The Sand Muskies of Mille Lacs Lake

For the die hard muskie enthusiast, paradise is finding the ideally structured muskie location. An area that is capable of holding dozens, if not hundreds of muskies at any given time. This perfect location was found to be the shallow sands on the north shore of Mille Lacs Lake in central Minnesota.

For the die hard muskie enthusiast, paradise is finding the ideally structured muskie location. An area that is capable of holding dozens, if not hundreds of muskies at any given time. This perfect location was found to be the shallow sands on the north shore of Mille Lacs Lake in central Minnesota.

For years the south side of Mille Lacs Lake received the majority of fishing pressure from novice and seasoned muskie anglers alike. Anglers who wanted to test their skills on one of the Midwest's premier muskie waters. While, in the background, only a quiet hand full of anglers knew of the muskie Mecca to be had in less than eight feet of water on the warm sandy shores of the north end.

Mille Lacs Lake was not the only famous muskie waters to experience this exciting visual shallow sand bite. Sugar Lake, Leech Lake, Cass Lake, Lake Vermillion and others in Minnesota were enjoying this bite as were Eagle Lake, Lac Seul, Lake of the Woods and many others in Ontario.

While this bite was exciting for many muskie anglers it was far from being new and fresh. With the proper structured setting, shallow staged muskies were common on many lakes for many years. But more often than not it went undetected. For years, bow fisherman who pursued their love of harvesting rough fish with an arrow in the shallows have talked about seeing numbers of muskies basking in the sand. Unfortunately years of conditioning has taught the majority of muskie anglers to hunt for muskies in the more conventional deep watered haunts of mid-summer.

And while Mille Lacs Lake was not the only lake to experience this exciting shallow sand bite it was one of the first to help revolutionize strategies, techniques and theories on this topic that helped make this type of fishing so popular.

Location

The north end of Mille Lacs Lake offers the perfect location with the ideal combination of ingredients in the right proportion to attract and hold muskies long into fall. Combine this with the continuous warmth that the sand generates from the sun and it can keep large numbers of muskies in this area even through cloudy, cold front conditions.

Like most lakes in the mid-west, the north side will be the first to warm from the early season sun. The water temperatures in the shallow sand will increase as the summer progresses. Typically, the water temperatures in this area are slightly above that of the main lake and will stay there until the continuous cooling effect of autumn sets in.

There is very little prey to feed on. In fact, this is a resting and recharging area for the vast numbers of muskies.
The sandy shores of the north end can extend long, shallow and far. And in many places, be only two feet deep, one hundred yards out. It is this long shallow stretch that will absorb and hold the heat from the sun much quicker and longer than other areas. This shallow area is void of weeds and structure as it gradually tapers down to ten feet of water at a quarter mile from shore. Sporadic patches of cabbage weed can be found at the eight to ten foot range. From ten feet the north side drops sharply down to seventeen feet and continues on to the main lake. It is these two main ingredients of shallow sand and a steep drop off nearby that make this area prime. One can not produce without the other.

The most interesting fact about this area is that it is not a feeding ground that attracts the number of muskies to the shallows. There is very little prey to feed on. In fact, this is a resting and recharging area for the vast numbers of muskies.

The Attraction

For years anglers have wondered what it was that attracted this large number of muskies to the shallow water. Why were they here and for what purpose? One thing is certain. Unlike northern pike that can not tolerate warm water, the muskies bask and relish in its comfort. While there is no known scientific study done on this topic, there has been one interesting theory that may shed some light on this subject.

The growing period for muskies in the northern region is short during the course of the year, mainly confined to the warm summer months. During this period in time muskies can become finely tuned eating predators.

A mature muskie can and will eat a meal one fifth its own size.
Young muskies are like children. They are constantly eating and in smaller portions. But as they grow and mature they eat larger meals and less often. A mature muskie can and will eat a meal one fifth its own size. A thirty-five pound muskie can eat a seven pound fish. Normally, once a large meal is consumed the muskie will not feed again for two to three days while it is digesting its meal. For a muskie that has consumed a large meal, the shallow warm waters can be comforting and helpful. The warmer water in this area will help to speed up the muskies metabolism thus increasing the digestive time of its prey. The warmer water also helps to recharge the muskie from the rigors of digesting much faster. This time frame could possibly be cut in half.

The muskies that are being caught in the sand are most likely the ones that have finished digesting and recharging and are heading out to the deep waters for another meal. It is due to the success of the warm water recharging technique that these fish have adapted to, that may have helped them to grow faster and bigger than their normal counterparts throughout the lake. It is also the high forage base of white fish, suckers, and perch that lie on the shelf of the seventeen foot drop that help to keep the muskies in this area all season long.

The north end is not the only side to enjoy the sand bite on Mille Lacs Lake. Later into summer, as the south end of the lake warms up, the same incredible shallow bite continues in the many bays and shoreline that accompany this end like the north end. The key here is to look for long, shallow stretches of sand with a fast tapering drop off nearby.

Fishing the Sand

For obvious reasons, shallow water fishing dictates a quiet approach. The use of a good electric trolling motor is required. Be on the water fishing before the first rays of sunlight meet the new day. This can eliminate competition from other anglers. A good depth to start out at is about the five to six foot depth gradually moving in. On calm sunny days a good pair of polarized sun glasses is a must. This can be visual fishing at its finest. When muskies are spotted cast well beyond them and retrieve the lure in front of their nose. Not on top of them. This eliminates the possibility of snagging a fish. If there is no interest, cast a different lure to the same fish. Try about three times to the same fish then move on to the next muskie. If a muskie moves off as soon as you cast to it, it is most likely a fresh fish that has recently moved in and does not want to be bothered at all.

Move quickly and target as many muskies as possible. You are looking for muskies that are done recharging and are ready for another meal.

Windy days that the wind is blowing into shore can push schools of foraging bait fish from deeper water into the shallows. This sudden presence of bait in an area that is otherwise void of food can excite and trigger muskies into biting also. Muskie fishing can be extremely exciting and profitable on these windy days. The use of your main motor will be required on these blustery days. Practice safety when fishing in windy conditions.

After thoroughly covering the shallow water move on out to the deeper edge for muskies that may have slipped pass you and are staging for another meal.

Lures

Be prepared with a wide array of lures to choose from. Sometimes slow and steady will do the trick. While at other times a fast presentation can trigger a hit.

Top water lures have always been effective on calm or windy days in the shallows. You can't beat the action of the Doc, Top Raider and Hawg Wobbler

Jerkbaits and crankbaits do extremely well in the shallows. Good lures to use here are the Reef Hawg, Suick, Wades Wobbler, Phantom and Bobbie Bait for jerk baits. For crank baits try the Believer, Swim Whiz, seven-inch Dunwright Dancer, six-inch Jake and Ernie. The Bull Dawg has also proved to be a successful lure as well with its live action when twitched in the shallows.

For bucktails and spinner type baits it is hard to beat the Muskie Candy, Eagle Tail, Sneaky Pete, Candy Spin, Toss-A-Tail, Pearsons Grinder and Rad Dog.

The sand offers an endless opportunity to expand and test your angling skills by going toe to toe with a shallow water trophy.

One of the most memorable trips I will ever remember was the time I hired another muskie guide to help out with a large group. Our two boats were blocks apart as we targeted muskies in the sand. Four hours later we got together to compare notes. Between our two boats we counted over two hundred fifty muskies basking in the sand.

Awesome!