We drilled about 50 holes today (1/5/24) for another quick ice update. On our check we headed out toward Center Reef, turned toward Harm’s point and then back to the Marina. 12.5 to 13 inches was most of what we measured. The ice is “leveling out” and getting more consistent in thickness.
We opened our access to cars and trucks up to ½ ton pick-ups to use our access. We will NOT be allowing cars and trucks to tow houses behind them yet. ATV's and Side by Sides for pulling single axle houses is allowed for now.
Before driving out on the ice, if you have not been keeping up with our reports this season, either re-read our previous posts from this winter or stop in to talk with us about areas to avoid going.
Access fees per day are $2 to walk on (per person 16 years and older) and $5 to drive on (ATVs, Side-by-Sides, Snowmobiles, Cars and Trucks). A Winter Access Season Pass is $40.
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Saturday, January 4, 2025
In Towne Marina Lake Waconia Ice Report - 1/4/25
Happy Saturday! The ice growth continues during this good cold stretch. Today (1/4/25), Ben drilled a bunch of holes and found ice thicknesses ranging between 11.5 to 12.5 inches. So, from yesterday to today we gained about an inch of ice! Excellent news! For today, we will still only be allowing ATV’s and Side-by-Sides with single-axle wheelhouses through our access.
Knowing we’ll make even more ice overnight, tomorrow (1/5/25) we will be allowing cars and trucks up to ½ ton pick-ups to use our access. We will NOT be allowing cars and trucks to tow houses behind them yet.
Before driving out on the ice, if you have not been keeping up with our reports this season, either re-read our previous posts from this winter or stop in to talk with us about areas to avoid going.
Access fees per day are $2 to walk on (per person 16 years and older) and $5 to drive on (ATVs, Side-by-Sides, Snowmobiles, Cars and Trucks). A Winter Access Season Pass is $40.
Knowing we’ll make even more ice overnight, tomorrow (1/5/25) we will be allowing cars and trucks up to ½ ton pick-ups to use our access. We will NOT be allowing cars and trucks to tow houses behind them yet.
Before driving out on the ice, if you have not been keeping up with our reports this season, either re-read our previous posts from this winter or stop in to talk with us about areas to avoid going.
Access fees per day are $2 to walk on (per person 16 years and older) and $5 to drive on (ATVs, Side-by-Sides, Snowmobiles, Cars and Trucks). A Winter Access Season Pass is $40.
Friday, January 3, 2025
In Towne Marina Lake Waconia Ice Report - 1/3/25
Happy Friday! Avery was on the ice yesterday and Ben joined him today for some ice thickness checking. This cold is helping build ice back. Yesterday Avery found between 10 to 11 inches of ice. Today they found 10.5 to 11.5 inches with a lot of it around 11.
Since the ice thicknesses are growing, we are now allowing ATV’s and Side-by-Sides with Single Axle fish houses. No Tandems yet. We are NOT allowing cars or trucks to use the access yet either. We’ll let you know when we have enough ice for that.
We’ll see you on the ice!
Since the ice thicknesses are growing, we are now allowing ATV’s and Side-by-Sides with Single Axle fish houses. No Tandems yet. We are NOT allowing cars or trucks to use the access yet either. We’ll let you know when we have enough ice for that.
Quick reminder, as we've mentioned before, we no longer sell fishing licenses or fish house licenses.
We’ll see you on the ice!
Saturday, December 28, 2024
In Towne Marina Lake Waconia Ice Report - 12/28/2024
The ice on Lake Waconia is hanging in there. This stretch of warm weather and rain has taken care of the snow covering Lake Waconia. Ice thicknesses remain mostly unchanged where we checked this morning. 9 to 11 inches of softer but still good ice is what we found on our short check today. There is some water standing on the ice in areas but nothing very deep. Walking around is slippery but easy with cleats right now on the ice.
As of today we are still allowing ATV and Side by Sides with NO skid or wheel houses yet. When temps drop after the New Year we will start to grow ice quick!
See you on the ice
As of today we are still allowing ATV and Side by Sides with NO skid or wheel houses yet. When temps drop after the New Year we will start to grow ice quick!
See you on the ice
Monday, December 23, 2024
In Towne Marina Lake Waconia - 12/23/24 - Bait Shop Hours and Access Update
Bait Shop Hours…
-Christmas Eve: 9 am to 3 pm
-Christmas Day: CLOSED
-Monday through Friday: 9 am to 5 pm
-Saturday and Sunday: 8 am to 5 pm
At this time, we are only allowing ATVs, Side-by-Sides and Snowmobiles through our access. Because of the warm-up and rain predicted after Christmas, we are still not allowing skid house or wheelhouses through our access. We expect things to get a little sloppy on the lake. The good news is the snow will diminish and once it gets cold again after the New Year, the ice will grow quicker without the insulation of the snow. In the meantime, if you currently have a fish house on the ice and decide to leave it during this warm-up, keep a very close an eye on it during that time.
We are patiently waiting for better conditions on the lake before we place our rental fish houses and look forward to renting soon.
Have a Merry Christmas!
-Christmas Eve: 9 am to 3 pm
-Christmas Day: CLOSED
-Monday through Friday: 9 am to 5 pm
-Saturday and Sunday: 8 am to 5 pm
At this time, we are only allowing ATVs, Side-by-Sides and Snowmobiles through our access. Because of the warm-up and rain predicted after Christmas, we are still not allowing skid house or wheelhouses through our access. We expect things to get a little sloppy on the lake. The good news is the snow will diminish and once it gets cold again after the New Year, the ice will grow quicker without the insulation of the snow. In the meantime, if you currently have a fish house on the ice and decide to leave it during this warm-up, keep a very close an eye on it during that time.
We are patiently waiting for better conditions on the lake before we place our rental fish houses and look forward to renting soon.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 21, 2024
In Towne Marina Lake Waconia Ice Report - 12/19/2024
Yesterday (12/18) before the snow Avery was out checking ice thickness again on the side by side. The General ice thickness that he was finding was right around 9 inches. Finding as little as 8 inches but up to 10 being mixed in as well. He drove around Waconia Bay, Cemetery, Center and Pillsbury reefs and then down to Wagener’s bay.
He headed behind the island to check for some of the known areas for spring activity. Avery was able to find and mark one of the springs north of the island. In general the springs do not seem as active this year but still use caution when traveling to known spring areas. The new snow cover on the lake will make it difficult to spot the differences in ice.
The goose and swan hole off the northeast corner of the island is shrinking but remains open water as of now. Avery was able to mark the south side of the bird hole with sticks and flagging tape. Give this area plenty of room if in the area
As of early this afternoon the snow we have received is light and fluffy but has created deeper drifts in spots. Atv’s and SxS’s can still get around (with tire chains) on the lake. The snow and wind are still whipping so conditions will probably get tougher after this report goes out. Unfortunately the snow will impact foot traffic more, making it difficult if pulling a sled.
Walleye fishing remains steady for anglers in the evening. 12 to 18 feet of water jigging with fatheads or a set line with a shiner has been the ticket. Some anglers are having success with crappies in Waconia Bay around 10 to 14 feet of water using jigs tipped with small minnows or euro larva. Also, on the south weed line in Wagener’s Bay. Sunfish have been active during the daytime in similar areas along with parts of Pillsbury and Center reef. For those looking to spear the water clarity is great as of now and the pike have been active.
At this time at our access we will still be allowing Atv’s, SXS’s, Snowmobiles etc. Small trailers will be allowed behind them as long as your machine has chains. We are NOT allowing wheel houses yet mostly because of the weight of the snow on the ice.
He headed behind the island to check for some of the known areas for spring activity. Avery was able to find and mark one of the springs north of the island. In general the springs do not seem as active this year but still use caution when traveling to known spring areas. The new snow cover on the lake will make it difficult to spot the differences in ice.
The goose and swan hole off the northeast corner of the island is shrinking but remains open water as of now. Avery was able to mark the south side of the bird hole with sticks and flagging tape. Give this area plenty of room if in the area
As of early this afternoon the snow we have received is light and fluffy but has created deeper drifts in spots. Atv’s and SxS’s can still get around (with tire chains) on the lake. The snow and wind are still whipping so conditions will probably get tougher after this report goes out. Unfortunately the snow will impact foot traffic more, making it difficult if pulling a sled.
Walleye fishing remains steady for anglers in the evening. 12 to 18 feet of water jigging with fatheads or a set line with a shiner has been the ticket. Some anglers are having success with crappies in Waconia Bay around 10 to 14 feet of water using jigs tipped with small minnows or euro larva. Also, on the south weed line in Wagener’s Bay. Sunfish have been active during the daytime in similar areas along with parts of Pillsbury and Center reef. For those looking to spear the water clarity is great as of now and the pike have been active.
At this time at our access we will still be allowing Atv’s, SXS’s, Snowmobiles etc. Small trailers will be allowed behind them as long as your machine has chains. We are NOT allowing wheel houses yet mostly because of the weight of the snow on the ice.
Thursday, December 12, 2024
In Towne Marina Lake Waconia Ice Report - 12/12/24 - We open tomorrow, Friday 12/13/24 from 9 am to 5 pm!
We open for the winter season starting tomorrow, Friday, 12/13/24 from 9 am to 5 pm! On Saturday and Sunday, we will be here from 8 am to 5 pm. Next Monday through Thursday we will be open from 9 am to 5 pm. We will announce any changes to our hours later next week.
Today, Ben and Avery did a thorough ice check on parts of Lake Waconia! They drilled and measured hundreds of holes from 9:30 to 3 pm. They first measured out front of the marina, found 6.5 to 8 inches of ice and determined it was best to cover more ground with an ATV and small side-by-side. In the following areas where we drilled, we found…
Waconia Bay: 6.5 to 8 inches
Between the Marinas by the “Walleye Hump”: 6 to 8 inches
Cemetery Reef: 7 to 8 inches
Between the Coney Island and Lakeview Terrace AKA “Under the Wires”: 6.5 to 8 inches
Center Reef: 7 to 8 inches
Pillsbury Reef: 7 to 8 inches
Wagener’s Bay Deep Hole: 7 to 8 inches
South Side of Wagener’s Bay: around 9 inches
Despite the extreme cold, it is important to say there is still a large area of water being kept open by birds east of Coney Island with thin ice around it as well. That area is UNMARKED due to its’ size. A pressure ridge extends from the east side of the island towards the beach itself on the SE side of the lake. If you intend to head east of the island or east of Cemetery Reef, use extreme caution.
Ben and Avery marked a few notable areas to avoid with lath board and flagging tape. Some of those marked areas are out from the access in Wagener’s Bay that are either marking active springs or lesser ice. There is also a marked spring near Pillsbury Reef. As for some of the larger springs we have talked about in past years, they were able to find and mark one of them east of Cemetery Reef. They could not mark all potential springs, so keep that in mind.
Overall, while our ice thickness findings today are excellent news, we cannot cover everything. Ice is never completely safe. We still caution everyone to check ahead your first time out before taking anything heavy onto the ice.
Our private access will be open for use starting tomorrow. To walk on through us is $2 every day. Using our access with ATV’s, snowmobiles (and eventually cars and trucks) is $5 every day. If you would like to buy a Winter Access Season Pass, those are $40. Knowing what we know, yes, we will be allowing ATV’s, Side-by-Sides through our access right away starting tomorrow. As for wheelhouses, we will not be allowing those yet but will update as soon as we do. As always, use our access at your own risk. We cannot guarantee parking on our lot. If there are no parking spaces available, overflow onto the street. Keep in mind, due to a City of Waconia Winter Ordinance, please do not stay parked on city streets after Midnight. Overnight parking on our lot is ONLY allowed with a Season Pass and with prior permission on the day of parking.
As many of you know from this past summer, we no longer sell fishing licenses, so when bringing out your fish house for the first time, purchase your Fishing or Fish House License ahead of time.
While we do not have our fish house rentals on the ice quite yet, they will be going out soon! We begin taking reservations at (952) 442-2096 tomorrow! Below is a link to our 2024/25 Fish House Rental Prices…
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UxHHzr7rX6HPs-n7OV1YW_Eilp940Wi5/view
Today, Ben and Avery did a thorough ice check on parts of Lake Waconia! They drilled and measured hundreds of holes from 9:30 to 3 pm. They first measured out front of the marina, found 6.5 to 8 inches of ice and determined it was best to cover more ground with an ATV and small side-by-side. In the following areas where we drilled, we found…
Waconia Bay: 6.5 to 8 inches
Between the Marinas by the “Walleye Hump”: 6 to 8 inches
Cemetery Reef: 7 to 8 inches
Between the Coney Island and Lakeview Terrace AKA “Under the Wires”: 6.5 to 8 inches
Center Reef: 7 to 8 inches
Pillsbury Reef: 7 to 8 inches
Wagener’s Bay Deep Hole: 7 to 8 inches
South Side of Wagener’s Bay: around 9 inches
Despite the extreme cold, it is important to say there is still a large area of water being kept open by birds east of Coney Island with thin ice around it as well. That area is UNMARKED due to its’ size. A pressure ridge extends from the east side of the island towards the beach itself on the SE side of the lake. If you intend to head east of the island or east of Cemetery Reef, use extreme caution.
Ben and Avery marked a few notable areas to avoid with lath board and flagging tape. Some of those marked areas are out from the access in Wagener’s Bay that are either marking active springs or lesser ice. There is also a marked spring near Pillsbury Reef. As for some of the larger springs we have talked about in past years, they were able to find and mark one of them east of Cemetery Reef. They could not mark all potential springs, so keep that in mind.
Overall, while our ice thickness findings today are excellent news, we cannot cover everything. Ice is never completely safe. We still caution everyone to check ahead your first time out before taking anything heavy onto the ice.
Our private access will be open for use starting tomorrow. To walk on through us is $2 every day. Using our access with ATV’s, snowmobiles (and eventually cars and trucks) is $5 every day. If you would like to buy a Winter Access Season Pass, those are $40. Knowing what we know, yes, we will be allowing ATV’s, Side-by-Sides through our access right away starting tomorrow. As for wheelhouses, we will not be allowing those yet but will update as soon as we do. As always, use our access at your own risk. We cannot guarantee parking on our lot. If there are no parking spaces available, overflow onto the street. Keep in mind, due to a City of Waconia Winter Ordinance, please do not stay parked on city streets after Midnight. Overnight parking on our lot is ONLY allowed with a Season Pass and with prior permission on the day of parking.
As many of you know from this past summer, we no longer sell fishing licenses, so when bringing out your fish house for the first time, purchase your Fishing or Fish House License ahead of time.
While we do not have our fish house rentals on the ice quite yet, they will be going out soon! We begin taking reservations at (952) 442-2096 tomorrow! Below is a link to our 2024/25 Fish House Rental Prices…
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UxHHzr7rX6HPs-n7OV1YW_Eilp940Wi5/view
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