Questions about opener on Mille Lacs

Thinking about bringing my 13 year old to Mille Lacs to do some after midnight trolling this year for opener. Never done it before and have a question about what I can and can’t do.

We’d likely get up there late Friday afternoon to go look for some crappie or perch; after that, are we allowed to stay on the water if all rods are put away? I’d like to spend a couple hours looking around with electronics if that is allowed.

You can Crappie fish 24/7 just like any other lake I believe, so you would be fine.

bigcrappie wrote:

You can <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>Crappie fish 24/7 just like any other lake I believe, so you would be fine.

That was my thinking too, but you never know!

You should be good to go. If you find some crappies call me.

Yes, there used to be lots of people on the water prior to midnight looking around, and even some lighted bobbers out before midnight, perch fishing I assume…

BigWerm wrote:

and even some lighted bobbers out before midnight

Haha. I can attest to being one of those that literally watched the GPS count down to midnight several times before tossing my lighted bobber in. I may have tossed it in slightly ahead of midnight a couple times too. We’d always get to our spot at least 20-30 minutes ahead of time so we could be all set up when the time arrived.

Kinda reminds me of firearms deer opener. There’s always that one lone shot WELL before legal shooting time in the total darkness and you have to wonder if someone just shot themself climbing into the stand.

I will trade spots for my Tonka crappie spot. LOL

gimruis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>BigWerm wrote:</div>
and even some lighted bobbers out before midnight

Haha. I can attest to being one of those that literally watched the GPS count down to midnight several times before tossing my lighted bobber in. I may have tossed it in slightly ahead of midnight a couple times too. We’d always get to our spot at least 20-30 minutes ahead of time so we could be all set up when the time arrived.

Kinda reminds me of firearms deer opener. There’s always that one lone shot WELL before legal shooting time in the total darkness and you have to wonder if someone just shot themself climbing into the stand.

You are good to be out there. No need to have all the fishing stuff locked away. We have it out and ready so we can dunk our raps in the water and start dragging right at midnight. Midnight to 8am has been some of the best trolling I’ve ever done. I’m sitting this year out and fishing closer to home. But there is something about midnight opener on Mille lacs I always enjoyed. We never did the lighted bobber thing, I’d be sleeping. Cranks are they way to go.

I consider it a douche bag move to be actively fishing anytime from sunset to midnight on opener.

Good luck with that.

-J.

Don’t disagree but if you are in a harbor or way back in a bay it is what it is. I personally would be on a nearby lake looking for crappies otherwise you will be just that on Mille lacs just looking.

If we make the trip up, we will be done panfishing prior to sunset. I was just wondering if it was ok to drive around and do a little side imaging before midnight.

I’ve fished Mille Lacs plenty but this will be a completely new tactic in new areas. Would like to get my bearings before we are allowed to start fishing for walleye.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

Really takes some mental gymnastics to think bobber fishing at 11PM prior to Midnight is a D-bag move. On a C&R lake… the fact MN even has an alotted time you are allowed to fish is the most MN thing ever.

ganderpike wrote:

Really takes some mental gymnastics to think bobber fishing at 11PM prior to Midnight is a D-bag move.

I’m quite sure that a conservation officer would disagree with you on this. And there actually is restricted harvest in May too. Its not full C&R until June.

There would actually have to be a conservation officer there. I also think he was joking and poking fun at the regs on Mille Lacs.

Ryan Speers wrote:

I’ve fished Mille Lacs plenty but this will be a completely new tactic in new areas. Would like to get my bearings before we are allowed to start fishing for walleye.

Something to keep in mind for a first time midnight troller. You can go out early and scope out your trolling runs, drop a bunch of waypoints on the GPS. Then get out there and find boats anchored up all over those spots.

-J.

If it was me, I’d skip the crappie/perch thing. At least on Mille Lacs. I wouldn’t want my kid bummed out right away looking for something that isn’t there.

Good luck with whatever you decide

IMO give it a couple weeks when you can anchor on any break at 5 pm and hopefully catch walleye like panfish. Would be a lot more fun for your son rather than grind it out if you’re not familiar with the lake