Tonka or WBL?

[Griggs]

I'm gonna be hittin it hard in a couple of weeks and I'm not sure which lake I want to go to. Either of these doing better than the other?

[bonelach]

I can't speak for Tonka, but I can tell you that White Bear has been in a funk lately. I stopped fishing it for a few weeks in September because of SO MANY other boats out there fishing muskies. I did hit it late last week and more of the same. Saw a couple lazy mid-30's and that's about it.

[scsavre]

thanks jim

[cjac]

Between the two, I'd hit the West side of 'tonka. Less traffic relatively speaking) and good waters. That said, both will still be busy, and WBL maybe a little more since it was the "featured" lake in O. News last week.

Maybe try Wac or Indy too?

[Rmac]

I have only hit Tonka a couple times in my life so I always feel kind of lost out there but I lucked into a nice 44" out there last week.

I have been having success on another west metro lake also. I've had some multi fish days out there including a new PB. It has been nice and quite over there. Not such a zoo over there.

Pleasure boaters are finally calling it quits on Tonka too btw!

[bonelach]

Nice success ratio out there rmac! I'm trying to get down to Tonka sometime this fall. I used to bass fish out there a long time ago, but have never chased muskies. What bays are good on Tonka? There are so many to choose from. I'm not asking for any of your (or anyone else that wants to comment) spots, just a point in the right direction would be nice. I talked to some guy at Thorne Bros and he said they moved a bunch of big fish and boated a 48 and 53 out there last week. Along with a couple others in the high 30's - low 40's range. He was stocking up on Magnum Bulldogs, so I'm guessing that was the ticket.

[b1gf1sh1]

which ever lake you decide you'd be well prepared if you brought something against the grain and fish something off the wall they don't see a lot. just a thought...

[mngoosehunter]

havent been to white bear but nothing wrong with TONKA during the full moon phase..was out the full moon night and 4 nights after that and got 7 muskies...a 30,2-40's,42,44,46, and a 52 fish from sunset to 2-3 am

[SkeezerLeo]

ah tonka, givin em up to all those who had wimpered and cryed. jk, tonka is one of my faves, i just get ill from the pressure some times but oh well.

[JRedig]

There are plenty of other lakes that see much less pressure, if you're time is limited, i'd look elsewhere.

[mngoosehunter]

make the drive and head up to mille lacs. Probably the best muskie lake in the state.

[HopkinsFishN]

Went out to Tonka last night for a couple hours, saw one with in 5 min of being out there surface right over some bait fish on the ledge, figured it was gonna be a good night. . .got one little pike to completely inhale a shallow raider, kinda funny. But yah that was it, fishing Wayzata Bay. Beautiful night out there but, no fish

[thatfishguy]

Was out on tonka last night had two follow that was it. Both on mag bulldogs. Out on east side. I hope it picks up soon I am going crazy.

[50inchpig]

fish sugar or mille lacs for a week, you'll think you had a great night

[Jay Hanson]

yeah, alot of people nail em on Tonka, but my experience on Tonka is equal too or worse than my results on Mille Lacs (which arent good, but better than Tonka)...no idea how people nail em on Tonka, i cant figure out Tonka, but wont quit trying!

[propster]

mngoosehunter, where have you been?

[mngoosehunter]

propster what do you mean where have i been?

[Griggs]

Thanks for the all of the responses. I think we are going to hit Tonka next week. I normally launch in Spring Park.

[propster]

goosehunter, I was referring to your recommendation to make the drive and fish Mille Lacs. I just meant that your description certainly isn't the case this year, though I don't disagree with your assesment generally!

[cjac]

Agreed with propster's point.......Mille Lacs has been tough and still is, I too would consider alternatives.

Here are my thoughts on the two lakes:

WBL: Look to secondary areas, not just the classic spots. There are areas I fish with regularity that are not called out on any of the maps. Point being, any given weedline will hold fish at any given time.

Tonka: Head West, less pressure due to accessibility from the Metro, and many good areas. Hardscrabble, Halsted's, Boy Scout Isle area.....tons of good water. Don't always follow the crowd. There's a launch in Cooks Bay I use often.

[mngoosehunter]

my uncles buddy went up to mille lacs a couple weeks ago and didnt catch anything for 3 days...and on the last day the wind switched and within 45 minutes they caught a 54.5, 55 and 56.5 on the same mid lake hump. I couldnt believe the pictures. They could have ate my 52 I caught out on tonka.