I found your comment about why you chose the area you live in interesting. When I retired from the Navy I chose this area of Missouri on Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Lake for the same reason. Now draw a circle within a days drive of my home and you have some of the greatest fisheries in the U.S. You are one of two of my favorite TV fishing show hosts.
Glad to see someone extolling the virtues of Lake Mille Lacs. There are TONS of walleyes to be caught, and the bite this year should be very, very good. OF course, the smallies are amazing, too, especially in the spring.