Minnetonka Walleye Survey

[Minnetonka]

I have been having a tough time with Minnetonka walleyes in the last couple of weeks. I am curious if I am on a really bad streak, or, is everyone else haveing a tough time as well. I do not want anyones "spots" here. Just respond to this post if you have caught a walleye (any size) in the last week or so. I would like to know the number, general size, time of day and depth caught. Thanks

[markkstanley]

It has been my experience that Tonka walleyes just disappear about now. I might catch one every third time out or so for the rest of the ice season and I have fished a lot of the west end structure. It's crappie and pike time for me.

[fishnutbob]

Mark.

I have the same opinion about Mtka Walleyes I have caught some limits before Ice but thats late fall fishing on the west end after first ice it can still be good, but after that Im like you an chase crappies and sunfish I like that action and they taste good.

[fishin_spooge]

I have found the same to be true and have myself questioning if there are any big walleyes. I usually fish the east side of the lake and have found tons of walleyes all around 10 inches long. Eventually you would think a guy would run into a few big ones.

Justin

[fishnutbob]

Justin,

Why beat your self up trying to catch a walleye on Tonka, Hellow, Ive lived six miles from tonka the last 30 years. the Walleyes have plenty too eat, target the panfish or Pike the pike and panfish are easy to catch and much more fun and they taste real good cooked in peanut oil.

When I fish walleye I head north to a lake I know I can get some walleye, driving no problem pick a lake that gives you the best chance to catch what your after. Ill head to Rainy in the winter and its a long drive but The walleye bite good, I cant stare down a hole and not see fish on the vex. give me the action.

[markkstanley]

There are plenty of big walleyes in Tonka - I catch 8 to 10lbers every fall. But I haven't solved the riddle of where to find them thru the ice in Jan and Feb.

[fishnutbob]

Mark, Those are very nice walleyes, from tonka. And Mark Im not trying to one up you.

You see that walleye in my Avatar, That fish is 11lb 9ozs, 31.5" with a 17" girth caught, Oct the 16th 2004 on Rainy Lake, My buddy the next morning gets a 12lb 8ozs 32" 18" girth and beats me. Now last fall the largest we released was 13lbs trolling plugs, how do you like me now.

Mark,I may be able to help you solve the riddle of where the walleyes are in Jan. and Feb.on Tonka for a fee of course. Bob's West Metro Quide service and I don't take American Express.

[Guest]

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There are plenty of big walleyes in Tonka - I catch 8 to 10lbers every fall. But I haven't solved the riddle of where to find them thru the ice in Jan and Feb.

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The only *big* walleyes I have ever got from Tonka in the winter time was fishing Pike in Excelsior bay with suckers under a tip up in less than 12'. We have gotten quite a few upper 20" class fish over time, but never any regularly. 1 here, 2 there(once/twice a season). Fun bonus fish to watch swim away when the stars line up just right in the middle of the day. Where to target them? I have no idea.

[oil painter]

Just a thought has anyone ever tried rock pile off bracketts point out in the main basin? only way to get there is 4 wheeler or snowmobile but it seems logical

[markkstanley]

Are we talking a sandwich and a beer for the West Metro Guide service When it comes to walleyes I only care about big ones. Saw one that pushed 14lbs two years ago and that's what I am after.

[wishahzafishin]

I have gotten out about 5 times, tried different spots in Wayzata and Browns bay. WB produced only dinks, fishing around 20 FOW. Browns was better for me. Picked my spot, drilled some holes in 30 FOW and within 1/2 hr I had a quick run of hits. Unforunately I am too quick to the draw - can't seem to keep myself from setting the hook too quick and I missed about three NICE HARD hits, then got one all the way to the hole, saw about a three pounder and "boink" - off comes the hook. And NO I would not have released him. I don't get to go fishing very often (thats why I'm "wishahzafishin") so my ten fish a year won't hurt the fishery!

I will continue to chase down the occaisional walleye even if it means I get skunked now an then. Just can't seem to get excited about any other fish right now.

I did talk to some guys who fished the sharp main lake breaks Sunday night that did pretty good by moving tip-ups from deep to shallow as the night went on.

[fishnutbob]

Mark,

If you only care about big one's you need to go to a lake that has trophy big fish in numbers Like Rainy. or Mille lacs

Fall trolling big plugs does the job, when the smelt or whitefish or tullies come shallow in the fall to spawn, the big walleyes follow. This is your best chance to get a true trophy walleye over 11lbs. You can pound the water on Tonka all you want but you need to go to a big walleye lake in the fall,that has the smelt etc, a lake like those grow big walleyes. Location location then presentation. Good Luck

Sandwich and a beer wont do it, 30 years of fishing Tonka is worth more than that. Two beers and some Jigs.

[tweedlap]

Mark, sounds like you should offer: a scoop shovel and a new pair of gloves.

tweed

[fishnutbob]

tweed,

Sorry but I dont need a shovel, would you like mine, Ill let you use it. Seems like you might need it, do you have a fishing report? to share.

[fishnutbob]

Wish,

Keep working at it that area has good structure, If you can get to diamond reef you might find a few, or find the weed edge as it drops to deep water and try that. Good luck

[markkstanley]

I do fish the big pond in the fall and go up to Rainy now and again. I also fish Pool 2 and 4 heavily in the spring. My current best did come out of Pool 4 but numbers 2 thru 8 all came out of Tonka. All were over 10lbs. Haven't cracked 8lb on Mille Lacs but fall fishing up there is a gas. I know some 12 to 14 lb eyes are swimming in Tonka and I'm going to get me one. Current best there is 11lb and change four falls ago. Tonka is not the numbers lake like LOTW, Rainy or Mille Lacs but it is a trophy walleye lake in my book. Now if you could put me on some 2lb crappies I'll up the fee to a beer and a sandwich, a handful and jigs and $17. How's that?

[fishnutbob]

Mark,

We might have a deal, I dont know about 2lb crappies but a 1lb or better is realistic. Im heading to Red this Fri, maybe later next week we could look for a few. Bob

[Ice9]

I agree with the brotherhood...few fish, pretty big, potential for some biguns. I'd love to fish north but time don't permit. So I hit TOnka for two hour spurts. Would love to find some crappies in January. I can catch them in march.

ice

[Hoffer]

I dont know if this will help you catch any eyes on tonka - but thught I would share something from last year. 2 times we were out fishing for Northerns with tipups and larger shiners. We were only in 10 feet of water right near the weeds. Twice we had flags go up right around sundown and were expecting Northerns - when we brought up walleyes about 3.5 pounds. We had the bait up about 3 feet off the bottom and had big old 02 size kahle hooks on for Northerns! It was quite a surprise - but it happened 2 different nights in the same area. A few weeks later I was reading a fishing magazine and it was talking about "weed walleyes" they were saying that some eyes like to hang out in the thick weeds in "shallow" water. I guess we were just close enough to the weed edge that our baits enticed a few walleyes out of these weeds. Just very strange!! never associated eyes with being in 10 feet of water in the thick weeds - especially in the middle of winter.

[markkstanley]

A bunch of us were out last night. Moby1, Tonka Boy, Tim L and Realtor Boy. I bet we caught 30 crappies apiece at least. Sadly nothing much over 9" but they were smacking everything in sight. Minnows, Gulp, waxies, even shrimpos with no bait. Needed a little red or pink color and you were go to go. I'll be going out Sat PM either to the same spot or an area nearby if you want to go chase crappies.

As for walleyes on weed edge - that is a key spot on Tonka. I seldom go deeper than 18ft. Seems the dinks all hang out in deeper water. The trick is to find the weed edges the bigger walleyes are using. It changes depending on water temps, weed decay and some other factors I haven't quite figured out yet. Your spot from last year may not work this year.

[Realtor Boy]

Will probably see you out there Mark, I will be heading out to the same spot again for some crappies