Lake Minnetonka Fishing Report: 7-3-24
Lake Minnetonka has been very good right now and piles of fish are begin caught. Anglers can expect numbers of bass, walleyes, pike, panfish and even some musky. Everything is going right now and it’s a great time to fish Lake Minnetonka and the surrounding metro area lakes.
Lake Minnetonka Fishing Report: Panfish
The bluegill and crappie have been schooled up and are easy to find on electronics right now. Fishing for panfish has been great and can be a nice break during the day. The crappies have been super aggressive and the fishing is just as good as it is in the spring.
Look for turns in the weediness, humps, or points. Fish are suspended in water deeper than ten feet up to twenty-five feet. However they are sitting high in the water column sometimes only four feet down. 2-D sonar and side imaging have worked great for locating these schools of crappies. If not seeing schools, go to the locations mentioned and start fan casting.
Panfish can be caught pitching tubes such as a 2-inch Mister Twister tube on a Drop TG head. If the fish are finicky use that same presentation under a float. For those suspended fish use a small minnow swim bait. A good option is a Sassy Stingem in 2-inch size.
Lake Minnetonka Fishing Report: Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass can be found in similar spots to last week. Look for bass in the bottom of the water column along the first weed wall. Some fish can also be found on deeper structure and the deep weed line that is emerging. Target bass in ten to eighteen feet of water along the weed wall. Those deeper fish can be found as deep as twenty-five feet of water. Look for breaks, irregularities, inside turns and points.
Best bite window has been the first three or four hours of the day. Midday has been tough and there is definitely a lull, but the bite does pick back up again in the evening.
The ned rig has still been the number one producer on a heavier chartreuse head. 1/4-ounce ned jig paired with a trailer in green pumpkin has been the ticket. Slow down, and let it die on the bottom has been the key. Fish are looking down and looking for that smaller profile. Jig worms also have been good for some of those deeper fish. Frogs have been good early in the morning.
Lake Minnetonka Fishing Report: Walleyes
Walleye bite has continued with some fish being caught early and late in days at lowlight. Fish have seemed to be only reacting well to the ned rig. The bobber and leech bite hasn’t been present and the ned has only been picking some fish up. Look for walleyes in the same areas as bass just deeper.
Lake Minnetonka Fishing Report: Muskies
Fish are being caught and moved as muskies transition to deeper summer structure. Fish early and late to avoid boat traffic. Smaller blades have been by far the best bait to throw, such as 7/9 staggers. Cowgirl style material in purple and greens have been some hot colors. Topwater is always a great option to move fish as water temps warm up.
