Why will Mille Lacs bite slow down soon?

[Mike1700]

I keep reading that the bite on lake Mille Lacs will soon slow. Can someone tell me why that is and also when will the bite pick up again? Is Mille Lacs a good place to fish in September and October? Thanks for the info

[Walleyeman]

People that say the bite will shut down usually aren't able to adapt new presentations to catch fish through changing conditions. I fish Mille Lacs from opener to freeze up and there hasn't been a time that I wasn't able to pull some fish out. There are many techniques to catch walleyes that few people are trying. One is trolling cranks over the open basin or "no man's land." Many of times this has saved a trip from going fish less. Just keep a wide selection of ammo and you will do just fine.

[REW]

The reason, as I understand the statements, is the same reason that folks say this about nearly every northern lake.

Basically, in the spring of the year, the prey for the game fish are small or newly hatched. As the summer progresses, the prey grow to a larger size, and by midsummer, there is enough prey in enough different locations to keep the game fish - largely satisfied.

The presence of large amounts of prey for the game fish - tend to significantly slow the lakes in many northern lakes in the mid parts of the year.

As the summer progresses into fall, and the water begans to cool, the historical track shows that
a. the game fish tend to follow the prey into shallower water, which tend to concentrate the fish and make them easier to find:
b. the game fish - we are told - began to feed more heartily to stoke up for the long cold winter ahead.

I don't know if I necessarily beileve b., since I find it difficult to believe that the fish are able to plan ahead. However, I certainly believe a., because the game fish are simply following their prey into the shallower water. In the shallows, the game fish are easier to find, and the shallows also tend to concentrate the fish, and thus make them easier to catch as well.

Take care
Enjoy the great summer that we are all having.

REW