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| I have heard a few decent reports from Mille Lacs, but the norm has been very slow for most anglers. I understand that we are about 2 weeks behind as far as water temps go compared to the average year. As I write this it is now August 5th and as of yet I have not heard the big numbers of muskies on the north end sand. Who knows maybe they moved up there today? To me, although I have only fished Mille Lacs for muskies the last 4 years, this seems to be past due of when they move up on to the sand. Even though those fish are hard to get to bite on the sand, it is nice to know they are there and that you are at least getting your lure near fish. I am hearing rumors that some of the guides on Mille Lacs are leaving to fish other lakes because they are finding it a little harder every year to consistently put their clients on fish (not sure if this is true or not). Is Mille Lacs on a huge down swing or are the poor reports the result of a late winter/ late spring and cooler water temps? Hard to believe the water temps are not up there now as I had 81 degrees on a smaller central MN lake yesterday. Reports and opinions are welcome.
Edited by Baby Mallard 8/5/2008 7:49 PM
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Posts: 133
Location: Lake Tomahawk, Musky Central, USA | Sounds like most lakes I fish that aren't mille lacs each year! |
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Posts: 793
Location: Ames, Iowa | Too soon for a downswing imo- just not as hot a bite as last year?? If it makes you feel any better, Leech is very tough right now- rocks, weeds, reeds, shallow, low light, sun, windy, calm, and all combinations of the above- and fish are just not being seen. I had one hit the other evening, and lost it- probly a northern anyway. I'll troll and then hit the beaches- maybe they are digesting. I have 3 days left to score.
all the best,
djw |
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Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | It seems like there has been a lull in the action on Pond, but thankfully there are some amazing fisheries to fall back on here in MN. For every lake that is asleep, there is one that is on fire. Pond, like other lakes, is 2-3 weeks behind... but there are definitely some guides that know how to catch 'em when the water is cold. Props to all who are getting the big girls to go under adverse conditions!
Andy |
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Location: Twin Cities | Hammskie - 8/6/2008 1:55 AM
It seems like there has been a lull in the action on Pond, but thankfully there are some amazing fisheries to fall back on here in MN. For every lake that is asleep, there is one that is on fire. Pond, like other lakes, is 2-3 weeks behind... but there are definitely some guides that know how to catch 'em when the water is cold. Props to all who are getting the big girls to go under adverse conditions!
Andy
Cold? Last week I saw temps from 75 to 79 degree's on the pond. |
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Location: Illinois | I'm guessing he meant the "bite" there was cold, not the water temps
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| Mille Lacs has been tough this year, no consistant patterns, slow bite, ect, ect, ect...
Yes most of the guides have moved on to other lakes to fish. They are on lakes that have less pressure and good numbers of 50" fish... |
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| tought bite on Mille this yr... not sure why? have fished over 10 days out there w/ no fish... not many guides out there either....pressure may have finally even chased the guides away too???? still tons of other guys thowing baits though |
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Posts: 201
Location: Stevens Point | JRedig,
Where were you getting those water temps? I would guess the southern bays, the sand on the north was on 70 degrees this morning. The fish are eating somewhere we just have start thinking outside the box. |
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Posts: 133
Location: Lake Tomahawk, Musky Central, USA | One useful bit of knowledge I was told when I was a younger kid from one of the greatest Wisconsin musky dudes of all time was "Stop looking so hard at what the fish are doing, and start looking at what you are doing"...it was something like that. Plus, there is no box to think in or out of..that might be where the problem is. It's fishing guys, wow. |
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Posts: 32914
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | You ever fish Mile Lacs, Andy? |
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Posts: 133
Location: Lake Tomahawk, Musky Central, USA | I'm not complicating musky fishing for myself the way I see so many others who come in from a lake asking questions as to why...It's musky fishing dude, cmon! If at first you don't succeed, try try again? That usually seems to work. I'm one of those guys that doesn't follow the masses so to speak, Steve. I've got way too many lakes here close to where we live to keep me satisfied with musky fishing for many years to come. The only long trip I've done was Eagle Lake to stay at my dad's good friend Mal's.. Evergreen Lodge for 5 or 6 summers in a row...That is one trip I will do again when I get the chance, simply because I still have dreams about it and love the way I can navigate it now. Other than that though, I was hoping you could explain to me how Mille Lacs differs from any lake in our area (aside from size, fish, and numbers of big fish) I'm seriously open to learn what you have to say about it. We got em here too, and that's what I'm focusing on. It keeps me well occupied...I'm one of those guys that sees just how many fish have been caught on Mille Lacs and see no reason for going there...I don't know what you yourself would call it, but I just wouldn't take pride in a 50" release in a lake full of them. If I wanted a 50" that bad I would go hook up a crappie on a treble hook at sit at the Rainbow Flowage dam for a few hours. I'm banking on getting my first 50 out of my lake....then, any other lake in our area before I venture out into those places. Like I implied though man...a lake is a lake is a lake. All the publicity that lake gets, nah...no room for me.
Edited by Andy 8/8/2008 6:44 AM
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Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | I don't think I would love muskie fishing as much if I wasn't in utter perplexity and concentrated at all times on "what the fish are doing". That's what fuels me, and maybe a few others, to keep playing the muskie game. Because these fish behave like no other fish, they are sometimes more of a challenge to effectively pattern (i.e. catching them in numbers using the same method), and the reward comes when we work hard enough or smart enough to find that pattern, whatever it may be.
MN muskies are like a girlfriend. If you don't pay enough attention to them, you just may find yourself without them! 
Good luck up on Pond. Catch 'em.
Andy |
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Posts: 393
Location: Hopefully on the water | Not to dought anyones fishing but last night loading the box for Mille Lacs in 2 weeks got me thinking this. Are people really switching things up and fishing different spots or different ways out there. I threw a variety of baits in and plan on doing some exploring (weather permitted) when we head out there. Granted the first stops are going to be the community with the DBl cowgirls to start. However if things aren't working that way I plan on changing to dawgs and moving out to the reifs or try the inside weed edge. I ask this because my first trip out there last year 95% of the time I threw the DBl Cowgirls and didn't see a fish for 3 days. I had it stuck in my head that this was how it needed to be done out there. This Time I am going for different results. I am looking for a 50 and if it comes from a lake with a bunch of them in it, that i swhy I am also going. Not all the fish are on the North shore and it rather large to begin with. I also like to break away from the normal masses on occasion. I am just wondering how open people have been this year to trying something different out there. This year I will do some exploring unless the magical switch turns on for them. Good luck fishing to everyone. |
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Posts: 133
Location: Lake Tomahawk, Musky Central, USA | I don't think you guys understand me, but that's cool...Steve might, he's pretty smart. When I see pictures of big fish online, MANY MANY MANY of them come from Mille Lacs, the other place I notice are the people motor trolling green bay...I don't swing that way, that's all. I do it the way I like to, and would feel more successful getting a "Mille Lacs Class" fish, out of one of the many area lakes in a 30 mile radius of my home, because I know they are in there..and they are the hardest ones to get. It may take me 25 years, it might be my next cast...Knowing there are less of them here than Mille Lacs, makes it that much more beautiful, to me. =) |
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| Twells,
Some people are trying different things, I spent a night last week without one single double 10 in my boat to force myself to try lures that worked before the cowgirl. I got a 44" on a "old" lure over a spot that was pounded with cowgirls, so yes those other tactics still work.. Just remember there are 4 sides to the lake, Mille Lacs is just not a north shore and remember that people caught muskies in this lake before the cowgirl. |
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Posts: 393
Location: Hopefully on the water | That is part of what I am wondering. What are some of the other things that have worked out there before the DBl. Cowgirls. Has the bite on Bulldawgs mainly been a later fall bite or did it work during the summer also in past years? Just trying to up my % to staying OPEN minded and not setting myself up to be in a narrow mind when I get up there. I did pack some other bucktails along that have been working this year for me othere then the dbl 10's. Thanks for the info on the 44 that other baits work also. Plus it is a good way to force yourself to fish a different way by not having DBl 10's in the boat. Good luck fishing. |
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| Bulldawgs work from opener until there is ice covering the lake. Suicks also have worked for me on Mille Lacs, but be ready for more pike action than muskie action if you are around weeds. Honestly though, any lure can work at any given time. I lost my biggest fish ever on Mille Lacs on a lure I dislike very much, a chatterbait. I used that lure a lot after I lost that one and never have I had anything hit it again. Point being, don't be afraid to use any given lure. Get creative and you might be rewarded. I have even heard those darn crankbaits are working. I just "sigh" when I hear people catching them casting crankbaits because I have never caught one that way. Good luck! |
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Posts: 133
Location: Lake Tomahawk, Musky Central, USA | I'm still trying to understand a lot of the fish I've recently seen been caught, being caught on dinky rapalas while walleye fishing area lakes. Oh wait, no I'm not! :P |
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Posts: 31
Location: sauk rapids, mn | I personally would have no problem catching a 50+ inch on Mille Lacs. I know many people do. BUT, I have been to Mille Lacs about 10 times in the last 3 years. I have never caught a muskie there. I fish all the places everyone else does, but it just has not happened. But I sure had fun every time out. To date, my biggest Muskie was a 47". that was on the lake I normally fish. I would like to pull in a 50 and I really don't care where it is. I listen to everyone elses stories and see their pictures, and someday I would like it to be mine. I have caught my share of muskies, it is not like I don't have a clue. But that is muskie fishing. I enjoy it so much, whether I see a fish or not.
I think that is why we are all here, right? Because we enjoy this sport so much. Yesterday, my 11 year old son and I went to the lake, and we saw two fish during that sunset-moonrise window. I caught a couple 30 inch pike on a bulldawg as well. So I did not catch a muskie, but man I had fun! Being with my son on the water, with that shot at a big fish on the next cast.... It was awesome.
So, my point is Different strokes, for different folks. whatever makes you happy. What I like might not do it for you. What you like about muskie fishing, might not be my interest . The bottom line is, keep the integrity of the sport, let the fish live to fight again, be curteous of other fishers, and enjoy the experience! |
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Posts: 315
| the fish are out on the mud flats |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Whether I like to admit it or not, some people are just plain better anglers than me. I agree that muskies pose an interesting twist to "ease of catching." But, when I see the local guides here in Indiana go out and score with a high degree of consistancy it tells me that they understand and possess something about angling that I don't. They are reaping the rewards of hard work and time on the water. I sure respect them for that. Like no5hole, I accept my limitations while striving to become better and just take getting skunked on Tippy, Barbee and Vermilion as part of the sport as I know it. I still enjoy musky fishing and the "bonus" fish. I sure don't think I'm a bad angler. Just not as good as some. My 50 on Vermilion after 9 years?... I'm as proud as can be! So what if it's a high density 50 lake? It still spanked me for a decade. |
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Posts: 432
Location: mpls | Andy,
Most of the hardcore guys on the pond are not fishing for a 50. It's the really big fish that keep everyone going, and there are not that many of those anywhere.  |
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Posts: 999
| I was up on Mille Lacs this past weekend and on Sunday morning we ventured to the northeast corner of the lake and put in by Malmo. From Malmo to Wealthwood we seen 2 boats casting and maybe 8 boats trolling. What is all this northshore pressure talk about? Also we fished the bays on the west side as well the boat landings were barely half full. I did not think the pressure was at all that bad out there. But the boats we did see where chucking either Bulldawgs or DCG's. We moved 3 for the trip and boated a few decent pike. Fished mainly weeds and sand.
Mr Musky |
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| Pressure goes w/ fishing success.... if the fish ever start moving w/ any consistency you will see hundreds of boats....and every spot you will need to get in line. Not seeing many boats out there IMO is not a good sign. For good reasons. |
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Posts: 2089
| I have to laugh. Everyone is an "expert" and not all the Mille Lacs guides have chosen greener pastures. Yes, the pressure may be down at times from the "hardcore hot bite chasers", but trust me, there are many boats to take their place. This has been a difficult season from the start, but fish still eat. Have never worked so hard for these fish, but as Charlie Carpenter proved, she's only a cast away. The area he caught that fish was an absolute zoo before that, and of course worse after it. Keep casting.Oh yeah, how many years of killing big fish can a lake sustain before the fishing starts a noticible decline? Kill 25 a year and see what happens.Hmmm. Steve |
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Posts: 159
Location: NYC (and many weeks in MN during summer) | Steve,
It was really nice chatting with you yesterday at Thorne's. I agree about Mille lacs. With a lake so big, with a finite amount of big fish, how much pressure and fish removal can this resource sustain. Seems to me that although you hear about the occasional big fish caught, there should be morefish caught in the 40" - 45" caught. This year, it's just not happening. It tells me that either the fish have moved, have gotten smarter, are less numbers of them or a combination of all the above.
With all the other options of musky lakes, I don't know why anyone would stand in line, or even worse, risk getting killed, to fish that lake.
Randy
Ps. I may give you a call for something mid fall! |
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Posts: 999
| With all the 56" inchers being reported so far this year out of Mille Lacs, I would suspect the Minnesota record to be broken this fall. Are those fish going to be 57" next year?????
Mr Musky |
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Posts: 159
Location: NYC (and many weeks in MN during summer) | put the handful of big fish into perspective. An average lake might see a dozen Muskie boats a day. I'm guessing Mille lacs has Atleast a hundred or two daily. You'd expect a lot more big fish and not so big fish being caught.
Btw, I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Randy |
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Posts: 999
| It seems like every year the reports are getting bigger and bigger, i'd like to see Jody Dahm's fish at 56 now. For sure a 55 plus pound fish this fall. I just cant wait to see who or what guide or client breaks the long awaited record. It's gotta happen!
Mr Musky |
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| Fished Mille Lacs a total of 42 hours the past 3 days. One 40 inch fish....lots of boats... taking a break. Good Luck!!! Did get 1 nice pike too.  |
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Posts: 734
Location: Watertown, MN | I thought it was on fire, I am having my best year out there 1 fish 1 trip, it is the Aquarium as deemed many years ago, go see plenty of fish and no eater, the past few years she has been hot, Temps changed this years, pressure continues to grow. Like steve stated my one concern is how much delayed mortality and harvest has occured up there is impacting the fishery. I know we saw atleast 3 toon trollers trolling shallows. I heard they one boat has had 100+ hook ups and only landing a few, wondering how many of the misses are fowl hooked fish, and what is happening to them. Plenty of fish there yet but might to need to explore new areas, diff techniques. Who knows when she catches fire this year, watch out if it does, they might all come unglued. Maybe setting up for a good fall bite? It is fishing not catching.
Troyz
Edited by Troyz. 8/18/2008 9:40 AM
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Posts: 256
| We fished for 6 hours yesterday and moved one fish. We knew going up it would be tough and it was. I still have faith in the lake though. |
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Posts: 1039
Location: North St. Paul, MN | I was out with Gregg Thomas on August 7. Fished in the morning for a few hours. Saw several fish and I was fortunate enough to boat a 42.5. Met up later that night, trolled for three hours with nothing and then he stuck a 51 after dark. I had one other follow and he caught a nice pike that night. When I had been reading the reports I was worried, but was very pleased with the results of my first guided trip ever, anywhere.
Steve |
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What's the deal with Mille Lacs?