Mille Lacs Lake
One of the most famous walleye lakes in the country, and a top smallmouth bass and muskie fishery. Walleye harvest rules here change often.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Harvest rules change often. Check before you go.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Muskellunge
Big baits along weed edges and rock bars, best in fall.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
When they bite
Month-by-month activity for each target species.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | ||||||||||||
| Smallmouth Bass | ||||||||||||
| Muskellunge | ||||||||||||
| Yellow Perch |
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the MN DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Mille Lacs Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Garrison Sports Bait and TackleNearby9737 US Highway 169, Garrison(320) 692-4477Directions ↗
- Tutt's Bait & TackleNearby27358 MN-18, Garrison(320) 692-4341Directions ↗
- Trailside Convenience Bait & TackleNearby750 State Highway 47, Isle(320) 676-3746Directions ↗
Local tips
- Walleye regulations are set each year. Check the MN DNR before your trip.
- Huge winter ice-fishing community with rental houses.
- Rock reefs and mud flats both hold walleye.
Angler reports
Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Mille Lacs Lake.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.