Time for a long overdue report from up at the pond. Unless you’ve been hiding out in the witness protection program you’ve probably already gotten the message – MILLE LACS IS BACK!!
27″ Sand Bottom Beast
My season started out just before the Christmas holidays checking shoreline structure spots with fellow IDO member Rick Ziesmer and we were not disappointed. Both rock and weed spots were producing and many of the mid-sized fish from the strong 2013-14′ year classes and also some very quality fish including a couple keep-able slot fish. Rick even managed to do something that I’ve never seen while ice fishing as he pulled in a 20″ sucker. Our best tactic was to stay mobile while jigging and set up a couple tip-ups at various depths.
Sucker!
This initial trip was quickly followed up by a maiden voyage to the mud flats with James and camera man in tow. As you may have seen this trip turned into a home run, however it was by no means easy as we covered a lot of water looking for the right fish. Staying mobile is key during the daylight hours is key while searching for fish but making sure that you’re set up before the prime evening bite window. We had our best luck during mid-day in 29-32′ on the bottom edge of flats and then following the fish up the break onto the top of the flats as the sun lowered. Not only do iFishpros help to put more fish on the ice by adding additional lines in the water but they also provide valuable information about where the fish are feeding. In order to help us keep track of exactly when the fish moved up we would set one iFishpro up shallow and leave one out deep which really helped us to stay on the active fish.
27.5″ After Dark iFishpro Marble-Eye
After having so much fun on those first two trips up couldn’t help but go back again. This time with my friend and kids in tow we headed out to check the Malmo area sand and were rewarded with similar results including another couple slot fish and one of the fattest walleyes I’ve caught in a couple years.
25″ Mud Flat Fattie
Hot baits have been the VMC rattle spoons in emerald shiner, VMC Tingler in glow gold fish, and the new Rapala Slab Raps in perch colors.
See you on the water!
Will
PS – Don’t forget to bring the kids! Now is the perfect time to build their confidence by having a successful walleye outing and Mille Lacs is the perfect place.
Maddy with a 2013-14 class walleye!
Good report, can you comment on the travel conditions on the lake? Snow depth? Can a person get around everywhere by truck?
Nice Report Will, Great pics, and Great to see the
girls getting into the action.
Jack
Looks like a great time Will hope to get there soon as Michigan lakes thaw and make for unsafe fishing
All those walleyes I caught and that’s the pic you show!!
Great report. We were up there over MLK weekend and had a tough time locating fish out on the flats (still managed to get a few). We tried multiple flats (coming out of Red Door) and went through multiple tanks of gas in the auger with little to show on the flasher. We drilled from the off the breaks, along the brakes, and on the tops and struggled to mark fish.
I am curious as to how much drilling and moving you do, and do you not stop drilling until you see something on the flasher?
I’m heading up to Mille Lacs on the 21st. Out of Red Door. Can’t wait. Never fished here before.
I went to Mille Lacs late Tuesday night and came home mid day Wednesday morning. We ended up with a 28.5 inch BEAST, a nice 24.5, and a good fat 16 incher. All were dead-stick/rattle reel with a big healthy Shiner. Mainly went up to socialize and have fun, but ended up being a pretty good walleye bite. Went out of Brandt’s.
https://youtu.be/KhCEs8g1de4 here’s a kid catching a 41″ 21 lb pike!!!! Please show some.love on it guys!