Last Weekend Pike Help – Mille Lacs area ????

With this being the last weekend for Pike fishing here in Minnesota. I plan to spend the weekend with my buddy chasing pike on tip up in hope of getting some to do a batch of pickled pike. Was thinking of possibly hitting Mille Lacs or some other lake in that area. Anyone have any decent reports for pike fishing on Mille Lacs or any other Area lakes. I have never ice fished for pike on Mille Lacs and have no idea of where to start. I also don’t have a idea of what the pike regulations are on Mille Lacs – Are they just the normal regulations for The North Central Zone or something special for the lake? Cant seem to find anything in the current regulation book. It just says to see regulations posted at the landings.

fishthumper wrote:

I also don’t have a idea of what the pike regulations are on Mille Lacs

There are special regs for Pike on Mille Lacs:

Northern Pike: Beginning December 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020, the possession limit is five. Two northern pike less than 30″ must be harvested from Mille Lacs Lake, by the same angler, before one longer than 30″ may be harvested. Only one northern pike over 30″ is allowed in possession.

-J.

Jon Jordan wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
I also don’t have a idea of what the pike regulations are on Mille Lacs

There are special regs for Pike on Mille Lacs:

Northern Pike: Beginning December 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020, the possession limit is five. Two northern pike less than 30″ must be harvested from Mille Lacs Lake, by the same angler, before one longer than 30″ may be harvested. Only one <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>northern pike over 30″ is allowed in possession.

-J.

So pike fishing does not close on Mille Lacs till March 31st ? Even though the statewide season closes 2/23? That’s interesting. I knew there was a few things different about the pike regulations on that lake.

I’d go to a different lake, esp with the new regs you can get a lake with a lot more pike in a lot less area and bring home more. Plus ML will be a zoo this weekend with all the different events going on, and since it’s open longer you can go back another time with less people.

Pike fishing can be fantastic on mille lacs. You need to find weeds……
I wouldn’t worry about the crowds this weekend. Everyone will be way out on the lake chasing walleyes and perch.
You’ll have plenty of elbow room along shorelines and in the bays.
Isle bay, Whakon bay, twin bays, or Vineland bay area all have good pike fishing.

The North end was hot in front of barnacles when we were there in 26 ft of water

Just remember the special regs that Jon posted. It can be confusing sometimes.

grubson wrote:

Pike fishing can be fantastic on mille lacs. You need to find weeds……
Isle bay, Whakon bay, twin bays, or Vineland bay area all have good pike fishing.

Well…? At the risk of sounding like a “know-it-all” , most the weeds have gone dormant and have died off. Which in their decomposing status sucks the oxygen in the surrounding water and isn’t as appealing as emerging green weeds in spring for any fish. Or anglers targeting such fish.

But yes, those bays will still hold pike but they’re moving about now. Add Agate bay too, big one’s roaming out there now.

gimruis wrote:

Just remember the special regs that Jon posted. It can be confusing sometimes.

The regs are black and white, not confusing at all. The problem is more likely that many anglers aren’t aware of the peculiar Mille Lacs pike regs. Guessing more than a handful don’t know they need to have 2 under 30″ in possession before keeping one over 30″.

Jeepers, even the OP couldn’t solve the Mille Lacs “enigma” even being what I would consider a knowledgeable angler.

And ironically in the convoluted “twisted” theatre of Lake Mille Lacs which is wholly an outlandish merry-go-round is how so any still don’t know much about it, but more and more being sucked in to wanting to fish it.

A black magic spellbind?

^^^