GREAT OUTDOORS LAKE MILLIE LACS FOR BASS By C.B. Bylander Make tracks to Mille Lacs. That’s my advice for outstanding smallmouth bass fi shing. Named the nation’s number one bass lake in 2017 by Bassmaster Magazine, Mille Lacs continues to deliver high-quality fi shing experiences. wherever crayfi sh, a preferred prey, are located. Presentations that mimic crayfi sh are very eff ective. The Ned Rig, a jig and plastic body combination, is a go-to lure. So is a drop shot rig. Topwater lures can be hot at times, including calm evenings. NOTHING TOPS Stay and play: Fishing resorts with food service are on all sides of the lake. For additional For those who have amenities, check never fi shed this central A NEAR-out Appledorn’s , Minnesota lake, what McQuoids , Eddy’s , follows is advice from FOOTBALL-Izatys and Grand a former Minnesota Casino Mille Department of Natural SIZED BASS Lacs . Campers Resources professional will fi nd modern ROCKETED who has fi shed the lake facilities at Mille for more than 30 years. FROM BELOW, Lacs Kathio and Scout from home: Hit Father Hennepin SMACKED MY the web before you hit state parks, the the water. You can net latter featuring SPOOK AND a boatload of insightful a boat ramp into information by reading the lake. The Mille ARCHED INTO the blogs of local fi shing Lacs Area Tourism guides Tony Roach, Jim THE AIR. Offi ce in Isle is your DeRosa, Brad Hawthorne best source for and others. Mille Lacs recreation information, including options can be daunting due to its size–132,516 for where to rent boats. acres–so arrive with a plan. My last trip to Mille Lacs was a good one. Bait wisely: You may have tackle galore, It was August. Hot. Barely a breeze. As the but a quick stop at a local bait shop is sun sank into the treetops, fi shing partner smart. Tutt’s Bait and Tackle in Garrison is Grant Becker suggested we cozy-up to a particularly good source for up-to-date a rocky shoreline to toss topwater lures. fi shing information, including the lure Soon a near-football-sized bass rocketed colors, sizes and styles currently producing from below, smacked my Spook and arched the best results. Reeds Sport Shop at into the air. It leapt two more times before Onamia and Johnson’s Portside at Isle are surrendering to the net. As I released also fi ne places for gear and advice. the brute, I thought again about how Mille Lacs makes memories, and Fish the rocks: You’ll fi nd smallmouth bass excellent ones at that. along rocky reefs, scattered boulders and Bass fi shing on Lake Mille Lacs, photo by Brad Hawthorne 26 | EXPLORE MINNESOTA .COM
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2022 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 26
