Mille Lacs

[WI-Bassin]

Heading over to Mille Lacs next week Friday for some smallies. Smallies on beds on Mille Lacs has been a bucket list trip for the son and I for a few years now. Looks like we maybe hitting it just right. We are staying at a AirBnB on the south end of the lake and planning on fishing the south end of the lake.

From reports I've been reading looks like water temps are getting close to the 60's. Any advice for us? Do we need a flogger? I'm thinking probably not. Depths for beds from shallow to say about six to eight feet? Thanks

[hydrashack]

Enjoy the bumper boats. It gets EXTREMELY busy on a weekend day.

[WI-Bassin]

Enjoy the bumper boats. It gets EXTREMELY busy on a weekend day.

I'm sure it does.

[MrFish29]

Not wanting to jump in our your thread but have also been looking at Mille Lac. Any other smaller lakes worth fishing if I didn’t want bud water?

[XingEyeballs]

Flogger isn’t as big of a thing there if you have decent polarized glasses. Play the wind and be willing to trailer to a different ramp if it gets you closer to the areas you want to fish for the wind that day. Traffic will be heavy and there’s lots of good fish to catch without strictly targeting beds so be open minded to fishing transitioning routes. Have fun, I’ll be around there in the near future too

[brianf.]

A lot of those smallies spawn in deeper water, 10’ or more, out in the main lake given the water clarity and shallow fishing pressure. I was amazed at how many were out there when we had the right conditions that allowed us to see them. Those fish are an option if you get tired of playing bumper boats looking for the shallow beds that most others are targeting in the shallow bays.

[WI-Bassin]

A lot of those smallies spawn in deeper water, 10’ or more, out in the main lake given the water clarity and shallow fishing pressure. I was amazed at how many were out there when we had the right conditions that allowed us to see them. Those fish are an option if you get tired of playing bumper boats looking for the shallow beds that most others are targeting in the shallow bays.

I'll definitely take a look at that. If the wind isn't bad. Maybe early morning. Thanks for the info.

[WI-Bassin]

Flogger isn’t as big of a thing there if you have decent polarized glasses. Play the wind and be willing to trailer to a different ramp if it gets you closer to the areas you want to fish for the wind that day. Traffic will be heavy and there’s lots of good fish to catch without strictly targeting beds so be open minded to fishing transitioning routes. Have fun, I’ll be around there in the near future too

For sure. I'm guessing they will be in all different phases. Last fall when we were there we trailered after getting beat up trying to get to a spot. Much easier that way!

[WI-Bassin]

Another question. The weather/wind isn't looking to bad for this weekend but if it does blow are there some other smaller lakes with smallies close by? Thanks

[PJ-Rohlf]

Another question. The weather/wind isn't looking to bad for this weekend but if it does blow are there some other smaller lakes with smallies close by? Thanks

Depending on where you are staying, serpent is only 20 minutes from Garrison

[WI-Bassin]

Depending on where you are staying, serpent is only 20 minutes from Garrison

We are staying in Cove bay. South end of the lake. I'll check it out though. Thanks

[hydrashack]

Borden and Big Pine have smallies in them. Not a ton, but a close option if wind bucks you off the lake.

[WI-Bassin]

Borden and Big Pine have smallies in them. Not a ton, but a close option if wind bucks you off the lake.

Thanks. Looks like the weather is going to be pretty good for us! Can't wait to get there!

[bassmastermatt]

What's the outlook for smallies up there this coming weekend, 6/10?? Will that be too late? I haven't ever fished Mille Lacs.

[WI-Bassin]

What's the outlook for smallies up there this coming weekend, 6/10?? Will that be too late? I haven't ever fished Mille Lacs.

I think there will still be some up. There were a lot of empty beds last weekend but also new beds each day too. Good luck. We had an awesome trip!

[SCOTT196]

Hows the fishing now?