Ice Fishing in Mille Lacs
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Guided ice fishing on Mille Lacs with heated portable housesTarget walleye, pike, perch, and tullibee with provided equipmentSnowmobile transportation and electronics included for groups of three
When winter locks up Mille Lacs in a thick sheet of ice, that's when the real magic happens. This isn't your grandfather's ice fishing with a bucket and a hand auger – we're talking heated fish houses, snowmobile rides across Minnesota's second-largest lake, and electronics that'll show you exactly where the fish are holding. At Lagoona Guide Service, we've got the local knowledge and gear to put you on fish when the temps drop and the ice gets safe. Whether you're a seasoned angler or stepping onto the hard water for the first time, our guides know where walleyes stack up, where pike patrol the weed edges, and where schools of perch move through the basin.
Your day starts with a snowmobile ride that's half the fun – we'll cruise across the frozen expanse to our heated portable fish houses positioned over prime structure. No worrying about hypothermia or frozen line guides here. These aren't the old canvas shacks your buddy might drag out – we're talking comfortable shelters with heaters that keep you fishing in shirtsleeves even when it's blowing twenty below outside. Our houses come equipped with the latest electronics, so you'll watch your jig work in real-time and see fish approach your bait on the screen. We provide all the rods, reels, tackle, and tip-ups you'll need, plus we'll have the holes drilled and ready when you arrive. The small group size of just three anglers means personalized instruction and plenty of room to fish without crowding. You'll learn to read the sonar, feel the subtle bite of a walleye, and master the art of jigging in different depths throughout the day.
Ice fishing Mille Lacs requires finesse and the right approach for each species. We fish primarily with jigging rods paired with spinning reels spooled with light line – usually six to eight-pound test fluorocarbon that stays manageable in the cold. For walleyes, we'll work jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastics, keeping them just off bottom and using subtle lifts and drops. The key is feeling that light tick when a walleye inhales your bait. Pike fishing means stepping up to heavier tackle and tip-ups rigged with quick-strike rigs and larger baits like suckers or shiners. When perch are schooled up, we'll often fish multiple lines with small jigs and spikes or waxworms. Our Humminbird electronics let you see the thermocline, track baitfish, and watch predators move through. The snowmobiles aren't just transportation – they're essential for covering water and staying mobile when fish move. We'll drill holes in multiple spots and use the machines to check different depths and structures until we find active fish. Don't worry about dressing for the conditions – we'll give you a complete rundown on layering systems, and the heated shelters mean you won't be battling the elements.
Northern Pike patrol Mille Lacs year-round, but ice fishing gives you access to shallow bays and weed edges that are tough to reach by boat. These ambush predators love structure, and we'll target them around rocky points, submerged islands, and the edges of vegetation that's died back for winter. Pike in Mille Lacs range from slot fish up to genuine giants pushing forty inches, and they'll absolutely slam a tip-up set with a lively sucker. The fight through the ice is something special – these fish have nowhere to run but down, and watching a big pike come up through that hole never gets old. Peak action often happens during low-light periods, so dawn and dusk can be dynamite for pike fishing.
American Yellow Perch might be the most reliable target through the ice, especially when you find a school. These fish travel in groups and once you locate them, the action can be fast and furious. Mille Lacs perch are chunky, thick-bodied fish that average eight to ten inches with plenty of jumbos pushing twelve inches or better. They're primarily bottom-huggers, feeding on invertebrates and small baitfish in depths from fifteen to thirty feet. Perch respond well to small jigs tipped with spikes, waxworms, or even tiny minnows. The bite is often subtle – more of a weight on your line than a sharp tug – but once you dial in the pattern, you can catch them steadily. These fish are fantastic table fare, and a mess of fresh perch fillets makes the perfect end to a winter fishing trip.
Walleye are the crown jewel of Mille Lacs ice fishing and the reason most anglers make the trip. This lake has a well-deserved reputation for producing quality walleyes, and winter fishing can be some of the most consistent action of the year. These fish relate heavily to structure – rocky reefs, points, and breaks where the bottom transitions from shallow to deep water. Walleyes in Mille Lacs average fifteen to eighteen inches with plenty of fish pushing into the twenty-inch range. They're notorious for their light bite, especially in clear water conditions, so having sensitive tackle and good electronics makes all the difference. We'll target them with jigs and minnows, blade baits, and spoons depending on their mood and the conditions. Prime time is often during the magic hour transitions, but these fish can be caught throughout the day when you're fishing the right spots with proper technique.
Mille Lacs ice fishing represents some of Minnesota's finest winter angling, and spots fill up fast once safe ice forms. The combination of our heated shelters, snowmobile access, and local knowledge creates an experience that's both comfortable and productive. You'll learn techniques that'll make you a better ice angler wherever you fish, and there's a good chance you'll head home with fresh fillets and stories that'll last until next season. Our three-
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are perfect for families and new anglers since they're active all winter and relatively easy to catch. These golden beauties with dark vertical stripes typically run 7-10 inches in Mille Lacs, though we regularly see jumbo perch pushing 12+ inches. They school up in big numbers around structure - drop-offs, weed lines, and rocky humps in 15-25 feet of water. Perch are some of the best eating fish you'll find, with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They bite consistently through the ice, especially during low-light periods. Pro tip: once you find one perch, stay put - where there's one, there's usually a whole school waiting below.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are aggressive predators that average 2-3 feet and around 3-4 pounds, though we see some real bruisers pushing 10+ pounds in Mille Lacs. These "freshwater sharks" have razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. During winter, they hang around shallow bays and weed edges in 8-15 feet of water, often ambushing prey from cover. Pike fight hard with sudden bursts of speed and acrobatic jumps that'll get your heart pumping. They're also excellent table fare when prepared right. My go-to tip: use a steel leader and work your lure slow and steady - pike love to follow before they strike, so don't rush the retrieve.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the crown jewel of Mille Lacs, averaging 14-18 inches with plenty of bigger fish in the 20+ inch range. These golden-sided beauties have those distinctive glassy eyes that help them hunt in low light. During winter, they roam between 20-35 feet of water, often relating to mud flats, rock piles, and breaklines. Walleye are most active during dawn, dusk, and overcast days when their vision gives them an advantage. They're prized for their delicate, flaky white meat - many consider them the best eating fish in freshwater. My key tip: fish slow and subtle with light jigs tipped with minnows or leeches. Walleye have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure without over-setting the hook.
Mille Lacs, MN