Drilling Ice Fishing Holes on Lake Mille Lacs

Mille Lacs Ice Report 12/15/2022

The Red Door Resort Access Is Open To Walkout, Snowmobile and ATV Traffic

The Red Door Resort access is open to walk out, snowmobile and ATV traffic.  The Ice Team ventured out this afternoon and, under the 9” to 10” of fresh heavy snow, predominately found 7.5” to 8.5” of nice black ice.  There were a couple of holes with 7” of ice and a couple of holes with 9” of ice.  The warm weather over the last week caused ice depths to increase 1-2 inches.  Please watch the video below and read on for more commentary.

Winter Storm Observations

The Winter Storm Warning has now passed and the north side of Mille Lacs Lake received approximately 10” of dense snowfall that fell in two 4-6” rounds of precipitation on Tuesday and then Wednesday into Thursday.  The snow is heavy, ideal for snowman making and snowball fights.  The snow will also provide a great base on the snowmobile trails adjacent to The Red Door Resort.  The science seems to suggest that the heavier / denser snow is preferable for ice making since this type of snow traps less air and, as a result, provides less insulation.

Slush and Water on the Lake

The snow added a significant amount of weight on the lake.  The Red Door Resort lake access currently has 5” of standing water for the first 200 feet off shore.  The path through the shale ice has the standing water but once this area is cleared the slush isn’t too bad though there are some concentrations in areas.  Anglers should be able to find a dry place to fish and should be cautious when drilling new holes.  The standing water and slush should freeze as temperatures cool down.

Visual of The Red Door Resort Ice Access from Shore
Ice Fishing Snow and Ice Conditions on Lake Mille Lacs

Weather Outlook

Tomorrow (Friday) is expected to hover in the 20’s and then temperatures should drop significantly over the course of the weekend and into next week.  Lows will be in the single digits on Saturday before dipping below zero on Sunday and for the duration of the 7 day weather outlook.  Sustained wind speeds should be under 15 mph with gust staying below 25 mph.

Progression Compared to last Year

In last year’s Mille Lacs Ice Report 12/16/2021, The Red Door Resort access opened tentatively to foot traffic only to the first and second break.  This year’s ice is 1.5” to 2.5” ahead of the same time last year.  The Ice Team is hopeful that the cold weather will continue the ice building progression, outweighing the snow’s insulating impact.  Time will tell and the plan is to publish our next Mille Lacs Ice Report mid-next week. 

Have a great weekend and we look forward to seeing you at The Red Door Resort.

Snowmobile Trails near The Red Door Resort on the north side of Mille Lacs Lake

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Summer Activities at the Red Door Resort
two kids tubing behind boat on Lake Mille Lacs while staying at Red Door Resort
group of people playing basketball at summer family resort on Lake Mille Lacs
Lake Mille Lacs | The Red Door Resort

Activities at Red Door

The Red Door Resort offers a number of activities at or near the resort. Our swimming beach has a sandy lake bottom that stretches out from shore. Activities available at the main resort include a playground, basketball, and gaga ball pit.

Mille Lacs Lake features a world renowned fishery and is also great for recreational use, including swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, wind surfing, kayaking and canoeing. Off the lake there are walking, hiking and snowmobiling opportunities; many of the trails wind through hundreds of acres of beautiful state land and are accessible year round. The area around the resort has a high concentration of sugar maples, which means that, in the fall, the area has some of the most vibrant colors in the state.

The resort is only minutes away from excellent hunting land, state parks, and golf courses. Further afield, you can access the Grand Casino Mille Lacs, Brainerd International Raceway, Paul Bunyan Land, Wealthwood Rod and Gun Club, and the Mille Lacs Indian Museum.

Girl holding a large fish in The Red Door Resort
Ice Fish House | The Red Door Resort
Women standing in a boat holding a large fish on Lake Mille Lacs
Family Resort at North Shore of Minnesota