hook set, toothy critter I’m guessing. Around midnight, the walleyes started hitting the rattle reels. Father in law brought up 5 and by 2AM which was fun to watch. Then the wife and mother in law started complaining about sleep. Pulled the lines up 
Sunday, more perch during the day.
Sunday night it was just my wife, daughter and I. Surfaced about a dozen walleyes on rattle reels again.
Most walleyes were in the 21 to 23 inch range. A few were under 19. 1 in the slot.
Its my first winter on Mille Lacs and I’ve enjoyed it so far.
What was the best minnow type for you guys last weekend? Shiners? Fatheads? Big minnows or small minnows?
Brighter jigs on rattles. I was running smaller rainbows and todays fatheads (oversized crappie minnows) for me I didn’t feel not having shiners hindered me, if it did Im not disappointed I didn’t have them on this trip.
Is that Brian M in the one picture ?
Is that Brian M in the one picture ?
It sure is!! He stopped by while breaking in is new snow machine.
He’s a great guy and fisherman !! Glad I had the pleasure of fishing with him last year !! Class Act for sure !
I’m out of Rocky Reef right now, currently have caught (4x)25-26″, (8x)15-17″, and a couple 10-12’s. Since 11am. All on fatheads. Both jigging and rattle reels.
Out of Hunters right now. We just stayed in the house today. We have fish from 8″ to 26″. All but one on rattle reels. Not lights out fishing but still fun. Our rental is in 28 feet but we still had night action last night.
DT
And I just caught a 19 1/8. 
DT
And I just caught a 19 1/8.
DT
They are out there!
Friday was a lot better for me than Saturday. I don’t know what happened.. Friday we got 22 fish ranging from 8″ to 26.5″. Made for a fun day. Saturday morning was good till about 10AM then it just quit for us. Only landed 3 fish the rest of the weekend. Walleyes were on camera, come racing in, then stop and drift away.. We did manage to get a friend of mine his PB 27.5″ late Saturday night which really made up for the slow day. His previous best was 20″. the look on his face when he pulled that fish thru the hole was priceless!! All in all it was a good time! Lots of fish down there.
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