Mille Lacs crappies

[moviking]

Can anybody tell me if there are crappies to be caught on Mille Lacs when the ice goes out (creeks-streams). Desperate to get my boat out

[monstermoose78]

If you go into the streams and creeks you will not like the attention you get, but if you fish in the bays on the south end you can find them. There are trophy quality fish and Please think about that while you are catching them. I know you want to keep some to eat the 9-11 inchers are eaters for crappies. Same goes to if you find the Gills release the ones over 9 inches. You have to remember these populations of fish are not that big and can be easily destroyed.

One other thing to think about is that there is a lot of small lakes that will open up before big pond and you do not have to worry if the wind shifts and pushes the ice in blocking your way home. If you look to the north of Mille Lacs there is good numbers of nice crappies in most of those lakes, because Mille Lacs has taken most of the pressure.

[walleye18]

The "word is out".....was hoping this would stay quit for a while yet.

Please, please, please practice C&R. Lots of big fish in there....God I hope it doesnt get ruined!

[DrJuice1980]

Guys, Mille Lacs has been producing slabs for years. The problem is they are so spread out its hard stay on a solid bite for an outing. Come ice out and warmer water temps look into the marina's and the bays in rivers. Look for first signs of cabbage weeds and you should find a few. Dont expect a limit.

[brian6715]

The "word is out".....was hoping this would stay quit for a while yet.

Please, please, please practice C&R. Lots of big fish in there....God I hope it doesnt get ruined!

Well if it the word wasn't out before, it sure is now!

[Bandersnatch]

The "word is out".....was hoping this would stay quit for a while yet.

Please, please, please practice C&R. Lots of big fish in there....God I hope it doesnt get ruined!

Yeah, I hate that.

I think my first spring Crappie trip to ML was in 1959. I was 6, and went with Gramps and Dad.

I was hoping that it would stay quite too.

[walleye18]

When I posted - "the word is out"...here is what I meant -

There are some trophy crappies out there for the person who knows where to go. And if the timing is right, you can catch a lot.

13-15 inch fish can be located and the wrong group or people can wack them big time....Ive seen it happen on other lakes.

Use to fish Leech in the spring and catch numbers of 15 inch fish...tons of 13-14 inchers. Those days are gone..fish are still there, but not in the numbers of big fish. Hope it doesnt happen on Mille Lacs.

I have some spots out there that I only fish 1-2 times per spring...thats all!...and I have these areas all to myself for the last 10-12 years. Again...please dont burn it!

[moviking]

thanks everyone. seems everyone wants C&R. Don't worry I don't eat much fish, prefer to C & R, and I never keep bass.