Minnesota guide Matt Johnson of Matt Johnson Outdoors gives his latest Lake Minnetonka fishing report on April 15th, 2023.
Lake Minnetonka Fishing Report: 4-15-2024
We had some unseasonably warm weather this past week and that has really started to accelerate things on Lake Minnetonka and the surrounding lakes in the Twin Cities area.
We have been finding water temperatures in the low-fifties to mid-fifties.
Crappies: Lake Minnetonka Fishing Report
The crappie fishing was great this week on Lake Minnetonka and on most of the Twin Cities area lakes.
With the warm weather we have had we’ve are starting to see the fish push shallow.
Look for crappies in shallow bays, channels, and on docks.
We also found a few schools of crappies on main lake milfoil beds in six to ten feet of water.
Hair jigs have worked great the past few weeks and will continue to catch crappies all throughout the spring.
Jigs paired with plastics are also working and if they crappies become finicky a live crappie minnow will work.
Bluegills: Lake Minnetonka Fishing Report
Bluegills can be caught in the same areas as the crappies. Most of the bluegills can be found in depths between six and twelve feet of water, but some fish are moving shallower.
Continue to look for weed edges and flats with access to shallow water.
Slow down your presentation for the bluegills. Utilize slip bobbers to do so.
Small jigs paired with hair, plastics, or live bait have worked well for big bluegills.
River Fishing in the Twin Cities
Some really big walleyes are starting to show up on the Mississippi River. I’m seeing pictures of lots of walleyes weighing over ten pounds being caught.
Jigs and plastics are working well.
Anglers can also expect a mixed bag of saugers, walleyes, catfish, and white bass on the Mississippi River.
The bite has been consistent throughout the day.
