Family Fishing Adventure on Mille Lacs in Minnesota

Three Generations. One Boat. Big Water. Bigger Fish.

When you think “fishing Mille Lacs,” chances are the name “Roach” comes to mind—and for good reason. The Roach family has been fishing these Minnesota waters for generations, and they’ve got the know-how and stories to prove it.

This time, Tony Roach is back on the lake, but he’s not alone. He’s got his dad and his son Robbie in the boat—a true three-generation fishing trip. And they’re doing it out of Lund’s reintroduced 1875 Fisherman, a boat built to handle big water and big fish.

Starting Strong on Mille Lacs

Tony grew up fishing Mille Lacs. His dad taught him, and now he’s passing it on to Robbie. The lake has it all: walleyes, smallmouth, pike—and this boat’s made to go after all of them. Today, they’re starting with trolling for walleyes using lead core line, a method that works especially well in late summer when water temps are high and fish move deeper.

Right off the bat, they’re hooking into nice fish. Robbie lands a solid walleye. It’s non-stop banter, shared know-how, and a fun edge of family competition that keeps the vibe upbeat.

Why Lead Core Works

Lead core trolling takes a bit of finesse. Your speed controls how deep your bait runs. Speed up, your lure rises. Slow down, it drops. The Roach's use both the kicker and trolling motor to dial things in, staying consistent even when the wind picks up.

Tony explains how the color-coded Sufix lead core line helps track how deep your lure’s going. Each color represents 10 yards, which equals about 6.5 feet of depth. It’s a smart system, especially when fish are hanging out on the edges of structure or sliding into the deeper basin.

And if you're wondering—yes, the fish are biting. Turns in the boat, subtle speed changes, and letting the bait surge and fall are all key moves.

Fish Stories and Family Traditions

There’s something special about watching three generations share the same passion. Tony recalls how, when he was a kid, trolling shad raps with his dad was a summer ritual. Now it’s Robbie’s turn, and he’s more than holding his own. Every fish, every joke—it’s clear this isn’t just a hobby. It’s tradition.

As Tony says, fishing opener felt like Christmas. Still does.

Time for Smallmouth

Once they’ve put plenty of walleyes in the live well, they swing into shallower water to target smallmouth bass. Mille Lacs isn’t just a walleye lake anymore—bass tournaments and big catches have made it a hot spot for smallies.

They switch to jerkbaits and ned rigs, casting along weed lines, rocky edges, and sandy transitions. These bass don’t mess around—they hit hard and fight even harder. And yes, the father-son bragging rights come into play. Robbie and Tony hook into doubles, the kind of action that keeps things exciting.

Meet the Lund Fisherman

The Lund 1875 Fisherman they’re using is made for exactly this kind of day. It handles the rough stuff out in the basin and is still nimble enough for casting closer to shore. It’s got high sides, deep storage, flip-down seats, and room for four or five anglers. With a 150hp Mercury and a 9.9 kicker, it’s ready for anything from walleye trolling to bass casting.

Tony especially likes the SportTrak system—easy to customize with rod holders, tool mounts, or cup holders. The layout makes sense, the ride is smooth, and the boat just feels solid.

One Lake. Many Fish.

By the end of the day, they’ve caught walleyes, smallmouth, and even a surprise northern pike that t-boned a crankbait right at the boat. That’s the magic of Mille Lacs—it’s a multi-species playground. You never know what you’re going to catch next.

For Tony, his dad, and Robbie, it’s more than just a good day on the water. It’s about time together, memories made, and passing down a love for fishing that’s clearly in their blood.