Monday, January 29, 2018

In Towne Marina Lake Waconia Fishing Report - 1/29/18

There is lots happening on Lake Waconia!  This past weekend the Midwest Vintage Snowmobile “Waconia Ride In” was held at the Lake Waconia Regional Park.  Thousands of snowmobile enthusiast took to the lake and watched racing events as well as showed off their own vintage ride!

This upcoming weekend is of course the Super Bowl being held in Minneapolis at US Bank Stadium.  With the multitude of media outlets in the area, there are many that are taking advantage of learning our culture of Ice Fishing.  Besides that, we hope Lake Waconia will be hopping with fishermen Tuesday, 1/30 in the evening after 6 pm.  NBC Sports will be out on the ice to get some video shots that could very well be played during the Super Bowl!  How cool would that be!

As for the fishing itself, we continue to have good action for northern pike!  We’ve had plenty of happy anglers catching many different sizes of fish, which shows the health of the northern pike population in the lake.  Those having success are using sucker minnows and setting up on a weed edge or above the weeds in 10 to 14 feet of water around similar locations people are fishing for panfish.

Speaking of panfish, we continue to have good sunfish activity on Waconia.  Daytime fishing with a wax worm and small jig (pink and orange have been popular colors) has worked well.  Crappies have been more active in the evening, although best fishing times have varied for many.  Crappie minnows have been best with a glow hook.

Walleyes action has improved as the season has gone on.  While we still are reporting many undersized fish, we have had plenty of reports of nice keepers (must be over 16”) and even some in the upper 20’s, for which many have been released!  While it’s not a requirement, we still suggest getting away from the large crowds of houses and spending time in the late evening or overnight for your best chance.

Our Fish House Rental season has been good for many groups!  We have had good success with sunfish, crappies and northern pike.  If you’re interested in renting with us, please call (952) 442-2096 to reserve!  We do all the hard work, and have the heat on and holes drilled ready for you to fish!

See you on the lake!

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

1/23/18 Lake Waconia Update

Ben and Jim have been out with the plow truck today on Lake Waconia. We got roughly 8 to 10 inches of snow. They have roads plowed from the marina past Waconia Bay, to Center Reef and feathering out at Pillsbury Reef. We also have a road that goes to Cemetery Reef. For those with 4-wheel drive trucks wanting to venture out off-road, it is possible and we haven’t heard anyone having issues. If you’re looking to haul a fish house to a spot off road, we suggest driving a path with the pick-up only to create a beaten road to follow with the house. Expect heavy drifting around fish houses groups. Don't forget, we ask $2 to drive on our access, and as always it is drive at your own risk. Thank you! We’ll see you on the lake.

Friday, January 19, 2018

In Towne Marina Lake Waconia Fishing Report - 1/19/18

If you need a reason to get out ice fishing, this warm weather could be just what you are looking for! The Northern Pike bite has been better than average this winter, and tip-up fishing weather is here! Using sucker minnows near a decent weed edge in 10’-16’ of water is the ticket. Waconia Bay, Wagener’s Bay, Center Reef or any other good weed edge is working well for the Pike.

Walleye action has been decent still. Some “Eater sized fish have been reported, but many anglers are catching fish under the legal size(16”) you are able to keep on Waconia. Finding a quiet weed edge away from most traffic is always a good way to go on Lake Waconia for Marble Eyes. 12’-18’ of water is the targeted depth for most successful Walleye hunters. Fatheads on a good glow jig are working as well as anything. Right around dark and into the overnight is best for time of day as usual.

Sunfish action has remained good as long as you do some scouting to find some quality weeds and you fish the edge. Fishing in 10-15’ of water in Waconia Bay, Wagner’s Bay, Pillsbury Reef and Center Reef continue to be the best bets for Sunnies.

Crappies haven’t been as active as recent years on Lake Waconia. The good deep water bite has not really happened yet, so we recommend still hitting most of the areas the Sunnies are at for the best action. Setting up on good weed edges in 12’-15’ of water and downsizing baits is a smart move right now.

Don’t forget, we rent fish houses! We do all the hard work for you. Houses are placed on good sunfish, crappie and northern pike areas, with an occasional chance at a walleye. We drill and slush the holes, and the heat is on so it’s toasty warm when you arrive. Call (952) 442-2096 to reserve!

Ice conditions remain great on Lake Waconia to most of the main areas people are fishing. Our lake access is currently in great shape, with a little snow melt. The access by County Roads 155 and 30 is still not good with a pressure ridge you must pay attention to.

We’ll see you on the lake!