I am looking for a walleye, small mouth fishing spot for this summer. I am from Wisconsin and was wanting to try some new water. Any suggestions for a Minnesota or Canada hot spot for a week? Please include phone numbers if you have them.
Bob,sent you a PM.I know Mille Lacs can be an awesome smallie fishery.
Ryan Hale
I love the Ely, MN area….Moose lake chain(leads to Basswood), Birch lake (south of Ely about 10miles) Snowshoe lake, Lake Vermillion…list can go on forever almost. Enjoy and have FUN.
I would have to agree with Mille Lacs. Awesome fishery for both Smallies and Walleyes.
For a man on a budget, can Mille Lacs be figured out easily without a guide? I guess I would need a guide to get on the fish with a lake that large.
Bob , there are a lot of people on here that fish the lake and could probably point you in the right direction, what ever weekend you pick for your vaction. I for one know I will be up there a lot this Summer. I also know of a few other IDA staff members that fish both smallies and Walleyes up there. Not to mention all the other members here that fish this awesome fishery. I would imagine you could get enough information through the site here to be productive, especailly if you have a GPS and a mapping chip. My only concern for you would be if you had a “decent” sized boat to handle the water or at least be willing to trailer to the non windy side of the lake. 
. If your looking for a qaulity fishing trip I would also nominate Mille Lacs. I would say you cant beat mid/late June on a normal year for those 2 species.
Othrwise up by Ely is gorgeous scenery and good fishing. Good Luck on your decision.
Use the county guide service. Look for the water bouys.
if you are from wisconsin and you are coming to minnesota to fish you are crossing one of the top 3 (by those that know) smallmouth fisheries in the entire country! the upper st. croix is absolutely full of fishable water by canoe, and has a few public/canoe launches where you can wade. otherwise, stick to the south and east side of mille lacs, look for rock buoys and start throwing topwater during low light, and jigs/grubs during the day.
knock yourself out.
Lip Ripper,
You mentioned GPS. I have bread crum only, and no map chip capabilities. I am guessing this is insuficient? Millie Lacs sounds gymongus! Also, in June, July, do folks catch fish trolling, jigging, what?
Bob,
If you decide to head to Mille Lacs. Please feel free to PM me and I can get you on some smallies. Their are true pigs to do battle with:
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As for the walleyes I can not help at all. Sorry but I am sure that some people around here will.
Ron
June and July you can catch fish with almost any presentation out there. I personally prefer spinners, live bait rigging, or slip corks if the weather cooperates.
What kind of bottom is the main feature on Millie? Is it gravel bars, mudd bottom, weed lines? I ask because I love to jig, and hate jigging weedy cover. However, slip bobbers is easy and fun to do as well.
Yes yes and yes…
I usually fish the flats or reefs… perfect for jigging… we usually pull cranks though just for times sake… there are also some nice weedy bays for norterns…
Bob,
All the above suggestions are good ones. THe Mille Lacs lake is a tough water to beat for most all species, however because of its size you need to repsect this body of water for the wind can play a huge role in deciding where you will be able to fish. Not sure how long of a trip you are planning, however if I were you going to Mille Lacs you may want to factor in a extra day or two in case the wind decides to blow hard. I would be happy to share any insight from my previous years experience on the lake!
Another suggestion I might add would be take a peak at the Mississippi River in May, June or July. This time of year is excellent for both walleyes and smallies, plus seldom does the wind ever dictate you to stay off the water. Everet’s Resort is a excellent resort right next to the water’s edge with nice cabins as well as docking for your boat within easy sight of your cabin.
Pools 2-5 are good this time of year and I would be happy to help point you in the right direction here as well.
Good luck and have an enjoyable vacation this summer!
I want to thank all the people who have replied to my posting. You have given me a lot to think about!!
Good Fishing!!
Sorry Bob I lost this post. Did you get my email response? If you have any other questions, give me a shout and I will try to answer them. Mille Lacs had all the structure you mentioned. In a nut shell The South is mainly Rock and Gravel, Mid Lake is Mud Flats in the Middle with various Rock, sand and weeds along the shorelines, the North is mainly Sand/ Weed breaks on shore with more mud Flats in the middle.
Walleye can be taken on numerous presentations at that time. Planer Board Trolling, Live Bait Rigging, and Slip Bobbers are the common ways of taking fish from Mille Lacs. I have done all three in the same day and have taken fish. I hope this helps.
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