Mille Lacs Fishing Report

Usually this time of year I am reporting on the night bite for walleyes on Mille lacs, well with unusual warm water temps I am forced to chase my new favorite fish…Well until next week when the trolling bite swings into full gear!!!!
Yep SMALLIES….lots of them and big ones too!! Yes I am writing a report on these bronzebacks. I have done my homework this summer, talked to many bass anglers, and put in my time on the “pond” to find these fish. Pictured here is my biggest to date, 20″. I know not a trophy for some but for me its a personal best and a accomplishment that I feel very proud of.

Typically fishing smallies has been a true numbers game for me this summer. Lots and lots of fish, all different year classes. Fish as small as 5″ all the way to 20″. Something that looks very promising for the future. I have found that the south end of the lake lacks numbers of fish but makes up for in quality of fish. The north and west ends of the lake have given up shear numbers of fish. I like catching fish, but I am partial to bigger fish. Here is an example caught today( 9/16/2007) on the south end of the lake. Nice fish Ron caught Wacky style!!!!!

I have been focusing my fishing efforts on rock reefs that top out very shallow, have a step drop off, and have large boulders. I found some today as large as a small car. That is where this fish came from. A good set of polarized sunglasses is a must when fishing smallies. Looking to locate these large boulders and the shadows they cast, typically a smallmouth is waiting to pounce some sort of food in these shadows, this summer it was my wacky rigged senko!! These aggressive fish hit the bait on the intial drop, many times running with the slack in your line from the cast. Tube baits have also become a favorite bait as well. With the erratic movement of a tube baits, its no wonder why these fish hit so hard. The sudden movements the slow fall, it drives these bass nuts….they have to have it!
With the water temp droping daily I found on the trip today that the smallies have begun to move off these reefs into fall patterns. Leaving the usual shallow reefs and slipping off into deeper water adjacent to the reef. Still close enough so when they do get hungry its a short swim away.

I have learned a lot this summer about smallmouth bass fishing on Mille Lacs, and I still have a ton to more to learn. Pound for pound these fish are so powerful it makes catching them, taking a picture, and releasing them to grow that much more enjoyable. We truly have a “world class” smallmouth fishery, that will continue to amazing for many years to come.
If you have not had the chance to chase these fish, you owe it to yourself to do it. You will be amazed!
I also owe a thanks to all the other fishermen and women I have shared a boat with this summer for these fish. Perfect example is my wife, Rochelle. She also caught a personal best 20.25″ bruiser last weekend.

First thing I noticed this weekend fishing was the water temp. Now that its below 60 degrees my fishing will shift towards night trolling for walleyes. Look for reports to come in the next couple weeks.

Til next time!