Ice Fishing Countdown Begins...

The countdown is on for Mille Lacs Ice fishing.  In many years, some of the bays have been fishable with walk outs over Thanksgiving.  The main lake typically freezes enough for houses and vehicles to be out between Christmas and New Year's but there have been many cases where lighter houses with wheelers and sleds are out on the big pond the first few weeks of December.  Always check with local resorters and DNR reports before venturing out on the ice.

Here are some recommended Ice Fishing Operations you should check out (They work with MIML).  Click on the link and you'll get to the business web page.  Many of the local operations are now using social media so you can track their daily fishing reports, specials, and key events.

Starting from the NE Side of Mille Lacs and working to the SW,  Castaways has a good rental selection, large storage area, a massive food menu,  great ice roads and a big bar atmosphere; Fishermen's Wharf has literally everything, including lodging and the now-famous Toucan's Bar; An institution on Mille Lacs is McQuoid's Resort and Inn, featuring great lodging, guide servies and house options; Hunter Winfield's to me is the most nostalgic, yet modern of all the operations and located right in Isle close to all amenities; Lyback's Ice Fishing has great daily ice and fishing reports and a great house selection and is the oldest operation of these; Nobody misses the purple houses of Jerry Brandt which are situated from 1 1/4 mile to sloppys to 7 mile gravel and he features a huge fish house storage area. Dotting the western shore are KJ'c Ice Fishing bring you nice, huge rentals which feature newer with full service; Rocky Reef Resort  features the new foam houses and a fleet of others on the west end with a fun bar and restaruant.  Sure, there's more on Mille lacs, but all these businesses will treat you great and make you want to come back again!