Minnetonka Lake Fishing guide

A Standard Survey was completed on Lake Minnetonka from June 6 through June 23, 2022. Sampling involved gill netting, trap netting, and water quality sampling. Sampling in Lake Minnetonka is distributed through three basins that differ in their habitat and water quality characteristics. Gill netting and trap netting effectively sample Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Black Crappie. The population trends of those species are described by this survey.

Population trends of Largemouth Bass and Muskellunge are not described by this survey. Largemouth Bass are sampled by nighttime spring electrofishing, and Muskellunge are sampled by large-frame trap netting during the spring. These sampling methods were not done during the 2022 survey.

Water Characteristics

Water clarity has been improving in Lake Minnetonka over the past several decades. The Northwest Bays are most fertile, primarily because they are the first recipients of the majority of surface runoff from the watershed. The Upper Lakes are intermediate in fertility, while the Lower Lakes are, relatively, the least fertile. The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District more closely monitors water quality in Lake Minnetonka. For more specific, detailed information about Lake Minnetonka water quality, see the District's website (http://www.minnehahacreek.org/data-center).

Walleye

Despite a long history of stocking, Walleye abundance has remained low in Lake Minnetonka. In 2022, the Walleye catch rate of 2.5 fish per gill net was higher than the 1.7 fish/net caught in 2019. Walleye catch rate has modestly increased throughout all basins. In the Lower Lakes, Walleye catch rate increased from 1.2 fish/net in 2019, to 2.8 fish/net in 2022. The Upper Lakes saw an increase in catch rate from 1.8 fish/net in 2019, to 2.0 fish/net in 2022. In the Northwest Bays, catch rate increased from 2.3 to 2.7 Walleye/net.

Walleye in Minnetonka tend to be large. Length of sampled fish ranged from 10.9 to 26.4 inches. Fish averaged 19.1 inches and 2.6 pounds. Average length varied throughout the basins, with fish averaging smaller size in the Northwest Bays (16.6 inches) than in the Lower Lakes (20.5 inches) and the Upper Lakes (19.1 inches). Walleye grew to 16.2 inches by age-3.

Northern Pike

The Northern Pike population in Lake Minnetonka is healthy and naturally reproducing. Abundance has historically been high, and it remained so in 2022. The Lower Lakes held the highest abundance of pike, and the Northwest Bays held the lowest numbers. The Northwest Bays also held the larger fish, where the average length was 24.7 inches. Average length in the Upper Lakes was 22.6 inches and in the Lower Lakes it was 21.2 inches. The largest Northern Pike in the 2022 survey was 35.4 inches and caught in the Lower Lakes.

As part of the North-Central Zone, Northern Pike harvest in Minnetonka is regulated by a possession limit of 10 fish, not more than 2 fish exceeding 26 inches, while respecting a 22-26 inch protected slot.

Yellow perch

Yellow Perch are important forage in Lake Minnetonka. Compared to similar lakes, perch abundance in Minnetonka was low in 2022. The fish have historically tended to be small in Minnetonka, however, recently there has been an increase in size structure. Lake-wide, 14% of the sampled Yellow Perch exceeded 8 inches. The increase in overall size structure was driven by the perch in the Upper Lakes, where 25% of the fish exceeded 8 inches, and in the Northwest Bays, where 21% of the sampled fish exceeded 8 inches. None of the perch sampled in the Lower Lakes exceeded 8 inches. The largest Yellow Perch sampled in 2022 was 8.6 inches.

Muskellunge

Muskellunge were not targeted during this survey, but two fish were incidentally sampled in the gill nets. The fish were 35.9 and 50.2 inches in length.

A research study is currently taking place in Lake Minnetonka comparing the survival of stocked fingerling and yearling Muskellunge. Stocked fish were tagged in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012. Muskellunge were tagged with a yellow external tag near the dorsal fin on the fish's left side. These tags are labeled with a six-digit number. Angler reports of captured tagged Muskellunge are essential to the success of this project. If you catch a tagged muskellunge please record the tag number and length of fish and report the catch via the Tagged Fish Reporting page within the MNDNR website ( https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries/tagged_fish_reporting/index.html ). Please DO NOT remove the tag. Please contact the West Metro Area Fisheries Office with questions.

Largemouth Bass

Although electrofishing for bass was not done in 2022, the Largemouth Bass population in Lake Minnetonka has a reputation for quality fishing. Numerous bass tournaments are held on the lake every year. In 2022, eight permitted bass tournaments reported their catch. A total of 792 tournament anglers caught 1,681 Largemouth Bass and 29 Smallmouth Bass during these events. Average Largemouth Bass size was 2.58 lb and the largest recorded was 8.00 pounds and 23 inches. Since tournament bass anglers target the largest individuals in a population, it is common for angling results to yield larger size fish, on average, than standard sampling. Additionally, individual tournaments may enact their own minimum size limits, thus adding to a larger-fish size bias.

Lake Minnetonka was most recently electrofished for bass in 2016. During that survey, 138 Largemouth Bass were sampled, with an average size of 9.9 inches and 0.66 pounds. The largest fish was 18.7 inches in length.

Bluegill and Other Fish Species

Bluegill and Black Crappie are abundant in Lake Minnetonka. Trap netted Bluegill averaged 6.2 inches, and the largest individual, caught in a gill net, was 8.9 inches. Black Crappie averaged 8.3 inches, and the largest individual measured 12.0 inches. Consistent natural reproduction of these species have ensured quality angling opportunities.

Smallmouth Bass were sampled only in the Lower Lakes. Four fish were present in the gill nets, ranging in size from 10.1 to 18.3 inches. Average length of Smallmouth Bass was 13.7 inches.

Other species sampled in the 2022 survey include Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead, White Sucker, and Bowfin.

Invasive Aquatic Species

Eurasian water milfoil and curly leaf pondweed are found in high abundance throughout the lake and in 2010 zebra mussels and flowering rush were first found to be present. Lake Minnetonka receives heavy recreational use, so potential for the spread of invasive species into and out of the lake is high. Anglers and boaters should take the precautions-and follow statewide laws-- necessary to prevent the further spread of all invasive species.

The shoreline and watershed of Lake Minnetonka is highly developed, which degrades the lake's aquatic habitat. Large docks, boating platforms, and man-made beaches have the potential to destroy vital habitat for fish and wildlife. Environmentally conscious land use practices, such as shoreline buffer strips of natural vegetation and fallen woody debris, are necessary to maintain or improve water quality of Lake Minnetonka. Shoreline development should be a concern to everyone who enjoys lake recreation.