I am finally going to do it (Minnetonka)

[JesseParker1]

Hey everyone!

After 3 years of muskie hunting, I am finally going to try Minnetonka. Tonight is the night. After joining MI Chapter #1 last month and reading that they had their meeting out on Minnetonka, I figured that is time to try that huge beast. I have been very reluctant to fish this body as it is so big. I have the boat and and all the equpiment I think I need, but no ideas where to start.

I pulled out my Mn Muskie map and think the east is what I am going to target.

Any ideas/tips to help this guy out?

Thanks

[muskiemanAD]

Fish the deep edges! However Tonka is a bath right now for temp, so be extra careful keeping that fish in the water.

[JesseParker1]

Just so everyone knows I fish a lot of the other metro lakes a lot so I know what I am doing for the most part...

I always look out for the best of the fish!

[tonkapat]

friday night on a hot sunny day in july is a bad time to start, especially on the east end. Good luck to ya

[Tragic_Mishap]

Agreed...I would try to swing a mid-week trip out to Tonka if I were you, those launches can get pretty packed. But yeah, if you do end up going out...good luck man.

[JesseParker1]

So you are saying it isnt worth my time today? Any other suggestions on places to go?

[Tragic_Mishap]

I'm just saying those launches get plenty packed on days like today and during the weekend. I don't know how late you're planning on staying out tonight...so if you're ok with waiting like 30-45 (at least, sometimes)minutes to get out, then you'll be fine if you're going to be out for a while, then it makes it worth your time ya know. I would still stick with Tonka if you want to fish it, it's a great lake no doubt...I just wanted to caution you about the launch situation if you're going out after work today or whatever ya know...

[muskiemanAD]

Yea those pleasure boaters are pretty nuts on Friday nights! They are everywhere and the waves they put out can get quite annoying!!

[RK]

I can't speak to the launch/traffic issues. I'm psychologically unsuited to fishing in crowds, so I just don't do it.

But as to how to tackle a big body of water that's new to you...

Don't try to fish it all at once. Divide the lake into sections (pretty easy to do on a lake like Tonka). Pick a lake section that suits your strengths as an angler (shallow, or deeper weedlines, etc. - again, pretty easy to do on a lake as varied as Tonka). Then focus on that section and pick it apart and concentrate on learning how fish use different types of structure on the lake, how to best fish different kinds of spots there...things like that. Look at it as building up a bag of tricks for that lake you can apply once you start to expand to other areas.

When I set out to learn a lake, regardless of species, I follow the same strategy. Divide and conquer, especially on big water. On one lake I REALLY wanted to learn thoroughly, I divided the lake into 3 sections, and only fished one section each season over 3 years. Know the lake as well as any I'll ever fish on now.

Good luck, and have fun.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[TR0PHYPHISHIN]

I have fished this lake three times this July and have not seen a fish. I have been going out on the weekends from 8:30pm - 2:00am. it’s pretty quite out there at that time but we just can’t seem to get into anything.

I spoke with a couple guides on some of the metro lakes and they said this has been one of the toughest years yet. The Metro Musky tourney usually lands over 100 fish and I think there were only 14 this year.

I think it could be a good fall; it has to pick up at some point.

To answer your specific question about Tonka though.....try and go at "off" hours and hit all the buoys hard. If you can keep your boat in 18-24 ft and cast towards the structure, you are doing pretty well.

[DHost21]

Just got back from out there. The boat traffic wasnt as bad as I figured it'd be. 3 follows none boated. Water temp was 83 on west end. I like fishing east end a lot though too I fish the lake quite frequently. Smithtown bay is a great start if you can get away from boats. The whole bay is good with steep drop offs all the way around it. Hardscrabble point is also a good starting spot. The fish we moved this year have definitely been deeper water. 18- 25 feet. Spring park bay is also a good bet on the east end. A couple midlake humps are good out there and also casco point. Hopefully a few of those spots help you and are a good start at least. Goodluck maybe we will see you out there again Monday for Muskies Inc outing

[DHost21]

whoops got the east and west end mixed up somehow. East end I would try spirit island, horseshoe and little horseshoe reef and then big island if the boat traffic is down is good too. All the way around basically, Gale Island too.

[JesseParker1]

Well, I did it...and like you all said it was going to be tough! I fished it hard and had one follow, and by follow I saw a the back fin of what I think was a muskie. I would be interested in trying this lake with someone that knows it a little better. I have a Lund 1675 with 80# Terrova with Humminbird graphs. My boat or yours, I would love to try this.

I have also been thinking of getting a guide for small trip to help with the mechanics of Musky fishing. any ideas?

[asteffes]

I would give Travis Frank from www.trophyencounters.com a call. You will learn a lot and have fun too.

I fish the lake a lot as well, but I am working more and more. I would love to help you out if I can. Keep in touch.

Both Travis and I tend to avoid the water when it is this warm so you may need to wait for the temps to cool a bit before one of us can get you on the water.

Tony

[Zelmsdawg]

Both Travis and I tend to avoid the water when it is this warm so you may need to wait for the temps to cool a bit before one of us can get you on the water. :)Tony

Not only that but in my experience, I catch a lot more fish on tonka after labor day then before it. Less jet skies too

Zelmsdawg

[Lare Pie]

I fish 'tonka some. If you want help on mechanics, I can definetly help you. I take out a lot of people that want to learn, not just to catch a 'skie. Check out my site at www dot muskiejunkies dot com. I am one of the cheaper guides around.

[50inchpig]

Lare you must like to fish an awful lot because there is NO WAY i'd guide someone all day for $150 - pretty good deal, good luck