Mille Lacs Kathio SP fishing opportunities

Hi, I will be camping shortly in the Mille Lacs Kathio SP. No boat to speak of, so I was thinking of just bringing a panfish set up and checking out the Rum River / Ogechie Lake from shore. Is it worth checking out some of the small ponds in the park?

Thanks.

Its been many years since I actually fished it but you could try the Rum River in between Ogechie and Shakopee. When I fished it, people would fish right below Buckmore Dam (which is no longer there) and catch a mixed bag of fish. Ogechie itself probably isn’t worth trying. My guess is that its choked out with rice and weeds.

I’m not sure if its an option anymore either, but you could go way up where the water comes out of Vineland Bay into the Rum too, kind of near the hwy 169 bridge. I think there’s a rocky spillover there and might be some moving water in there worth a shot.

I wouldn’t waste time with any of the ponds.

When I was a kid we stayed at Father Hennepin and there was a kid fishing from the road into the slew or backwater coming off the main lake. No idea if it’s even allowed anymore, but that kid would always have a stringer full of walleyes and northerns and never fished the main lake. We tried it one day and caught some huge pike out of there. Might be worth trying since you’ll already have a state park pass and you’re on shore. Otherwise, one of the main lake’s numerous launches can get you on fish quickly if you’re just looking to feel a tug on the line and not keep anything.

Isn’t there a lake within Kathio that can only fished without any sort of power equipment or electronics?

Might be worth trying.

Edit: I can’t find anything on the website, must be thinking of something else

Jump on a launch boat. Terry’s, Garrison Sports and Twin Pines are all right there and usually have walk on trips.

I should also mention that as soon as you pass over that rocky spill over where the Rum starts out of Vineland Bay, you are no longer in Mille Lacs regulations. It becomes stated wide regulations.

Just something to keep in mind should you happen to catch a fish you might want to keep.

we were there last year, tried fishing the rum river where the dam used to be but now its pretty shallow. Used to catch all kinds of fish there back in the day like grimus stated.
swimming on the big lake in vineland bay is really nice, walk out really far and nice and sandy; but there can be sketchy characters there…

i think your best option is to rent a canoe from the state park office as they have some at the rum river boat launch and try to find some bass or panfish

Thanks for the information.

Re: the small lake with special regulations, that would be Black Bass Lake… I’ll probably head that way for a bit on one of the days.

Sounds like Rum River is the best bet.