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Lotus Lake

elvis1
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elvis1 Contributor

elvis1

Posted
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Just moved out to Chanhassen. i've fished Minnetonka quite a bit. Was looking for new local lake to fish in Chanhassen and I came across Lotus Lake. There were 3 people fishing it on Saturday. The walk from the public access to the north-east holes takes you right across the middle of the lake. I was thinking about testing it this weekend. Does anyone know about ice conditions on this lake? Any springs or soft spots to watch out for? Otherwise guess I'll spud every 10 - 20 yds or so as I walk.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Clayburn Enthusiast

Clayburn

Posted
Posted

You should be just fine on lotus most of the smaller lakes have about three to four inches of ice. Good luck, there's some nice walleyes if you can find them.

elvis1 Contributor

elvis1

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hey thanks for the help!

i'll let you know if we do any good...

Failin'onPhalen Collaborator

Failin'onPhalen

Posted
Posted

Has Elvis left the...forum?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I was thinking about trying to focus on Lotus this weekend, as I will be at the folks pad for some holiday cheer - Anyone been out and can throw me a bone related to the ice thickness? Much appreciated.

Failin'

Clayburn Enthusiast

Clayburn

Posted
Posted

There is a point mid lake west side that seems to be a good walleye spot. Honestly I only fish bass out there in the summer and when I've iced fished out there my bobber hasn't mooved. Keep in mind that the sunnies & crappies are dinky out there so you better have a shinner near bottom, if your looking for a meal. Ice should be at least 6 inches good luck!

[This message has been edited by Clayburn (edited 12-12-2003).]

elvis1 Contributor

elvis1

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Elvis is still on the forum.

Tried to get out there on Saturday. Used an old hand powered ice auger i had from my old man. Drilled a hole for about 25 minutes and made it about 3" deep. Since i had my wife with me 4 holes was going to take about 2 hrs to get set up. So I got frustrated and threw the auger down, it clipped the end of my sled and knowcked the minnow bucket over which sent minnows and water all inside my sled soaking my chairs and a hat... needless to say not much luck...

There was another guy out there in the morning and another in the afternoon on the northwest side.

there are 2 holes in the upper east bay that produce nice walleye and some pike....

gonna try to hit it this weekend again with hopefully a new auger smile.gif

hope you had better luck!

Clayburn Enthusiast

Clayburn

Posted
Posted

Hey Elvis you won't need a new auger just new auger blades. WalMart or any bait&tackle store should carry them for around $10.
FYI Lotus isn't a very good ice fishing lake.

elvis1 Contributor

elvis1

Posted
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Hey Clayburn thanks for all the help. Its nice to have people talk to you on a board when you're a newcomer.

Not so good on Lotus huh? Well here's my story... My father-in-law is comming up the day after Christmas to fish for the weekend. He came up last year and we went out with a guide on Minnetonka and slayed the walleye and pike on Cold Bay. Well this year he's comming up and we are spending the money on gear rather than a guide. Problem is I'm so busy that I only have a day on the weekend to try to get out to some spots . I'm gettin close to the 26th with no solid spot to take him yet.

I don't have a 4-wheeler so I need a couple spots where I can walk out to. I live off of 41 right by Lake Minnewashta.

Without giving away any of your secret spots are there any general areas you would recommend to go to. He's coming all the way from Ohio to go out so I don't want to dissapoint by going somewhere that sucks...

If you don't want to post it you could email me at [email protected].

Thanks, i really appreciate it.

Failin'onPhalen Collaborator

Failin'onPhalen

Posted
Posted

Elvis,
Sounds like you have quite a dahli-lamma (dilemma). You could spend the coin on the gear, but that don't get you the fish. Since you seem to have little time to pre-fish before your pa comes, getting a guide may be your best bet (depends on whether just being with your pa on the ice is enough or if fish is a requirement).

As indicated by my screen-name, I'm not the best advice giver, but I'll give 'er a go as it relates to lotus. I access this lake from the beach. I head directly out from the beach and find the deepest part and set-up. Perch are heavy during the day, but there is a window of time right at sunset that the perch clear out and the crappie come in (don't get too excited here, the craps are small - 5")....the crappies clear out and on occassion you can snag a walleye in that same time-frame. Not the most exciting lake for activity, but on average the walleye I have caught here are eaters (15"-22"). Early ice is best here, in my opinion.

I would recommend hitting some areas on Tonka. See if someone will help you out there. I fish Wayzata Bay most frequently and have had luck right out from the yacht club on the northeast side of the bay - about 15' of water (crappie, pike, walleye). I don't think this "spot" is a secret so you'll likely see others out there. Good luck with your pa.

Failin'

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