Well it has been a wild week. Monday with 90 degrees and high winds was a good fishing day , then the big temperature drop slowed things down for a couple days. The bite is picking back up. I managed to keep 5 slots in my half day trip on Friday. The key is to work the shallow rocks 9-11 feet and move around allot. Make sure you have a long anchor rope like 150 feet or so. Work the wind and let out rope lengths to change your position on the rock pile without having to start up your motor. Also use your right and left cleats on your boat so that you can move to one side or the other on the rock pile. If you don't get fish after you have worked the entire rock hump then pull anchor and move to the next 9-11 foot hump. you might try 3-4 humps without a fish then the nexdt will hold 4 or 5 fish. The water temps today were around 64 degrees and the perch are starting to move up to the shallows. The I would guess the nice Jumbo perch bite should be going good within the next 7- 10 days.
Also if you have not checked out the new liquor store on 169 just north of Princeton it is very nice. It is easy for us guys with boats or trailers to swing in and drive around without worrying about parking. They have a nice walk in cooler and lots of selection. I wwould recomend them to anyone heading up north. It is called old log liquor. I talked with the owners there and they said they were going to join up with the MTT and sponsor the tournament trail next year. So lets support our fellow fisherman.
Good luck fishing everyone.

Thanks Pat for the update and tips.

I wished to have a report later tonight, but another member of my family had other plans and under protest I lost . Rods all rigged, battery(s) charged, gas filled and I am sitting here reading posts on FM. All I can do is look at the GPS/Nav. page on the Humm. on my boat in the garage and pick out some spots for later this week.

Thanks though!

Thanks for the report, but not the plug for the liquor business. Fishing, or hunting while consuming is like oil & water; they don't mix well.

I've had more then my share of incidences with drunken fools trying to drive boats, or shoot game.

I wish more people would realize you don't need to drink to have a good time.

I agree leave the booze at home. I have too much fun fishing to ruin it by drinking.

It seems the "bite has been picking up" for the past 5 weeks.

Ryoushi, I am not sure what you mean by the "bite is picking up for the last 5 weeks". Maybe you don't understand the seasonal movements of fish on Mille Lacs. In May and June the walleye bite is goodall over and the smallmouth is just starting to pick up by mid June. By July the smallmouth bite picks up in full swing and the walleye bite is still good but not as great, In August the muskie bite usually kicks into gear. The Smallies and Walleye can be tougher to find but they still bite okay if you know where to look and yes in the next few weeks the bite on Perch will be picking up as they move shallow as will the walleye.

Also,
I don't think I said anything about consuming alcohol while fishing or hunting. I for one never do that. I cannot consume alcohol while Guiding or Fishng Tournaments. The MTT is sponsored by Budweiser, but that does not mean everyone is drinking Bud and acting stupid during a tournament. I think if a business says they are going to sponsor the tournament trail that I fish then I am willing to give them my business. I hope the guys on this site have enough sense to fish or hunt all day and then sit down with buddies at night and have a few cold ones in a responsible way.

Vary well put Pat... And thanks for the report.

Great report Pat and nice reply. Even though you shouldn't have needed to explain yourself.

Ryoushi, he said the bite slowed and now it's picking back up to where it was before the clod front.

Thanks for the report. I agree totally with your view on the cold ones.

Pat, I should have explained my comment better. My family owns 3 cabins on Mille Lacs and one of my cousin owns a resort. Based on my surveys I don't think many people have done much July. Of course these people are not spending as much time on the water as you and other guides. My comment was just stating for most people it has been very slow. Pays to go out with a guide to learn how to catch them during the dog days.

Also, I agree: safety first, beer later.

Thanks for the report Pat. I went up Sat a.m. and did what you suggested. It worked out great, my kids had a blast catching a few walleyes, and some perch. And then the rain hit. I will look you up next season and set up a trip with you and learn more. Its not often you read a report and when you try it it actually works. Thanks
If the fall trolling bite heats up please post and I will for sure set up a trip for this fall yet.
P.S That is a nice liqour store, great prices, friendly service. Yet another good tip

you must of never read my posts !lol