Fishing Lake Minnetonka, MN
AKA: Lake Minnetonka Regional Park
Boat and bank fishing
Last updated on .
Popular Fish Species
Walleye Fishing
Thanks to good fisheries management by the Minnesota Fish and Wildlife Division, a healthy population of walleye are thriving in the waters of Lake Minnetonka this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.
Largemouth Bass Fishing
As a nationally renown, trophy bass fishing lake, Lake Minnetonka continues to deliver great catches of largemouth bass for anglers. Results by locals, and many bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been as good as advertised. A significant number of large bass also roam these waters for the added bonus of a potential lunker. Thorough fisheries management by the Minnesota Fish and Wildlife Division has maintained a quality bass fishery for some time now. Generally speaking, when the bite is good bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive. Any time you find them shallow and they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Lake Minnetonka on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Fishing for largemouth bass is good here, year round. Even in winter when the lake freezes over, bass can be caught while ice fishing. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.
Northern Pike Fishing
Continuing to thrive in the cool waters of Lake Minnetonka, northern pike are a very popular target for local anglers. This year they are being caught in good quantity and some mighty big sizes. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. Summer is spotty but pike can be caught all summer long. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake has safe ice in winter, ice fishing for northern pike can be quite thrilling. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can be a big help.
Lake & Fishing Video
Fishing tips for boat or bank fishing
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch, muskie, northern pike and tiger muskie at Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota.
Fishing draws big crowds to the maze of lakes, islands and channels of Lake Minnetonka. This is a popular, 14,000-acre lake in the western part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, is a beloved fishing destination in Minnesota.
Largemouth bass fishing is a major draw on Lake Minnetonka. Walleye fishing is another popular species on here. Yellow perch can also be found in abundance in Lake Minnetonka, offering anglers steady action and a delicious meal. Bluegill, white crappie and black crappie are popular panfish species in Lake Minnetonka. Lake Minnetonka is known for its trophy-sized muskie and northern pike.
The waters wrapped by over 120 miles of shoreline are inhabited by a wide variety of fish species. Bass, crappie and walleye are at the top of the list, and the lake also has nice populations of sunfish, perch, pike and muskie. The Smithbay Public Boat Ramp is located at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park in the southwest corner of the lake. The Carson Bay Public Boat Ramp and Gray's Bay Boat Ramp are located in the northeast corner of the lake.
Primary fish species residing in Lake Minnetonka
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Lake Minnetonka Amenities
Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: NEARBY
RV Hookups: NEARBY
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Click here for fishing boat rentals.
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Click here for boat launch ramps.
Marinas
Click here for marinas.
Fishing License
Click here for a Minnesota Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Baker Campground - 763 694-7662
Lake Auburn Campground - 763 694-1112
Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Lake Minnetonka Regional Park
4610 County Road 44
Minnetrista, MN 55331
763 694-7754
Fishing lakes in each state
020826
MINNESOTA
Fishing for crappie, walleye and bass in central MN.
