I usually wait until the 1st or 2nd week in June to target suspended walleyes out in the open basin of Mille Lacs. However, with the warmer temps that we’ve been having this spring, I just couldn’t wait any longer and I had to find out if the fish were already out there.
Joining me for the day was long time friend Joe Cavanaugh. We’ve known each other for over 28 years and the one thing you never have to worry about when it comes to Joe is for him to go home early. He simply loves to fish and will stay out there as long as you are willing.
We headed out to a spot where last year produced many eyes for my boat in early June. After we searched for a while, we finally marked some fish and decided to give it a try. Just after getting our second line out, we got a hit on our first line and we had a fish on! Shortly after we boated our first 2010 Mille Lacs walleye – a 25.5 incher! Wow – that took only about 2 minutes! Was it going to be this easy all day?
However, it was the last fish that we would pull in that area. It was such a beautiful day with light winds, so I decided to cover some water and scout many of my trolling areas that have been productive for me over the years. I was actually more curious to see if the fish were out there than I was to fish them. I realize that doesn’t make a lot of sense but I just had to find out. For the most part, the fish were not schooled up out there and most of the fish we marked were not suspended very high in the water column. I marked a few balls of baitfish but they were few and far between. Our expectations were not very high so we didn’t mind waiting for the big girls to hit. Leadcore trolled down deep with TDD11 Deep Tail Dancers (purpledescent and bleeding tiger) was our best choice.
All in all it was great to be back on the water again after a long winter. As the tullibees and other baitfish start to congregate more in the open basin, the walleyes are sure to follow. It’s only going to get better and better in the next few weeks so get those hooks sharpened and get out there!
Nice eyes
Wow those are some great fish Brad
You sure know your stuff out there
Thanks for sending the pics to me while I was at work
And so it begins! It’s been said before, but the sheer avg. size of those open basin fish is always impressive. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to heading up there and giving it a try with you!
Joel
Nice fish Brad
Nice Brad!!!
I am attempting to sneak up there later this week…
-ted
Brad,
? for you. Why do you use leadcore with the TDD11 when it
will go 28′ w/mono and 34′ w/braid?
It’s a question I frequently get asked and yes – you can long line the TDD11 on Mille Lacs versus using leadcore and achieve the same depths and get similar results. The main reason I use leadcore is because I don’t have to put out as much line and fishing leadcore allows me to downsize to other smaller profile crankbaits which don’t dive as deep as the TDD11 as still achieve those 30+ foot depths.
So…. I like to think of it as why not use leadcore? 
Brad,
I will be up a lot in the next few weeks, let me know if you are going to be up. If we don’t jump in the same boat atleast maybe we can scout some of the same areas and work together to find them!
Let me know, great to see they are starting to show up. I did well opener week out on the mud so they are in the vicinity!
Nice piggies Brad!
Boy, you sure can tell turkey season is done 
My gal and I will be seeing you out there soon Brad!
I’m not your gal
and when are we leaving????
Brad,
Nice start to your BASIN year out there.
Hope you have a great year, keep those great Reports Coming.
Jack