Opener on Mille Lacs?

[Spinach]

Who's all fishing the big pond this year? What area do you plan to fish?

I've only missed 1 opener on Mille Lacs in the last 14 years, we usually fish the N end sands or Vineland Bay, so far with this weather it's looking like Vineland Bay for me, then trying Indian Point, Seguchie, 7,8 mile areas.

[JohnWester]

cut foot on the winnie chain for me.

[Joe]

We fish the rocks on the south end near Isle.   

[Mayfly]

I'll be up Friday afternoon, Macs Twin Bay.

[Mayfly]

Lets get this going again. Only a week away! I cannot wait.

If the weather cooperates I will be on the lake at 12am. Plan to fish right up until sunrise and then I will sleep. Right now I am debating if I should run cranks shallow or slip bobber. Hmmmm...what to do. I plan on fishing the SE corner of the lake from Isle to Big Point and everything in between staying shallow for the most part. I have a few spots out on the water I will have to try but for the most part I will stay closer to shore. The sand is always appealing. I just never feel up to the haul. There are plenty of fish in the SE area so I really shouldn't have to go up there. Last year on opening weekend the neighbors headed up and caught roughly 30 walleyes in about 4 hours. That is good fishing I'm just excited to get out again and if this year is anything like last year hold on....

Oh yeah....I will have the marine radio on as well...anyone else?

[Mayfly]

Here is a few pics from last year. Not opener. Unfourtanetly I was skunked on opener last year...... :-[

[Harold]

I'll heading heading out for my first opener on Mille Lacs.? At this point I'll probably go out of Myr Mar and slip bob the rock piles.? Either that or head over to Red Door and fish the sand.? I guess whichever place still has room for a boat & trailer.? Don't want to deal with the public landings.

If slip bobbin, do you guys use leeches this early in the year? My experience has been they just ball up. If using minnows, what is your preference??

[Mayfly]

I guess I don't know what water temp is ideal for leeches. I know I will be using them this year more than I have in the past. I've used rainbows, shiners, fatheads, and crappie minnow in the past. Last year I tried every damn minnow they had at the store and I didn't catch a fish. Saturday night at the bar I was talking to a couple local guys that fish the lake a lot and they told me I should of been using leeches(they were successful). If you are rigging, leeches are the way to go as well.

Anyone else know specifics when it comes to leeches and water temps??

If I were you on the north end I would take advantage of the sand in the morning and all day and hit the rocks with slips in the evening and into the night. Cranks in the shallow are also a popular choice for shallow water after the sun dissapears.

If you do fish after dark BE CAREFUL. I was almost ran over twice last year by IDIOTS. One evening (it wasn't even dark yet) I had two guys in a boat coming straight for me. They were yapping back and forth and they had no clue that I was there. I was sure I was going to get hit. Luckily they turned...they were so close I thought they ran over my bobber!

So be careful......that lake seems to attract a lot of careless drunks. About 5 years ago I was fishing with some friends on Agate (Somewhere near there) and it was pitch black and you could hear a boat flying across the water...closer and closer they got and all of the sudden bam! they hit a boat about 50 yds from us that we didn't even know was there! Next thing I hear is people splashing in the water and spotlights from everyones boat shining towards them. A couple guys dove in to assist. Luckily noone was hurt!? So be careful and keep your lights on.

Good Luck

[SSN]

8 mile, boot, banana.

probably tossing slip bobbers or dropping lindies.

[Harold]

If I were you on the north end I would take advantage of the sand in the morning and all day and hit the rocks with slips in the evening and into the night. Cranks in the shallow are also a popular choice for shallow water after the sun dissapears.

Thanks Mayfly.? That makes good sense to me.?

[SoHawk]

The kids and I are thinking of being there on Saturday, weather permitting. I'm not 100% sure where to go.  If anyone wants to hook up let me know. I'll also have the handheld VHF with me. 

[Jimmyrig]

If I were you on the north end I would take advantage of the sand in the morning and all day and hit the rocks with slips in the evening and into the night. Cranks in the shallow are also a popular choice for shallow water after the sun dissapears.

Tim, there are sandy areas that warm quickly right in that Southeast corner that are usually hot on opener. No need to run up all the way to the NE corner.
If you want PM me and I'll let you know of a few that you should be able to get some fish on.

[jigglestick]

cool offer jimmyrig,
oh and by the way, welcome to mnoutdoorsman :)

[Spinach]

Welcome to MNO JimmyRig.  :)

With the cold front and wind thats supposed to be here just in time for opener, i'll probably start off a little deeper like 10 to18 fow, pulling Lindy Rigs with Leeches or Fatheads, then slip bobbers off the rock piles.