MINNETONKA MUSKIES

[deerhuntr8]

Has anyone had any luck on Minnetonka? I have fished the outside weedline, inside weedline, bars, points, during the day and night. Nothing. What are you guys doing?

[markkstanley]

Not been very productive for me either. Lot of water churned up but nothing good to report - other than largemouths like really big spinnerbaits too. Best I can do is to generate a lazy follow or two. I am thinking fishing after sunset is the way to go.

[cjac]

I'm waiting for October.......

Night time would be my vote as well. I'd look to some deep weedlines and work some cranks on them, deeper water and lures to get down there too. The non-stop party that's going on above them on the lake all week would make me look to get as far away as I could too, think of it that way......

Chris

[deerhuntr8]

Last year sucked out there, too. I only caught 3, and one I think I hit on the head with a mag dawg. Next time I go out I will try a depthraider. How far off the weedline should I go?

[cjac]

Well, if I knew exactly were to go I wouldn't be sitting in front of the PC right now!

I'd get off the shoreline and emergent weed edges and try some deeper water. Almost approach it like you're trolling or throwing cranks for walleyes. Another way I think about it is to come to an area I'd fish and turn around and throw to the deeper water, not what's in front of you. Turn your back on the "visual" appeal of a spot.

Chris

[jerkin'm]

Get out there on the super windy days...cloud cover helps but isn't necessary. Hit the shallow rocks with big waves on em and you will be rewarded...I've found the best way to work in these conditions is to get on the upwind side and try to drift past the edge while making adjustments with the bow mount..

[deerhuntr8]

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Well, if I knew exactly were to go I wouldn't be sitting in front of the PC right now!

I'd get off the shoreline and emergent weed edges and try some deeper water. Almost approach it like you're trolling or throwing cranks for walleyes. Another way I think about it is to come to an area I'd fish and turn around and throw to the deeper water, not what's in front of you. Turn your back on the "visual" appeal of a spot.

Chris

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I just didn't know if they were usually right on the weedline or stayed a ways out. I almost always fish shallow and stay in the lower part of the lake because it is much more clear.

[markkstanley]

I have caught them 10 to 15ft down in over 30ft of water running parallel to the weedline but obviously a ways from it. Jakes or Ernies. I'd keep checking inside edges with sand too but you need to be sneaky - think long casts and position your boat over the weeds. This is a Minnetonka pattern which eventually produces fish and large ones but it is one out of ten trip kind of thing.

[cjac]

deerhuntr8,

Also try slow rolling the Mag Dawgs that you mentioned earlier on the deep weed edge. There are some nice areas down in that end of the lake that a Dawg pulled slow and ticking the tops of the sumberged cabbage can produce.

Chris

[FishinChad]

Just looked at a pic today of a 53" muskie caught out of tonka about a week ago. The guy caught it on a big spinnerbait just after dark.

[walleyeslayer18]

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Has anyone had any luck on Minnetonka? I have fished the outside weedline, inside weedline, bars, points, during the day and night. Nothing. What are you guys doing?

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Hey i realized your from new prague. me too. there are a lot of good lake closer to here then tonka. i got a tiger on crystal lake last week it was about 15 lbs it was 34".

[deerhuntr8]

I like fishing Minnetonka the best. French is out of the question because it is basically a sewer. Never fished Marion or Crystal. They are all tigers, aren't they? Minnetonka is big enough and there are so many good spots to choose from.

[walleyeslayer18]

crystal also has spotted and barred if i recall. and ever since i have been going there i have been doing pretty well.

[mngoosehunter]

Fishin Chad. Just wondering if that muskie your talking about is the one steve caught. If so do you know him. hes my uncle. just wondering if thats who your talking about. thanks.

[deerhuntr8]

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crystal also has spotted and barred if i recall. and ever since i have been going there i have been doing pretty well.

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I will try it some time. It's worth a try. It's a pretty small lake, isn't it?

I checked out the DNR map. It has a couple humps. How's the water clarity and weeds?

The DNR site says only tigers have been stocked. You've caught pure strain muskies, also?

[FishinChad]

Goosehunter,

Not sure the name of the guy who caught it, I work with they guy's son, Dan(i think) at Magstar/ComfortRide. He brought in some pics and man I couldnt believe how big the head was. I guess he caught it the very next cast after they boated a mid 40's fish. I dont do a whole lot of muskie fishing, and never really on tonka, is 53" pretty rare on tonka? I know its a monster but how common is that out of tonka?

[Dkoy]

I saw a guy boat a very nice muskie last night on tonka. Looked close to a mid 40 if not, low 40 and very thick. I was trolling along edges north side and north west end with no luck. Only saw that musky they bagged when I cruised by as they were netting. Tried casting but my boat couldn't handle the dang winds that was gusting out there last night. Anyone else have any luck lately?

[mngoosehunter]

FishinChad - My uncle doesnt have a son, maybe were thinking of two different things, but the stories are the same. His daughter caught a 41" muskie and on the next cast he caught the 53" fish. It was last week just after dark too. That would be way to weird if we are talking about two different people. what are the chances of that. Maybe i will try posting a picture of his fish to see if its the same guy. Thanks

[deerhuntr8]

Hit Minnetonka again last night from 4-12. I caught a 3lb northern on a black weagle. Otherwise nothing. I give up. Time to find another lake.

[FishinChad]

Ok I got it strait now, it's not the guys son is a newphew or cousin or something. They guy who caught it is steve so we are talking about the same fish.

[Fazzy]

Deerhtr8- I feel your pain. I keep my boat on tonka and fish it excusively. This year has been a bust for me so far. In time I think it will turn on but this year has sucked - I guess it's the nature of the game. If they were easy to catch it wouldn't be so intriguing. That said a 3 fish day wouldn't hurt my interest at this point!

[deerhuntr8]

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Deerhtr8- I feel your pain. I keep my boat on tonka and fish it excusively. This year has been a bust for me so far. In time I think it will turn on but this year has sucked - I guess it's the nature of the game. If they were easy to catch it wouldn't be so intriguing. That said a 3 fish day wouldn't hurt my interest at this point!

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I even had a hard time all last year. From Aug-Oct. Only got 2.

Even a 1 fish day would keep me interested at this point.

[AQUAJOE]

I am heading out there at 4am I will give you a report in the morning. Hopefully some pics as well.

[AQUAJOE]

No SKI's this morning. Just 2 northern.

Fishing is tough right now.

[Versus]

We went out last night from 4 to 10. Caught a couple 3 lb. pike and one 30" plus pike follow until just after 8. Had a nice low to mid 40's muskie on for a few seconds as soon as the clouds started rolling in. I was able to get a look at his open mouth and a side shot before he spit the bait. Nice Fish. Then just as it was getting nice and dark my brother boated a 46.5" muskie.

Versus