Red Lake or Mile Lacs

[Maker Of Shoe]

I am looking into taking a trip to one of these lakes in mid Febuary or so. We are planing on renting a sleeper and fishing throughout the night. My question is which lake would be better to go towards. Or is there a better lake that rents sleepers. I have never done this before and looking for some experts here Also can you use a underwater camera on both of these lakes????

[hanson]

Maker Of Shoe-

Right now... Red Lake is on a very poor bite for crappies and Mille Lacs is on a very decent bite for walleyes. Will that change or stay the same? I don't know. Red should start improving soon.

Underwater camera... Red Lake is so-so to poor in my opinion. Mille Lacs is awesome.

Where are you driving from?

Is driving distance an issue?

What do you want to fish for?

[Paul Waldowski]

IMHO,

URL has the better night bite and there is also something about the mystique of that lake that will draw you in. Both lakes have multiple places that rent sleepers, with MilleLacs having far more choices. As for the undwater camera...it's iffy on Red and will work great during the day on ML.

[Maker Of Shoe]

I am coming from either Sioux Falls SD or Hutchinson MN. I really would like to get into the crappie bite on RL but have heard multiple reports of poor bites. I wont be going until mid to late Febuary. Will the bite increase? The things I like about RL is there seems to be a decent walleye bite no matter when as well as a good crappie bite. Can you guys recomend any places on either lake? I looked at the Resort finder but was curious if any one has any other ones they like. If so include a phone number. There will be 2-4 of us. Just a small group! Probably would go mid week too to avoid crowds and already booked places!

[hanson]

I'm not going to argue with you about Red. I keep my permanent shack up there and am willing to drive miles to fish that lake. It is a good choice IMO!

Chances are most guys will catch the crappie of their life if they have never been there before.

Right off the bat I have to recommend Kelly-P. He moderates the URL forum here at FishingMinnesota. You will not find many people that have anything bad to say about Kelly. Check out www.waskishminnowstation.com for contact info or leave Kelly a message direct in the URL forum- Click Here!!

There are many others that rent sleeper shacks as well. Check out Roger's Campground HSOforum too. I believe this link will get you there. They have many guides that operate sleepers.

Bear Paw Guides & Northcountry Guide Service are a couple others as well.

Best to call around. During the week will definitely be easier to seek accomodations.

Here's a photo of the 1 crappie I got last weekend. My buddies are holding it. Bite is slow right now. It should be picking up however and the latest reports are showing a few more fish as well.

[Realtor Boy]

thx for the info Hanson, I just might have to look into it and take a little trip.