Lake Mille Lacs MN
12/31/10 – 1/2/10
Ever see Grumpy Old Men? Or how about Giddy Old Ladies? Come join us for a new Years Eve celebration you will NOT soon forget. We have rented several fancy sleeper shack ice houses on the frozen tundra of Lake Mil Lac’s MN. These shacks are some of the best out there and placed in an area known to hold big walleye and jumbo perch. These shacks have 6 bunks each, a two burner gas burner, heat, gas lights and yes ladies, even a bathroom. They also have a fan and electric lights so if you have a small portable generator bring it along. We can take possession of the shacks at high noon on Friday, Dec 31st and need to vacate at noon on Sunday, Jan 2nd.
Last year, 6 or us went on a scouting trip to check this out. It was 30 below zero the entire time yet, we fished in our pajama’s. The shacks are very warm. In spite of the cold snap, we caught jumbo perch and big walleyes and had a great time. We had so much fun we decided make it an official WI Women Fish event. Last year we hauled out atv’s up there and planned to be out and about checking out fishing away from our shack. This year I am leaving mine home and will fish in the area of the group of shacks. You can do what you want, I just found it to not be worth it. Plus at 30 below our atv’s wouldn’t start.
So I want to be straight up with the whole bathroom situation because last year we didn’t know what to expect. Obviously the shack in out in the middle of the lake so there is no real plumbing, but they have made a nice private bathroom with a toilet seat and some fishing magazines. But keeping with our environmental stewardship commitment, what goes in, must come out. They DO provide handy heavy duty plastic bags that go into the toilet, ( otherwise known as a 5 gallon pail with a fancy toilet seat) and every now and again the bag is tied up and brought out the curb for pick up by the caretaker. Think of it as part of the adventure.
There will be 6 bunks in each shack and 12 holes from which to fish. The holes are already drilled and we will have augers to drill extra holes around the outside of the shacks. There is a large table in the center and the holes are around the outside. One handy tip is to PACK LIGHT! Don’t be hauling a bunch of unnecessary items in which to clutter up the place. While you are in your shack be mindful of having your items neatly in your area and not in a mess all over the place or you may infringe upon your shack mates personal space. It may be best to keep a bag of extra items in your vehicle so if you need something its handy.
I can tell you that last year we had a blast and we are all returning to repeat the adventure. Be sure to check out the video on our facebook page where one gal caught a huge walleye right out front of the shack.
Things to Bring: Your own bedding, poles/tackle and bait, scoop, chisel, tape measure, etc. Bring your food and drink, and cookware. Its best to plan on one skillet meals and I will try to arrange a conversation between shack mates so we aren’t all hauling the same things. I found a good way to dress is to wear loose fitting long johns for being in the shack and then if you want to pull on your out side ice fishing suit just pull it on.
Shack assignments. At the time I am writing this up to put in on the web site we have 17 people interested in attending. I am reserving 3 shacks that hold 6 so that is 18. If you want in, send in your forms as soon as possible. If we we get additional women to sign up I will reserve another shack but if we don’t have enough to fill a shack we will have to turn people away. If you want to be with certain people in your shack You BOTH have to indicate it on your form. If one does and the other doesn’t then its left to chance. Feel free to mingle among shacks. I am going ask that each shack have a “guest hole” so if you have a visiter in your shack there is room for them to sit a spell and drop a line. I will also be setting up several portable shacks out and about our village so feel free to mingle about in the exterior shacks.
The cost of this event is $120 per person. If you would like to attend complete the Sleeper Shack Registration form and send it in with the payment to the address on the form. You must be a member of WI Women Fish to attend. Your 2010 membership will work for this event or you can renew for 2011. If you have not been a member before you will also need to complete the 2011 Club Registration Form and Liabilty Waiver and submit the $25 membership fee.
Once I have all the registration forms I will send out an email with directions and a list of items suggested to bring. You can then coordinate with the others staying in your shack. Each shack can decide on how you want to do your food, each one their own the entire time or split things up. There is also food available at the bar near the shacks and vehicles can drive about on the plowed roads on the ice. There are even signs. Specific directions will be sent to those attending. The location is approximately 3 1/2 hours northwest of Eau Claire WI. Let me know if you have any questions.