Open Water Season is Here and the Fish Are Biting on Mille Lacs
The Mille Lacs Fishing Opener was a good one on the North side of the big pond. The fish are biting and the weather is beautiful after a cooler spring. Come up to The Red Door Resort for a angling get-a-away. The cabins are great and the motel underwent a significant renovation during this past off season.
John Wersal joined the resort and is offering private guiding. To book a trip with John give the resort a call at 218-678-3686. John’s fishing report is below.
Fishing Report from John, The Red Door Resort’s Preferred Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Guide
Water temperatures are currently in the 45-50 degree range and should rise with the warm sun today. I recommend a 1/8 oz jig with shiner minnow. If it is windy on the water, size up to 1/4 oz jig. For colors, green, parrot and orange all seemed to be doing well. Similarly colored hair jigs with a minnow are also producing. The water is cold so fish SLOWLY barely creeping the jig across the bottom. Try fishing the first break in 10-15 feet of water. During during low light/cloudy windy conditions fish even shallower. When it is calm or if there is a lot of sun try a fishing a little deeper. The water is clear and the fish will spook from the boat. Try being stealthy and don’t be afraid to stray away from the crowds. The best reports came from people using their electronics (side imagine/forward facing sonar) to locate pods of fish, spot locking up wind 30-60 feet from the fish and pitching to the fish. Do not drive over the schools of fish or they will spook. If the fish seem to not be “slamming” the jig or if you are missing bites, try giving the fish a second after they grab hold before setting the hook. If you are using braided line be sure to use a fluorocarbon leader or even a straight monofilament line setup. I recommend a medium light action rod. If the fish are hitting aggressively you may be able to fish a little faster and set the hook right away but start the day fishing extremely slow. Both rock to sand transition areas and straight sand areas seem to be holding fish. If you’re staying out into the dark, try a lighted bobber and leech on a rock point or transition area. Even at dark I would try to keep your line a little ways away from the boat.
