Looking for recommendations for a sleeper on Mille Lacs the 27-29 December. Four guys would like to be on the flats if possible depending on ice would consider a private party rental. Myself, 2 adult sons and my brother in law. We are non drinkers or smokers. Prefer a nicer sleeper with a generator.
Unpredictable time of year for ice up there. A resort out of Isle Bay or Mac’s Twin Bay might get you on the ice sooner than some of the others. Hunters Point has nice houses that are usually fairly new. They sell off the older ones.
Depending on ice conditions, even late December might be early for most places to have houses pushed out to the flats. You never know though. Most places will offer nicer houses with generators. The east side has the most rental business offerings but also farthest from the flats. Red Door on the north shore is perhaps closest to flats if you insist on that. Many other areas will still hold plenty of walleyes though. An overlooked area is the SW side.
Thank you guys. I have fished out of Red Door pretty early and I have fished the SW corner. The way the weather is looking I am hoping to get on for those nights. Is Rocky Reef Resort still operating?
Like others have said it’s going to depend heavily on the weather. My feeling is it will be dicey for there to be sleepers out to the mud before New Years, but if anyone will be able to get houses out there it will most likely be the Red Door since they are much closer to the flats. You’re lowest risk option for sleepers being on the Ice for those dates is Isle Bay and I would check with Chapman’s or Hunter Winfields. Rocky Reef is still going but I don’t think they will be out as early as the Isle Bay resorts.
Will
Rocky Reef is still going but I don’t think they will be out as early as the Isle Bay resorts.
Will
John Odle at Rocky Reef is one to push the envelope. He was one of the last to pull off last year after most all others had shut down. Perhaps better ice conditions down there at the end?
Yes, Rocky Reef is ready to “rock” from what I hear. He’s got those deluxe foam houses now. Looking to get down there this year to check ’em out.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Will Roseberg wrote:</div>
Rocky Reef is still going but I don’t think they will be out as early as the Isle Bay resorts.Will
John Odle at Rocky Reef is one to push the envelope. He was one of the last to pull off last year after most all others had shut down. Perhaps better ice conditions down there at the end?
Yes, Rocky Reef is ready to “rock” from what I hear. He’s got those deluxe foam houses now. Looking to get down there this year to check ’em out.
30 years ago when my folks had rocky reef resort we only went a mile or two out we also had stockys harbor and eddys with fish houses we respected boundaries. Now there is no competition and professional courtesy. The first year odle owned the resort he almost got people killed by letting them on the ice to early and it broke apart leaving people including him Stranded on ice.js
last year beachside was the first to get houses out on the ice and that was just before christmas. not sure if he rents but your best bet is likely south side of the lake.
In all due respect why mille lacs? I fisb it every weekend. If you catch a long one it will be skinny. So many other lakes with eyes in them that are amazing. I dont get the wamt for mille lacs I guess.. maybe you will catch the one super skinny keeper or the one super skinny 29
last year beachside was the first to get houses out on the ice and that was just before christmas. not sure if he rents but your best bet is likely south side of the lake.
If it matters, the OP was asking 3 years ago. FWIW, Randy’s was the first out last year with rentals. I was in one. Before you can drive out, he shuttles you out with a trailer and ATV.
In all due respect why mille lacs? I fisb it every weekend. If you catch a long one it will be skinny. So many other lakes with eyes in them that are amazing. I dont get the wamt for mille lacs I guess.. maybe you will catch the one super skinny keeper or the one super skinny 29
Disagree with this, almost every walleye I’ve caught through the ice has been thick and healthy. They’re in much better condition than what you catch in May/June. I have plenty of pics of nice ML winter walleyes.
As far as the destination, other than Red and LOTW…it has the most options for sleeper rentals from basic to deluxe. Very popular for weekend renters a couple hours away from the metro.
In all due respect why mille lacs? I fisb it every weekend. If you catch a long one it will be skinny. So many other lakes with eyes in them that are amazing. I dont get the wamt for mille lacs I guess.. maybe you will catch the one super skinny keeper or the one super skinny 29
I’m w/Andy on this one. Mille Lacs walleyes these days are very healthy!
I think the bite on Mille Lacs is going to be subpar to terrible. The catch rates from August on have been abysmal because the lake is full of perch.
Red in December is hard to beat, even when the bite is hot on Mille Lacs.
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