Monthly Archives: April 2013

April 30th, 2013

Last Saturday a bunch of us went out and picked up whatever was left on the lake over winter that was hidden by the snow.   The ice depth was around 29-30 inches in water over 10 feet deep.  Shallower than that is varied to as little a 12.  There was still a fair amount of snow around where houses had been and it was hard to get them all.

Last evening I went out to check things after two days of warm weather and a little rain and it was a lot easier to see and pick up ones that were missed on Saturday.  Ice depth had changed to about 25-27 inches and was definitely honeycombed, almost all the way thru.  Out in the “Tullibee Hole”  it was 28 plus.  The shallow reefs, Gull, Grassy, the reefs south of the Twin Islands were opening up on top, but that was in 3 feet of water or less.  Now with colder weather coming again and freezing nights it will probably slow the melt somewhat the next few days.  I think it is going to take some really warm days next week with rain to take it out by the Opener.

There is going to be some interesting times at Mille Lacs this spring………

Keep a Tight Line!!!         Eddy

April 26th, 2013

Finally spring is showing it’s face.  Things are starting to melt and the “Block Party” is on for tomorrow.  We will be starting about 1:00 p.m. and with the people showing up so far we will be done by 6:00 or 7:00.  Only two weeks away to the fishing opener and there is still 30 plus inches of ice but thing are changing out there.  In the bays the ice by the weeds is turning dark and the shallow open lake reefs are also.  If the weather continues on the current trend we might make it by opener yet, but it will be close!  For those that don’t know what our “block party” is . It’s a 30 plus year ritual where we go out and scour the ice and pick up anything left over from the winter’s fishermen so it doesn’t end up in the lake or on the shoreline.  This will be probably the latest we’ve had it so we will be making history in our little world at Mille Lacs.

April 24th, 2013

Not much to report out there for fishing.  Just more snow two days ago and the ice if you look at our web cam isn’t going anywhere soon.  The weather is changing though,  Predictions for 60’s  the next few days is going to help.  The question is will it help enough.  there is a lot of ice out there and nothing will happen with that until the snow is gone off the top.  Maybe in the next week we will get a lot of warm rains and it will speed the process.

Even though the late ice is becoming a topic for Opener, it will be another blow to the local resorts and businesses around the lake, and think of the businesses farther north than us in the same predicament.  Once opening weekend is gone it’s not replaced…The only bright spot for Mille Lacs is that is going to save some Walleyes this spring during spawning!!

Keep a Tight Line!    Eddy