The Make It Mille Lacs blog focuses on interesting updates around the lake

If you are up for fun, Mille Lacs has you covered this weekend.  Despite a rainy prelude, Izatys features its Parrot Head Extravaganza on Friday and Saturday with “Jimmy Buffet cover band “Stars on the Water” playing poolside Friday & Saturday night. The Cheeseburger Open Golf Tourney is Saturday at 2pm-Call the pro shop 320-532-4574.  Cost is $85 per player and includes T Shirt, meal, golf, cart and plenty of fun!

Wahkon Days is also this weekend.  the Classic Car parade is Friday night, followed by Fireworks over the bay.  Bob and The Beachcombers play Saturday night in downtown Wahkon.  Of course there will be a beer garden and plenty of other activies.  For a full rundown of events, City of Wahkon link gives you what you want to know.

As told by Gene Miller: 94 year old Irene Long of Isle Minnesota caught 2 big muskies within 30 minutes of each other on Mille Lacs Lake on 08/17/2010. She was fishing with guide Gene Miller of Isle Minnesota. The entire time she fought the fish she hollored "Help me! Please help me!." Gene coached her but did not help and told her she had to reel faster. She finally reeled both fish within range of the net. She had 3 other hits but was unable to land the muskies. Irene Long is well known at the State Capitol in St Paul Minnesota as she was successful in exempting anyone 90 years and older from having to buy a fishing license.  For further information contact Gene Miller 320-684-2886.

If you thought you were going to ride around in a golf cart on the links today or tomorrow at Mille Lacs golf courses, think again.  It is cart path only at most area courses as the area has withstood more than 4.5 inches of rain since Tuesday.  Bring some overboots as many parts of the courses are very wet.

At Blackbrook Golf Course at Izatys, several fairways were completly flooded and pumps were running to drain the water off them.  We're not sure how the extreme precipitation has affected fishing, but we see fewer boats on the water as storm after storm has buffeted the area in the last 24 hours.

Road work, landscaping and yard work also has come to a halt today with all the extra water standing.  On the plus side, the lake level is up to at least where we started in April and all public and private landings are accessible. 

Having tried virtually every dining venue around Mille Lacs Lake proper over the last few years,  I found a "gotta try it" restaurant for you and your family at Lonesome Pine Restaurant.  It's a little off the beaten path.

But don't be fooled by the Deerwood address  -- it is closer to Mille Lacs and only five miles northwest of Garrison as you take highway 24 west toward Brainered and go north a mile on South Katherine Drive.  About the same mileage as a south shore family heading to Carlsona.

On first impression, the place is rustic like a Carlsonna was, but newer and minus the large standing salad bar.  They have the trophy Deer heads, a full-sized grizzly bear and very neat, classy decor in knotty pine.  It's basically a bar area and large dining area and only a stone's throw off Bay Lake.  They also have a screened in porch with tables that I'd try if temperatures were 70s or less.

Happy hours offer $2 beers and $2 wine and dollars off appetizers.  They have a nice tap beer lineup, including some of the neat darker stuff.  And a large wine menu by the glass or by the bottle. We tried the beef tips smothered in sauteed mushrooms and onions and the house cabernet and the combo was wonderful.

Locals bragged about the home made pizzas, which about half the diners were enjoying when we were there Saturday night.  We strayed off the faster food side of things and I went with a center cut filet mignon and garlic mashed potatos.  My wife had the Melanzana -- a vegetarian delight!  It was choice slices of royal purple eggplant, mushrooms, parmesan & mozzarella cheeses and marinara sauce.  Mozzarella topped and gently baked.  The diner salads were larger than most I've had up here and very enticing.  Fresh bread also came with diner.

The whole dining experience there was excellent.  They have plenty of staff, so your water is refilled, your drinks keep coming and your dishes are taken when complete.  We felt like valued customers at Lonesome Pine.

The Mud Pie was amazing for dessert.  Our server Jessie was highly competent and focused.  And Karen Kleven stopped at tables to get diner reactions and she was all smiles on Saturday night as people were highly satisfied. Owners Josh Goolsbee and Amy Kleven have a winner with Lonesome Pine. I strongly recommend a visit and I am sure you'll wanna go back.  It's a "Top Three" Mille Lacs dining experience to be sure!

For more information, see their website at lonesomepineonline.com  It gives you some history of the restaurant, which has roots back to 1936. 

I've been in the Mille Lacs area for five years now and wanted to venture out and find a little different dining atmosphere but I didn't want to drive far.  I found a "gotta try it" restaurant for you and your family at Lonesome Pine Restaurant.

Don't be  fooled by the Deerwood address  -- it is closer to Mille Lacs and only five miles northwest of Garrison as you take highway 24 west toward Brainered and go north a mile on South Katherine Drive.  About the same mileage as a south shore family heading to Carlsona.

On first impression, the place is rustic like a Carlsonna was, but newer and minus the large standing salad bar.  They have the trophy Deer heads, a full-sized grizzly bear and very neat, classy decor in knotty pine.  It's basically a bar area and large dining area and only a stone's throw off Bay Lake.  They also have a screened in porch with tables that I'd try if temperatures were 70s or less.

Happy hours offer $2 beers and $2 wine and dollars off appetizers.  They have a nice tap beer lineup, including some of the neat darker stuff.  And a large wine menu by the glass or by the bottle. We tried the beef tips smothered in sauteed mushrooms and onions and the house cabernet and the combo was wonderful.

Locals bragged about the home made pizzas, which about half the diners were enjoying when we were there Saturday night.  We strayed off the faster food side of things and I went with a center cut filet mignon and garlic mashed potatos.  My wife had the Melanzana -- a vegetarian delight!  It was choice slices of royal purple eggplant, mushrooms, parmesan & mozzarella cheeses and marinara sauce.  Mozzarella topped and gently baked.  The diner salads were larger than most I've had up here and very enticing.  Fresh bread also came with diner.

The whole dining experience there was excellent.  They have plenty of staff, so your water is refilled, your drinks keep coming and your dishes are taken when complete.  We felt like valued customers at Lonesome Pine.

The Mud Pie was amazing for dessert.  Our server Jessie was highly competent and focused.  And Karen Kleven stopped at tables to get diner reactions and she was all smiles on Saturday night as people were highly satisfied. Owners Josh Goolsbee and Amy Kleven have a winner with Lonesome Pine. I strongly recommend a visit and I am sure you'll wanna go back.  It's a "Top Three" Mille Lacs dining experience to be sure!

For more information, see their website at lonesomepineonline.com  It gives you some history of the restaurant, which has roots back to 1936. 

A pair of ferocious thunderstorms converged on the Lake Mille Lacs area on Tuesday, dumping a ton of rain on the area and adding roughly 4 inches to the lake level, according to the Cove Bay Lake Level Measurement Station.  Levels ranged from 10.52 to 11.25 feet over a 24-hour period.  However, if you take the two lowest readings from Monday and Tuesday, there was about a .37 of a foot rise in the lake level.  That raises the lake level to right about where we were after Ice Off.  That is significant in that we are usually experiencing significiant drops in lake level this time of year.  Several locals reported rain gauge totals of 2.4 and 3.1 inches of rain.  At one time Tuesday around 6 pm, visibility was less than 50 feet with the downpour.  The Izatys Mens Golf League was forced to suspend play, cancelling the league slate for the week due to the storm.  Despite the storm, aside from some localized flooding, damage appeared minimal from winds in the area and no hail was reported.

Walleye fishing has got a bit tough with the recent bug hatches followed by a rather large crayfish hatch on the rocks and reefs.  Best fishing in my boat has been trolling flats with lead core or deep divers and also shallow rocks in morning or evenings with leaches under a bobber.  I hear the spinner bite with crawlers has been fare as well.
 
Muskies have gotten alot more active in the last week.  Water temps are mid to upper 70's now and fish are hungry.  Cabbage on the south and east ends have been kicking out some nice fish and with temps on the rise the north end should have some fish hanging around.  Baitfish holding over some deeper rock reefs should be holding musky as well.

For a great guided outing at a great price, contact Matt Treno at Mattsfishing.net.

Mille Lacs lake fishing folks will have a little more to choose from, starting today as the DNR relaxes the three-year old 18 inch walleye slot by two inches to 20.  That means anglers can keep four fish up to but not exceeding 20 inches or three under 20 and one over 28 inches.

In years past, slot limits have varied on the big pond.  In 2004, the slot started at 20 inches and was relaxed to 22 inches to allow anglers to take home more fish and to increase the harvest. As of June 30th, anglers were unable to reach even half the allowable harvest of 411,000 lbs of walleye.

Increasing the slot tends to bring more fishermen to the area and you will see more boats on the water.  It should have an impact on the amount of fish being caught and kept, helping sportsmen get to their quota, which they haven't hit for several years.  It should be good for area resorts and businesses.

Water Level on Lake

According to a Cove Bay water measurement point, Mille Lacs Lake is at an identical level -- 10.86 -- as it was on ice-off this year.  An abundant rainfall this season has meant that most landings adaquate to launch boats and the area harbor channels are open to most boat traffic. In 2007, lake levels were over a foot lower, forcing many anglers to use private launch sites and stopping bigger boats from entering shallow harbors.

Rising Water Temperatures Means Muskie time

With water temps on the main lake at 74.5, the Muskie bite should start heating up. Mille Lacs' s Mille Lacs' muskies  are "huge," averaging 40 to 42 inches, with many pushing the tape to 50 inches and beyond. Recent Muskie fishermen have boasted about two "state-record" fish that were caught and released. Neither was verified via scale, but both catches have photos that seem to verify the tale.

Start with the weeds. Cove Bay, Wahk?on Bay, Isle Bay and Vineland Bay are trimmed with muskie-infested cabbage. Fr?om those? acclaimed lairs, ??g?o? ?r?o?c?k???????????????????????????????????? ??a?n?d? h??????it?? Hawksbill Reef, Shaw's Reef, Spirit Island, Anderson's Reef, Indian Point and Rocky Reef. And those, friends, are just some of the possibilities.

???????On the north shore from Garrison east to Malmo are literally miles of fishable weeds? ?a?n?d? ?s?a?n?d.? ?In as little as 2 to 8 feet? of water,  you can nail huge Muskie.  Just ask legendary guide Gene Miller, who runs his rig out of Castaways on the northeast shore.?

Rich Oberfeld, 36, gives a wry grin after hitting his first career hole in one Tuesday night at the Izatys mens league.  Oberfeld holed the 94-yard par 3 on Blackbrook Golf Course, leading his team to a first-place finish in league for the night.  Witnessing the shot and looking on are Kevin Anderson and Mark Kern.  Rich Peterson took the picture.  Yes, he ended up buying the entire league a free drink and many additional folks who were on hand in the club house.  Congratulations, Rich!

Fishing Updates:

Gene Miller said the water temperatures on the north end still aren't warm enough to heat up the Muskie bite.  Miller did hook into what he called a "front page" fish in the middle of Mille Lacs but lost the fish.  Gene guides for the elusive giants on Mille lacs at millermillelacsmuskies.com.

Guide Matt Treno caught a 45.5 inch Muskie on July 4th.  Treno has been out in several of his favorite spots and said he has had many follows.  Matt can put you either walleye or Muskie at Mattsfishing.net.

Guide Tim Ajax was on a hot streak.  Over a 10-day stretch that ended last Tuesday he and his customers boat at least 45 fish per day.  You can hook up with Tim for a great guide trip by checking out TandTGuideServices.com.

Hats off to Fishermen's Wharf and its many sponsors, including the Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund, for the job it did putting on the Second Annual Military Personnel Fishing Contest Saturday on Lake Mille Lacs.

In all, 62 boats competed, nearly tripling last year's inagural event.  Tom Herman and Steve Barsness walked away with cash first prize.  Their four-fish total of 7 pounds was .38 pounds better than Trevor Sloneker and Dave Griswolds second-place showing.  Jim and Vicki Magedanz took third with 6.30 pounds of walleye.

This event wasn't about winning money, as most proceeds were donated to MMAF to help support the many Minnesota veterans -- Guard, Reserve and Active -- who are or have served in recent conflicts since September 11th.  Many have been injured and have received small grants from the MMAF. It was a chance for a current or former military member to partner with another person and share a day on Mille Lacs and an evening of fun at the Wharf.  The event had veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf Wars I and II and up through Afghanistan.

Boaters lined up outside the wharf at 0700 for the Star Spangled Banner, augmented by a Minnesota Army National Guard color guard detail.  Many fishing wore their issued "OD Green" tourney t-shirts as winds were calm and temps were comfortable.  One by one, boats blasted past the starting pontoon headed for their honey holes on the big pond in search of Walleye.

I was fortunate to have local guide Matt Treno of Matt's Fishing.net accompany me in the tourney.  Although we placed 15th in the field, we caught alot of walleyes that were too big to keep.  We slip bobbered in 6-7 very different spots on the lake.  The day-long event was blessed with good weather and a follow on dinner and program that included a silent auction and raffle prize giveaways.  If you want to ensure a great day on the water, I would recommend Matt Treno.  He gets results.

I walked away from the event having had a great day on the water and a fun time at Fishermen's Wharf.  Wharf owners Daron and Lori asked that participants tell friends so that a 100-boat goal can be achieved for next year's Third Annual event!  Kudos to Billy and the staff at the Wharf for great service! Count me in for 2011 and keep up the good work!

Everywhere I go around Mille Lacs, it seems that business is on the upswing.  On Wednesday evening, I saw four Eddys launches filled with people on the water.  While this might not sound surprising, it's a nice contrast to the last couple years.  More than 20 launches around the lake were out that night alone.  Brandon Niesen from Morningstar Market said his business in Wahkon has experienced a couple record days this season. That's good news for area resorts and business owners who have been stung by the recent recession.

Jason and Sherry Tollette at Izatys say that all business facets are up from last season.  They wish they had more housing to put people up.   One big boost at Izatys has been the addition of Chef Kevin Aho, who has drawn many positive comments for his cousine.  Izatys is scheduled to transition from Commerce Bank ownership to Roy Winjum, a Faribault businessman, on July 24th.  Winjum said this spring that he plans to start work on a 250-unit RV park as soon as his deal is closed.

All in all, it seems that Mille Lacs Lake and its close proximity to the Twin Cities could be a big winner this year as vacationers pull out the wallets and start spending again.

Holding the 26-incher above is rising star Dave Reimer.  He and his son, Brian, have been boating plenty of walleye over the last couple weeks.

Matt Treno of Mattsfishing.net reports that walleyes have been going crazy with a good bite all over the lake.  Deep gravel and mud are still kicking out fish with the average size being a bit to big for eating.  The rock bite has really improved in the last week.  Baitfish have moved in and the walleyes have moved right up with them.  There also has been a decent weed walleye bite over the last week with people casting cranks and bobber fishing on the weed edges.  Leeches in the med-large size have been best with crawlers and rainbows being a close 2nd.

Legendary guide Gene Miller of Miller's Mille Lacs Muskies says "This is absolutely an awesome bite and the best I have seen in many years! My last midday guide trip we got our limit of 28 keepers and had to leave the lake early and missed the evening bite. No one is complaining about the bite in the Malmo Bay area."

Weekly Guide Updates

Jeff Hanson Guide Service

Fishing was good again this weekend.  Fish are now basically everywhere in the lake in good numbers.  The water temp is now in the low 60s.  People are getting fish on bobbers/leeches and lindy rigs/leeches.  Although there are fish to be caught in all depths, and in multiple patterns,  Probably the best depths were 22-27 feet on gravel transition areas.  The afternoon from 1-4 has been the hot time with the rest of the day being slow and steady.  Lots of keepers and throw backers mixed together.  You can contact Jeff at Jeff Hanson's Guide Service. 

Matt Treno Guide Service

We have been hitting the fish all week on gravel and mud transition areas.  The day bite is still a bit tough but slow drifting lindy rigs with 7 foot snells has been working deep.  We still have a great night bobber bite going with organ, red and white glow jigs.  Still using leeches in medium to large range.  Storms slowed the bite down a bit, but things should be back to normal in a couple days.  You can contact Matt at Matt's Fishing

Derek Voge Launch Service

Dereke runs his launch out of Hunter Winfield's and had a good weekend.  He caught good numbers of fish in 27-31 feet of water off rock piles and gravel on leeches with chartreuse hooks.  He has open launches available most nights and you can book your launch by contacting Voge Charters.

Dereke pilots his launch out of Hunter Winfield's resort.  Had great results with chartreuse hooks27-31 feet of water on edge of rock piles and gravel bars slip bobbering with leeches.  You can contact

Mike Christensen, Hunter Winfield's

Hunter Winfield's Mike Christensen did very well, catching most of his fish in 16-24 feet of water but getting them as deep as 30 feet.  He used both bobbers and lindy rigs with leeches and crawlers and stated that nearly all people staying at Hunter Winfield's had either their limit or close to it each day this weekend.  Contact him at Christensen Guide Service of Hunter Winfield's or cell 320-266-0397 to set up your trip.

Jeff Hanson, Various Resorts  

Fishing was good all weekend on Mille Lacs for most anglers. Fish were caught in many different locations all over the lake. From the north end sand and gravel areas to the south end rock and gravel humps. Water temps started out at about 49 degrees sat. morning and ended up at about 58 by Sunday afternoon after 2 days of hot sun and calm water conditions allowed the surface to heat up. Those temps will go back down after a decent wind mixes up the surface water again.

Lindy Rigging w/ leeches was the best method although a lot of fish were caught on bobbers as well. Best depths ranged from 17-25 feet. The best time of day seemed to be early morning and then mid afternoon also got hot both days.

See Jeff's website at Hanson Guide Service.  There were many fish kept as there are a lot of fish under 18 inches out there this year.

Thanks,

Jeff Hanson

763.477.8553

Matt Treno, Various Resorts

Guide Matt Treno of Matt’s Fishing.net posted an excellent opening weekend.  His boat pounded walleye on the gravel-mud transitions in 27-30 feet of water on slip bobbers Saturday night, boating 40.  He moved to the rocks and had success after dark in 15-20 FOW Saturday evening.  He did about half as well on Sunday in the same situations using slip bobbers and lindy rigs. 

We hope this helps and we believe we will have additional reports next Monday for your viewing by 7 pm.

Talking with guides and fisherman around the lake Sunday evening, the fishing reports were mixed. Many experienced fishermen had limits by 11 Saturday morning.  Others struggled to find fish that would bite.  Where you found seas of humanity on the water, you didn't see alot of nets being lowered.  An early morning slight wind from the SW vanished and Mille Lacs was like glass for much of the weekend -- not your ideal walleye chop.  Coupled with sunny skies, it worked for those seeking sun, running small boats and for consuming beverages on the water.

But there were many who did well, too!  Give a the weekend a B+ as anglers probably spent more time on the water than any recent openers I can recall.  Sunburns and trips for more leeches and fuel were the norm.

I personally caught and released a 24 and 25 yesterday at 10 am by Carlsona.  My partner caught one on Sloppy Joes Saturday.  I didn't see those fishing Izatys Reef doing well Saturday evening.  For the most part, I found fish on the graph all weekend.  The interesting thing to me was the dispersal of fisherman.  They were thick as thieves in Wahkon Bay, out in hordes on gravel, sand, rock and mud -- many of the spots fished later in the year. 

A neighbor group found success up on the sand, getting 13 keepers on the first day in 18-24 feet of water on seven-inch snells and red gamatsu hooks.  The group got 20 on the second day (eight fishermen) and released more.  Folks talked of a sporadic bite on Sloppy Joe's in 28 FOW.  I heard a report of one of our guides catching 40 fish in Vineland area on Saturday.  He will be checking in with details later today.  Stay tuned for pictures and a report from our guides each Monday evening, detailing the weekend successes on Lake Mille Lacs.

For those used to huge waves, wind and rain, this Saturday's fishing opener is shaping up to be pretty nice.  With a forecast for sun and 66 degrees, Mille Lacs may be poised to have more boats on the water than the last several openers.  Winds are forecast to be light at 5-7 out of the south.

A couple local guides also added some spark to the forecast by predicting more trophy walleyes in 2010.  Guide Tim Ajax of T and T Guide Services said he expects more 8, 9, 10 pounders. "There will be more trophies is my feeling,"  Ajax said.  Ajax said he'll fish mid to deeper depths in the wake of the early ice-off and warmer spring.  "Shallow rocks in the evening should still be good."  Ajax said he still has a couple guide trips open for this weekend.

Guide Matt Treno of Matt's Fishing.net said he plans to start out on the flats in 24-27 feet of water.  He will use leeches for the most part, he said.  "I'll be out there at midnight," Treno laughed. "It should be a great year on Mille Lacs."

The lake level after a 12-hour soaking rain in the last day, is up to 11,22 feet.  Save this link to your favorites to check Mille Lacs' Cove Bay USGS Real Time lake level.

Steve Tideman piloted Izatys "Lady of the Lake" fishing launch into the resort's marina Friday afternoon.  He got help from Doug Leach and Mike Edin as onlookers watched the massive craft being slowly lowered into the new marina ramp.  The 43-foot boat has been a staple of Izatys for 27 years.  Tideman said he has helped captain the craft for 14 of those seasons.  Tideman and his son, Tony, will manage Walleye World and operate the Lady of the Lake, starting with the May 15th opener.  To book your fishing launch call 320-532-4574.

State Fire Marshals were poking around the scene at mid day on Monday as Carlsona Beach Supper Club lay in ruins.  Sandy Walters, a bartender who has been there for the last eight years, said the fire started between 12:30 and 1:30 Sunday night.

It was a three-alarm blaze, drawing the Isle, Garrison and Aitkin fire departments to the scene. Firefighters were still fighting the blaze after 4 am, Walters said.  The sign on the bar was about all that remained, stating that the business had been in place since 1944.

This is the scene from the Highway 18 inroad looking at the front of the former building.

Several eyewitnesses have confirmed that Carlsona Beach Supper Club, a Mille Lacs Lake dining icon, burned to the ground last night.  We are trying to get more details about the fire and hope to have some photos later today.  Kyle Lagerstrom said only one wall was left standing on the site, which is three miles west of Malmo on Minnesota Highway 18.

The supper club has been well known for its huge salad bar and dining specials that include lobster, barbequed ribs and steaks. It is one of Lake Mille Lacs' busiest dining spots throughout the year.

Carlsona Beach traces its beginnings to the prestigious Carlsona Beach Resort, built and operated from the 1930’s to 1970 by Harry and Sally Carlson.  

In 1985, Bill and Lila Loomis realized a dream by buying Carlsona Beach.  Bill was a chef and Lila was a registered dietitian. 

They improved the environment and remodeled the building.  Touches of brass, mirrors and carpeting were added to complement the rustic textures of stone, logs and knotty pine.

Current owners, Ron and Jenny Wise, purchased Carlsona from the Loomis’.  They have continued the successful business with their attention to a friendly atmosphere and quality food.  

In the early days, Carlsona meant cabins, boats, and summer vacations.  It was the largest resort on Mille Lacs north shore, able to lodge over 100 people.  The first lodging units, west of today’s bar and dining room, were four quaint log cabins prominently perched on the ridge overlooking Mille Lacs. 

It was a year ago this week that the Mille Lacs south shore took massive ice hits, causing alot of property damage to lawns, trees, dockage and out buildings. That just goes to show how far we are ahead of last year.  Try about 22 days ahead of ice out and even more when it comes to tree buds, green grass and successful pan fishing in the bays on open water.

Consider that we've already had three weekends of golf at Fiddlestix and one at Izatys.  Many folks have raked and even mowed yards -- twice. The grass is getting green despite a recent rain shortfall.  The tribal netters have come and gone and gotten nearly their whole walleye quota for the year.

Folks can be found all around the lake fishing in harbors for crappies and sunnies.  Boats are filing out of places like Lyback's and Mille Lacs marine faster than usual. Launch owners are busy painting, polishing and cleaning their rigs to prepare for upcoming season.

There seems to be an upbeat feeling as you travel all around the lake.  Folks are coming up to lake homes and cabins earlier to do spring cleaning.  Local businesses are getting alot more walk through traffic. It's looking like 2010 may be a great year for Mille Lacs!

All this and the fishing season is still 26 days away! As I drove around tonight with camera in hand there were geese, ducks and loons frolicking at water's edge.  Robins were hopping all over, nabbing worms from the recently thawed ground. And there was even a hum -- darn fish flies in swarms up in the trees!  Spring is upon Lake Mille Lacs.  Come on up and enjoy!

It was a year ago this week that the Mille Lacs south shore took massive ice hits, causing alot of property damage to lawns, trees, dockage and out buildings. That just goes to show how far we are ahead of last year.  Try about 22 days ahead of ice out and even more when it comes to tree buds, green grass and successful pan fishing in the bays on open water.

Consider that we've already had three weekends of golf at Fiddlestix and one at Izatys.  Many folks have raked and even mowed yards -- twice. The grass is getting green despite a recent rain shortfall.  The tribal netters have come and gone and gotten nearly their whole walleye quota for the year.

Folks can be found all around the lake fishing in harbors for crappies and sunnies.  Boats are filing out of places like Lyback's and Mille Lacs marine faster than usual. Launch owners are busy painting, polishing and cleaning their rigs to prepare for upcoming season.

There seems to be an upbeat feeling as you travel all around the lake.  Folks are coming up to lake homes and cabins earlier to do spring cleaning.  Local businesses are getting alot more walk through traffic. It's looking like 2010 may be a great year for Mille Lacs!

All this and the fishing season is still 26 days away! As I drove around tonight with camera in hand there were geese, ducks and loons frolicking at water's edge.  Robins were hopping all over, nabbing worms from the recently thawed ground. And there was even a hum -- darn fish flies in swarms up in the trees!  Spring is upon Lake Mille Lacs.  Come on up and enjoy!

 
By Joe Fellegy, Outdoor News, April 14, 2010 (reprinted with permission)

I’ve strongly opposed the only spawning-time walleye gill-net fishery in the United States, without feeling guilty.

Ponder the high-impact Mille Lacs monster: enormous walleye totals, plus tons of unwanted and wasted pike; a giant cultural affront to most Minnesotans, who embrace closed seasons during spawning; gross misrepresentation of Ojibwe culture and history for political purposes; taxpayer millions for tribal, federal, and state management bureaucracies; disproportionately high tribal fish allocations; a tradition of go-with-the-flow acquiescence among state officials, who lost an air-tight case and helped shape the present intolerable system.

Consider, too, the hands-off approaches by journalists, politicians, and the conservation community. And there’s the modern separate-and-unequal race politics—central to the new tribal “sovereignty”—that celebrates differences instead of commonalities.

Almost 20 years ago, the Mille Lacs Band government launched its unnecessary 1837 Treaty case against a generous state that signed compacts for two Mille Lacs Band casinos. Had one polled Band members in 1990 about a spawning-time gill-net fishery, it’s likely 90-plus percent would have said no. Unfortunately, the Indian Industry, not the Indian people, ran the show.

For the rest of the column, please click on Idol Fishing

Photo: Taken next to Mille Lacs, this week

At least these are filleted fish, not the heaps of  discarded WHOLE northerns, or even whole walleyes, that have been seen in the past. The big gut piles show the magnitude of the whole thing—how a few  fishermen can tally super-high numbers with gill nets  set among concentrated spawning walleyes. The fish piles—big harvests, with gill nets, during spawning time—are a cultural affront to most Minnesotans. In our culture, seasons are closed out of deference to spawning fish. Of course, some of us recall that as this stuff moved through political and legal channels in the 1990s and later, many in high places didn't care about the cultural norms and sensitivities  of their Minnesota constituents.

Joe Fellegy

Roy Winjum, the Faribault businessman, who signed a purchase agreement to buy Izatys in mid February presented his 250-site RV Development plan to local residents Saturday afternoon at Izatys Resort. Overall, he received mostly positive reviews from a group that stands to gain or lose from the proposed expansion.

Winjum went on the offensive to explain the details of the development, which is planned for three phases.  The first phase, if his deal closes, will commence next summer with 115 RV sites developed.  These sites are 4,000 square feet and include a concrete pad, power, water and sewer. Winjum stated that he plans to reopen the front nine of Sanctary Golf Course next season as well.

The more than 200 people attending the meeting were local residents who Winjum would like to help endorse his planned development, which has to get over several Mille Lacs County hurdles to become reality. The group asked many questions of Winjum, resort manager Jason Tollette and the engineer who is handling the project.

The first hurdle is getting a feasible sewer addition to the current Izatys Resort system or a stand alone system that can handle and disperse effluent.  This needs county and state approval.  Winjum explained that local residents can expect to receive notice from the county soon for a town meeting regarding the expansion.

His proposal includes placing the 250 sites on the former back nine of Sanctuary Golf Course.  His in-road will come off 85th Avenue just to the west of the current Zappa Management building.  His out road drew some concern from residents who say 92nd avenue isn't large enough to accomodate RVs on a narrow road.  Winjum said that the outroad would be used for emergency only and maybe a small cart path for golf carts so that they can get to BayView Bar and Grill.

Other local resident hot buttons were:  Security and how to patrol the expanded area, including penalties for violators.  Winjum owns three other RV Parks in LeCenter, Faribualt and Howard Lake and said he deals with repeated problems by ejecting problem tenants from the premises.

Several Izatys Townhouse Association members asked questions.  One asked what his plan was to prevent joy riding golf carters and pedestrians from trampling across the backyards of the ITA property along the lake. "That will happen only once," Winjum said. "They'll get the word that that is not allowed."

Another resident voiced concerns about increased boat trailering traffic on Par 5 Drive and bottlenecks at the marina.  Winjum said that all RV site campers will be required to move their cars and trailers once they have launched.  He also said that township and county rules apply to speeds along the newly-tarred road.

For the most part, the audience was cordial and many seemed happy with what Winjum was telling them.  Time will tell as to how this group will receive the new development.  Local business owners seemed to be in unanimious support.  They will benefit for more than 1,000 additional vacationers once the RV Park is filled to capacity.

Winjum said that he expects the park to employ from 16-25 people full-time when is enters its third phase, adding jobs to the local economy. Winjum is going to speak to Izatys Townhome Association owners on Saturday, April 24th.

Winjum said that for Izatys Resort to be financially viable, a RV Park is the only answer.  He said bars and restaurants, golf courses and hotels were largely money-losing ventures as has been proven with previous Izatys regimes.

Blackbrook Golf Course opens this Friday.  Club 19 and the Links Lodge are open for business on weekends in April and will open full-time in May through the end of the October season.  Jason and Sherry Tollette are operating the resort for Winjum this season.  Steve Tideman and his son, Tony, will operate Walleye World and operate the launch service with Lady of the Lake.

For more information on lodging, golf or marina rentals, contact 320-532-4574.

We hope you'll enjoy our new website.  We've done a total overhaul, incorporating Facebook, Twitter and Flicker as well as providing Mille Lacs U Tube Videos.  In our third year at Mille Lacs, we are getting more and more visitors everyday.  We think we provide vacationers and local residents with a nice look around the lake.  From live music, to meat raffles to daily local events and fishing tournaments, we've got you covered. Our focus is events and recreation.  This spring and summer we'll be posting our own U Tube Videos, trying to capture a flavor of the spirit of majestic Lake Mille Lacs. Please save us to favorites, become of fan on our Facebook page and visit us often!  Thanks for visiting Make It Mille Lacs.  If you are interested in advertising your business, consider that we draw more than 10,000 visitors to our site each month.  Contact us at mlwehking@makeitmillelacs.com for more information on how we can serve you!

The Tuesday night Izaty's men's league is holding an organizational meeting for interested players on Tuesday, April 13th at 6 pm at Club 19.  Details will be given at the meeting for the upcoming season.  The course opening is slated for May 1 but could be sooner.

It's a common things for local resorters and Mille Lacs Lake area residents to predict when the actual ice-out will happen each spring.  This year, it appears we might have an early ice-off.  I was once told by Kevin Anderson at the Messenger that ice-off is defined when you could drive a boat from Isle Bay to Garrison Bay.  That sounds pretty rational to me.

We know that last year, ice-off was April 27th.  We know that the latest recorded ice-off is May 7th and that the earliest ice-off is April 2nd.  I like George Nitti's prediction.  He predicted ice-off would occur about April 15th this year.  I talked with George briefly at his customer appreciation day on March 20th, which was also the same day the Mille Lacs Poker Run stopped by his resort.

Earlier ice-off might mean that the tribal netters can get out and get their quotas earliers, allowing some time for the remaining fish to return to some normacly in time for this year's May 15th Minnesota Fishing Opener.

The ice fishing season is waning and the time between that and the opener is usually fairly slow around Mille Lacs. To combat boredom, a group of area bars have banded together to offer a fun, free Poker run.

You get a card at each location and show up at BayView at 8 pm for a chance to win the $75 first prize for the best five-card poker hand. There are cash prizes for second through fifth place. The event starts at noon on March 20th. There are eight participating locations: Onamia Vets Club, BayView, Muggs, Wahkon Inn, Isle Bowl, Hunter's Point, Fishermen's Wharf and Liberty Beach.