Muskie Guide (Mr. Muskie) Gene Miller - Mille Lacs Lake Fishing (Fishing Reports, Events, Tournament Information and more)

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Muskie Guide (Mr. Muskie) Gene Miller

Muskieman · Miller Muskie Guide Trips

Adam Fischbach of Inver Grove Heights caught this 55 1/2 with me on Sunday 7/29/12

Muskieman · Miller Muskie Guide Trips

Matt Piersen of Luck Wis caught this 53 7/8 muskie with me last week.

Glen Ertl · Gray Goose Captain

Holy Schnikes !!!!

Fife · Formica Flat Vet

Nice fish! Were these all from this year?

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Congratulations Gene. Way to Go!! That is one heckuva Muskie.

See you at Mille Lacs soon. I will be home at Malmo 09-11 thru 09-16-12 having fun. I know my way to TJ;'s at the Malmo Corner.

Muskieman · Miller Muskie Guide Trips

The fish is "Rapala winner of the week" in Thursdays Outdoor News.

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Getting set to walk out of work and head north to meet up with Gene for a muskie hunt.

Big ones beware!!! smile

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Yeah, but he is a cheesehead. Where is the cold Linenkugels's? disbelief smile confuse

Muskymadness · Veteran Member

Good luck guys. Looking forward to some pictures! smile

Muskieman · Miller Muskie Guide Trips

Well, we did not boat a muskie. We had 2 muskies hit but they did not hook good. We had to leave the lake when lightning filled the sky. I really enjoyed fishing with your group Doug. I look forward to fishing with you again in a few days. Gene Miller

Rickster · Member

Just curious.... How many Walleyes hit the Muskie gear when you are out there?

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Had a good time Gene. And as you probably guessed the rest of the evening was pretty entertaining as well.

Marty -

Muskieman · Miller Muskie Guide Trips

I am catching alot of walleyes going 5 MPH on muskie lures.

-- Edited by Muskieman on Friday 17th of August 2012 04:47:28 AM

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Doug,

That's why they call it muskie trolling.

smile smile smile biggrin confuse disbelief smile

MM is coming home soon. Get 'em ready.

TwinB · Member

Muskie fishermen where out in numbers last weekend. Has the muskie action been good?

Muskieman · Miller Muskie Guide Trips

Cold front really slowed the bite. We caught only 1 on Friday, we boated a dandy on Saturday, and got skunked on Sunday. Full moon and warming trend this week should be a much better bite. We will try deep water methods today and troll the north flats for suspended muskies. We boated a muskie on Matton flat last week and the lure was 3 feet from the prop in 30 feet of water.

Muskieman · Miller Muskie Guide Trips

We only boated 1 muskie today. I can't believe it. Moon is still wrong. First week in September will be the best bite of the year. We iconed Sunset Bay weed patch and lost a good size northern in the process. It came out of the water right behind the motor and I did not have it on video. I lost a rod and reel off the boat but was able to retrieve it on the first attempt. The photo is "The Griz" from South Haven MN with his very first muskie.

-- Edited by Muskieman on Tuesday 21st of August 2012 04:13:15 AM

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

See ya the morning of Sept 3rd. Trip is booked and the boys are PUMPED!!!!

Muskieman · Miller Muskie Guide Trips

Dan Elieff of Grey Eagle MN caught this dandy muskie with me this morning. It was his first muskie ever. He made the "Wall of Fame" at TJ's Liquor. We got a Grand Slam today with multi species. I did a leadcore walleye trip this afternoon (while the muskies were biting) and scored a northern. The young man was in a wheelchair and the lake was too rough to travel far. Doug, I want you to know that Mom is very happy with the new vehicle you delivered to Malmo today. You went way out of your way to provide excellent service. We didn't even have to leave Malmo to buy a vehicle! I just bought a $45,000 GMC Sierra from some clowns in Brainerd. I love the truck but regret buying it from people who cannot do their job right. Your dealership has my business for the rest of my life, as long as I do not have to leave Malmo. I don't see a stoplight for 6 months and I don't go south of Hunter's Point Resort. It's just the way we roll. The next time you deliver a vehicle, you better get lodging. You won't be able to drive. Thank you again for all you do for us Doug.

muskiemania · Member

Those are some impressive fish. I could only dream to do what you do everyday. What is your best day for skis?
I like your reports and pictures. Thanks

Chad aka:muskiemania

-- Edited by muskiemania on Wednesday 22nd of August 2012 12:08:42 PM

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

It was my pleasure Gene. Thanks for the words and keep on those fish.

Muskieman · Miller Muskie Guide Trips

Rob Thomas of Inver Grove Heights, Mn caught this muskie with me this evening. He hunts deer with me at George Nitti's land in Indian Creek, Wisconsin. I have to gut his deer for him on opener cause we made a bet he would get one over 50. Muskie fishing sucks!

-- Edited by Muskieman on Wednesday 22nd of August 2012 10:36:52 PM

MN Musky · Newbie

Gene

Have you seen the discussions and studies in Musky Hunter magazine, among others, concerning vertical holds and boga grips? Vertical holds have been known to damage the vertebrate causing delayed mortality due the size and structure of a Muskie. Lifting and holding a muskie with a boga by the jaw has been shown to have the same negative effect on the vertebrate and dislocate the jaw. The jaw problem disrupts the ability of the fish to feed. Seeing these studies have changed the way I handle these monsters ...so they become bigger monsters in the future.

I mean no disrespect nor am I picking any 'bones'.

congrats on your continued success!

MuskyFanatic · Newbie

MN Musky,

I have heard and seen the same type of statements that you just made that are often stated as so-called "facts". The so-called "facts" are often joined with a statement that "studies have revealed...".

Here's a REAL fact: There have been no scientific studies on the physical affects or mortaility rates of muskies that are vertically held.

Here's another REAL fact: There have have been no scientific studies on the physical affects or mortality rates of muskies that are held with a boga grip.

Gene...don't let detractors bother you.

Please understand that his business depends on muskies surviving after he catches them. Common sense dictates that if those muskies were dying Gene wouldn't have muskies to catch in the future and his business would suffer.

I have had the pleasure of fishing with Gene several times. For those of you who have never fished with Gene please understand that Gene is careful to have the musky out of the water only briefly for one or two photos. In fact, for many musky catches Gene releases the muskies without boating the fish at all.

MN Musky, if I offended you I apologize, but I am one to call things as I see them. We need more of my attitude in this country. I'm kind of in a foul mood because my friend Big Dave and I had Gene scheduled for all day this coming Sunday and we had to cancel due to an unforseen situation; and, I just know that whoever goes in our place will score a monster musky with Gene. When I see the photos on Gene's web page I'll be thinking "that could have been me".

Good luck, Gene!

Scott

MN Musky · Newbie

MF do you need a hug? You assume too much. Good luck.

However, I can't believe how many fools there are in the Muskie community who have turned from vertical holds and boga lifts, myself included, in the interest of the Muskie future. Call it what you will... Discussion, study, even common sense should lend to the conclusion hoisting a big thrashing fish unsupported by their head is probably not the best idea. If release is the goal.

Anyone up for experiment? Run full out for 50 yards, then hold your breath, and then let someone jerk you up by your jaw. You first MF. Good luck.

sorry, gene . I know you have thicker skin than MF is implying. I truley meant no offense. Do you think the vertical hold damage theory is bunk? IMO The pics look better vertical. I just went with the masses and stopped. I have heard the "pop" before. Early in my muskie days, when lifting a big girl by her gills up vertically I .heard popping sound. I remember thinking 'that can't be good'. Like a knuckle cracking. Fish released but it sounded like I broke something inside her. That was proof enough for me to stop. Whats your thoughts? Lets agree that I know you would never want to harm the fishery you make your living off and love.

Muskieman · Miller Muskie Guide Trips

Hoisting little perch, sunfish, and walleyes into the boat without using the net is the same as hoisting a muskie by the boga grip. Are all fish spines damaged when they dangle on the hook? I disagree with this theory. I have heard of the "death hold" by muskie hunters viewing my pictures at TJ's Liquor. I have seen the same people grab the muskie by the gills to remove it from the net. This is damaging the red gills of the fish especially if the hand penetrates and hurts part of the gill. The evidence of this improper technique is cuts across the top of the fingers. They are causing more damage to a fish then I am. On many occasions I have taken the DNR fisheries from the Aitkin office to get scales to age the fish and determine growth rate. They also sent me students from Stevens Point University who are studying to be big lake specialists. They took me along to net, tag, and remove scales in the spring. I did all of the handling and releasing of tons of fish. These highly educated men approve of my handling of fish. I am open to improving my handling of muskies and appreciate your comments.

-- Edited by Muskieman on Friday 24th of August 2012 05:53:04 AM

MN Musky · Newbie

gene

thanks for your input. Perhaps a boga and a horizontal hold or at least a supported belly is a better answer. Saves the gills and supports the vertebrate. Agreed the gill plate hold can be misplaced. Most Muskie guys don't get enough practice grabbing fish.

Muskieman · Miller Muskie Guide Trips

I will pay attention to supporting the fish in the pictures. On a side note, most of my friends tell me that posting pictures on the internet subjects you to criticism and attacks and they refuse to post anything. I understand how they feel. I throw myself into the limelight. Not saying I am being criticized but understand why my friends do not post on the internet. For those that have enjoyed my daily postings, I apologize. I have decided to go completely covert and have turned on the silent mode. Good luck fishing everyone!

muskiemania · Member

cry cry cry cry cry cry cry cry cry

Dont let that get to you

Muskymadness · Veteran Member

I would agree Gene. Hate to see you go silent. The original question/comment I thought was legit. Don't let one person's uneducated response take you away.

muskiemania · Member

muskieman

people who believe everything they see on the internet. That is where this bogus method and crap come from. you know how to handle that. keep doing what your doing and do not let the minority internet readers tell you diferent. You dont have the real people in the know asking you for help catching these fish because you dont know what you are doing. I read what was posted here and dont think anyone was attacking you, I believe it was just a request for your opinion. I do understand your position but you will never please everyone, so just ignore those who feel they need to talk junk here. From everything i read here people are decent and try and help others. including you.

muskiemania aka Chad

Muskieman · Miller Muskie Guide Trips

When 95 year old Irene Long caught her monster all by herself, I posted it on the internet. Some clown posted that he watched her catch it and Gene Miller held it out of the water 15 minutes. Really? This crap has been going on for years. The sad part is alot of people believe everything they read on the internet.

Muskymadness · Veteran Member

I understand Gene. THose of us who know, don't believe that B.S. Wish it didn't have to be, but understand you have to do what you have to do.

Wish you continued success.

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Hello Gene,

This is Malmo Mike. You are a very respected Muskie guide on the Lake. Everyone on the lake knows that you do it right and always endeavor to do so. I hope to see you soon when I am home at Malmo Bay in two weeks.

I am putting this here to balance out some of the other negative information...Good luck fishing and enjoying the lake. Keep my brother outta trouble please. The lake looks great today.

Take care, MM smile