Help for an amateur on Mille Lacs

Heading up with my 2 boys and would appreciate any suggestions for someone that doesn’t have great depth of knowledge on complex rigging or access to a wide variety of areas of the lake. Will be shore fishing a few days (south shore maybe east west if you know of public fishing areas) and hop on a pontoon from the south shore for a couple of days. We can probably handle some live bait as well has some different artificial. Would love to have some small mouth or walleye action. May even brave the Northern/Muskie if you think that’s viable. So any shore spots or any short hops on a pontoon from the south shore suggestions with bait ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

Im sure there are some areas you can fish from shore, but I can’t help you there.
I’d suggest linking up with one of the many resorts that run launch boats. That will be your best bet for getting on some fish up there.

Hunters Point Resort, Fishers Resort, or Twin Pines Resort are a couple options of resorts to look into.
Come to think of it, I’m not sure the resorts are running launch boats right now with all the covid crap going on. Im sure someone on here will know if they are open for business or not.

Saw quite a few launches out last weekend

Hit a mid lake flat for walleye action or find a sunken rock pike for SM. A Leech on a lindy will slaughter both.

Take a launch for sure. No rigging involved or live bait needed and i believe they usually run about $35? for 4 hours. Everything you need will be on the launch…except beer or soda.

Well…I’m just a student so that makes me no more qualified than an amateur either.

What I can tell you is that unfortunately there are very few shore fishing opportunities here. Most all shoreline is privately owned.

Father Hennepin State Park does have a decent public fishing pier.

You can keep it fairly simple as far as rigging if you’re in your own boat. Something as simple as dragging a leech on a jig or plastic swim bait can work.

Grubson, yes most all launches have been out and have been doing excellent. I watched 6 launch boats out in Garrison Bay Saturday evening.

To the OP, launch might be good for you to try at least once. Than you’ll have a better idea on baits, techniques, depth, locations, etc.

Voge Charters or McQuoids are both good on the SE side.

Go down to Mac’s Twin Bay and fish off their docks with a jig, leech, an bobber. As others have stated take a launch out and for not that much money you will catch plenty of fish.

If you have access to a pontoon, drifting a lindy rig with a leech should work. Or anchoring up on some rocks at night with bobbers is a staple too.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

…
Voge Charters..

I’ve been out with Dereke several times. Runs a nice service and will work hard to make sure you are on fish and have a great time!

I can’t thank you all enough for the quick feedback. Really appreciate it. I’ll do some research on launches and lindy rigs. Thanks again.

You don’t even need to rig them. If your on the south shore and have access to a pontoon. Head for the mid lake gravel and find the tops of any structure in 20 to 30 feet of water. Anchor and bobber fish them with a plain red hook and a leech. You can drift them with a lindy rig but if your dealing with kids, just a slip bobber will be fine.

In the evening hours, anchor out on the same flats or gravel flats and do the same thing, Slip bobber, plain red hook and a leech about a foot off the bottom should produce fish for you.

ryan hunt wrote:

You don’t even need to rig them. If your on the south shore and have access to a pontoon. Head for the mid lake gravel and find the tops of any structure in 20 to 30 feet of water. Anchor and bobber fish them with a plain red hook and a leech. You can drift them with a lindy rig but if your dealing with kids, just a slip bobber will be fine.

In the evening hours, anchor out on the same flats or gravel flats and do the same thing, Slip bobber, plain red hook and a leech about a foot off the bottom should produce fish for you.

Quick update. Tried a few different things. Son caught one 26.5″ Walleye off the shore near the marina with a paddle-tail. Then we did the above for a few hours and caught 4 walleyes and missed one other. Tried to get on some small-mouths but never got any action which was disappointing as the time between walleye bites drug on a bit. All in all happy with the trip and would try again. Thank you again for the feedback.