Happy Holidays to everyone! I know that I am asking Santa to bring me some warmer weather.
Our guide team has been on the ice everyday since my last report. We have seen lots of fish iced over this past week....there are a ton of keeper fish out there and some big girls showing up each day. Unlike last week, we have been finding alot of fish on most structure. The key this week was getting those fish to bite. Macho Minnows have been very good during prime time hours...but midday we have had to down size our baits to the forage minnows with crappie heads to get the fish to bite.
The mud, gravel and deeper rock piles have all produced fish this past week. Again, drill your holes on top, the edge and deep edge to try and pattern the fish.
There are alot of cracks and heaves on the ice right now...and some are really moving. We also found some ice on the north and west flats this week that was only 9 inches. I would say the average ice we have seen is still in the 11-14 range...but I would not recommend off road travel with a vehicle. Check with your resort about road conditions!!! ATV/Snowmobile are still good to go anywhere you want...just approach cracks and heaves with caution.
One last topic...Garbage on the ice....even though there has not been alot of fisherman on the ice yet...I have seen and picked up alot of cans/bottles/propane tanks etc on the ice already. This lake is ours to take care of...please take a second to pick up all trash before you leave your spot. Thanks everyone...I am not preaching...just reminding!
Should be a great couple weeks of fishing over the holidays. The fish are biting...get up to the lake!
I noticed garbage on the lake too,I think it might be from people driving fast on 4-wheelers draging sleds,and the debris are bouncing out without even noticeing,for instance i found a full unopend spool of 6lb test p-line,thanks whoever lost it,I know it will come in handy sandman
Thanks, Scott for the nice report and reminder about trash clean up. WOW that is a beautiful walleye. It is an incredible fish you have there. That's what makes Mille Lacs such an impressive walleye lover's lake alright.
Also, my hat is off to you - for the great reminder to everyone about trash clean up and removal. As a lakeshore owner for years, I cannot tell you how discouraging it is to cleanup trash on the ice or on our shoreline every week. It is amazing some weeks what will wash a shore after winter hard water season.
If people just exercise care in packing out their trash and disposing of it properly it protects our wonderful fish habitat and water quality. Thanks for lsitening!
One apositive Nore: What a nice walleye. What did it weigh in at approximately? Beautiful color and girth too. Magnificent fish. I want one of those on my line please. have fun, Malmo Mike
Mike, Thanks for the reply....the fish was just over 27 inches...caught by a client of ours friday out of the snowbear. We didn't weigh it...but I would guess in the 7+lb. range...you can always tell the health of the forage base when you catch the big girls...she hadn't missed many meals that is for sure!
