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To me, trolling for walleyes at night on Mille Lacs in the fall is all about shattering misconceptions.

Far too many anglers hold this image of the walleye as a reluctant, sulky predator, holding passively in deep water, feeding only rarely given its many moods. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Problem is that most anglers spend their time on the water during the day when walleyes can be very inactive after a night of heavy feeding.

Chase these same fish once the sun has gone down and you may encounter one of the most spectacular displays of aggression a walleye angler is ever likely to witness. These same fish that sat "belly to the bottom" in 30 feet of water during the day can now be found up on top of shallow rock reefs, striking out at anything that will fit in its mouth. Forget about detecting subtle strikes. Fish that daintily inhale baits with the skill of a big city pickpocket during the day crush 5-inch rapalas with the force of a hit-and-run purse-snatcher at night. Baits are often inhaled as opposed to nipped at and a hooked walleye never fights harder or pulls longer than under the cover of darkness.

It's all about attitude. You can just sense the aggression in these fish. They're there for one reason- to quickly eat as much as possible and the smart angler knows when to take advantage of a situation where the odds are tipped in his or her favor.

Walleyes in Mille Lacs Lake begin to feed heavily at night around and on top of the shallow reefs when the water temperatures dip below 60' degrees. This movement coincides with the influx of perch and other baitfish back into these same areas. This usually takes place by the middle of September in the average year.

Given the clarity of the water of Mille Lacs Lake, walleyes opt to feed at night when their excellent night vision provides them with a distinct advantage over their prey.

The period around the full moon is generally considered the most productive because the moon provides just enough light to prolong this intense feeding late into the evening but quality action can be expected most every evening out.

The equipment needed to be successful trolling at night is slightly specialized. Long rods in the 7-8 foot range with a soft tip are recommended coupled with a small baitcasting reel loaded with 10-14 LB Berkley Fireline. This set-up provides an angler with a rod long enough to get a lure out away from the sides of the boat and the stretch free Fireline ensures that you can feel every wobble the lure makes as it works down in and around the rocks. A rod with a soft, forgiving tip is best so large fish can't rip hooks free during their last big run at the side of the boat.

My all-time favorite lure for putting walleyes in the boat on Mille Lacs at night is the shad rap, size #5 & #7, in the Firetiger pattern. No other bait has even come close to producing as well for me over the last two years.

Other baits that produce well are the original rapalas, size #11 & #13 in black/silver or orange/silver, gold Husky Jerks, and Rattlin Rogues.

Regardless of the lures you chose to run, make sure that your baits are set back from the boat at least 80-100 feet to avoid spooking fish with the noise of your outboard motor. These fish aren't terribly skittish and will soon forget a boat passing over head but a #7 shad rap run 40 feet behind the boat in 5 feet of water will likely be ignored.

Some of the best reefs for me over the last several years have been located along the western shoreline of the lake between Indian Point and Garrison, MN. Receiving far less traffic and recognition than some of the community spots on the south and eastern sides of the lake, these smaller reefs and rocky shoreline breaks hold terrific quantities of hungry walleyes and most nights you'll likely be able to fish alone or with relatively few boats.

Start by familiarizing yourself with a couple reefs during the day during the last couple hours of light. Knowing how the reef is laid out and where the hazard markers are (or should be depending on the time of year!) is critical.

Going out blindly on a lake as big as Mille Lacs for the first time in the dark is not only foolish as you risk damaging your boat but your catch rate will suffer as you'll likely spend precious time trying to orientate yourself to the reef in the dark.

I usually begin searching for active fish in 8-10 feet of water by fishing two #5 shad raps in different patterns back about 90-120 feet from the boat. I try to cover as much water as possible until I encounter active fish then I make repeated passes through the hot area until the action slows.

Don't hesitate to work deeper or shallower, changing baits and trolling speeds often as you attempt to hit on a pattern that will produce for you. Often I gradually work shallower as the night progresses.

I may start the evening in 8-10 feet of water and as the nights wears on I may end up fishing as shallow as 4-6 feet deep looking for aggressive fish that have moved right up on top of the reef to fill their bellies.

Looking for a shot at a big walleye!? Timing is everything in fishing. Mille Lacs during the fall at night is "trophy time." Don't miss your chance this year to get in on an experience of a lifetime.

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Shieldsville Bait & Tackle
(507) 334-2631
15090 Shieldsville
FARIBAULT MN 55021-7491