Monthly Archives: December 2015

December 31st, 2015

Yesterday we had four groups of fishermen go out and one out of the three did ok.  But overall it was a little slower than it had been the last couple days.  But in talking to them when they came off the ice they were happy just to get out there again.

I got the Jeep on the ice and established what will eventually roads to the limited areas we are going to for now.  And I pulled the first rentals of the year. (small ones)  Just north of N. Twin, Spider Islands heading NE toward the eastern shore is some very unstable ice that varies in thickness from as little a 3 inches to maybe 7-8.  The edge is defined by a distinct ridge and we will not even attempt it until next week if the cooler weather holds.

There still is plenty of area to fish and all customers can get a map when they check in at the office.  We are clearing off a large parking area along our driveway for portable rigs and wheelhouses that might want to come and “camp” on shore.  This weekend will be ATV/Snowmobile/portable only.  Only wheelhouses out have to be 1500lbs. or less and no “big” (4 person) ATV’s.  Ice depth is 8 inches in most of the areas we are going but we are not taking any chances.

Today brings an end to a year i would just as soon forget as it was the first time Mille Lacs was  “closed” during the open water season because of a “treaty management” program that caused the problem.  They all say “politically correct” reasons of the lake’s Walleye population demise, but everyone knows what really started it.  It happened in Wisconsin and it happened here. Fortunately for Mille Lacs, the two recent late ice years, (where we had ice on the lake for most of the spawning time for Walleyes so they were undisturbed), we now have one very strong year class and another normal one behind it. (The reason described for the strong year classes was that is was an “anomaly” by our MNDNR commissioner….)  🙂

I would suggest everyone this year make a resolution to contact their representative and senator in Minnesota and tell them to quit worrying about how much money they can get from the Tribal lobby every year and do something, (and they can), to stop the destruction of Minnesota’s Fisheries for the citizens that voted them into office. Tell them we want it changed, and protected!  Or we will vote for someone that will!!

Keep a Tight Line!

Eddy

December 30th, 2015

Yesterday we went out and checked ice in the areas we are going to so far and the average depth was 8 inches. The few groups that went out had late afternoon-early evening action with Walleyes and some Perch action during the day.  Today I will be establishing the beginnings of roads to those areas with my Jeep and pulling out some of our smallest rentals.

We will be letting ATV/Snowmobile/Portable traffic out for the weekend.  No big ATV’s, (4 passenger-etc.)  and no wheelhouses over 1500lbs.  We will have a large parking area established along our driveway for those that want to park their rigs or “camp” overnight in their wheelhouse and portable.  All will have to register at the office before going out.

Private house owners that have houses here will be allowed to camp overnight in them in our storage lot and portable.  We just need to know who is there.

There will be limited areas as to where to go as for fishing as the ice farther out is very thin in spots and unstable.  We will give all a map of the areas we have checked where we know how thick ice is.  The last thing anyone needs up here is someone getting wet over a fish!

This is going to be a “difficult year” for us in this business, but in my 40 plus years in it there has been a few of them and every once and awhile it seems to show up as a reminder that nothing is guaranteed…so enjoy what we can and be safe!!

Keep a Tight Line!

Eddy

December 29th, 2015

Fortunately we at Mille Lacs dodged a possible season ending snowstorm overnight. A storm that brought 8-10 inches of it stayed to the south and we didn’t get any.  With the 7-8 inches of ice that could have been a disaster for the lake.  Now we have a chance.

Also yesterday two groups of fishermen went out.  One in the a.m. and one in the evening.  The fishermen in the am left about noon and did not stop into let us know what they did.  But the group that stayed after dark did and they caught numerous Walleyes up to 24″.  So there is hope for a pretty good season as long as we can get some cold and make more ice.

I am going to check out more ice today and if we have a little more than two days ago start grinding roads thru the rough ice sections with the Jeep.

For know it will be ATV-snowmobile-portable only until we get a more ice.

Keep a Tight Line!

Eddy