Hooks … I prefer a Gamakatzu 2/0 wide gap. I don’t give any line either, only the rod length and hold until they hook themselves.

AS far as the tournaments this year … 90% of the walleye tourneys have been won from one specific spot this year. The guys race to this spot and sit on it all day. Its off a rock hump in 20′ of water … in the south end of the lake.

We have been doing well in the 10-15′ depth. Best so far this year is 22.5″. This one is 21.75″.

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Crawlers and spinners will work fine. Bobbers and leeches also.
rust your electronics …find the fish before fishing.

Bobberstop … the numbers came out. Thru June there is 35% of the quota left. I would guess there will be a small percentage adjustment thru the month of July because of Smallie fishing … but it should be very small considering the major reduction in fishing pressure.
Fishing will start again on August 1.

Gonefishin … Hunters is one of the best run resorts on the lake. They run a ton of tournaments and events thru their resort. Others should take note.
This is one complaint I have about resorts on Mille Lacs whining about their businesses … what did they do to help themselves, other than wait for the next fishing season waiting for people to come?
Hunters makes their business successful.

Making money hand over fist during the ice season? Where do you pull your info?
The resorts that maintain roads are constantly burning gas in their trucks, and burning up trucks. Maintaining icehouses and other equipment is expensive and hard work. I am at Mille Lacs a lot … the ice business is extremely unpredictable, both for fishing success and financial success.
When everything converges with solid ice, decent weather (lack of snow), and some fish biting … yes, I bet the resorts do well. But they aren’t winning the lottery every year.

Diggs had some good numbers for MN … hopefully they can fill the void either with some free agents, maybe Johnson elevates himself (and Irv Smith), and its a deep draft supposedly for college WR’s.
The young guys usually take some time to develop … usually.

What are you using on the set lines? Fathead, sucker or shiner? Thanks.

49 degrees yesterday … north end.

Phil … when I feel the tap of the bite, I just give them the rod length and wait for them to load it up. They hook themselves most times, and rarely gets deep.

YEP! ^^^

The next ten days … highs are low 70’s with overnights high 40’s/low 50’s. Water temps will start falling. Fall bite should start kicking in!

Cant wait to get back up there … what was the bait of choice for the slimers?

Mr. Derek … how many different chili’s are there in Wahkon?

Dish soap works great … rinse good and ready to go!

Yep – Shiners were $15 per dozen. Ouch!

Tutts HAD shiners … not sure if they still do.

We are at Barnacles. It has been known to be a party campground .. but that has shifted. We have been there three years now, and it has become more family orientated. There are a couple weekends that get a little rowdy, but not bad (typical of most holiday weekends).
There is a swimming beach with great sand and it is shallow. Marina to keep your boat, if needed. Campground is clean (not sure how many spots are currently open). Shower house. They also have a “dry” campground in the back … typically fishhouses with power that people stay at over the summer then have access to the shower house.
Also have a bar. Works for us.

Stopped at Prince on Saturday … they had crappie minnows and fatheads only.

Big Lake = Cidiot??? Asking for a friend.

We stopped at Tutt’s earlier in the year (june) … I asked if they had any reports. Told be some guys ahd started catching fish on the flats with minnows and leeches.
I had my head set to start on a shoreline break that was good the week before. We started there, and caught some fish … but it was way slower than earlier. Decided to move out to a flat, and proceeded to pound fish the rest of the day! Made me a believer on Tutt’s info!
My experience.

This was the reply I received from the DNR this morning …
I know that Onyx inflatables, that if they pfd has the Insight window they do not need to be worn (but you should).

Good morning, Jake –

Thank you for contacting the Minnesota DNR Info Center.

I’m going to send your note over to the folks in Enforcement so they can get back to you, because I know they’re working on this same question already. We’re hoping to get a list of specific types of inflatables to make this easier. For now all I can say is read the label – it will tell you if it that particular PFD must be worn. Personal watercraft (like a Jet Ski), water skiing, etc. DO require that a life jacket be worn, not just strapped on the back.

This is from the DNR website, which is a terrible explanation, they do NOT go into which inflatable life vests must be worn …

Some inflatable life vests are required to
be worn in order to be counted as one of
your U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable
flotation devices. Inflatables are not
approved for use on personal watercraft or
while water-skiing or similar sports. Read the
label and follow any restrictions.

How deep are you guys trolling in the low light conditions?

Buzz is correct, if the window allows the user to see the inflation mechanism, and that it is loaded … they do NOT have to be worn.
Yes, most CO’s do not know the rules regarding inflatbale PFD’s.

Water temp?

Grant … Walleye is not closing after Labor Day. Last year it did, but this year it is open. Night ban lasts until November 30th. New walleye season and regs start Dec 1 … tbd. I bet there will be a two fish limit this winter … only my guess.

We put a couple in the livewell that we kept for taking pictures…later released. The well was full of crawdad remains … anything crawdad colored works!

Let it dry, mow it again, and again, and again …grind it into the ground.