Lake Minnetonka

Lake Minnetonka

Size
13,858ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
Yes
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Lake Minnetonka
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Northern pike
Northern pike
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Walleye
Walleye
Perch
Perch
Rock bass
Rock bass
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
White bass
White bass

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 Minnetonka 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
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
92.0417
0Statewide Range74.0278

Lake Minnetonka Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2019
Jun
2022
Jun
Crappie
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
1.875
0Statewide Range10.4166

Lake Minnetonka Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2019
Jun
2022
Jun
Largemouth bass
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.3333
0Statewide Range3.6668

Lake Minnetonka Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2019
Jun
2022
Jun
Muskellunge
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.0833
0Statewide Range0.5001

Lake Minnetonka Muskellunge abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2019
Jun
2022
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized muskellunge based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202250
201648
Northern pike
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
12.1667
0Statewide Range19.75

Lake Minnetonka Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2019
Jun
2022
Jun
Perch
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.0833
0Statewide Range43.5833

Lake Minnetonka Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2019
Jun
2022
Jun
Pumpkinseed
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
5.2083
0Statewide Range8.4166

Lake Minnetonka Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2019
Jun
2022
Jun
Rock bass
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
1.125
0Statewide Range4.2223

Lake Minnetonka Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2019
Jun
2022
Jun
Smallmouth bass
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.1667
0Statewide Range3.4167

Lake Minnetonka Smallmouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2019
Jun
2022
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized smallmouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202218
201918
Tiger muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance 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
Walleye
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
2.5
0Statewide Range16.9168

Lake Minnetonka Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2019
Jun
2022
Jun
White bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance 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