The BIG Walleye Quest .........

[MikeyL]

Day 1.
Got to Garrison, for lake Mille Lacs.
Cold front had started to move in.
Checked into Eddy's, and got our launch/docking fee at the docks in the backyard.
BAD <editted> fishfly hatch, which has a ton to do with our lack of success today.
Water temp about 66.7. "Found" fish, but spent a lot of time looking - more than usual. Eddy's launch moved all over Mille Lacs for their passengers, and never did find fish.
The only Walleye Jim & I got to today was broiled, over dinner, with Sweet Allie serving us ! (Don't ask ...... LOL !).
Hoping for better days tomorrow thru Friday, but tomorrow might be even tougher, as the pressure is dropping further, and the chances for rain increases 150% over today.
Here's first a photo of our "home" for the next 3 days ... followed by a memorable shot many will recognize.
Let's all hope Update # 2 is better. Wishing y'all a wonderful upcoming Wednesday. Mikey Lulejian - Lake Mille Lacs, MN

 

[eticket]

Good luck @MikeyL!

 

[MikeyL]

Thanks @eticket ......... It looks like we're gonna need some ole'-fashioned "Good Luck" !

 

[MikeyL]

Day 2 is not starting out so good .......

 

[Julian]

The fish bite well in the rain!

 

[RightStuff]

Good luck @MikeyL! The reports I have heard still say the fishing has been decent as long as you don't mind throwing a lot of them back because of the slot this year. Having a hatch won't help at all though, bummer to hear that. Hopefully Eddy's will help you hook a few, I'm sure they know the spots to hit.

And of course, enjoy beautiful MN!

 

[MikeyL]

Thanks, @RightStuff. Currently, the rain has TOTALLY subsided, so we are kewling it over a bit of fruit for breakfast. Really kinda chilly outside, and windy now. 1 of Eddy's launch captains later last night reported they have gone 0 for 0 all of the last 3 days. But - The day is young, so we'll see what it has in store for us. Bunch of water in the Lund, bilging out now. Update later (hopefully with a "catch" report). Many thanks !

 

[MikeyL]

Well . more new ......... and good stuff.
A launch from Twin Pines went out yesterday afternoon and came in later. (ie, "south" end of Mille Lacs).
Detailed report from someone who was there said of 11 fishing on board, they boarded 57 total fish, 3 keeper walleyes, and many northerns. too.
Too rough for the Lund today, so now we are signed up for an "Eddy's Launch" for this afternoon @ 1 pm.
Let's hope for a CATCHING day !

 

[txav8r]

I love walleye! I got to go fly in fishing in Canada a few times and the entire mornings of the 3 days were dedicated to catching lunch and our limits. The afternoons were fishing for great northern trophies! I caught a 14 pounder the last time I got to go. But I would have traded that in for more walleye for dinner! That is the best tasting fish I have ever had. Good luck, hope the weather and the fishing improves.

 

[Julian]

Just need to drive a little further north to Sioux Narrows and fish Lake of the Woods! We never came home without Walleye for dinner. After two weeks of fishing we were Walleye'd out! We haven't been there in a while....which explains why Caitlin is a little younger in the photo below....

 

[Julian]

But oh yeah....that was taken in July....not always warm or even hot up there....sometimes cold and wet....unfortunately you are experiencing that.

 

[biffdotorg]

Welcome back to Minnesota. Have spent many days on Mille Lacs.
You should have some cooperation from mother nature over the next couple days. This weekend may not be too good for you. We find that when the walleyes are not biting, the smallmouths are. Not much for eating, but a good time either way. Check the rock piles and throw some crank baits.

Good tips watching those launches as they usually know where the fish are. The best times we ever had on Mille lacs was fishing walleyes under lit bobbers at night! Until they outlawed night fishing.

It was quite the spectacle seeing dozens of boats out on the flats lined up with lit bobbers in the calm of the night. You could see bobbers go under quite a ways away and you never knew what you might pull up. Good old days on very big water!

 

[msavold]

they have gone 0 for 0 all of the last 3 days

That's 'cause they've been saving them for you, right @MikeyL?
Happy catching!

 

[MikeyL]

Sorry for the delay in updating this .........
Here we go ......
Day 2 started out with pretty good rain. COLD front moved in and walleye don't bite well (read ....... not at all) during this time.
On top of that, a bad FISHfly hatch. I editted my post above to reflect that. They now think the MAYFlies (normally hatching in MAY) will hatch in July !
So, Mille Lacs had GREAT "Catches" last week and this past weekend, but since Monday, the fishing has pretty much been nil.
Boating population: The STRICT slot limit on keeping has really hurt the fishing season, for businesses and more. Thursday, Day 3, we only saw 1 other boat out most of the day ! Highly unusual for June 18th ~!
The weather was bad, cold, and the lake was 3 to 4 foot swells with a bunch of whitecaps.
Thus we decided on a "Launch" trip from the resort where we were staying. We HAD planned on the 1 to 5 pm trip, but after talking to the captain, we changed to the 6 to 10 pm trip. Only 1 other couple who were staying at the Grand Casino (also owned by the Mille Lacs indian tribe, like Eddy's, where we stayed).
Catching was TOUGH, and yet our captain was HIGHLY knowledgeable - we moved frequently to maximize results.
We only caught 2 good ones, and they measured 18.25 inches. Last year the slot was 18 to 20 inches and over 28 I believe. This year it's 19 to 21 inches and over 28 inches. ONE only per angler.
And we caught several "dinks."
To compare, last weekend, a typical boat with 11 on board in less than 4 hours boarded 57 total (mostly walleyes), 2 or 3 keepers, and many northerns, and a few small mouths ("smallies").
Sorry we didn't get any photos of the 18 inchers, but we have another to share (next posting) .........
Hope y'all are enjoying this journey.



And for the beauty we were privileged to see ..... and know the camera does not do this justice whatsoever, we thought you might enjoy this anyways ........

 

[MikeyL]

Day 3 - Thursday, June 19th.
Started off a little chilly and highly overcast. Rain was supposed to hold off until Friday.
Seas ranged from 2 to 3 feet to 3 to 4 foot (center of open water).
We got out just before 8. Took our time and headed for the rock piles. Pretty scenes on the water however.
Tried slip bobber-ing with no results. We knew the effects of the cold front were still with us. Thank goodness the fishflies had pretty much died down (no pun intended).
Here are some nice photos going out, and early morn to enjoy. I know FISH photos (like boat photos) are preferred, but ya gotta play the cards you are dealt.





And finally the results you and us both wanted to see. Well worth all of the good times, bad weather, and more ......... LOL ........
Here is 1 of 2 keepers, although we threw both back in. 20 inchers.

Knowing the rain was coming back in early Friday am, we fished until about 3, and packed up and headed back home to North Branch.
Still, all-in-all, a Wonderful trip, and made more Good Memories !
Back to Oconee Saturday and after Father's Day, we'll see if we can scare up some Largemouths.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Father's Day upcoming.
Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[Julian]

And finally the results you and us both wanted to see. Well worth all of the good times, bad weather, and more ......... LOL ........
Here is 1 of 2 keepers, although we threw both back in. 20 inchers.

Do you not like Walleye or are they in such short supply in that lake that you felt bad about eating the locals dinner???? I would have gobbled that one up!

 

[MikeyL]

Excellent reply, @Julian.
We both LOVE walleye, and ate broiled walleye 2 nights.
We are just catch & release type of fishermen, that's all.

 

[Julian]

I get that....and I release if I'm not going to eat them...but if I was going to go out to dinner that night and eat Walleye....I'd eat my own first.....each to their own I guess.

 

[txav8r]

"For Gods sake...if you going to put the fish through the torture of looking into the eyes of death, have the courtesy to eat it!" Quote from catch and release. I would have eaten that one too! Then again, I didn't have broiled walleye two nights in a row either. When I used to fly the company guys up with their customers on the Churchhill river in northern Saskatchewan, and we fished for lunch first...the guides (local native north Americans) would cut down a small tree and build a fire. While it was heating up, we would all lay around having a cold Molsons, and napping in a comfortable berm of Canadian Peat Moss...the guides cleaned the fish. Then they would put two huge cast iron skillets on the fire, I am guessing 30" across! Throw a pound of lard in each, and fill one with fresh cut potatoes, and the other with filleted walleye. I use to have a standing request from Mike Current, former offensive lineman for the Broncos and owner of Angler Rapids fishing camp...to bring a couple bottles of picante sauce! I found it less fattening and more enjoyable on the fish that tarter sauce. Cold beer, fried fish, and a warm afternoon...it just doesn't get any better than that!

 

[biffdotorg]

Pre rain walleyes were biting this weekend.

Not bad mouthing or defending catch and release. But locals don't fish Mille lacs hardly anymore to take fish home. The slot limits are so tight, you won't catch enough in the slot to make it worthwhile

Now if fishing at Mille lacs and staying at Eddys or the casino, you have no place to cook them either. It's a motel at Eddys and hotel at the grand casino. Your possession limit is small too.

So anglers traveling that far to fish Mille lacs are hoping to tie into a trophy or just enjoy the steady action. On a normal weekend anyway. At least I hope you did well in the casino. It's one of my favorites.