Mille Lacs Lake Smallmouth Bass Fishing Report

Throughout the ages of our youth we all heard the old phrase, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." The sticks and stones didn’t break my bones, but mother nature did her best to deter me.

Good grief what a rough couple days on Mille Lacs. Saturday brought us ample sun with winds in the neighborhood of 20mph. It seemed like there wasn’t a place on the lake to escape the driving winds and relentless waves.

Wade, Rob and myself woke Saturday to the sights and sounds of our harbor on the east side of the lake being bombarded with waves. A quick assesment of the wind and waves lead us to the conclusion our best shot at catching some fish would be on the west side.

We trailered all the way around around the north end of the lake and launched out of the west side. Directly into a stiffer wind and bigger waves. <img src="http://www.in-depthangling.com/forum/images/graemlins/doah.gif" alt="" /> The wind on Saturday appeared to be coming down the lake in such a way that it would prove difficult to avoid it.

With Rob’s Ranger 620 in the water we headed for a safe haven from the wind. Upon arrival it was obvious we weren’t the only ones on that train of thought. We tucked in behind Rainbow Island for a brief time and then set our sights for Vinland Bay. About halfway into Vineland it was apparent from the considerable amount of fishing pressure we needed to find a better place to fish. So back to the truck we went, and back to Rob’s cabin and harbor.

Our first day on Mille Lacs proved tough. No doubt about it. We only managed one fish for the day. That fish measured out at 17.75" long and is the one in the 2nd picture. It fell to a dark Bluegill patterned swim jig with a Gold Shine BFT k-grub.

Day 2 wasn’t much of an improvement in the fish catching department. I managed 2 fish and I was on pace to have a 5 fish day on Wednesday. <img src="http://www.in-depthangling.com/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> In fact I think it was a combination of weather, lack of bite and the fact he had to fish for Bass on the first day that scared Rob away so it was just Wade and myself.

The wind wasn’t as bad and the fish seemed to be a little more willing to bite. The right presentation and the right boat position yielded more bites, but the wind made it difficult for us to get good hook sets on the light tackle we were using.

On the 3rd day, Monday morning, the Bass Gods chased away the winds and providing us a much needed respite from the weather conditions we had been experiencing. A flat lake…..finally. Actually anything less than the 3ft’ers we’d been surfing on was an improvement.

I’m not sure, but I believe the 3rd fish pictured was caught on the first cast to the reef using a Chug Bug. She measured to 20.5" long. A couple quick snaps of the camera and she was back to depths. That fish proved to be the only one caught on topwater for the day.

The lack of wind gave way to humid conditions and temps in the 90° range. Staying cool was difficult. Putting the big motor in gear was a treat and a welcome break from the heat and humidity. Monday wasn’t too bad, but Tuesday was hotter. Remember that wind I was complaining about? Well, I’d have paid a pretty penny to have a gust or two that day. <img src="http://www.in-depthangling.com/forum/images/graemlins/doah.gif" alt="" />

Back to the beginning and that old phrase about sticks and stones. We were casting plastic “stick” baits like Senkos and YUM Dingers to reefs with medium to large “stones,” or boulders. Whichever you prefer. <img src="http://www.in-depthangling.com/forum/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Along with that we were dragging Green Pumpkin tubes with 1/8oz. heads over and around the boulders. That’s why the wind was such an issue with our hook-up percentage. Light baits and winds don’t together so well.

Many times, we’d fish the outer edges of the reefs casting out off the reef bringing the bait to the shallows or casting to the top of the reef and pulling the baits off the edge. In the wind, we’d put the boat on the reef and cast off the edge. The Bass weren’t relating to well to the tops of the reefs in the wind so staying on top of the reef helped us keep our position.

When the wind laid down, we’d hold off the edge of the reef so we wouldn’t spook the fish. If we spooked the fish all we’d do is move off the reef to another spot and wait about an hour. Then come back and cast to the spot where we’d seen the Bass. That scenario worked very well more than a couple times. Wade boated the Bass in first picture on a spot where’d we’d seen fish cruising earlier in the day. His Bass pictured measured 20" in length. A great fish for sure. Nice fish Wade!

It’s amazing and frustrating to see a dozen or so large Bass cruising the reef. All the while, knowing the weather conditions had them in a very negative mood and all you could manage were a couple here and couple there.

Tuesday, the last day we fished, the Bass were hitting topwater a little better. Not great by any means, or like what we’ve experienced in the past, but it was entertaining. Chug Bug were still the bait of choice for topwater. I’m always amazed at how well they react to those topwater lures. Some baits won’t get a look while others like the Chug Bug consistently shine year in and year out.

I had a great time fishing with Wade, Rob and James even though the weather made things difficult. As always i look forward to doing it again next year. <img src="http://www.in-depthangling.com/forum/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif" alt="" />