Mille Lacs Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

48000200

County

Mille Lacs

Surface area

128,250 acres

Maximum depth

42 feet

Mean depth

29 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

33,129 acres, 26% of the lake

Shoreline

105.5 miles

Average water clarity

11.0 feet (Secchi disk, 924 readings)

Nearest town (DNR)

Garrison

Latest DNR fish survey

April 2025, large lake survey

Surveys on record

37, since 1986

Game fish caught in the 2025 survey

yellow perch 5,361, walleye 907, smallmouth bass 566, northern pike 398, rock bass 147, muskellunge 20, largemouth bass 19, black crappie 11

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, trout-perch, walleye, yellow perch, and 24 other species

Stocked in 2025

muskellunge adults (40); muskellunge yearlings (723)

Stocked in 2024

muskellunge fingerlings (3,000)

Stocked in 2022

muskellunge fingerlings (3,000)

Stocking years on record

7 of the last 10 (2016 to 2025)

Reddy Creek Public Water Access Site

carry-in, toilet, run by DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife

Mille Lacs Lake, Co Hwy 37 Public Water Access Site

carry-in, natural ramp, run by Aitkin County

Mille Lacs Lake, North Garrison Bay Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 22 trailer spaces, toilet, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Mille Lacs Lake, Shah-bush-kung Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 57 trailer spaces, toilet, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

More public accesses

9

Infested waters list

Eurasian watermilfoil, spiny waterflea, zebra mussel

Special regulation, including all tributaries from the mouth upstream to posted boundaries

Burbot (Eelpout): All burbot must be immediately released.

Special regulation, including all tributaries from the mouth upstream to posted boundaries

Largemouth Bass: The catch-and-release season for largemouth bass is continuous on Mille Lacs Lake but there is a specific period where bass may be harvested. Beginning May 23, 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027, largemouth bass under 17 inches may be kept. Limit of three in combination with smallmouth bass. The remainder of the year all largemouth bass must be immediately released.

Special regulation, including all tributaries from the mouth upstream to posted boundaries

Northern Pike: Beginning May 9, 2026, through March 31, 2027, all northern pike greater than 30 inches must be immediately released. Limit of five. Same regulations for spearing, which concludes Sunday, Feb. 28, 2027.

Special regulation, including all tributaries from the mouth upstream to posted boundaries

Smallmouth Bass: The catch-and-release season for smallmouth bass is continuous on Mille Lacs Lake but there is a specific period where bass may be harvested. Beginning May 23, 2026 through Sep. 13, 2026, smallmouth bass under 17 inches may be kept. Limit of three in combination with largemouth bass. The remainder of the year all smallmouth bass must be immediately released.

Special regulation, including all tributaries from the mouth upstream to posted boundaries

Tullibee (Cisco): Possession limit is five.

Special regulation, including all tributaries from the mouth upstream to posted boundaries

Walleye: Beginning May 9, 2026, and continuing through Feb. 28, 2027, the daily and possession limit for walleye is three fish, which must be greater than 17 inches in length and only one of which may be greater than 20 inches in length.

Special regulation, including all tributaries from the mouth upstream to posted boundaries

Yellow Perch: Daily and possession limit 5.

Special regulation, including all tributaries from the mouth upstream to posted boundaries

: <b>No culling or live-well sorting:</b> Fish taken into possession are considered part of an angler's bag limit and cannot be exchanged with another fish. However, when the season for bass is open, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass may be culled following statewide culling rules.

Special regulation, including all tributaries from the mouth upstream to posted boundaries

: <strong>Night Closure:</strong> <ul> <li>May 11 - Aug. 31, 2026: No fishing for any species from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. except for below exemptions</li> <li>Exceptions: <ul><li> Beginning June 6, 2026, muskellunge and northern pike may be targeted with artificial lures longer than 8 inches or sucker minnows longer than 8 inches. While fishing during the night closure, you may not possess or target any species other than muskellunge or northern pike.</li> <li>Beginning June 1, 2026, bowfishing is allowed but you may not possess angling equipment while bowfishing, and only non-game fish may be in possession.</li></ul> </li><li>Sept. 1: All night restrictions removed.</li> </ul>

Fish consumption

Follow the statewide guidelines; fish from this lake have been tested

Size

2,000 acres or more

Deepest point

30 to 59 feet

Public access

Yes

Stocked in the last 3 years

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.