With the rain coming tonight I’m not expecting fishermen to show tomorrow.  If you plan on coming it’s ATV or Snowmobile only.   No one has been out most of the week so I can’t tell you if anything is going or not, so you are on your own out there.  The water has gone down now and the ice is starting to honeycomb, but there is a least 30 inches out there yet.  Old roads banks and areas where houses were would be the problem spots to watch out for and stay away from. Otherwise it would be great with an ATV.

Next Saturday April 13th we will be having our “Block Party”.  It is a annual ritual we have had for many years where we go out and pick up whatever was left out there on the ice. Blocks, cans, etc. whatever was missed when we pulled house is no exposed and easy pickings, and the timing will be just right this year.  It has made a big difference in what ends up on the shorelines at ice-out and has been appreciated by many, and is the right thing to do.  As much as things has improved over the years there is always seems to be something left out there and to get it before it ends up in the lake or on it’s shores is a positive.  Customers planning on attending  need a ATV, a good sled to pull behind to put stuff in (like an Otter Sled,etc), a 50 foot rope, and a set of ice picks (for safety purposes).  We provide food and refreshments in our maintenance shop after we get in the afternoon. Start time will be about 9:00 a.m.    It has always turned out to be a lot of fun.  Customers planning on coming, please call ahead this coming week so we can plan for food, beer, pop, etc.

Keep a Tight Line!!     Eddy

The last two days there has been no activity out of our place.  The colder weather has stalled the melt, but it hasn’t really froze things up out there since last Saturday’s warm weather.  We will only allow ATV’s out as there is enough of a crust of ice over water on the ice if you would make the wrong decision with a vehicle you could be really stuck. With most of my time spent now at our  Marine Shop it would be difficult to come and get you out.  There will be a lot of fishing time yet over the next week or so once it warms and the water goes down, but we will remain ATV’s only.  We have room for parking for 10 or so rigs with trailers a day so if you are interested give us a call.   The bite has got to improve the later it gets, but with the way the condition the lake is I’m not really sure what will happen this year.

Just because it a change of season don’t forget the condition Mille Lacs Lake is in and don’t let if just slide by.  Look up my March 29th blog and keep pushing.  Anglers in the State of Minnesota and the whole country for that matter could be a powerful political force for change and improvement of the resource and the recreation that we all enjoy one way or another if we all spoke with the same voice.  The problem I have always seen in my 40 some years of my involvement with fishing issues here at Mille Lacs is that anglers let things lie if it works for them and other interests take control.  Don’ you think we all start talking with the same voice?  I think it’s time………..Let’s do something this time……….

Keep a Tight Line!!      Eddy

This evening I decided to close the access for vehicles and 4WD’s.  We will remain open for ATV access for a long time yet, but it is just not worth it to keep the approach up for vehicles. There is still a lot of ice out there, but with the way fishing is it’s time to quit and wait for next year.  For those that want to come, we have parking down by my shop for about 10 rigs with trailers a day but that is it.

The “Block Party” is scheduled for Saturday, April 15th for those that want to attend.  It is a end of year ritual that we have done for many years to pick up any leftover blocks of fishhouses and any garbage left under the snow over the winter so it doesn’t end up in the lake in the spring, which we care for so much, despite those that don’t……   Those interested in attending need to have a wheeler and and something to pull behind it to put stuff in, and don’t forget a rope, ice picks and safety gear.  Please call us so we know how much food to plan for…….. Over the years it has made a difference and I will continue to do it no matter what. After it’s over we provide a great meal and and get-together for those attending.

I will keep updating this report-blog for a long time yet. so don’t give up……….

Keep a Tight Line!!    Eddy