52 fantastic pics from Mille Lacs

During the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year tournament, Minnesota's picturesque Mille Lacs Lake proved to be one of the best smallmouth fisheries the Elite Series has ever visited.
During the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year tournament, Minnesota’s picturesque Mille Lacs Lake proved to be one of the best smallmouth fisheries the Elite Series has ever visited.
Even so, as the national anthem played and the fans gathered on Day 1, few understood how good Mille Lacs would prove to be.
Even so, as the national anthem played and the fans gathered on Day 1, few understood how good Mille Lacs would prove to be.
Matt Herren is literally jumping to get to his smallmouth spot.
Matt Herren is literally jumping to get to his smallmouth spot.
Minnesota Elite Seth Feider struggled early in the 2016 Elite season, but a surge on the Mississippi River landed him a spot in the AOY Championship.
Minnesota Elite Seth Feider struggled early in the 2016 Elite season, but a surge on the Mississippi River landed him a spot in the AOY Championship.
Feider wasted no time landing massive Mille Lacs smallmouth.
Feider wasted no time landing massive Mille Lacs smallmouth.
The 2016 Rookie of the Year Drew Benton was awarded his trophy in Minnesota.
The 2016 Rookie of the Year Drew Benton was awarded his trophy in Minnesota.
Texas Elite Keith Combs was the only angler with a shot at unseating Gerald Swindle for the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
Texas Elite Keith Combs was the only angler with a shot at unseating Gerald Swindle for the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
Combs jumped in the standings on Day 1.
Combs jumped in the standings on Day 1.
Other anglers were on smallie hunts to secure their spot in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic. Randy Howell snuck in to the Classic lineup last week.
Other anglers were on smallie hunts to secure their spot in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic. Randy Howell snuck in to the Classic lineup last week.
Though Howell is from Alabama, he always seems to fare well on smallmouth fisheries.
Though Howell is from Alabama, he always seems to fare well on smallmouth fisheries.
Chris Lane stretched to land this Mille Lacs smallmouth...
Chris Lane stretched to land this Mille Lacs smallmouth…
...but unfortunately he slipped out of the Classic picture late in the season.
…but unfortunately he slipped out of the Classic picture late in the season.
Feider's amazing performances on both the Mississippi River and Mille Lacs Lake earned the young Elite a new nickname.
Feider’s amazing performances on both the Mississippi River and Mille Lacs Lake earned the young Elite a new nickname.
Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer coined 'The Amazing Feiderman,' and with Feider's success it was used liberally over the past two weeks.
Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer coined ‘The Amazing Feiderman,’ and with Feider’s success it was used liberally over the past two weeks.
With great fishing power comes great responsibility.
With great fishing power comes great responsibility.
It wasn't always smooth fishing on Mille Lacs.
It wasn’t always smooth fishing on Mille Lacs.
But who cares about waves?
But who cares about waves?
For Seth Feider, it was time to celebrate.
For Seth Feider, it was time to celebrate.
But back to the AOY title race. Combs definitely had better Days 1 and 2 than Gerald Swindle.
But back to the AOY title race. Combs definitely had better Days 1 and 2 than Gerald Swindle.
Combs brought in respectable weights of 16-11 and 18-8 the first two days.
Combs brought in respectable weights of 16-11 and 18-8 the first two days.
Matt Herren hurries by.
Matt Herren hurries by.
Kevin VanDam reminded the other Elites that he had plenty of smallie experience.
Kevin VanDam reminded the other Elites that he had plenty of smallie experience.
KVD broke the 20-pound mark all three days on Mille Lacs.
KVD broke the 20-pound mark all three days on Mille Lacs.
His three-day total of 64-3 landed him a Top 10 finish in the tournament.
His three-day total of 64-3 landed him a Top 10 finish in the tournament.
Matt Herren shared an active spot during Day 2 of the AOY tournament.
Matt Herren shared an active spot during Day 2 of the AOY tournament.
Herren landed 24 pounds, 9 ounces of smallmouth on Friday.
Herren landed 24 pounds, 9 ounces of smallmouth on Friday.
Brandon Palaniuk was the angler who fished next to Herren through most of the tournament.
Brandon Palaniuk was the angler who fished next to Herren through most of the tournament.
Palaniuk's Day 2 bag weighed in at 22 pounds, 11 ounces.
Palaniuk’s Day 2 bag weighed in at 22 pounds, 11 ounces.
Herren lands another during an active flurry.
Herren lands another during an active flurry.
Palaniuk hooks a wild one...
Palaniuk hooks a wild one…
...and eventually lifts it into the boat.
…and eventually lifts it into the boat.
Sometimes, the waves were wilder than the smallmouth. Herren goes down...
Sometimes, the waves were wilder than the smallmouth. Herren goes down…
...then goes up.
…then goes up.
The 2015 Angler of the Year Aaron Martens found a beautiful sunrise.
The 2015 Angler of the Year Aaron Martens found a beautiful sunrise.
And then found a beauty of a brown fish.
And then found a beauty of a brown fish.
Japanese angler Takahiro Omori definitely was on 'em during Day 1.
Japanese angler Takahiro Omori definitely was on ’em during Day 1.
Omori brought in the big bag of the tournament on Day 1, weighing in 26 pounds, 7 ounces of bass.
Omori brought in the big bag of the tournament on Day 1, weighing in 26 pounds, 7 ounces of bass.
After finishing near the bottom of the tournament standings on Days 1 and 2, Gerald Swindle decided to get aggressive on Day 3.
After finishing near the bottom of the tournament standings on Days 1 and 2, Gerald Swindle decided to get aggressive on Day 3.
Though he had essentially won the AOY title already...
Though he had essentially won the AOY title already…
...finally finding some active and responsive fish had to feel good for the Alabama angler.
…finally finding some active and responsive fish had to feel good for the Alabama angler.
Swindle's Day 3 total of 22 pounds showed he had overcome his mental block.
Swindle’s Day 3 total of 22 pounds showed he had overcome his mental block.
As was predicted, the tournament was a showcase for Seth Feider.
As was predicted, the tournament was a showcase for Seth Feider.
Feider's performance the final two weeks of the 2016 Elite Series secured his spot in the 2017 Elites and possibly salvaged his fishing career.
Feider’s performance the final two weeks of the 2016 Elite Series secured his spot in the 2017 Elites and possibly salvaged his fishing career.
Feider's 2016 season had plenty of ups...
Feider’s 2016 season had plenty of ups…
...and maybe even more downs.
…and maybe even more downs.
But Feider kept fighting...
But Feider kept fighting…
...and he eventually found his pot of gold.
…and he eventually found his pot of gold.
It was 76 pounds and 5 ounces of Minnesota smallmouth...and for Feider it was worth more than gold.
It was 76 pounds and 5 ounces of Minnesota smallmouth…and for Feider it was worth more than gold.
The Amazing Feiderman returns to an Elite fishery near you next February!
The Amazing Feiderman returns to an Elite fishery near you next February!
Bassmaster's 47th Angler of the Year waits for his chance to take the weigh-in stage.
Bassmaster’s 47th Angler of the Year waits for his chance to take the weigh-in stage.
Despite the struggles, Swindle is crowned the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
Despite the struggles, Swindle is crowned the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
Congrats to Gerald Swindle on his second AOY title.
Congrats to Gerald Swindle on his second AOY title.