Eons ago, a glacier pushed south into central Minnesota and created one of the premier ice fishing destinations in the Midwest. Mille Lacs Lake is a shallow, clear lake with abundant rock and gravel beds. At 132,516 acres, the state’s second-largest lake also has plenty of frozen real estate for ice shacks. With an average depth of 30 feet or less, it is ideal for walleye, crappie and yellow perch action.
The winter window begins in early December and continues until February, when the spawning season closes. Breadfish are still available until the end of March, depending on temperatures. The shoreline is good early, but in the dead of winter, fish tend to move deeper into the mid-lake structure looking for warmer water.
Walleyes feed on juvenile yellow perch, shiner and cisco. Crappie gravitate toward plankton and small fish, while yellow perch add bloodworms, mayflies and other insects in addition to their own species to the diet. In addition to live or dead baits, ice enthusiasts use tipped or rattle spoons and vertical jigs with natural patterns due to the water clarity.
Don’t let freezing temperatures ruin your day. The Simms Challenger Insulated Fishing Jacket provides protection from the elements without hindering the action. These waterproof nylon jackets with PrimaLoft Silver insulation also feature an adjustable storm hood, ice pick loops, sealed zippers, chest and hand warmer pockets, and articulated sleeves with adjustable cuffs. Challenger jackets also feature an adjustable waistband and D-loop switch attachment. Matching bibs complete the ensemble.
“Early mornings and late afternoons when the light is low are the best times to fish,” says Tony Roach of Roach Guide Service. “We like to put ourselves in points or inside turns during periods of high activity.
We generally move around midday to find cruising fish, using spoons and rigs to trigger reactionary strikes. That’s when we’re ice trolling, or “hole jumping” as some call it, to find concentrations around structures in deeper water. The normal setup is a dead pole outfit with a small split shot and a live shiny fish a foot or two off the bottom, plus a live rod. This one-two combo covers the bases.”