Tonka hotspot for eye's and crappie's

[Realtor Boy]

Last year I fished fished between spring park bay and phelps bay by the island out there and did very well on the crappies and northern's just about everytime we went out there. (15-20 times) I was wondering if anyone new of a spot perferably in the same area but not a must, that may bring up an occasional walleye along with a good crappie bite. The crappie bite is more a priority but would love to know that there are some eye's in the area. [email protected]

[BDR]

Welcome to FM! Sorry I can't help you much for Tonka. Check back in the pages there is a ton of info for Tonka.

[BobberTom]

has anyone been out to crystal bay. Thinking about heading there monday. any help is appreciated

thanks, Tom

[WalleyeSnob]

My buddy and I were out today. We fished from 6:30am to 7pm. Very disappointing day to say the least. Two small walleyes around 5pm and a few perch. Most of the day was spent around diamond reef along the weedlines in 17 ft of water. Not one flag all day on the weed edges. The two walleyes came on the rocks in 21 ft of water. It seems to me the fish are deeper. All of the guys we talked to were frusturated. One guy said he had been doing well in 30 ft and deeper for bigger eyes. The two walleyes were very aggressive and nailed red colored angel eyes. My advice is to go deep and keep moving.

[Realtor Boy]

thanks for the update Tom! I have been hearing some of the same thing's. What bay is that diamond reef near? I remember the where about's but misplaced my lake map over x-mas.

thanks man

[buzzsaw]

Hey Realtorboy, Diamond reef is a large area that is near Big Island, Fergusons point etc... you can get there by going through wayzata bay into the main part of the lake. Browns bay has always been a good producer for me in the past as well as the Arcola bridge area.

[Where's Walter?]

Deeper must be the key....was out last night 4-7pm on Brown's Bay near Brackett's Point in 15' of water and got nothing and saw nothing on the sonar!

Should have moved but was too lazy. Good luck this weekend guys!

[Neighbor]

WW,

Where you on the east or West side of Bracketts? I see alot of folk parking on the ice and walking out of the shoulder parking area on 15 right before Tanager bridge. How is it crossing that big pressure ridge of ice there?

There is also a lone perm house on the west side of Bracketts in Smith's bay, looks to be in about 15 FOW, is that you? I am heading out tonight and walking out to Brackets from Pauls Landing. If it is not raining to hard that is.

later

[Where's Walter?]

Sorry, a little slow on the reply. That lone house was not me. I was on the east side of the point, crossed the ridge right up next to shore at the end of the point, no problem. My four year old was amazed when we drove the snowmobile over it!

Hope ya did ok. I was right on the weedline and have no idea why we couldn't even get a perch or sunny to take a waxie on the little guy's line!

[Realtor Boy]

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[danny berg]

Has anybody tried Gray's Bay for crappies yet this year?

[Tonka Boy]

Realtor Boy,

To answer your question, the immediate area from Spring Park bay to Phelps is panfish country. Although walleyes are caught on occasion, they don't show up in numbers. Your best bet for a mix is going to be in Spring Park bay, straight out from the access on the hump...but odds are slim this late.

I've been fishing the lake for years, and probably know it as well as anyone. I can honestly say I haven't found a spot where I can consistantly catch a mixed bag of crops and walters. Minnetonka crappies are "bowl" (i.e open area) seakers, while the eyes stay close to structure (i.e. humps, points, reefs, etc.).

To efficiently cover all your bases, try hitting the walleye spots during the "hour before and after dusk" period. You won't need to stick around much longer than that hour past sunset. From there, pack up and head to crappie country. You can pretty much jump right on them any time w/o spooking them, and they will bite well into the night.

Sorry I didn't have the "perfect" answer for you. It all comes down to staying mobile and going to the fish. Your windows of opportunity are there...you just have to follow through. Good luck!

[tashit]

Thanks for the advice Tonka Boy, that was the "perfect" answer I was looking for. I've been out probably 5 times so far this year and have only managed 3 crappies, although a guy I was fishing with got 1 eye the other night and has caught a few more when I wasn't with him. It hasn't been that great but it's showing promise. I'm trying to learn the lake and there are so many spots I want to try but I think I'm starting to figure it out.

I always fight whether to try for eyes or crappies. I will take your advice and target eyes during the "hour before and after dusk", then try to find some crappies. Thanks for the advice!

[Realtor Boy]

Tonka boy-

Thank you so much for the info. I will try and do as much of that as possible. I have a perm. and sometimes it can be hard to be mobile, but huh I guess if you want to catch em you have to take the time and do it right. Thank you much and good luck to you on the ice.

[Michael8129]

About 12 years ago and previous to that for as long as I know and remember you could catch crappies ( with an occasional walleye and a few northerns) suspended in deep water holes in bays like Lafayette, Echo (tonka bay) and Gideons, There used to be a good group of houses on each of these spots. Every year they would bight all day all season some days a few other days a limit. I stop at these spots every year punch a few holes and try the locator and a line and ZIP!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing! Something has changed on tonka with regard to these places. We would also catch about equal numbers of black & White crappie .. any of you guys caught any whites outta tonka lately? So much for these open water raoming crappies in the winter I still get em in the evening in places like enchanted Isle and Phelps but around 20-25 feet and definitley evening bite.

[Neighboor]

Does anyone know if they are driving vehicles over or around the hard scrabble Ice heave.