Ice Fishing in Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota

Ice Fishing in Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota

walleye image by Elena Vdovina from Fotolia.com

Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota, is a 14,000-plus acre lake to the west of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Lake Minnetonka is a resort destination with many lodges, hotels and guided tourism activities. The lake is also a popular fishing getaway and destination, including ice fishing during the long and cold Minnesota winters. Walleye is the top sport fish at the lake during the ice-fishing season. If you are heading to the lake, you will need a valid Minnesota fishing license.

Walleye Seasons and Tips

Drill your ice hole and go for the big one
ice fishing image by Inger Anne Hulbækdal from Fotolia.com

Walleye is by far the most popular species to fish for on Lake Minnetonka during winter. Using jigging spoons at a depth of around 30 feet yields results. Fish between sundown and one hour past for good walleye strikes. The months between December and March are the times to go out and drill an ice hole to go for the bottom dwelling fish. In addition to the jigging spoons, try using fatheads for walleye. The staff at Kirby's Baits in Mound, Minnesota, are available for tips, bait, tackle and fish talk.

Kirby's Bait
2630 Commerce Blvd.
Mound, MN 55364
952-472-1884

Erickson Guide Services

Plan on spending time in ice shacks when fishing during wintertime in Minnesota.
ice fishing huts on a frozen river image by GoodMood Photo from Fotolia.com

Erickson Guide Services offers a range of guided fishing trips and charters, including ice fishing during the winter months. Half- and full-day rates are available. Ice fishing trips are booked on a custom basis. All fishing gear, heated ice shack, guide and bait are provided with guide fees. You need to provide all cold-weather gear and clothing, winter boots, sunglasses, lunch and any drinks and beverages you may need for the day. Hand and foot warmer packs are recommended. You will need to provide a valid Minnesota fishing license to your guide before fishing.

Erickson Guide Services
5025 Avon Dr.
Mound, MN 553
612-801-5058
ericksonguide.com

Ice House Rentals and Self-Guided Fishing

It's cold out there! Dress accordingly and know how to recognize early symptoms of hypothermia.
ice fishing image by Bruce MacQueen from Fotolia.com

If you wish to ice fish on your own or with a family group, there are ice house rentals available at Lake Minnetonka. Fish House Rental will assist in bringing your rented ice fishing house to locations along the lake, including the upper and lowers portions. There are rates for half day, day and multiday rentals. In addition, Ice House Rentals will assist with fishing advice, tips and bait choices. There are optional generator and ice auger rentals, fishing gear rentals and cots. There are several different sizes of ice house to rent, depending on your needs and the size of your fishing party. Fish House Rentals also offers guided ice fishing trips should you decide to have the benefit of local knowledge.

Ice House Rentals
612-366-5588
fishhouserentalmn.com

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

Write for Trails.com
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