Lake Virginia

Lake Virginia

Size
108ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
No
Species in Lake Virginia
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Walleye
Walleye

Overview

The bass population here offers both quality size and good numbers. This metropolitan lake is surrounded by 15 communities. Comprised of a series of smaller, interconnected lakes and bays that, when totaled, ranks as the 10th largest lake in Minnesota. 14,528 acres

Lake Virginia Map

Features

Located just west of the Twin Cities, Lake Minnetonka offer something for everyone. There are 15 communities and plenty of nice houses that surround a series of interconnecting lakes and bays, that when totaled, is rank as the 10th largest lake in Minnesota. Recreational traffic can be extremely heavy during the summer. However, if you can handle the traffic, Lake Minnetonka offers one of the top fisheries in the country. High-quality largemouth bass, bluegills, walleyes, muskies, crappies, smallmouth bass and northern pike are all available. Largemouth bass being the most popular, attracts many local and national bass tournaments every year. Many of the largest bass caught during the year come from Minnetonka. Anglers can expect good populations and above average size for most species.

Forage

Many different species of minnows are present and include; golden shiner, common shiner, emerald shiner, bluntnose shiner, brook silversides and darters. Juvenile panfish, perch and bullhead are also a favorite forage for many gamefish. Crawfish and suckers are also present.

Seasonal Movements

During the spring, walleyes move into rocks, sand and shallow shorelines to spawn. Spawning usually takes place from early May to mid-June. During the summer fish will move throughout the lake. Smallmouth bass will also move into shallow gravel and rock areas during the spring to spawn. Look for areas with gravel and small boulders which are preferred by smallmouths. From ice out to early summer crappies and bluegills also head for the shallows to spawn. There are many different shore fishing areas located around the lake that offer fantastic fishing opportunities for anglers.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
2-8 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2009
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2009
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
1997
Jun
2003
Jun
2009
Jun
Crappie
fish
5-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2009
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2009
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
1997
Jun
2003
Jun
2009
Jun
Largemouth bass
fish
7-15 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2009
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2009
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
1997
Jun
2003
Jun
2009
Jun
Muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Northern pike
fish
13-33 in
Length Range
24 in
Length Range
2009
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2009
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
1997
Jun
2003
Jun
2009
Jun
Perch
fish
5-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2009
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2009
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
1997
Jun
2003
Jun
2009
Jun
Pumpkinseed
fish
3-7 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2009
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2009
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
1997
Jun
2003
Jun
2009
Jun
Walleye
fish
15-22 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2009
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2009
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
1997
Jun
2003
Jun
2009
Jun