Ice fishing

It won't be long!

The temperature looks like it will be falling next week. With lows in the teens and highs in the 20's we will be on our way to making some ice. This last week the water temp was in the low to mid 40's. So, if we do get some cold weather and not a lot of wind the ice will start to form.

I have started getting the winter rods ready along with the houses and generators. I still have a few generators to get the oil and spark plugs changed. And maybe get one new generator for this year since one went down last year.

I added a new enclosed Polaris Ranger 1000 with heat in it for this season. I had enough of the snow blowing on me while plowing the lake last year. It's only a 2 door but if you need a ride, you will be toasty warm now.

Once the ice is formed and thick enough to walk on, I will be out checking the ice thickness. And then scouting to see where the most fish are located at. Early ice last season produced some good numbers and size of crappies. Some crappies up to 13" were caught. Early ice is always the best time for walleye fishing too. The lake is in great shape for crappies and walleye.

The Westonka walleye stocking program continues to improve the walleye fishing. Every fall they stock 10-13" walleyes. The survival rate is so much better then stocking fry and finger links. This fall there was some big ones caught so I think that will continue into the winter. The best way to fish the walleye is to jig a spoon with the head of a minnow with one pole and then have a shiner or fathead on a rattle reel. Low light periods are the best.

< Older Post

November full moon walleyes.

By Todd S • November 12, 2025

The weather has really cooled off the last week. The water temps have now dropped into mid to upper 40's on Lake Minnetonka. The full moon we had last week did help put some walleye into the boat. The biggest one was this 27"er. But we are still catching fish that are good eater size 16-19" too. Trolling crankbaits in 4-8' of water is still working, but minnows under a float will work too. The best time for us has been just before it gets dark out or just after. Put those headlamps on. This might be the last week in the boat, but we will see what the weather brings us. I have been booking quit a few fish house rentals this last week. So, if there is a date you are looking for do it sooner than later. The corporate groups are locking them down to make sure they can get most of my houses for their big groups. Or if you're just looking for 1 house on a weekend my Saturdays fill up pretty quickly. The ponds are starting to get a little ice on the edges, so we know it's a start and won't be long before old man winter shows up.