With the ice fishing season in full swing, Matt Grow and I felt it was time to head to our favorite walleye areas of the famous Mille Lacs Lake mud flats. We started with a quick stop in at the Red Door to get the latest Ice conditions, Ice Road report, and fishing report before heading out for the day. Thanks to the staff at the red door for a warm welcome and excellent information on the bite along with areas to watch out for when traveling. Our plan was to use the Red Doors roads as far as they were plowed, unload our gear from there, and then head out to our fishing destination via snowmobile.
It was a short 2.5 mile run to the first flat we wanted to fish. Upon our arrival to the mud flats we noticed 1 lone fishermen sitting on the exact same spot we wanted to try. So we decided to head to another spot on the same flat. Setting up on the edge in 27-29 fow it wasn’t long before we started marking some fish. Wasn’t long before Matt had the first big fish of the day. As the day grew on it was important to drill holes off the deep edge of the flat, this depth ranged from 29-32 fow of water. Once again targeting aggressive
Walleyes either on the bottom or suspended off about 4’ to 6’. These were the feeding fish as well as typically bigger fish as well.
Baits today were simple, jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head or tail. Size was the 1/4oz variety in a green or fire tiger color. Custom Jigs & Spins Lightning Spoons were the hot baits today. Aggressive jig strokes to entice fish into view, followed by short pause, cause some bites. Some fish wanted to play the cat and mouse game. Jig above the mark on the Marcums and have the fish chase the bait in fear of the lure getting away. These fish would race up to your jig and crush the lure, what a great feeling.
Ice conditions on the lake are in great shape, I would say on average 18-20”. Snow is a little bit of concern. The best means of travel is snowmobile; you could get by with a 4 wheeler but bring a shovel just in case. Some slush spots as well. I would say vehicle traffic is out of the question unless resorts continue to plow further out into the lake, but in terms of off-roading……I would not recommend it. Mille Lacs lake is in great shape, lots of smaller 9-12 inch walleyes in the lake, remember these fish are our future please handle with care so everyone can enjoy what the future has in store for us on Lake Mille Lacs.
I would like to thank SnoSuit for making such a wonderful product for ice fishing, the winds today were out of the northwest at about 15-20mph. That made for some cold windchills, but this snowsuit still allow us to fish outside comfortably most of the day.
Be safe and see you on the ice.
Few other cool pics from the day..
Great fish & report Calvin. I need to find some time to get back up there.
Good to see you guys gettin into them up north!Lots of winter left for you ice guys to have at em!
Ditto on the Snosuit….a godsend for us winter boat sissies too!
Nice report! I have been out there quite a bit recently too. The “lone angler” could have been me since I am out there all the time by myself. Polaris Indy 500 with a green Eskimo Quick Flip III. What day did you go?
We were fishing today……This angler is a well known guide on the lake in a Snobear….Very nice guy, first time I met him was today. He had clients with so we gave him his space. Watch him land a few dandy fish as well…
Alright, definitely not me then. I was out yesterday and I saw the same guy you are talking about in the Snobear. I wasn’t fishing all that far away from him either.
GReat report I have been trying to get up there all year. I usually fish it 20 -30 times ayear. This year has been too busy for me. Maybe in next week or so.
Isn’t that kid back in school yet?? Nice fish boys!!
Good report. Almost makes me want to come out of hibernation, almost. Thanks for sharing and great job!!
The rush of undoubtable, biter, big fish on the jig chase is what I live for!! Gets the blood pumping watching the flasher. Gets a little moisture in the SnoSuit
Great report boys!! I’ve got the itch to get up there and go after some of the green and gold….
Jami
Nice report Cal!
Catching some nice fate walleyes thru the ice sounds like a great deal of fun.
Congrats on the good catch!! WAY TO GO!!!
Great report guy’s. Going to make a trip up around jan 23rd. Hope to get in on some action. Good fishin Doug
Well done boyz. How big was the piggy? Looks high 20’s from the photo’s.
Nice fish Cal and Grow!!
Very Nice…Very Nice!!! Great report Cal!!
Congrats guys on a successful trip!
That fish was the fattest MIlly fish I’ve seen in a while. Cal and I said simultaneously,…”They’re eaten well”.
I sprained my middle finger pulling in a 23 that I thought for sure was a 30″. Still hurts
Nice fish guys
Great report Cal!
Very nice report Calvin! I’m glad to see you were able to get out and get on the fish!
Mille Lacs lake is in great shape like I mentioned in my report….Lots of smaller tulipee’s/perch for these eyes to feed on. I don’t think some of these fish never came into the shores this fall to feed, they simply followed these massive schools of baitfish and got FAT…Some of these fish are about ready to pop.
That big fish was 26.5 on the judge. Barely fit up the 7″ hole….
Great Report Calvin
Nice Fish