Mille Lacs Opener Quickie Report

Opening weekend at Mille Lacs for our group has been a tradition stretching over 20 years. Here are a few pics and rapid fire observations with a full report to follow when I have time to fully capture the weekend…

– Overall fishing was very good with more fish over 28″ Eyes being caught than I’ve heard in many years. Mostly caught during during daylight in slightly deeper water indicating the larger fish for the most part have starting moving from their spawning areas.

– Not everyone I talked with caught keepers but more than I expected reported at least a few box fish. (We were releasing most but had 7 keepers, 10 between 15-19″, 8 from 21-26″, and 2 10-12″)

– Hard to tell specifically with different growth rates between male/female but I’d guess at least 5 different year classes if not more. Even had multiple 23″+ who left no doubt they were male on the boat carpet

– The fish are very healthy.

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With all of the attention paid to walleyes up at Mille Lacs one of my goals this weekend was to spend a little time and highlight a few “other” opportunities that exist…

13″, 1.25 lb crappie & 20″, 5.5 lb Smallie caught back-to-back pitching minnows in the shallow bays on our way up Friday afternoon.

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Great job will! Sounds like you had a great weekend!

Sounds like you had a great time!
I was sure bumpy on the west side.

Well done sir!

Nice work, Will. Not a bad opener on the lower east side. Best bite for my boat was corking early/late or trolling stick baits on shallow (10 fow or less) rocks near shore. Had a few keepers mixed in too. Looking forward to next weekend.

-J.