New Member-Mille Lacs Help

[WaterBoy]

Hi Everyone,

I've viewed this website many of times and finally decided to register.

I recently moved to the Twin Cities area(grew up around Milwaukee)and have been itching to get out on Mille Lacs. I have never fished Mille Lacs and the only knowledge I have has come from magazines and maps. It looks like I will have an opportunity to get out the next few weekends and need a little help. I will most likely be staying at Father Hennepin State Park on the Southeast shore. My target species will be walleye. There are 2 questions I have....

1) For the time being I am fishing out of a 15.5 foot Tri-hull with a 70HP on it(doesn't handle waves the greatest). I know Mille Lacs is known to produce some pretty big waves, but unless it is extremely windy I should be ok on the water. Right?

2) Where should I concentrate my efforts if I want to stay in the Southeast part of the lake?-(I don't mind boating a far distance, but given the boat I have I want to be able to get into shore somewhat quickly)

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to future discussions and meeting some of you on the water.

Thanks again,

The WaterBoy-Tim Noe

[PJM]

To learn that lake I would hire The Griz a local fishing guide. you can here him on Bear facts and Fish Tales on KSTP AM 1500 radio on Sundays at about 8:15p to 8:30p.His web page is www.fishwithgriz.com.

[Chad C]

Their are plenty of fishing opportunities on the southeast end for you. Their are a lot of rock reefs that produce this time of year on that end of the lake. Check out Lundeens website they have a update every weeek of their fishing report.

[Jack G]

Waterboy-

Get a Fishing Hot Spots map which will identify the main reefs, flats, points and other spots that might hold fish. A GPS unit will make locating the areas that are quite a way from shore very easy.

If you know how to use slip bobbers, drift spinners, troll rigs and cranks and how to jig, etc you should be able to locate fish.

Check the bait shops for info and the fish cleaning house at the state park where you will be staying can be an excellent clue as to how well other fishermen are doing. Check the gut bucket at the fish cleaning house. People cleaning fish there are usually willing to share some info with you.

Father Hennipen state park is a great place to camp and the park has two launch ramps in it that are in good shape.

Your boat may bed a bit small for windy days on Mille Lacs but you will find out what kind of wind you can venture out in after a few minutes of exposure under different wind situations. You are right to not venture out too far if you expect that conditions might change while you are out there.

Use common sense and you should do OK.

Good Luck

Jack

[John in MN]

LAST EDITED ON Sep-11-01 AT 09:34AM (CST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Sep-11-01 AT 09:34*AM (CST)

LAST EDITED ON Sep-11-01 AT 09:32*AM (CST)

Welcome Tim!

If you haven't fished walleyes before, it is best to hire a guide to learn the proven techniques on this lake that also can be applied to other lakes as well. If you know the techniques, then purchase the Walleye Whiffer II map or the Hot Spots Map and a GPS with which to find the spots. One tip, when fishing on the flats, don't drag your bottom bouncer or sinker when rigging. Check out these web sites for fishing reports:

www.lundeens.com

www.johnsonsportside.com (remove the hyphen and space on each side of it)

www.millelacslake.com/fishreports.html (remove the hyphen and space on each side of it)

Post on Walleye Central Fishing Reports page for recent action just before you go.

If it is too windy on the side where your camping, load up the boat and tow it around to the calm side and fish there.

[WaterBoy]

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. Which map would you prefer. I've seen the whiffer map and hotspots map. The whiffer seems more detailed while the hotspots map has more written regarding fishing techniques. I'm used to fishing walleyes on bigger water like Bay De Noc and Green Bay so the techniques isn't unfamiliar. Am I right that the Whiffer map is more detailed plus it contains GPS units???
Tim

[WaterBoy]

Thanks for the response. I am heading to the store tonight to get a map. I can't wait to be out on the water!!!!

Tim

[Dave in Mpls]

Waterboy

If your going to get just one map, get the Whiffer II. That being said, the FHS map does show more detail in some areas, particularily in regard to bottom content, subtle contour changes, etc. I keep several Mille Lacs maps in the boat and use all of them, depending on where and how I'm fishing.

Regards

[WaterBoy]

I tried fishwithgriz.com, but it doesn't register. Is this the correct address? Thanks.

Tim

[AquaMan]

LAST EDITED ON Sep-11-01 AT 02:08PM (CST)[p]The first couple of times would be best spent with a charter just to get a feel for the lake. Then, money permitting, hire a guide and run once or twice with them. Next hook up with some one on here that goes up a lot and would be willing to bring you with them. Most of the guys I have met on here will go to great lengths to help a fellow fisherman/woman out.

With these three experiences under your belt, you would be able to fish that lake with some excellent experience and confidence under your belt.

Not that Mille Lacs is terribly hard to fish and not commenting on your abilities to fend for your self, but with time and money so short these days, make the most of both and be efficient in your education. It really will make a huge difference in the end and you will have a blast while you get used to the lake. :-)

It really is a great and diverse lake, but she can be a really tough and daunting one as well. IMHO

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

Eric@crowncomputerinc.com

[olsondr]

it is www.fishwiththegriz.com the eazrlier post forgot the "the" in the address. PJM is correct in his recommendation the Grixz is the best mille Lacs Guide out there.

happy fishing
DRO

[WaterBoy]

Thanks for the input as well. I agree 100% that education and efficient experiences are extremely valuable. Even though it may be expensive in the beginning, the knowledge will lead to many years of productive fishing. Thanks again.

WaterBoy