Mille Lacs, Minnesota, USA
Millelacs Lake map

Ice Report as of 01/22/26 

Use extreme caution and check with resorts/lake access operations before heading out Good Luck, Have Fun & As always be safe!!

Agate Bay Resort: 

Fishing this weekend featured a lot of smaller walleyes and perch. 
I heard of more walleyes being caught a little deeper, but still near the rocks. I think it was better in 22-25’ than shallower. Getting away from most of the noise also helps. Perch were still near the mud transition line and along the 28-32’ mud break along Tullibee Trail.
Our rentals are all out and set up. 
 
Our access is open to 1 tons, diesels, and tandem axle wheelhouses. Please drive very slowly to save our roads.
To reserve a rental fish house, please call us at 320-684-2233.
 
 

Lybacks Ice Fishing: 

Today, the bite was sporadic, with some doing ok and some not having any luck at all. The deeper water did best during the day, but those with electronics said most were just lookers. The shallow houses were slow, but late in the day, the action picked up for them. Some nice Smallmouth were C/R today in a couple spots. The last picture might be a record for C/R Smallmouth through the ice. The fisherman has entered it.

 

We received an inch of snow, and this afternoon, when the wind kicked up, visibility was reduced for a bit, but by sunset it was over. Tomorrow, as the second round comes through, it will bring in the cold for the weekend. My opinion…But I think this “wind chill” thing is overdone. If it’s -20, it’s -20. Not -45 to -55 wind chill. We never had that when I was out here 50 years ago, and somehow we managed to survive. It will be cold this weekend, but it’s nothing that we haven’t seen many times before.

Garrison Sports Bait & Tackle: 

Bridge is out over the heave and we are open to the mud. All traffic welcome if you can keep your speed down. Off road travel is easy with basically no snow left on the lake.
Skid house customers you will be responsible for your own banking until we get some snow.
 
Day Houses are on the Reef!!!
Sleeper houses available as well. 
Give us a call to make reservations at 320-692-4477
Rentals Start at:
$80 a day
$100 a day if you need a shuttle!
Hours are 7am-5pm
Make sure to stop in the shop for a rd pass, beer, bait, tackle and more!!

Castaway's Resort: 

ALL of our roads are all open NOW and in good shape.
Roads are open to just about any vehicle except completely loaded down deisels.
ALL other trucks, cars, wheelhouses (any size) are a go. We have 16+”s of good ice throughout our road system.
Restrictions on deisels may be lifted within the next day or two.
We look forward to seeing you all up here this wknd!!

 Follow link to see road map 

Beachside Resort

We had a cold and windy week and we grew a few more inches of ice. We are already to the point where extensions may be needed. Our ice roads held up well and we still have no bridges on our road system. We have no restrictions on any of our roads!
THE BITE:
The bite has been ok. Deeper gravel, has been doing very good for walleye. 5 mile and 1st Reef seem to be doing best. If you are quiet, shallow has been good for large Walleye in the evening. The key for large walleye is large bait. A fathead on a setline isn't recommended. A larger 5-7" bait on a plain hook has been best. 32-35' of mud has still been best for Jumbo Perch, but you can find nice perch in bay and in all our reefs. The bay and at the mouth of the bay has still been producing some nice keeper Walleye. Fire Tiger and Gold have been doing good during the day, and pink, white tiger colors and wonderbread have been good colors. Talk to an ice guide at the baitshop and they can show you on a map of some good options.
TIPS AND REMINDERS:
We have wind until Friday and then it lets down. Things may get a little drifty in areas and its important to park your vehicle on the non wind side of your house to help prevent extra drifting. Shovels, are a good idea.
With the cold we recommend starting your cars periodically, bringing a backup heat source, and leaving generators in a box or truck bed.
Please make sure you don't fish in the road and that you are not setting up right next to the stakes. Doing that really drifts in our roads.
Again, it is important that you drive S-L-O-W! 5-10 MPH PLEASE.
BAIT:
We have a Shiner Mix, Fat Heads, Small to Large Suckers, larvae and waxies.
RENTALS:
Go to www.beachsidemn.com to check availability and book your stay! We are booked this weekend but have availability sunday night.
FISHING CONTEST (FREE WITH ROAD PASS)
The contest is on and goes to Sunday at 5 PM. Prizes consist of Eskimo Ice Pistol, Quickfish 2, Engel Cooler, Annual Road Pass, Gift Certificate to Muggs of Mille Lacs, and Beachside Apparel!
ADDITIONAL REMINDERS:
*Baitshop is open until 8 pm Thursday and 9 PM Friday!
*Drive on stake side of road and not by the bank.
*Don't cross a bank.
* stakes are white as you go out and red as you come in. (White out/red return)
*Pick up animal waste and garbage.

The Mille Lacs Angler: 

​
We currently have no vehicle or wheelhouse restrictions!
To keep our roads in top shape and ensure everyone's safety, please keep your speed under 10 mph.
​Fishing Report
• ​Walleye: The "big ones" are being caught on the 10-14' rock piles. Set lines with sucker minnows on white or red hooks are doing the trick. Deeper boulder to smaller rock transitions have been good as well. Kastmasters and rattle spoons tipped with fathead heads and whole minnows while jigging. Anything white has been the standout color all winter!
• ​Perch: Target 25+ feet over soft bottoms. Both tungsten jigs and small spoons are producing. Tip them with fatheads, wax worms, or euro larvae.
• ​Northern Pike: Look to the bay, shallow rock piles, or weed lines. Tip-ups with sucker minnows remain the go-to setup.
Our office opens daily at 6:00 a.m. and we can point you in the right direction. Stop right next door at Johnsons Portside for fuel, bait, and snacks on your way out!

Twin Pines Resort : We are allowing all traffic out.

We have fish house rentals out for groups of 2 up to 8, Call us today to reserve. 320-279-1174   

Dont forget the all you can eat Fish fry on Fridays, Served with salad bar and choice of potato for $15.95 

Dickies Shacks on Mille Lacs 

Our access is open to most set ups if u have a extra big rig please call!! 320-676-8795. Thank you have fun and most importantly STAY SAFE!
Follow link to road map: Click here 
 

Terry's Boat Harbor : 

We are allowing all traffic out. 

Walley fishing has been good in the bays and on the rock points, but the majority of fish have been measuring small. Remember to move and find structure to create the best trip possible. We have good reports of Jumbo perch and Northern pike.

Popular bait: Red larva and minnow heads. Bounce your lure off the bottom a few times to create a desire for that bite. 

 

Brandt's Ice Fishing: 

Open to all traffic
 
* Rentals - Give our office a call at 320-532-3674
PLEASE take it slow, nothing over 10MPH…. We’ve worked hard on our roads and want to keep them in GREAT shape!
**FISH ON!**

 Eddy’s Resort: 

Ice House bookings are officially OPEN for the season! 
Get ready for action-packed days on the ice once conditions are safe — we can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable season. 
Book an ice house stat  https://bit.ly/3a2AplT
 

Nitti's Hunters Point: 

***1/15/26***
The roads are open to the flats again.
At this time NO travel to 9mile and Sliver.
The center area of the flats are good to go as of this morning.
10MPH is so important, it helps keep the roads open for people to enjoy so please be mindful.
We will update as we can.
 
 

Ice Camp Outfitters: 

It's shaping up to be an awesome ice season - temps look great to continue building on what we currently have.
Reminder...No ice is ever 100% safe, be smart, and have fun.
These fish are hungry!
See you out there soon!

Walleye & Perch on Early Ice Mille Lacs Lake!  
Brad Hawthorne shares some excellent information for finding and catching walleye & perch right now on Mille Lacs Lake in central Minnesota! Click here to watch

North Mille Lacs Ice Fishing:  Open to all traffic. To watch facebook reel click link: Click here

Follow on facebook for a more up to date video. 

 

 

Castles Resort

Fishing continues to be solid on the breaks and transition areas from sand to rock 14' to 18'
We will be doing a more in-depth ice condition check tomorrow as we are still working on our auxiliary roads today.
Our Snobear has openings this weekend for guided fishing trips. Call 320-676-1100 With much more info tomorrow for the upcoming weekend!

Mille Lacs Regulations 2025-2026

Walleye:

  • Daily/Possession Limit: 3 fish
  • Size: Must be longer than 17 inches; only one can be longer than 20 inches
  • Season: December 1, 2025, through February 22, 2026 

 

Yellow Perch:

  • Daily/Possession Limit: 10 fish
  • Season: December 1, 2025, through May 8, 2026 

 

Northern Pike:

  • Daily/Possession Limit: 5 fish
  • Size: Must be at least 30 inches long

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