Fishing Lake Minnetonka

AKA: Lake Minnetonka Regional Park

Most Popular Fish
Lake Minnetonka Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Lake Minnetonka, MN

Popular Fish Species Lake Minnetonka, MN

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.

Lake Minnetonka Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

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.

Lake Minnetonka Popular Fish - Northern Pike

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.

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.

Lake Minnetonka Fishing Video

Boating, water sports and fishing draw big crowds to the maze of lakes, islands and channels of Lake Minnetonka. This is a popular, 14,000-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Minnetonka.

Lake Minnetonka, located in the western part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, is a beloved fishing destination in Minnesota. With its numerous bays, channels, and sprawling waterways, Lake Minnetonka offers anglers a diverse range of fishing opportunities and a chance to catch some of Minnesota's most popular fish species.

Largemouth bass fishing is a major draw on Lake Minnetonka. The lake's weed beds, submerged structures, and shoreline cover provide ideal habitats for these feisty and hard-fighting fish. Anglers can target largemouth bass using a variety of techniques, such as topwater lures, crankbaits, or soft plastics. Lake Minnetonka is known for producing quality-sized largemouth bass, making it a favorite among bass fishing enthusiasts.

Walleye fishing is another popular pursuit on Lake Minnetonka. Anglers can find walleye in the lake's deeper areas, rocky points, and drop-offs. Trolling with live bait or casting with jigs are effective techniques for targeting walleye. Lake Minnetonka's walleye population offers opportunities for both recreational fishing and pursuing trophy-sized catches.

Yellow perch can be found in abundance in Lake Minnetonka, offering anglers steady action and a delicious meal. These schooling fish can be targeted near weed beds, rocky structures, and drop-offs using small jigs or live bait. Anglers can enjoy catching yellow perch throughout the year, with peak periods occurring during the spring and fall seasons.

Bluegill, white crappie and black crappie are also popular panfish species in Lake Minnetonka. Anglers can target these fish near weed lines, submerged vegetation, and docks. Small jigs, flies, or live bait presentations are effective in enticing these panfish. Lake Minnetonka provides a great opportunity for anglers, especially those new to fishing, to enjoy a day of fun and rewarding panfish angling.

Lake Minnetonka is known for its trophy-sized muskie and northern pike. These apex predators inhabit the lake's deeper waters and offer thrilling fishing experiences. Anglers can target muskie and pike using large lures such as bucktails, jerkbaits, or topwater plugs. Lake Minnetonka's muskie and pike fisheries provide an adrenaline rush for anglers seeking a challenge and a chance at a trophy fish.

Lake Minnetonka's combination of excellent fishing, diverse fish species, and recreational amenities make it a prime destination for anglers in Minnesota. Whether you're targeting bass, walleye, perch, panfish, muskie, or pike, Lake Minnetonka provides a rewarding fishing experience in a beautiful setting, all within easy reach of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

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

Boating is a popular activity on Lake Minnetonka, with numerous access points, marinas, and boat rentals available. Anglers can explore the lake's vast waterways, discover secluded fishing spots, and enjoy leisurely cruises. Camping facilities near Lake Minnetonka offer opportunities for anglers to extend their stay and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area.

Fishing Boat Rentals

Howard's Point Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
952 474-4464

Metro Lakes Marina & Rentals
Rentals: Bass boats and pontoon boats
952 472-9595

Rockvam Boat Yards
Rentals: Pontoon boats
952 471-9515

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Gray's Bay Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Bushaway Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Maxwell Bay Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off N Shore Drive, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Minnetonka Township Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, at the east end of the Minnetonka Blvd Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

North Arm Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off N Shore Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Smithbay Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Old County Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Shoreline Drive Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Shoreline Drive, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Surfside Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Bartlett Blvd, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

West Arm Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Shorewood Lane, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with no designated parking.

Marinas

Bean’s Greenwood Marina
21945 Minnetonka Blvd
Excelsior, MN 55331
952 474-7942

Caribbean Marina and Gas Dock
135 Lakeview Ave
Tonka Bay, MN 55331
952 472-2628

Excelsior Marina
687 Excelsior Blvd.
Excelsior, MN 55331
952 767-6917

Lindbo Landing Marina
285 West Point Rd.
Tonka Bay, MN 55331
612 599-1894

Howard's Point Marina
5400 Howards Point Road
Excelsior, MN 55331
952 474-4464

Metro Lakes Marina
4850 Edgewater Drive
Mound, MN 55364
952 472-9595

North Shore Marina Browns Bay
1449 Shoreline Drive
Wayzata, MN 55391
952 471-2628

Rockvam Boat Yards
4068 Sunset Drive
Spring Park, MN 55384
952 471-9515

Shorewood Marina
23500 Smithtown Road
Excelsior, MN 55331
952 474-0292

Tonka Bay Marina
220 Tonka Bay Rd
Tonka Bay MN 55331
952 474-0292

Tonka Bay Marina - Excelsior
701 Minnetonka Blvd
Excelsior, MN 55331-1908
952 474-0292