Lake · Mille Lacs, Minnesota
Mille Lacs Lake near Garrison
Location Snapshot
Mille Lacs Lake near Garrison is a large central Minnesota lake with a coolwater predator fishery distinct from the state’s smaller bass-and-panfish waters. Walleye are the primary supported target, with northern pike and smallmouth bass adding major secondary opportunities and yellow perch adding a forage-oriented panfish component.
Current Lake Rating
Point-in-time lake rating — separate from the trip recommendation below.
Fair
This condition rating is estimated because current on-water monitoring is not available.
Estimated Conditions
Estimated from available current readings, weather, seasonal patterns, destination characteristics, and historical conditions. Some important on-water measurements may be unavailable.
Rating confidence: Low
Should I Go?
Consider
Fishing guidance for this destination based on available lake conditions, weather, and seasonal context. It is not a boating, swimming, ice, or access-safety rating.
Recommendation confidence: Low
Why
- Current water-level and water-temperature observations are not available.
- StrikeTracks is showing a provisional Estimated Conditions rating from accepted secondary evidence.
- Available atmospheric evidence is favorable for provisional Estimated fishing suitability; the public rating is capped by the accepted Estimated evidence path and confidence policy.
Current Readings
- Gage height
- 10.12 ft
- Change over 24 hours
- -0.02 ft
- Trend
- Falling
- Last updated
- 36 min ago
Source: USGS · MILLE LACS LAKE NR GARRISON, MN · 05284000 · Gage height
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
62°F
Feels like
56°F
Wind
10 mph S
Wind gust
20 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 12:30 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this lake.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 2 PM
Clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Tue 6 PM
Clear
Temp 60°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 50°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 48°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Wed 6 AM
Overcast
Temp 49°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 10 AM
Clear
Temp 55°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 66°F / Low 42°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 67°F / Low 45°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Partly cloudy
High 72°F / Low 48°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 26 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Drizzle
High 70°F / Low 55°F
Chance 21%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 40 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this lake's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence lake level and access, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, and reservoir operations where applicable.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Gage Height History
Loading historical gage height…
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Mille Lacs Lake.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Walleye are primary and established in Mille Lacs Lake near Garrison. Northern pike and smallmouth bass are common and established. Yellow perch are present and established.
Target species
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Popper-style surface flyGeneral warmwater surface family. Not an insect Hatch event.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral warmwater streamer family. Not a baitfish Hatch event.
- Crayfish-style flyGeneral subsurface family. Crayfish forage is not a Hatch insect.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Mille Lacs, Minnesota
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
County
Mille Lacs
Management Category
Inland walleye lake
Regulation Scope
Mille Lacs Lake near Garrison.
Regulation Summary
Mille Lacs near Garrison: MNDNR special inland lake rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
walleye, northern-pike, smallmouth-bass, yellow-perch
Public Access
Public