Questions about Mille Lacs

[bspooner]

Some friends and I are going to Mille Lacs this weekend to do some ice fishing and I have a few questions. We will be fishing for walleye and perch what are the best lures/jigs to use and what colors generally work best? We are all novice ice fisherman and are looking to have as much success as possible. We have done some ice fishing for gills and crappie but mostly on farm ponds. We also might bring a generator with us to charge batteries and so forth will that effect the fishing?

[bspooner]

Is there anyone with any info? I am from Illinois and will be fishing out of Lybacks. I have read a few reports but like I said I am a novice and need some help. We went to Greenbay last winter and fishing was very tough and I do not want to have that type of experience again.

[Hagigun]

I have never been to Mille Lacs, but 2 friends went this winter. Hate to tell ya but they didnt have good trips.

1st guy went about 5 weeks back. They had a permanent Sleeper they were in. Didnt have too much action there so they went out with their portable shack looking for more Walleyes most times. They would mark fish on the flashers, but couldn't get a bite. I think over the 2.5 days they caught 4 walleyes, nothing bigger than 15". Most were 9-11".

They did have rattle reels go off in the sleeper shack at night, but never landed any of the fish. This is their own sleeper shack, not on a resort spot.

Now my other friend went and did a resort's sleeper shack 4 weeks back. They did not bring portables, just stayed inside. He did not mark 1 fish on his flasher in the 1.5 days he was there. Very dissapointed.

Hopefully things have changed and you get on a good spot. Just from what I have read guides are drilling 50-100 holes to get guests onto the 'eyes or Perch. "Ice trolling" is what they call it. Thats how they have success when times are tough.

So if you plan to sit in your sleeper permanent shack all day, cross your fingers. If you have portable gear, i'd bring it to increase your chances. If the fish aren't in your shack, try and go find some.

-As far as lures or jigs - Again, i havent been on Mille Lacs, but so far this year small jigs with wax worms have brought in tons of perch. All colors, Glow colors, mostly smaller sizes.

For Walleyes - Northland Buckshot rattle spoons tipped with minnow heads, jigging raps, salmo chubby darters or lindy darters have had decent success. Also just a decent sized jig and live minnow will work. Usually Perch colors or glow seem to produce. Or just throw a sucker or shiner down on a red hook and see what happens on a dead stick/tip up/ or rattle reel.

You may want to try a combo lure (as i call them) that could get you a bigger Perch or even a Walleye. For instance a smaller sweedish pimple or Frostee jiggin spoon. I have caught Perch on these, even though i'd consider them more Walleye lures.

Hope this helps, been tough going for walleyes this year, only small ones for me. However some newspaper articles have shown some good success on Mille Lacs for those guides drilling tons of holes.

[bspooner]

thanks a lot for the info i know it is a gamble when fishing out of shacks but that the only option that we have. we dont have a gas powered ice auger so that is a big issue no need for one in illinois because the ice doesnt get thick enough. it sounds like i have most of those lures and jigs so it sounds like we have what we need. thanks again

[gpalma]

If you haven't cut out already, ask Lybacks once you get there. They should offer the latest info.

Personally, I would rig up my rods with 4# synthetic main line and a 4# clear leader that is 18" long with a barrel swivel. My tackle box would definitely include a smaller silver as well as smaller gold Swedish Pimple. Those 2 lures are long-time producers. Get a good quantity of wax worms and natural color maggots. A flasher is a must so that you can gauge the reaction of the fish to your presentation and see if they are even there in the first place.

Good luck!