Minnetonka Walleyes

[midex717]

Hello!

I would really appreciate some tips, and suggestions for fishing Lake Minnetonka. I finally purchased a fishing boat this year, and was able to get out on Minnetonka about 6 times over the summer. We fished the east side of the rocks in Brown's Bay in 20 to 35 feet of water trolling slowly with a crawler harness with a red/white spinner, or one with a green, and yellow spinner.

We also fished the small point at the southwest corner of Big Island using the same rigs, and also around Diamond Reef using the same rigs.

This past Saturday 10-8, we varied our locations. We used a chartreuse jig with a fat head, starting in the sand bar that runs through the center of Crystal Bay with no action. We then moved to the point at the SW corner of Big Island, had a hit that stole the minnow in 25' of water. We then moved to the point at the east end of Big Island, and drifted in 20 to 40 feet of water using the jig, and minnow, again no action. We then tried the east side of the Brown's Bay rock area at the north end of the bay, again using jigs, and minnows, and then tried the crawler harness with the red/white spinner with no results on either. We fished from around 10am to 5pm on this day, and from sunrise to around 2pm, or 3pm to after sunset during the summer months. All of these trips yielded no Walleyes. My son, and I are trying not to get frustrated but.......

Again, any tips, and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Probably will have to use them for next year as the schedule may not permit us to get back out this season.

Thank you very much in advance!!!!

[gunflint]

mindex717,

Welcome to FM! I grew up fishing Minnetonka but it's been so many years that I wouldn't be of any help. If you ever head up this way give me a shout and I may be able to help you out. gunflint

[schr0563]

midex, it sounds like you have a good game plan. The jig and minnow combo can be deadly on Tonka. As far as location goes, while some fish are caught in deep water (20+), I generally catch all of my walleyes right on the weedline (16-18 feet on the east side of the lake). Selecting the right time of day to be out there is also important. While I have had several outings where I pounded the walleyes in the early afternoon, I have had dozens of trips where I catch nothing but bass and northerns until the sun hits the horizon. The evening bite is the best and easiest bite to fish. The morning can be good also but you need to get out early. The key here is low light conditions, which explains why well after dark can be one of the best times to fish. My last word of advice is to check out the Metro Area forum and search for Minnetonka. There are hundreds of posts on there filled with all of the information you are seeking. ***A special secret, try crankbaits this fall afterdark and you will not be disappointed. Goodluck

[markkstanley]

Schr0563 you been out lately?? West end was putting out some nice eyes for me but has gone dead - deep or shallow. Wonder if I need to slip over to east side??

[schr0563]

I decided to take up duck hunting again this year and that has cut into my fishing time over the last two weeks. My last outing saw a couple of 18" on jigs and fats. I have pulled cranks 3 or 4 times this fall but have yet to get into them. The next 5 days or so, under the full moon, should be prime time. I'll definitely keep everyone posted when I find fish.

[markkstanley]

I'll be out tonight and most likely friday night. Will post if I get into anything.

[midex717]

I would love to come up there sometime, and fish the far northern waters!

Thanks for the info!

[midex717]

Thanks for your reply, and information!

I'm going to try Monday evening (10-17) the night of the full moon. Hopefully we'll get some action!!!! I'll try shiners, and cranks this time as well!

Thanks again!

[markkstanley]

Got a couple of small ones Wed. Bite just isn't going yet. Water temps high 50s. Need high 40s for the big walleyes to get serious. But still worth going out. Especially full moon. I'll be out on Tonka somewhere Monday night.

[schr0563]

Saturday night was absolutely beautiful, but with no wind and quite a bit of boat traffic the fish weren't very cooperative. I ended up pulling cranks for about 2 hours with nothing to show for it. Still had fun though!!!