Current Mille Lacs Lake conditions and water temps.
Up to now, the fishing for smallmouth bass and walleye has been outstanding this season. The water temperatures on Mille Lacs are currently approximately 59 degrees in the main lake and in the low 60s in the bays. Despite some significant bug hatches this week, the fishing has not been impacted. While most of the bugs I've seen are midges, I did spot a mayfly yesterday.
This weeks best smallmouth bass patterns.
While the bass bite has been great, there are a few changes taking place. Water temps now have smallmouth on the verge of spawning, but this gives fisherman some options.
For prespawn bass, my best techniques include swimbaits, jerkbaits, hair jigs, and ned rigs. Most of these fish will be located on slightly deeper rocks somewhere around 12'. Try to find areas that are close to known spawning grounds.
For bedfishing, shallow bays and protected areas warm up quickly and are the most attractive to early spawners. Most beds at this point will be in 6' of water or less. I will typically choose either a ned rig or a drop shot for bedded smallmouth.
This weeks best walleye patterns.
The walleye action on Mille Lacs has been fantastic. There are a variety of different techniques and locations that are productive at this time. The two techniques that we,ve been using in my boat this season are slip bobbers and jigs with plastics. Most of my fish have come anywhere from 6'-24'. With the bobbers, setting up on windblown rock transitions has been productive throughout the day.
With the jigs and plastics we have done well in 6'-12' with paddle tail swimbaits, or we head out a little deeper and use split tail minnows on the live sonar.
If your looking to get out on great fishing this season, Mille Lacs is the place to be.
Good luck and have a great weekend!
Ryan Kelly
Lagoona Guide Service
@fishlagoona
651-769-3142
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