Mille Lacs Fishing Report (Memorial Day Weekend Smallmouth Bass and Walleye)

Mille Lacs Lake Memorial Day Weekend Fishing Report

This weeks Mille Lacs fishing report covers locations and techniques for catching smallmouth bass and walleye this Memorial Day Weekend. Other topics include current lake conditions and water temps.

Mille Lacs Current Lake Conditions and Water Temps

It's been an incredible swing in conditions this past week on Mille Lacs Lake. Water temps on opening weekend through Wednesday were in the low to mid 60s on the main lake, with water temps approaching the upper 60's in the bays. One week later, water temps have dipped back into the upper 40's in the main lake. This has been the biggest spring setback I have ever experienced. While this week's cold front has been brutal, we are still catching both smallmouth and walleye. And it appears that mild conditions will prevail by Memorial Day weekend.

Mille Lacs Walleye Fishing Report

The first days after opener provided us with spotty walleye fishing. Most reports from walleye fisherman were slower, with a few isolated reports of good fishing. The better reports seemed to be coming from night fisherman. Fortunatly, it seems like the walleye fishing has picked up in recent days. In my boat we've done much better the past few days. I believe that the overcast skies, wind, and lack of traffic on the lake has been favorable to the walleye bite. Some of the best patterns for us this week involved fishing 8'-18' rocks, with bobbers and leeches. Honorable mentions include jigs and shiners, or swimbaits fished slowly above the rocks. Live sonar has been helpful in locating and catching these shallow water walleyes.

Mille Lacs Smallmouth Fishing Report

Opening fishing kicked of with an incredible smallmouth bite this season. Prespawn fish were feeding aggressively on Saturday morning. By Monday we had switched to bed fishing, with many areas switching to spawn early in the week. Last Thursday the weathed switched, and nearly all beds had been abandoned by last weekend. Even with this cold front, we are still catching fish. In my boat we have reverted back to pre spawn techniques. Jerk baits and paddle tail swimbaits have become the go-to techniques. I particularly like the jerkbaits in these conditions. Jerkbaits provoke reactions out of the most weary of cold front smallmouth. Our best locations have been large rock in the deeper water adjacent to known spawning areas. While there may be large schools of fish sitting on nearby deep water flats, those fish tend to be very difficult to catch. Sticking to the structure will keep you around active smallmouth.

Good Luck Fishing!

Ryan Kelly

Lagoona Guide Service

www.fishlagoona.com

@fishlagoona

651-769-3142