While I am sure there are many ways to catch fish on Mille Lacs in the fall, my go to has been using sucker minnows. I have had good luck fishing rocks, typically somewhere between 8-14 feet of water. I don’t use a traditional Lindy rig though. I run braid to a mono or flouro leader, then use a larger hook and nose hook the sucker. I then place multiple small split shots on the leader spaced about 6-8 inches apart. This allows you to really dial in the weight without having to retie. It is almost like having a mini section of lead core on the line. It also seems to prevent hang ups, though some are always bound to occur when fishing rock. I learned this technique from a video years ago (Brosdahl maybe?) and have had good luck with it. Hard to beat getting a good strike, feeding the fish line and setting the hook. You will typically know after the first fish or two how long to feed them line for. Of course, too long and you risk gut hooking, so typically I will start with a shorter lead time and if I am missing a lot, give it more time. I like to try and mark each spot I get a solid strike. Sometimes you’ll get a pretty obvious pattern that you can then replicate.

I was out last Monday on the northeast side. I tried multiple tactics and different locations, but couldn’t figure it out. There was a huge bug hatch again. I also saw a lot of tullibees floating. I am guessing that when some of those fish are in the process of dying off, they are getting eaten up by the predator fish out there. I had a similar experience to netguy – no problem marking fish, but getting them to actually bite was almost impossible.

I haven’t been able to get any pictures yet, but I think we just used the L bracket that was there from the factory to hold factory side in place (fastened to the floor) and maybe another L bracket to attach it to the rear. Between the floor and the rear deck, there should be more than enough places to fasten it. I’ll still try to get some photos next time I am out for reference.

I haven’t fished Gull myself, but I remember Jason Mitchell did a video out there a few years back. If it is anything like Mille Lacs right now, get ready for the bugs.

Here is the link to the Jason Mitchell video:

Wrk2Fish – I don’t recall exactly how we attached the storage. It is up at the lake right now, but I’ll try to take some pictures the next time I take the boat out and get them posted here.

I am not a plumber, but have some experience. As was already suggested, I would start with the pressure switch. The contacts on the switch can get dirty and not allow proper contact which will prevent the pump from getting power. Cleaning the contacts is pretty easy with just some emery cloth. Just make sure the power is off before trying anything. I like to verify with a voltage tester to be 100 percent sure.

I am heading up tomorrow morning. This will only be the second time fishing Leech. Looking forward to it. Sounds like the jig and minnow bite is in full swing based on what I have read.

Cedar is traditionally what sauna is built with. Preferably clear cedar on benches.

Speaking of sauna, I better go stoke the stove.

-Joe

Those crappies…That must have been a blast!

Cedar Lake near Aitkin, MN.

My understanding is Switchfire gives you more of the RAW data your sonar is picking up. Why H-Bird doesn’t just have sensitivity settings that give you more range, we’ll that is probably just marketing.

On some lakes, I utilize Switchfire, others not so much. It kind of depends on how you like your sonar data displayed. I have found that if I crank up sensitivity in the non-switchfire mode, I can get a similar reading to if I crank down the sensitivity in switchfire mode. Again, probably just more of a marketing thing.

I have to agree with Jakob. I spend a ton of time on the Rum in the summer time. Low fishing pressure and good pike and bass fishing. Once you make your first trip down, you will start learning the fish holding spots of the river.

One word of caution is that the Rum can rise quickly after a good storm. I keep my eyes on the DNR River Level webiste. There is a USGS survey station where Viking Blvd (22) crosses the Rum River.

I like to see the river level under 4 feet for my canoe in the particular stretch of river I fish. Last year, it was way high until almost mid summer. This year, with the limited snowpack, the river level has been perfect. I haven’t made it out yet, but plan to at least make one trip to see if I can find any river crappies. I have yet to catch one, but I have heard they are in there. It is pretty rare I can get out there in the spring time, so I am going to try to take advantage of it.

Horseflies can be treacherous in the summer.

The northern pike regulation is interesting. It would be sad for someone who caught a trophy but couldn’t take it home because they didn’t meet their two smaller fish requirement.

Northern pike: Limit of 10. One fish may be longer than 30 inches only if two fish shorter than 30

I am also interested in getting an answer to this question. Thanks for asking sktrwx2100.

There were a few colors in stock at Rogers Cabelas today. Colors were Orange UV, Gold Chrome, Firetiger and Helsinki Shad if I remember correctly.

They are also clearing out a lot of their ice fishing tackle. Not huge markdowns, but certainly better prices than earlier this year.

-Joe

Thanks for the input. It must be some sort of hatch going on.

The bubbled ice started in about 24 feet of water and weededge on this particular lake is around 8 FOW. It is just odd to me that this is happening constantly out there. Everytime I have fished it, I have marked these bubbles rising off the bottom on my graph during all times of the day in this deeper water.

Thanks,

Joe

I also have a pair of Arctic Pros that I purchased earlier this year. They are by far the best boots I have ever owned. Previously, I always had trouble keeping my feet warm. Now, I don’t have to worry about it at all. As others said, easy on/easy off, which is nice if your heading out for a load of firewood or to get the paper.

I went out of Castaways Friday and was marking a lot of fish, but had a hard time getting them to commit. I did end up with one nice jumbo, a couple of tullibees and a small walleye. I wish I could have found a pile of perch that size. All fish came on baits with a rattle in them. I punched holes anywhere from 22-32 feet of water. Best luck was right around 30 feet around Carlsona Sand, but that was also where I was at around sundown so that probably played a part in why I caught most fish there.

-Joe

1750 Crestliner. 80lb. Works great.

I would love to try this sometime. For being so close to home, there are some real quality fish to be had from what I have heard. I do a fair amount of fishing on the Rum in the summertime, but have done very little Mississippi fishing.

What waders are you using? I need to by myself a pair!

Any big surprises getting out for the first time?

-Joe

Gotta love those UnCut videos. Those are some serious slabs.

Hey Timo,

I would love to get over to Finland sometime. It looks like a beautiful country. I have some Finn in my blood and have a lot of family/friends that have Finn heredity as well.

Welcome to the forum.

If you are ever in the states, stop on by for a hot sauna. Got a wood burning sauna in the backyard that is on twice a week!

-Joe

I have a few of the Rapala models. They are cheap, but as long as you keep a good sharp edge on them, they work well. I also use the Worksharp to sharpen the knives and it does an awesome job. It comes with me on every fishing trip.

I just bought a pair of Muck Arctic Pros a few weeks back. I have had them on the ice a few times now and have nothing but good things to say about them.

Edit: Just re-read original post of having your choices down to two already. My mistake.

That walleye measured about 20 inches. It sure was fat though.

I had another that was around 16 inches that had 3 crappies in its gut as well.

The crappies measured between 1 and 2.5 inches long. This was the first time I had ever seen crappies in a walleye before.

I always get a kick when I get to verify what the fish have been chowing down on…Here is one from a walleye just a few weeks ago. Those are 10 crappies that were in its gut. Pretty amazing.

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I did get on the Rum a few weeks back and had a few decent fish to show for it.

I tried the Rum/Mississippi in Anoka last week for the first time, but the wind made things difficult out there and we didn’t find any fish.

I am thinking about hitting the Rum one more time in the canoe before freeze up. I guess we will see how the next week or two plays out.

-Joe

@JustDave, I have only used the paper filters with my Aeropress. I will typically just do a quick rinse of the filter with hot water and that seems to remove any filter taste. The paper filters are super cheap and I think the inventor of the Aeropress even said he would use a paper filter up to 10 times before disposing of it.

The only “problem” I have had with the Aeropress is that it is a single cup coffee maker. I still keep my french press handy if I am having company over.

-Joe

Aeropress every morning. It is also portable. We have used it many times out on the lake.

I have tried many coffee methods, but keep going back to the aeropress as it consistently makes a great cup of coffee.

-Joe

The areas we explored all looked like dynamite crappie areas. I am sure there are some absolute giants in there in the spring. I am going to try to get up there next spring for sure to give it a try.

Brian, reading about your time up there with your dad really drives home the point that it isn’t ALL about the fishing. The time spent together on the water are what give us the memories that last a lifetime. The fish are just icing on the cake.

-Joe