Mille Lacs report for the opener.

By Doug Ertl 0

2005 opener is logged in the book as a test of the elements.

Friday night began with cool temps, on and off drizzle and wind.

We opted for an early morning start. It looked like the right move when we headed for the ramp as we seen boats on the trailer that had made the midnight run.

We set up in 14ft in the rocks for some slip bobber fishing with leeches.

It was about a 10-minute wait when my partner Todd Palmer boated this first fish. Just over the 25” mark and very healthy looking with some dandy girth.

We witnessed about 5 or 6 nets over the next hour on the few other boats when the fishing really slowed. The Buzz on the radio was how tough things where from the north end to the south end, so we where not in no big hurry to try different locations in the rough water.

Saturday evening brought pretty much the same conditions with fewer boats on the water and even a bit more chop to deal with. If it weren’t the opener and my goose egg on the board for fish for me I would have found a warmer, dryer place to be. Just getting the anchor to hold was part of the challenge this night. With the weather channel calling for winds to decrease from 15 –20 to 10-15 at sundown we where looking forward to watching the sun dip in the west. We did boat a few fish with two being slots (19’s) before the wind picked up after sundown. We headed in at 11pm for a night of needed rest.

This 3rd photo is Dave Bintz of Cold Spring, MN and his Crew from Minneapolis. This was there first trip to the big Pond.

Sunday’s forecast of 10 degree warmer temps and peaks of the sun was really something we where really looking forward to. It was a bit better out there but the fish where scattered and only a few nets coming out. We did boat 5 or so healthy fish that taped over the 20” mark. The wind really kept us from trying new locations and other techniques.

In Summary, We fished 10ft – 20ft rocks for the weekend with some fish to show, but even more windburn. This last photo was taken Sunday evening when most of the crew we had fishing up there had headed for home. Not even a bite that night, but it sure was nice out there. Go Figure!!

For our little Pride tournament. We had 30 guys fishing and

17 fish brought to the scale. About 44 total fish where caught from what I gathered from the group. The bite was plenty tough. Congrats to Tuck & Leroy for bringing in the limit of 8 and winning the 13th annual Big D on the opener.

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Doug Ertl

I have a cabin on the east side of Mille Lacs, and fish as often as possible. I live 6 miles south of St.Cloud and fish the Horseshoe chain, Pleasant, Grand, Koronis, Browns, Rice and Clearwater. I also fish old Full Bio ›

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  4. Congratulations to Tuck & Leroy for winning the 13th annual Big D on the opener. 8 fish limit for 13.3lbs. This I believe is the 4th win for these guys.

    Runner-ups: Arty & Josh Hukriede.

    Good job guys!

  5. I was wondering if anyone took pictures friday night.

    Nice wrap-up report Doug, About says it all!

    Thanks for having the tourney again!

    Big D carefully checking the scale!

  11. Oh..that’s right, He just did.
    We had one guy smack a deer with his truck early Sunday morning. No one hurt but the Dodge Ram suffered some front end damage of coarse.

  12. I hear you Putz, the fishfry was awesome. Pasta salads, potato salads, Homemade Baked beans, and Tucks famous fish.. I just does not get any better.

    Sorry to hear of your rough outing Saturday morning. I could hear bits and pieces on the radio with Winston.

  13. I think the whole lake could hear Winston, he just couldn’t hear them.

    That’s the most i’ve heard him talk for a long time, I bet putz was good conversation, “Winston, I think it’s broke”.

    “no putz, their just not answering me”

  14. Here is how the tournament went for us:
    I flew into town from Toronto on Friday the 13th, and headed to Mille Lacs to find out there were 13 teams entered into the tournament. We fished in 13 feet of water, and won it with a weight of 13.3 pounds. And as God as my witness, I returned home, and had 13 emails on my computer! Did I mention that it was the 13th annual Big D on the opener tourney?
    Weird, huh?
    You guys are more than welcome for the fish. God willing we will do it again next year! Those pictures around the fire say it all! It really doesn’t get any better than that!
    Thanks to all for everything!
    Tuck

  15. Hooks, you nailed it. I was getting a little embarassed out there. Why would a guy with a $25,000 boat have a $20 handheld radio? Oh well, Sunday made up for all of Saturdays troubles.

  16. Nice report and pics of the Pond DMan! Sounds like you guys still had a great time despite the waether not cooperating . Sounds like a great toruney!

  18. And you didn’t mention it was the 13th time I didn’t win this tourney?

    Oh well there’s always next year!

  19. tim, thats what me and ferpaul keep thinking !!! oh the excitement is already building for another mille lacs opener next year !!!

  20. Maybe looking around with the camera is bad! You guys had the fish coralled up at 3/4 bar, but on game day they were at the Honey Hole as usual. My Honey Hole, not Bob’s!
    I know what Bob was up to…trying to throw us off so he could swoop in like a gull, and swipe our spot…The REAL Honey Hole! That was good humor!

  21. Hey Doug,
    Thanks again for putting together another fun tourney!!

    The fish fry Friday nite was great, It was fun to watch some of those guy’s eating fish………I think everyone got their share…….but some had enough for years….well maybe not?

    Thanks……..

  23. Dman, I found my way to this forum! Thanks again for all the hospitality and the great time. That fish fry was awesome! Did my partner Dave ever recover fully? He’s always a blast to go fishing with, even when we don’t fill the net. I was impressed with how everyone welcomed we newcomers, evidently you all had heard about our fish-catching prowess! I’ll be sure to check back here often for info & insite, & I’m sure I may just learn a thing or two about the big lake too. Thanks again. Keith

  24. Great to see you found the site Keith. Check out Bobbers report for this weekend. Your welcome anytime. It was fun having you guys. Dave has recovered, but it took a few days. He is talking about going up early Sundays for days of fishing this summer. Be sure and keep in touch.

  25. A friend and I went up Monday, 5:30 P.M.-9:30 P.M., but not much action. We went out of the public access by Garrison then out to the Garrison reef in about 14-15 f.o.w. The only bites were what we suspect were perch chewing on our leeches. It was a completely different lake from opener, calm & NO RAIN! The full moon coming up was fantastic, too bad I forgot my camera. I hope you guys had a better bite this last week-end. It sounds like this Holiday week-end will be plenty active on the big pond. I don’t know if I’ll make it up, but if I do I’ll let you know how we do. Later.

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