What is the best metro walleye lake?

[kiefer06]

I live in the northern suburbs and was wondering what you guys thought the best walleye lake was in the area.

Thanks. Kiefer06

[Mille Lacs Guy]

I would say Minnetonka is the best walleye lake in the metro with Waconia and Buffalo being very good as well.

Minnetonka is a very over looked walleye fishery, with the attention usually going to bass. If you look at the DNR data they stock this lake with more walleye than most others in the state.

I like Waconia as well but they need to do away with the 16 inch minimum. Minimum slots don't do anything for this lake. It hurts the lake more than it helps because I think some fisherman will go out and catch a few 15 inch dandy walleyes and can't keep them and when they catch a 22-24 inch fish they keep it to eat because they can't keep the 14 to 16 inch fish.

Overall, it's tough to beat Tonka and Waconia for metro eyes. I prefer Tonka but they are both good.

[markkstanley]

I agree with Minnetonka especially for size. I have averaged over 6 fish a year 6lbs or better. My biggest to date was 11lb and I have seen some 14lb that were caught in the fall. It is a tough lake to figure out. I have caught a limit of fish just three times. The walleyes are there but not in big schools. It's a fish here and fish there keep moving kind of thing. Learn to fish the weed edges and don't be afraid to fish higher off the bottom. I seldom drag leeches or crawlers on rigs. The big pigs like larger bait. I have used 6 to 8 inch suckers on spinners and slip bobbers and trolled #9 Shad Raps and #14 Husky jerks for most of my big fish. Playing around with the larger swim baits this year.

[wmn luv me walleye fearme]

Hey Mark is it ok if I email you some questions about Tonka? I fish it about once a week and just started getting more into trolling lures vs using live bait. I've done well by Lake pepin trolling using leadcore but so far on Tonka I've struggled a bit. Not looking for any spots either but have about 3 or 4 questions on technique and I've seen some other posts from you that you troll quite a bit. Let me know

thanks

[markkstanley]

have at it. [email protected]. I haven't had any success so far this year but I'm still at it.

[wmn luv me walleye fearme]

You've got mail, thanks again