A diversity of world-class fishing opportunities
This 132,516 acre-lake covers 207 square miles and is Minnesota's second-largest inland lake. Located just an 1½ to 2 hours from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, Mille Lacs provides a quick opening for a fun weekend getaway.
Mille Lacs Lake is best known for its phenomenal Walleye catch rates but also offers several other trophy fishing opportunities. During the winter, venture out on the lake for a fast-paced walleye bite, catch a few tullibee or fish for some trophy northern pike. During the summer, you may hook into a trophy smallmouth bass, muskellunge or northern pike.
Walleye fishing to close Friday, Sept. 6
Starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, anglers may not target walleye when fishing on Mille Lacs Lake. Anglers may fish for other species and use live bait. This restriction remains in place through Saturday, Nov. 30. Read the news release.
Community conversations
Our community conversation meetings have been conducted and the online comment period has concluded. We'll be reviewing comments before we begin drafting a new fisheries management plan for Mille Lacs Lake. Keep updated on our community conversations page.
Lake management programs & results
Angler survey »
Fall forage assessment »
Fall gill netting »
Northern pike survey »
Walleye estimate »
Help fish survive & thrive
We've compiled some tips to help you help fish better survive being caught and released.
Learn what to do »
Regulations
Mille Lacs Lake has special fishing regulations that are unique to the lake. These regulations change for the winter season, which begins Dec. 1, and the open water season, which begins in May.
View current regulations »
Report a tagged fish
You might catch a fish with one or more tags sticking out near the fin on its back. If you do, help us keep track of the fish we've tagged.
Report a tagged fish »
#DoTheLake
Mille Lacs Lake and its surrounding communities offer visitors fish and a whole lot more.
Plan your trip »
Court decisions & legal information
A list of official court documents that stipulate the exercise of Ojibwe treaty rights in the 1837 ceeded terriorty of Minnesota.
View the documents »
The following documents are available from meetings of the 1837 ceded territory's fisheries technical committee: