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I hate to spoil your cooking plans and you can verify this in the fishing regs book. On lakes like Mille Lacs with a slot limit you cannot clean fish on the ice. If a CO stops by you need to prove the size of the fish you have kept.
Dino
Really?
I guess I see the point for the rule, but that stinks.
See, it’s a good thing this forum is here!
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If you plan on cooking in their shack, ask them what they have to cook with, so you know what you need to bring. Sometimes, all they have is just a “stove” and no utensils/frypans/plates. MAKE SURE YOU ASK!!! I would bring plenty of snacks (chips/dip, summer sausage, crackers, whatever) that are easy to eat.
yep, the only cookin we’re planning on doing is fryin’ up the fish we catch. My father-in-law has a fish fryer he’s bring ing along. Othe than that, mainly snack foods. And if we strike out on fish we’ll probably just head into the restaurant for meals.
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Most importantly, I don’t know where you are coming from, or if you ever experienced ice fishing on a lake this big before………..But Mille Lacs is not a place to go cruising around in your car at night, joy riding. There are pressure ridges that pop up and also large cracks that open up. Be careful driving on the ice and use good judgment. Stay on the “roads”.
No problem here, we’ll be in the shack 90% of the time, the only time we’ll get in the trucks is to head to the restaurant, or find a porcelain throne. 
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Lastly, make sure you bring a deck of cards or dice for entertainment in the shack!!!
Defintely, depending on the power/outlet situation I may bring along a TV. I wonder if the shacks all have generators?
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By the way, what part of the country are you from???
How did you hear about us???
Well, half of us are recent transplants to Minnesota (govt jobs). All in the twin cities area now. 5 guys are coming up from Iowa, and 2 from Michigan.
And I just found this site using google, it’s a great one. And, like i said, I’ll be sure to frequest because I’ll need all the advice I can get! 
All the responses have been fantastic. 
Thanks so much!! I’ll be sure to take lots of picturs so you guys can laugh at the newbies! 
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Welcome to the IDA Smitty!!!!!!
Mille Lacs is an awesome fishery. You and your buddies will have fun, even if the fish don’t bite. There is alot of entertainment up there, along with the great fishing.
There are few guys on the site that will chime in on what to bring. It is a big “night bite” lake and I’m sure the folks at Twin Pines will put you in the right direction on what to use for tackle.
Twin Pines is a good place and has a very good breakfast in the morning.
Good luck and have fun!!!
Hey, thanks for the welcome Gary! I’ll be sure to post some pictures of the trip, we’re all pretty pumped.
Hopefully, they’ll bite, but as you said, I imagine we’ll have fun either way
Gary, have you ever been in any of the Twin Pines houses? I haven’t seen any pictures, kinda want a feel of how they rank compared to other outfitters on the lake.
Thanks again!
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I would definitely pick up some jigging spoons, I have had very good luck on these in the winter fishing for walleyes. Good Luck
, JD
Jigging spoons. Check. Thanks!
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Make sure you read the regs for MN. They can only have so many lines. Ask the locals what to use when you get up there after you buy something from them.
We’ll do. Any idea what the regs are for lines?
