Lake Minnewaska Fishing Reports - Ice Conditions

[wetaline1]

Good. yes. yes. 10-20 fow

[LandDr]

Blackjack...ice is in really good condition. Probably 15 to 17 inches in most spots and good ice. Most people are driving out now and with the low snow cover you can drive just about anywhere.

Most spots you fish for panfish you can also pick up walleyes. We picked up three the last time we were out along with the gills, crappies and perch. Out from Lakeside, Crappie Town, Bottle Bay and even in on the shallower areas around School Bars are good spots to try. Mostly around the 16ft depth except around School Bars you might want to try in further to set up on the weed lines. There are several miles of these weedlines on Waska so there are lots of places to fish. Drill some holes and look around first with a camera until you find fish and then go after'em. Try the slow rise method if you are finding a tough bite. Good luck!

Fish On!

[BLACKJACK]

Thanks for the info Landr!!!

Do you have a lake map that shows Lakeside, Bottle Bay, etc?? Not familiar with those.. I DO know where Crappie Town is, you can see just by the number of houses!!!

[LandDr]

We have a free print out one at the counter that we write stuff on which you can take with you.

Lakeside is out from Lakeside Ballroom (south of Crappie Town)...Bottle Bay is west of Crappie Town. You will see clusters of houses in each of these areas...no big secret. But these are BIG areas so there is plenty of room to spread out.

As mentioned, you can drive just about anywhere on the lake. If you have a couple of guys with an auger and camera...send one guy out ahead drilling holes and the other following with the camera to cover some ice...you can go explore and find some really good untouched fish. Out from Peter's Resort, Baycrest, Swenson Point and all along the south side would be really interesting to explore. There are some great weedlines, milfoil and edges along that side...walleye and panfish!

Fish On!

[Hammertime0802]

Is this warm weather killing the ice or is the ice still holding enough to be able to pull houses out with trucks this weekend.

[Chad Peterson]

The ice conditions are fine. The warmer weather has not hurt the ice, but has melted the snow we have. But, as always be careful out there.

Sniffer

[Far-I]

Nice to hear about the ice conditions. Will be up this weekend for my son's annual Scout Ice Fishing Derby. Its our third year. Fishing right off the public beach. Not the most exciting structure, but we have fun!

The day after the derby the boy and I have had some luck in other spots (out in front of a supper club),for pike. Would love to target some crappies/bluegills this year! Which group of houses is crappie town? What are some of the other known areas? I figure I can just drive around and explore, but some common knowledge would be helpful, i can find my own honeyholes (just look in 10-20 FOW right? )

I have a detailed lake map if anyone would want to help point out the more "populated" spots that are common knowledge.....

[clayton08]

Lots of ice 15-17i drove across the lake today from bottle to breach area. I have an f150 and was pulling my 7by15 ice is solid...fished from 12-12 today bite was slow then picked up a little at sunset for about am hour landed 4 eyes and some very nice crappies even caught one on a small sucker. Bite was slow had to work the fish hard best jig I found was a big red stop sign crappies and walters were hiting it.

[123fish]

Can you get a car on the drive on spots on the Glenwood side?

[LandDr]

Got out yesterday for a little while before basketball at 7pm. Pretty much the same activity...a lot of fish on the flasher...but this time they were less active. I could get a chaser once in awhile but most of the time they just sniffed. We did manage a few nice eating crappies, a few nice gills, a pike and a 17 inch walleye. Even with the slower bite that is pretty good for about 2 hours. Pressure was very low so maybe that had something to with it but it is on its way up now so might have to try getting out later on today to see if the bite has changed. Plenty of fish being marked, just have to hit the bite.

We used the Lakeside Access and it was in great condition. The City has been taking care of it with their loader so it was pretty level onto the lake...very nice! From there you can pretty much go anywhere you want on the lake as there isn't a lot of snow...enough for banking the house but not any issues with driving.

Fish On!

[jnorm1984]

Can you get a car on the drive on spots on the Glenwood side?

Yep. You shouldnt have any problem

[123fish]

Thanks jnorm. We will be coming up late next week so I may check in one more time to see if anything changed.

[LandDr]

Budzers...got 10 gallons of freshwater shrimp in today if you want to stop by to see what they look like and how to use them. Several gallons are going out for stocking in duck ponds but we will hold some back for fishing.

Fish On!

[fishing_greg]

I love fishing with shrimp!!!

[Chad Peterson]

I love fishing with shrimp!!!

They catch gills like crazy too.

Sniffer

[Musky hunter 82]

Was out on Waska yesterday from 9am till about 4:30, we ended up keeping our limit of sunnies. You really needed to pick through the little ones but it made for a fun day of fishing. It was really fun catching 13-16" bass mixed in there as well, they really fight hard on 4 pound test and light gear.

[Selmer]

Musky hunter - where were you picking up those sunnies at? What part of the lake and depth? I'd love to bring some home, it's been a while!

[Musky hunter 82]

In 14-17 feet of water, we worked the east side of the lake off the private access, worked an area maybe 100yards long and 10-30 yards wide. before we found a small hole that must have been right on top of a patch of weeds, because we caught most of them in those two holes.

[fishing_greg]

I was out yesterday in the same area, ended up bringing only 12 home, only 4 were real nice size (about 9inches) the rest were smaller (around 7 inches if I had to guess) also caught lots and lots of small fish, three northern and one bass

[Selmer]

Thanks for the info, I'm bold to ask and didn't expect an answer. We didn't make it up there today, but I hope to do so soon.

[123fish]

Still able to drive a car on the Glenwood side ramps I assume? Coming up Friday. Bringing a cold front along of course.

[wetaline1]

[Please Read Forum Policy Before Posting Again, Thank You]

[Selmer]

No, but the MN River is open in places to fish from a boat and the fishing is very good. But I won't put my TRUCK on any lake in the Montevideo area.

[walleyestealer]

weekend wussies, love it. Its the land of ten thousand lakes and they all come here to Minnewaska. I donate to an association that stocks walleyes, for someone else to come and take before they get over 12 inches long. There should be a huge donation box at every landing on lake, to donate, to stock walleyes. This isnt even a walleye lake. Dont get me started on all those tiny sunnies that people drive hours to get. And dont get me started on all those fishing tournaments on lake minnewaska. Ok im done. probly just opened a can of worms.

[Selmer]

...and the money left by those visitors at bait shops, gas stations, restaurants, liquor stores, motels, local shops...

[Selmer]

BTW, having grown up in NE SD during the perch/walleye/northern boom of the mid/late 1990's and early 2000's, I fully understand the griping that you like to do, we did it to - about guys with MN license plates.

[LandDr]

Please stick to fishing reports.

The local businesses appreciate all visitors to the Minnewaska area...I would personally like to thank them all for coming to our area and supporting the local businesses...thank you and we need you!!

The accesses on the lake are in great condition (except City Beach which I would avoid)...ice conditions are great with 17 to 18 inches of ice being reported...the bite cycles up and down but still is very good. The crappie bite in the evening is really good and very fun to work the crappies. Picking up some walleyes as well. Lots of pike.

Fish On!

[frozenminnow]

Well the frozenminnow crew is coming up this thursday-monday(From Wisco), and we are going to take all the bottle bass from the lake so nonbody will have any left. Don't worry we will donate boat loads of money to the local bars to re-stock the lake. We are serious fisherman.

[LandDr]

Excellent!

It is WINTERAMA this weekend...Polar Plunge and Minnow Eating contest. Should we sign a few of you frozen minnows up for these events?

Check out all the fun at GlenwoodLakesArea.org for all the events.

Looking forward to some good photos of the Frozen Minnow "catch" and reports.

Fish On!

[fishadb]

There is plenty of lake for everyone, and with good ice and little snow it is easy to get away from the crowd and find fish in new areas