Ice Report Johnsons Portside - Mille Lacs Lake Fishing (Fishing Reports, Events, Tournament Information and more)

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Ice Report Johnsons Portside

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

The resorts are on duty and checking the ice progress daily. Reports coming in range up to 12" in some areas but also include spots that still need some cold weather to continue. I think there may be some resorts having rentals out but kept in close. No vehicle traffic is allowed (or advised) yet. ATV and SLED traffic is ok through many of the resorts.
It's coming soon, CHOMP,CHOMP,CHOMP!!

2014 Perch Extravaganza Sat 2/22
Any prize ideas? Always like the input on new stuff.

P.S. Bored this weekend? Cmon up and visit even of you cant fish, the resorts would love it.

12/19/13

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Johnsons Portside

Lake update,
We have a lil warmup here and that's a good thing to drop the depth of the snow. Then we get back to a deep freeze.
The resorts are maintaining a very cautious approach to this years ice, the heavy snow on top has slowed the ice production and also can cause flooding. Some have blowers to clear the snow but most are using plow trucks. I have seen some of the resorts getting some rentals out in the "good ice" areas in fishable waters.
I look to after the next cold blast before we get progress on moving out houses. We are all frustrated up here but it happens. Other years we have been late getting on the lake, but its a safety factor the resorts follow to avoid "front page" news and keep us dry and happy. Cmon up, the bars and restaurants would love to see you for a visit even if you cant fish yet. The sledding is awesome I'm told too.
NUFF SAID....wish I had more

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Great advice and Thanks Big D.

I like the fishing at Formica Flats when the ice is not quite ready! We can hang out.It is a beautiful clear day and TFGIF. The cold rolls in again by Monday it looks like.

The Mille Lacs County Search & Rescue obtained funding to purchase a new air boat to replace their very old and damaged hover craft for lake and ice rescues. We do not want to have call those guys right now.

http://www.messagemedia.co/millelacs/news/government_meetings/article_1cac413a-6be3-11e3-b01c-0019bb30f31a.html

Mille Lacs Search & Rescue Boat.jpg

disbelief have fun, MM and the Bomber Boat

-- Edited by MCallies on Friday 27th of December 2013 12:26:59 PM

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Johnsons Portside

Fish'n report
PERCH, yep, PERCH, I had to say it twice.
We had some very nice jumbos taken this weekend by more than 1 angler. 10' to 16' off the reefs in the morning hours of Sat. The one fish we didn't think we would have reports on this winter are the first ones to show up, nice.
Resorts are getting very close to pulling out some houses, this cold snap will help. The resorts will be more than earning their fees this year, battling the deep snow and the slush that will show itself for weeks to come. Very little complaining about road fees this year as travel off road will be tough. Some patience for the "lake boyz" as they clear roads and places for you to set your wheeler. We are all CHOMPING to get going, but again the resorts will be erring on the side of CAUTION.
Hope to see you all soon.
Share this on your page for others to get updated. Thanks!

12/30/13

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Johnsons Portside

FINALLY!!
There are a few resorts that are starting to pull private houses out, some are allowing SLOW vehicle traffic, some will be shuttling.
Most of the roads that are plowed so far are not out in the main lake yet. The resorts have their work cut out for them and then some. Wheelhouses as well as privates need to have a large area cleared out to prevent flooding.
I look for next week to be a bit busier for the resorts pulling houses, they will want to approach this ice ...with extreme caution.
The deep snow still insulates the ice and prevents it from forming on a normal time frame, it also causes flooding if the banks are too close or too large. Flooding in fact can be a good thing as it freezes faster than the insulated ice.
Ice depth ranges from 8" to 20".
Fishing reports are trickling in but there are few anglers to talk to so far. We have had northern reports from the bays as well as some surprising perch action, both less than 15' of water.
Walleye reports are scarce as we have not been able to get to most of the lake.
Mille lacs is in a forage boom, both in baitfish (perch) and walleye YOY (young of the year) the perch are thick but small of course and numerous walleyes in the 6" to 8" range are being caught. This is great news for the lake, as always Mille lacs takes care of itself better than all the biologists and over management techniques ever could.
Last year we got off to a late start for other reasons but it turned out to be a fun year on Mille lacs, the contest line-up for FEB is awesome.
NUFF SAID. Hope to see all of our customers soon.
Please share this as many of you did last week, it is appreciated.See More

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Johnsons Portside

The resorts are working hard getting roads plowed and areas cleared for their houses. Rentals are on the ice at most resorts and they are starting to pull privates out as well. Sounds like it is a first come first out type of staging.
Call ahead to your resort to get the latest update from them. The ice conditions are looking good, the deep snow on that ice will be the issue. Venturing out on your own is a great idea until the forward momentum stops.
Be wise and listen to the iceboyz about areas and current conditions.
Wheelhouses are good to go at some of the resorts. Resorts are cautioning that an area will need to be cleared before you do the set to prevent flooding.
Looking forward to getting some reports after this weekend when we see some anglers on this lake. Talk about virgin water, most areas have not seen anyone on them.

1/8/14

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Johnsons Portside

The Mille lacs area has a great weekend forecast, 50 Degrees warmer, cant beat that.
Resorts are pulling out privates this weekend in most areas which is a welcome site for the economy up here (been kinda quiet).
Remember last year at this time we had very little ice, warm weather, rain and a late start (Jan 18th) to our season, ice cleats were a must and banking snow was absent. Well we have plenty of banking snow this year, a lot more ice, and a tad cooler on the temp side.
Patience and slow vehicle speeds will be needed this weekend as the resorts are now dealing with a line-up of customers trying to get out. Slow (10mph) speeds on the ice will keep the roads in good shape.
Wheelhouses are welcome at many resorts already but areas will need to be cleared to prevent flooding. Flooding an area is actually a good thing as it refreezes and prevents it from happening again. It's just nice not standing in it before that.
The Mille lacs areas business' are ready to go so head on up when you can.
PERCH EXTRAVAGANZA SAT. FEB. 22ND 8-2

Check www.millelacs.com for lake and area info

1/10/14

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Johnsons Portside

A good weekend on the big rink.

Most resorts started to pull privates this weekend and we had a good (but small) crowd on Mille lacs.
Resorts are reporting that ice conditions are stable and they are opening new areas as I type this. Roads to the deeper haunts should be ready soon. I know there are many of you waiting to hear that.
The warmer weather and lil rain we had is knocking the snow down a bit and that is a good thing....
We had fishing reports coming in as well, some perch again from the south bays, northerns too as well as some caught out in the deeper water. Walleyes are coming in too, many reports of the small walleyes being caught and some pigs too. We are seeing the YOY walleye as well as some numbers of the missing 13" to 16".
Wherever you decide to fish this year remember we are in a forage boom, so if the small perch are thick where you are, either stay put next to the feed bag or move to the outside of it. Everything will be on the hunt for the lil perch, which means they will leave our YOY walleyes alone for awhile and that's a great thing.
RESORTS ARE READY
ICE IS READY
WE ARE READY
NUFF SAID.....GET READY!!

1/13/14

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Johnsons Portside

The wind blew and the snow flew.

Whiteout conditions on the lake yesterday kept most people, resorts and anglers pinned down either on shore or in the comforts of the fish house. The resorts will be busy today digging out of the drifts that were created, and getting the roads open for the weekend. It sounds like almost all the resorts will be open for business and vehicle traffic this weekend. Be sure to stop in and ask for current conditions before you head out. Wheelhouses... should arrange for a spot to be cleared out before they set.Ice reports are coming in at 14″ to 20″, large drifts and road banks will be a caution zone for all.
Channel 4 is here “At The Lake” today again. They will be at Muggs on main street Wahkon at 5 & 6 & 10, if you are up here, stop in and get in on the fun. They were at Portside yesterday doing the live shot, was fun to meet them.
Fishing reports coming in from the weekend last and this week were more consistent out in the deeper water that the resorts are just getting to. Most of these areas are un-touched by anglers this year. 25′+ and the bays under 15′ were where most reports came from. We are seeing some trophy walleyes this year coming through the holes, also a great number of the small ones from this years hatch. The perch action this year can be very fast but it will be mostly small ones with some keepers in the bunch.

C’mon up and enjoy the winter on Mille lacs

1/17/14

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Johnsons Portside

Holy whiteout..
We have another day of wind on the lake. The resorts will be burning the fuel once again to get the roads open for the weekend. Some resorts have punched into some new deeper areas last week only to have the wind close up the roads again. There are no roads that I am aware of going to the main mud yet off the east side, please comment if you know something I dont. Ice reports are "good to go" from the resorts.
Lots of areas on the lake that have yet to be fished this winter. We had scattered reports of walleyes both big and small, also seeing more eelpout this year, been awhile. Perch and some huge northerns being caught in the bay areas of the lake.
Mille lacs is in the news, the DNR is admitting mistakes? Really? Now they will bring in more experts from around the nation to over-study the most studied lake in the world.
AT WHAT COST?
Its a question that many of us want answered. Heads should roll.......

1/22/14

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Johnsons Portside

Good news!
Numerous resorts have punched roads out to gravel bars and deeper water. Check with the resort you are heading to as some have no restrictions on truck size or wheelers. Ice conditions are good, its the snowpack issues that persist.
Some large walleyes are being caught and they are very fat (lots of forage) and of all things in the last week we are getting some JUMBO perch reports, both in the bays and the mid-depth water.
The mud is still untouched by the resorts, a portable setup and sleds are the way to get there for now.
February is tourney month on Mile lacs and the ARCTIC BLAST is next weekend, come see the Vikings in Wahkon.

1/31/14

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Way to Go Big D. I better get my ass home.

Jumbo's and big walleyes. Cool.

MM

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Johnsons Portside

Dickies of Liberty beach reports
New road to south 3 mile. To the flats - midget, 9 mile, sliver and boot. North boot had double layer of ice. Should be healed up though by tomorrow