Mille Lacs Lake has been a great walleye fishery for years. It is going through a transition right now where the fishery went downhill pretty quickly and then there have been special regulations to try to get the fishery back to where it was. Lots of people are currently frustrated because it seems like there are a lot of fish in the lake based on the fishing reports, but the special regulations are still in effect. Make sure to keep an eye out on the regulations here because it doesn’t seem like it will become a catch and keep lake any time soon for walleye.
In the near future, let’s hope the lake gets back to normal for walleye and we’ll most likely see something in the middle from what this lake had in the past verse what it has now for its regulations.
Fish the Offshore Water
This lake is huge and there is so much offshore water to fish here. Whether you are fishing the flats, reefs or deeper parts of the lake, you will find a lot of walleye out in the waters far from shore.
Fish Reefs
The reefs are popular spots to fish on Mille Lacs Lake for a variety of fish. The smallmouth bass are all over the reefs on this lake, but the walleye will be there too. Fish the drop-offs and the deeper water close to these reefs and you should find some walleye.
Fish the Rocks
Mille Lacs Lake has a lot of rocks in it. Most of the bass anglers will be targeting the rocks and they’ll catch plenty of walleye too. Many of the walleye anglers will fish the rocks and catch a bunch of smallies as well. Bass and walleye will be around the rocks. The deeper rock is usually better for walleye, especially from summer through fall.
Fish the Weeds
The new green weeds will hold a lot of walleye early in the year. From summer through fall, the deeper weed edges will hold some walleye too. If you are targeting the weeds, you’re most likely going to run into some northern pike, both species of bass and panfish as well.
Best Baits for Walleye
Walleye eat a variety of different baits, however, when push comes to shove, it is much easier to catch them with live baits. Minnows, nightcrawlers and leeches are definitely the best live baits for walleye.
While most anglers will just use live baits, many anglers will also target walleye with lures as well. Crankbaits and soft plastics are the best lures for walleye, however, you can catch walleye with a variety of different lures.
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Best Rigs for Walleye
When targeting walleye, there are many different rigs that you can use to catch them. While most anglers will keep it super simple and just use a simple jighead, many anglers will use a variety of rigs such as spinner rigs, 3 way rigs, bottom bouncers, drop shot rigs and many others.
To learn more, take a look at our best rigs for walleye page.
Best Techniques for Walleye
Jigging is by far the most popular technique for walleye fishing, however, you can catch them a variety of different ways. Casting, trolling and drifting are some of the other awesome techniques that anglers use.
To learn more, take a look at our best techniques for walleye page.
Learn More About Walleye
Our walleye fishing section has tons of tips on the best lures, live baits, where to catch them and how to catch them.
Visit our walleye fishing website to learn more.
