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Just looking for any insight to how eveyone did on the opener, just got back into town. Whats the water temp at, could not believe how hot is was when we got back.

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I went out on Waconia saturday afternoon and caught the skunk. I am new to Waconia... I mainly fish tonka, but I am trying to learn the lake. I haven't had much luck there. I was trying for pike tossing spinners, cranks, and big jig and plastics. I tried shallow weeds, deep weeds, and weed edges... nothing. I don't know what I did wrong, but I got spanked.

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On the water at 5 a.m., air temp was 50 and water temp was 63.8. One 20" walleye on a jig and minnow. Could not keep the bass off!

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Cupper,

I know some may argue with me, but Waconia isn't the best lake to fish for numbers of Pike. Every so often you can hook into a dandy there.

This time of year, I throw for them on the north side before the cabbage gets too high off bottom, outside the north reeds and the shallower areas of Reinke's reef.

Also, try outside the docks of Wagner's bay starting from the gravel access up to Harm's point.

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I will not argue.

Most times we can't get an accidental pike on Waconia, but every year you see the dandy pike images at In-Towne from winter fishing. Maybe it is a quality versus quantity fishery, which isn't so bad I guess.

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Im sure if you cast your lures for at least 4 to 6 hours out on the lake you should at least catch 3 pikes wouldnt you?

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We opened on Waconia and did real well on the walleyes! we caught 14 for the end of the day total only two fish were under the slot the biggest was a 28 incher. It was a good opener for the Sealegs!!

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Any new reports?

I will be out there tonight looking for the elusive Walter.

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we were out last night and picked up 1 eye in about 11' just out of the wind. A few bites but no takers. Fished with fatheads and lindys

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reef runner,

heading out for the first time tonight after dark, will be out in a green 18' lund fisherman. will try to report in the am. Have not heard alot of possitive from anyone that has been out yet.

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Bumpin' this one up...any new reports? Going to try Waconia for the first time for an evening this week. Any tips?

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Sunday evening 5/20, water temp 61.5. Two 17" walleyes on a jig and minnow. Bass are still a nuisance and a muskie chasing hooked fish. Got to love those rolling waves.

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5/21

Hurry over the sheephead bite was hot!!! 1 Bass and finally left after the 8th sheephead.

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Sounds like the drum run is on!! Can you blame them? They're getting anxious to spawn, don't let the word out, people will come from throughout the midwest to take advantage of this hot bite!

Seriously, Any size to those sheepies? Usually you're in the right ballpark if you start hooking em out there.

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Fished on Sunday for 6 hours. One perch and lost one real big eye at the side of the boat. Couldn't seem to convince any other takers. I tried all depths and a bunch of the reefs. I was using leechs, crawlers and cranks, no minnows in the boat, maybe that would have worked.

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Tried my first summer walleye fishing on Waconia this past sunday. Set out in the morning, landed boat, ran to marina to buy some minows, then headed to Andersons. As I was setting up my sons rod and reel, he said "I'm cold, I wanna go home". So, I called home and my wife came and got him. I stayed out for about twenty minutes longer, but I too was done in by the cold, so I headed home.

Later in the afternoon, I decided to try again, especially since I had a dozen shiners that would go to waste. Tried a few different spots. Shiner on spinner rig, shinner under slip bobber, and shad rap trolling, but couldnt get a bite. On my way out I gave the rest (minus 3) of my shiners to someone that was heading out to fish.

Being this is my first boat I'm finding that fishing aint like it was when I was a kid and fished with my dad. He knew how to do everything and I didnt have to know how.... Now I have to learn how to do it my self.

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Last sheephead was in that 4-5 lbs range, thought I had a dandy eye, nice couple of runs, good head shake and then, another sheephead. that was enough, just wish I had the kids with to enjoy the fight.

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Fished with my son last night from 8 to 10. One nice pike, a couple of perch and 2 drums all on a jig/leech.

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Was out last night for a while with 2 of my friends on a couple different reefs in anywhere from 10 to 20 FOW. We managed to get 3 walleyes (2 20+ and 1 18-19), lots of sheepies, a nice group of big sunnies, and one perch. The leeches were hard to keep on the line but we managed the 3 walleyes on those. All the other fish in the spots liked them too. Lost some fatheads also. We were using jigs with glo red and chartreuse/green being the walleye producers with gold and white producing nothing but sheepies. We got a call while on the lake to come over to a dock on the lake and see a northern my buddies brother caught with a red eye spoon it was a bout 6 to 7 pounds nice looking fish. That went back in the water as did all of our fish except the walleyes. grin.gif

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was out last night, 2 eyes 13" and a nice fat 19". Tough fishing. Lake was like glass, don't see that very often.

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Was out last night...three drums and a couple of perch. If anyone had any success with the walleyes, I'd love to tell you about what not to do; in exchange for some insight.

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toomuchfun?

Just wanted to say thanks for your post, i think those types of posts are just great, for those of us at work, it was great to relive your experience and you gave great information with out giving up any secrets. That to me is just a fantastic post. thank you for sharing.

I used to fish Waconia a ton as a kid but now just about once a year as I usually go to the cabin on leech (I married well wink.gif ) But I always loved fishing out there and never knowing what was going to be on the end of the line when fishing those reefs. Anyways, thanks again for the info and good luck to you...

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I caught limit of walleyes today out on Waconia... I have some hot spots saved in my GPS, so, I just gotta go from one spot to the others... Spend the time and money and learn how to catch these fish on there... It is worth it.!

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any new reports out there, heading out tonight after work

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I saw a 14 inch Crappie CPRed last night.

Wow it looked huge.

We were only able to get a few 14 inch bass with some spinner baits.

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I forgot to mention the 16 inch minimum on Walleyes on Waconia and with the statewide 1 over 20 inches that means that Waconia does have kind of the slot feel to it. 16 to 20 inches and 1 over 20 those are some nice fish though. I had to verify it with the DNR and thats the way it is.

cool.gif

Last I heard the reefs were still producing I don't know what's going on now that the wind finally calmed down some today.

Thanks for the kind words about my report Tweeder.

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Was out last night, fished from 7pm-12am, 1-12" walley 1 small bass and 2 sunfish, tough tough fishing, did not see another walley caught, to many fronts rolling thru maybe. Hopefully someone else is catching fish!!!

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I was also out last night from 8 p.m. until 11. I caught a 15 - 16" bass around 8:45 and had another fish on around 9 or 9:15 and that was it. The lightning to the west almost chased me off but it stayed to the west and with the moon out is was a great night to be on the lake!

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Was out tonight.. Caught a couple Bass, couple small eyes, a sunfish, and a bunch of sheephead (my first time catching them).

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
      ???? little early for that isnt it????   nice fish though!!!!!!1
    • Rick G
      Made it out for while on Monday.  Bite was crazy good, had fish suspended right below the ice.  
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end... Lake of the Woods ice fishing is still going strong.  Ice trails and ice roads are doing well.  Some anglers report slush when going off of the roads and creating their own trails.  Good idea to work through your favorite resort and outfitter this time of year.  Ice fishing is still readily available if you want to get out. Both day houses and sleeper houses are out and can be through March 31st.  The forecast ahead has high 30's during the day and teens at night.  Work through a resort or outfitter as they monitor conditions closely on their ice roads. The walleye and sauger season extends through April 14 and the pike season never closes.  Perch, eelpout, tullibees and crappies are also in season. A good week of fishing for some, mixed for others.  Walleyes seem to be moving this time of year.  If you are on them, it is normally good.  The combo of the jigging line and deadstick is working well.  One day they want it moving, the other, the deadstick is the ticket.   Huge pike continue to be active with good reports this week.  Setting up in 5 - 15 feet of water is the depth most anglers are targeting. On the Rainy River...   The morning / evening bite has been best for walleye anglers.  This time of year, extra caution is needed if fishing around moving water.     No open water fishing to report as of yet.  On the Rainy River, ice can go out quickly, only Mother Nature knows.  We will keep you posted. Remember, on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River, catch and release only for walleyes and saugers through April 14th.  The big lake is still open for harvesting walleyes and saugers through April 14th.  Up at the NW Angle... Good walleye and pike reports by anglers this week up at the Angle.   Like the south end, a plain hook or small glow jig with a live minnow has been working well.  Walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, big pike and eelpout in the mix. Crappies continue being caught on the Ontario side of the lake amongst the islands.  We recommend using a guide as ice conditions amongst the islands with current and neck down areas, etc.   For those looking to access the NW Angle while avoiding customs, snowmobiling across the lake on the marked trails are in good shape or utilizing the Lake of the Woods Passenger (bombardier) Service keeps you in Minnesota.  During the open water months, boating across or charter boat service is available keeps you out of Canada.  
    • Hookmaster
      Drove out again on Tonka yesterday late afternoon and fished sundown. Six other vehicles on the bay. Ice in great shape. Lost a lot of snow since last Wednesday. Snow melt starting to drain down the access so that'll go first. My hot spot was  still hot but not as many bigger crappie. Had to coax them a little to bite. Still got a 12 (inhaled the jigging spoon), a couple 11s and several 9-10. They were 80-90 feet away from where I caught them last week in 20-22' instead of 18-20' maybe because of the bright sun. Gotta love LiveScope for helping to find them. At 4:24 pm (spring solstice) I thought the fish might start jumping out of the holes or at least go on a ravenous bite, but nothing changed. When all that bit were little bluegill I went looking for the crappie and didn't find them. I did find 2 schools of sunfish. One in 15' that had 7" fish and one in 18' on a ridge between shoreline and a hump that separates 2 deeper holes. Those were 8" average.
    • Wanderer
      I rarely buy live bait in the summer also, with the exception of leeches.  But all of it needs to be kept cool and oxygenated so the bait coolers do prove their value.   You might want to shop around for bait prices though.  Maybe out of the 7 county metro you could call ahead.  I found decoy suckers for $3 each over the winter.
    • gimruis
      Part of my issue with live bait is that it generally results in a higher hooking mortality than artificial does, especially in the heat of summer.  95% of what I catch is intended to be released, so in order to maximize that, it helps to avoid using live bait.  I'm not saying you can't accidentally kill a fish with artificial that is deep hooked, because you certainly can.  But as a general rule, they are more often hooked in the mouth with artificial.   The cost is also ridiculous for some live bait too.  Crappie minnows and waxies aren't bad, but when you start talking shiners, jumbo leeches, and decoy suckers...it gets out of hand quickly.  The last time I bought a big decoy sucker for muskie fishing years ago, they were $14 each.  15 bucks for a dozen shiners and half of them are dead by the time you get to the lake?  Take my left arm too why don't ya.
    • Bloatlord
      End of April is my guess for lakes along the I90 corridor.
    • Rick
      A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management.Discuss below - to view set the hook here.
    • leech~~
      Great.  Have to swing by soon to see what they have, then over to Petti Bros for some jerky and sticks!  
    • Dash 1
      Great news. They opened last Wednesday. Sounds like it’s about twice as big. Looking forward to checking it out soon. 
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