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Mille Lacs Muskies
While Mille Lacs has always been known as one of Minnesota's premier walleye fisheries, it is quickly gaining reputation as a premier muskie fishery as well. Mille
Lacs is not a natural muskie lake, as muskies were stocked there by the Minnesota Department of Fisheries in the 70s. What has happened since is truly a fish management success story. Muskies
abound in the lake and the size of the fish is astounding. In fact, many anglers believe that the next state record muskie will be caught from Mille Lacs. Mille Lacs differs from Leech and most
of the other natural muskie lakes in Minnesota because a majority of the lake is not muskie habitat. However, don't let this fact fool you. There are plenty of cabbage filled bays and rockreefs on Mille Lacs that are
perfect muskie habitat. The key locations are easy to find and to fish even if you aren't an expert fisherman. Take a look at what you need to fish on Mille Lacs.. |
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Mille Lacs Muskies
MILLE LACS LAKE MUSKIE LOCATION
Location for Muskies on Mille Lacs is quite simple. From June until mid Fall, there will always be muskies using the cabbage beds on Mille Lacs until the weeds turn brown and begin to die off. Since most of the lake is a deep water basin, the cabbage weedbeds are found mainly back in bays and along a few shoreline areas. Top bays to start your search are Twin Bays, Isle Bay, Wahkon Bay, Cove Bay, and Vineland Bay, all on the south side of the lake. The shoreline along Wealthwood on the north side of the lake has a large bed of cabbage also. Muskies can be found all summer long in these areas. Mille Lacs has many rock reefs as well, especially on the south end of the lake. While these don't receive the attention from muskie anglers that the weedbeds do, don't overlook them. Reefs such as Hawkbill, The Graveyard, Spider Island, Izaty's Reef, and the rocks around Upper and Lower Twin Island all have muskies using them especially on windy, cloudy days. There are many other rocks spots that can be productive as well that shouldn't be overlooked.
MILLE LACS LAKE MUSKIE PRESENTATION
The weedbeds on Mille Lacs are somewhat shallower and thicker than on many of the other muskie lakes in Minnesota. Spinnerbait style bucktails are more effective to fish through this heavy cover than standard in line bucktails. Northland's Bionic Bucktail and Marv's Twinspin are both very effective lures for this shallow heavy cover. Topwater baits such as a Poes Awaker will work effectively as well. A good set of polarized sunglasses is a must to spot pockets in the weeds so you can cast to the openings in the weedgrowth. Fish these weedbeds thoroughly as muskies can be anyplace in the weeds and it is difficult for them to chase a lure very far in this cover. During windy, overcast, and rainy conditions, muskies will be on Mille Lacs many rock points and reefs. Generally, the reefs within close proximity to shore are more productive than the reefs further out in the lake, Many different lures will produce fish in this situation, but jerkbaits or shallow diving crankbaits will work best. On the right day, fishing the rocks can be excellent. Every muskie addict deserves to make a trip to Mille Lacs to experience first-hand Minnesota's newest muskie hotspot
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