Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Report – May 28, 2025

Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Report

Author: Keenan Wind, Windy Fishing Guide Service

Minnesota Fishing opener kicked off the season with one of the hottest openers I have seen. The weather was beautiful, and the bite was pretty stellar! That cold front rolled through about a week after and really put a damper on things. The cold front and the rain that came with it dropped the water temps about 10-12 degrees from what I could tell. Since then we have had consistently warming weather, and with that consistent warming trend, we have a consistent bite! Water temps are currently in the Upper 50s to lower 60s depending on location.

Walleyes

Walleyes have been in their usual early season haunts, on shallower rock and gravel areas in 10 to 15 feet of water. We have caught a handful of fish utilizing slip bobbers and leeches, however we have spent most of our time targeting them with small swimbaits. Swimbaits have seemed to be much more efficient, as they allow you to cover more water. These fish are roaming these reefs, so moving around is vital. The 4″ Keitech Easy Shiner has been my go-to. Many people have the tendency to want to swim these too fast, but the best way to fish them has been with as slow of a retrieve as is possible without dragging the jig. There are plenty of hungry slot-walleyes around for table-fare.

Smallmouth

Smallmouth have started the spawning process. Some fish are pushing into the shallower areas bed. Many are holding well on beds, and seeking pairs. I have been spending my time chasing pre-spawners in 8-12 feet of water near boulders or rock to gravel transitions. We have had our best success with 3″ or 4″ Keitech Easy Shiners, rigged on a 1/4 oz jig head. We have also found significant success on marabou hair jigs. Black has seemed to be best, but olive has also produced well.

I have also spent a few days in my Jet Boat on the skinny waters of the Upper Mississippi River! The smallmouth bite out there has been fantastic.