The fishing on Mille Lacs has finally slowed to what it normally is this time of year. What I mean by this statement is that, you have to remind yourself that it’s the end of January!!! It is the dog days of winter!!! Take a day like yesterday with March like weather and blizzard condition today……It’s Minnesota and Mille Lacs Lake….the dead sea!!
The past week I have experienced pretty good fishing out on the mud flats as well as the other side of the coin- slow unpredictable fishing. I have found fish to be pretty active on a certain flat one day, only to see them disappear the next. The fish are definately moving around. Finding them and setting a pattern is a challenging task. That is what makes fishing so much fun.
Tuesday I had the opportunity to take out Paul O. and Paul H. in the Snobear. These Snobear trips I have found to offer some great conversation. The Snobear offers a comfortable atmosphere to sit back while fishing and enjoy just that. These two guys were from Seattle Wash. and the other from California. We even managed a few walleye for their dinner at Hunters the following night. We caught one big fish just at dark 28 1/4 inch big healthy female that might have weighed in around 8lbs! I’ll post the picture once Paul gets it out in an email. Our fish on this day came while fishing many of the north end flats. We would pick up one here and there.
Some active fish have been found on top of the flat. While others might be just off the bottom edge. You really have to take the time and look for them. Friday I went through an entire tank of gas in my Jiffy drilling holes. When was the last time anyone of you could say that!!! Thats alot of holes….Friday I guided four great guys that spent the day with me and what a nice day it was! Started out with calm winds and a temperature near 30 degs. We managed a few fish spending most of our time on the points or turns on a flat. During the day we also caught a few fish on top. We have not had big numbers this week, and I have sure seen a slow up in activty with the change of the weather.
We have been seeing perch on the MarCums more each day. The lake is full of small 4-6 inch perch right now waiting to grow into some dandys for next year! I did catch one perch this week that went a pound! I can’t wait to start filling the bucket with those babies….The perch’n time is getting near!!!But I might not be so excited to start cleaning them gator skinned monsters!!! they are hard on the knife….
Make sure and check with your resort for the most current lake condtions related to your access and travel on the ice. The ice depth in the areas I have been fishing has been around 20-21 inches.
There is still plenty of ice fishing left this winter. Check your calendar and pick a date to fish Mille Lacs!! The fish are just waiting for you…….go get’em!!!
Great report Bobber!! Those sno-bear guide trips sure sound like the cat’s meow!!
Awesome report Bobber!
I gotta get up there again soon!
Looked real busy this morning out of Hunters. First weekend I missed in awhile. Thanks for the report Bob.
that was a really great report. Despite “slow” fishing, It still made me want to be there. So if you were to pick 1 week between now and ice out for catching those jumbo perch, when would it be? I am really trying to get my dad to take me up there!
Thanks guys for the comments!!
Cade I just answered that same question from a pm: Mid-February to Mid-March…can be later pending the ice conditions!!!
I’m looking forward to catching some perch!!!
Thanks for the report Bob.. I have been missing that Lacs action…
Thanks Bob
Maybe we will be coming up that way next month. It would be pretty cool to try it in mid march too, Because we will be open water fishing down here by then 
But I would be afraid the ice wouldn’t be driveable by then knowing my luck 
Thanks,
Cade
Now I want to go! Great report!
Another nice report Bob. Can’t wait for the perch contests coming up.
great report sir I always look forward to see what hogs you got yourself into this week out on the mud!!
While at church yesterday….I picked up on some reports from the boys that are still catching fish shallow on the rocks!!! I know George at Hunters said the rentals are still getting some walleye out between Flamingo and Lakeside 3/4 mile reef. I might have to fish closer to home next trip out!!!!
We were out with Bobber on Friday, it was a great day, we had a great time. One guy in our group of 4 had a pig just up to the bottom of the ice but couldn’t get it in the hole, oh well. Justed wanted to recommend Bob if you ever want a guided trip, he knows the lake well and since I broke my recoil on my auger on my second pull that morning saved us with his auger. Thanks.
P.S – I don’t evny you for having to go out on saturday morning, that wind was howling!!
Paul
Thanks for the great report. I have arrange a trip back to ML after I was there for the IDA GTG
. I will bring 10 guys and rented an Ice house from George. We canceled our reservation on Winni to fish ML.
Bobber, I may be asking for advice as we get closer to the trip. We will be there on Thursday, Feb. 22 and hope to get some pointers on where to look for fish.
Bob it was nice to meet you sat. morn.
We fished outside for about 4-hrs man that wind was wicked.