Lake Waconia Ice Update 12-27-12

Today we spent a good portion of the day venturing off to areas we haven't checked yet, as well as re-checking some of the ice we've covered.

We're seeing a range from 9 to 11 inches of ice most places.  A lot of it was 10 to 10.5 inches in areas where the ice was clear.  The lesser ice was found in drifts, which are spread out all over, but generally small.  The cold we've had over the holiday has really done wonders!

While the vast majority of the lake has some really good ice, we have continued to mark more springs.  If you remember the areas of bubbling open water last winter on the eastern half of the lake, expect to find those areas to be dangerous again, albeit a little smaller.  The deeper water between Cemetery and Anderson's reefs has 2 that we marked with flagging tape and lath board.  Also marked were some north and south of Red's reef, east of Keg's Reef in the deeper water, and as you head north toward Reinke's Bay.

Keep in mind, we look for the worst of the worst, so while we have to talk about it when we find bad areas, our general feeling is that the ice is in very good condition overall.  Remember, we cannot cover it all, so if you find anything that may be dangerous, please help us by marking it with branches, or anything that is noticeable.

Up until this point, we've been happy using ATV's on the ice.  We have not opened the access for car or truck traffic yet, although we are getting closer.  We're hoping to get just a tad more ice developing, since we're still seeing some with as little as 9 inches.  Having said that, keep checking here, as we might open it for small vehicle traffic in the coming days, or for parking on the ice (spread out, of course).

Also, don't forget, we RENT fish houses!  If you don't want to mess with dragging your portable out, or don't have a permanent or the time to put it on the lake, let us handle the dirty work.  We have fish houses that range from 7' x 8 up to 7' x 14'.  They are heated with propane stoves, and we pre-drill the holes for you!  You can also rent jig sticks, if you don't have any gear!  We currently have 3 of our fleet of 5 on the ice for rent.  Let us help you get fishing!  Call (952) 442-2096 to reserve.

Lake Waconia Ice Update 12-23-12

The cold weather has continued to help make ice!  We did a quick check on a few of our previously reported areas, and we've gained about 2 inches in the past few days.  Expect to find an average of 7 inches of ice where it's clean/clear ice.  While snow drifts are rare, you will find less ice (maybe an inch or so less) in those areas.  Continue to pay attention for springs, as nothing has changed with those.  All in all, we're very happy with how the ice is forming.  It's generally in very good shape!

Don't forget, our Free Ice and Dice contest has started!  Weigh in a qualifying Lake Waconia fish to shake the dice for a chance to win a prize.  Check out the rules and fish sizes needed to qualify by clicking the "Promotions" link at www.intownemarina.com

We're here on Christmas Eve from 7:30 to 4:30, and we will be closed on Christmas Day.  We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!  We'll be ready with our normal hours after Christmas to accommodate the rush to the ice!  We hope to see you soon!

Lake Waconia Ice Update 12-20-12

We took to the ice for another round of checking today.  This time, we expanded out to Center Reef, Pillsbury Reef and Wagener's Bay.  We drilled a bunch of holes in these areas and found a consistent 5 to 5.5 inches, with a few areas up to 6 inches.  We also checked some more in Waconia Bay, which is a little thicker, yet more varied, and measured a lot of it in the 5 to 6.5 inch range, with some having a touch more.

We did mark close to 2-dozen springs that averaged 2 to 3-foot diameter in size, so watch out for those. Several of the springs were out from the Wagener's Bay access (similar area to last year).  Also, we marked a number of them in the deep hole of that bay.  We didn't see as much spring activity near Center Reef, although we can't cover it all. Waconia Bay has a couple of springs as well.  Continue to be attentive wherever you are fishing, and if you spot anything of concern, help mark it, so others can stay safe.

It's important to note that there is a lot of very good ice in the areas we've checked.

Visit us this weekend, as we've extended our hours to accommodate your needs!  Ice fishing season has begun!

Shop Hours Extended this Weekend!

Our current hours (9 am - 5:30 pm) will end after Friday. We will be extending our hours for the season this weekend! Starting Saturday 12/22, we will be open Saturday & Sunday from 6:30 am - 6 pm. Monday - Friday we will be open from 7:30 am - 6 pm. Christmas Eve we are here from 7:30 am - 4:30 pm. We will be closed on Christmas Day. We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Keep checking here for the latest ice report or stop on in to say hi!

Lake Waconia Ice Update 12-18-12

We've been making ice in the past few days and nights!  We just got off the ice out in front of the marina toward Waconia Bay and the walleye hole.  We've gained 1.5 to 2 inches since our first ice walk last Thursday!

Today, we measured ice ranging from 4 to 6.5 inches.  Most of the ice we checked was around the 4.5 to 5 inch range!  Keep in mind, we've done most of our sampling out where fishermen generally walk to for first ice fishing out from the marina. We have NOT done a check on the main lake yet.  Also, we have seen a few small active springs in some of the same areas as last year.  Keep your eyes peeled, as we will have to deal with those again in certain areas.

Get your portables out and your gear ready!  It's time to get out to the ice!

Quick Lake Waconia Ice Update 12-16-12

I took a quick walk out to Waconia Bay this morning to see what, if any affect the weekend storm had on the ice.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Thankfully, we had rain instead of snow!  With the cold night last night, I did not find any standing water on the ice.  Since Thursday's first walk, we've gained about a 1/2 inch.  So, where the clear ice is, you can expect to find about 3.5 inches.  Where the chunky ice is, you can find a lot of variance in the 4 to 4.5 inch range, with some up to 5 inches (please keep in mind, you will find 3.5 inch ice mixed near the chunky ice, and there is a lot less chunky ice than clear).

Again, it was a quick walk to guage where we are from 3 days ago, so continue to follow early ice safety measures, and pay close attention if it's your first time out.

Lake Waconia 1st Ice Report 12-13-12

We took our first walk on Lake Waconia ice today!  We did our checking with chisels, and measured numerous holes in Waconia Bay, Under the Wires (between the island and peninsula), south of the island, Cemetery Reef and the walleye hole near the marina. 

What we found was an average between 3 to 3.5 inches of ice.  Generally, anywhere we checked and the ice was clear, solid ice, we found at or just above 3 inches.  We found thicker ice (3.5 up to 4 inches in a few spots) where it had been chunked and refroze.   Keep in mind, if there was a rigid build-up of ice (causing an insulation factor), you could find a touch less than 3, so be aware of those areas.  There are some areas of clouded ice that were weaker than the solid, clear ice, although it too was around 3 inches as well.  Of the areas we checked, Waconia Bay was the one that averaged a little more ice than the other areas, due to more of those chunky spots, but also had some of the clouded weaker ice.

All in all, it was promising to see what we found.  Keep in mind, while we strive to look for the worst areas, and report whatever dangers we can find, we cannot cover every square inch, so take the necessary precautions when you're venturing onto the ice for the first time.  Bring a chisel to poke ahead of yourself and don't forget your ice safety picks.

We will be open starting tomorrow, from 9 am to 5:30 pm, so you stop in for the latest ice news, bait and tackle, or that Christmas stocking stuffer.  We look forward to seeing you!

Opening for the Season this Friday 12/14!

We are getting ready for the upcoming ice fishing season on Lake Waconia!  Our shop opens for the season on Friday Dec. 14th.  Our temporary hours are 9 am - 5:30 pm daily.  We will extend our hours when the ice thickens.

We will be checking ice conditions, and have a current report on Friday.  Give us a call at (952) 442-2096 for latest Lake Waconia Ice report.  We also will post our findings on this blog.  Keep your fingers crossed that we continue to get cold, ice-building weather!

We look forward to seeing you!

Fishing Report 7-25-12

Doug Anderson with a Healthy Pike!

The scalding temps don't seem to be going anywhere and you have to ask yourself-where is the relief? The heat is on, and your sick of hiding in the air conditioning. What can you do to beat it? Rent a Pontoon from the In Towne Marina and get in the water! Make sure to check out our Monday thru Thursday 20% off pontoon rental Coupon. You can rent a pontoon for as little as $95 and change with this deal! Reservations are required for to special price. When calling please remember to mention the promotion to make sure you get the discounted price!

Last Sunday we had our annual Boat Slip and Buoy Member Appreciation Party/Fishing contest. Many sunfish and crappies were caught, along with a few nice bass! We Enjoyed a great hot dog lunch followed by root beer floats on the deck and in the screen house. While eating, members waited for their names to be called during the super fun prize drawing Captain Jim always puts together. Thanks marina members for another great time!

Ben Anderson With a nice Largemouth!

Fishing has remained solid during the hot temps! Sunfish and Crappies have still been biting well. Fishing the deep weed edges (10'-15' of water) on some of the good reefs like, Center, North and Anderson's. Most pan fisherman have been using wax worms, but crawlers and leeches are working great too!

Bass fishing has remained strong. As usual on Lake Waconia you can find them deep or shallow right now. Shallow water spots like Camp Manakiki, Reinke's Bay, and in the slop of Waconia bay, have been giving up some quality Largemouth. Deeper water weededges on North, Keg's and Cemetary reefs- along with the rock piles on Pilsbury have been great options as well!

Charlie Unger and his monster Sheepshead!

The big Sheepshead have been turning up lately too! Charlie Unger and his fishing partner John Mcginnis tied into a whopper! We do not have a length, but they estimated it at 30 pounds! Looking at the picture, I am not going to call it a fish story!

Thanks for reading, and call the bait shop with questions 952-442-2096

Kim Anderson With a quality Waconia Bass!

Fishing Report 7-13-12

Summer has arrived in full force these past few weeks. Temperatures have soared and people are getting on the water and taking advantage of the great weather we’ve been having. While most people are enjoying tubing and skiing in the warm water temps, anglers are still having good success.

Bass fishermen are reporting good numbers of fish coming from many different areas of the lake. A good shallow water location has been the rock dock area in Wageners Bay. Low light hours are primetime for using topwater baits such as a frog or a popper. Spinnerbaits and worms are also deadly for shallow water bass. Anglers have also been having good success in deeper water along the weedlines around 10-16 FOW. Cemetery, Pillsbury, and Center reefs have been kicking out good fish.

The sunfish bite has still been strong throughout the hot weather spell. Anglers are catching bluegills along the south shoreline in 7-12 feet of water. Other good areas for sunfish along with a few crappies have been Pillsbury Reef and Kegs Reef along the weedlines.

A few more walleyes have been reported this past week with fish being caught around sunrise and sunset. Fishermen are using a few different tactics to put walleyes in the boat.  A jig and minnow or leech presentation along the weeds on Kegs Reef and North Reef  in lowlight conditions has been working well.  Lindy Rigs tipped with a leech has worked also.

Don't forget we rent pontoons and fishing boats!  We have a GREAT 20% OFF coupon discount for pontoon rentals running Mondays thru Thursdays until August 16th, advance reservation required with coupon.  Call (952) 442-2096 for reservations.

Fishing Report 6/21/12

Rain rain go away! The weather has been extreme lately to say the least. Earlier this spring we were begging for more water in the lake, and boy did they deliver. If you have been on the lake or by the marina lately, you noticed the much higher water levels. We have more water than we need now and have been hard at work raising docks. The guys are just about done so thanks for being patient during the process.


Anglers haven't been on the water in full force lately due to the extreme heat, wind and storms we have all been dealing with lately. Fisherman braving the elements have been rewarded with some good fishing. 


Bass have been excellent for several people we have talked to lately. Fishing the inlets, culverts etc. has been paying off. Jerkbaits, jigs and tube jigs have been excellent near that running water, or just fishing them in the reed beds or docks.


Pan fish are still worth chasing. Fishing the north shore in the reed beds, or inside weed edges has remained productive for Bluegills. Wax worms and small leeches are like candy right now!


As usual during the summertime, road construction is upon us. Currently, Highway 5 is open to local traffic only.  Check out our Maps/Directions page at http://intownemarina.com/Map.html to see the easiest way to get to us and avoid the hassle of construction.
Also as of this week the Hwy 284/Hwy 5 intersection in Waconia will be undergoing construction as well, so avoid using 284 to get here unless you want to skirt around the construction. You can go West or East at the County road 10/ E 13th St Roundabout to get back on Hwy 5.

Don't forget about our Rentals!  We offer Fishing Boats with Motors, as well as Pontoons, to get you on the lake.  We'd love to help you or your family enjoy a wonderful day on Lake Waconia!  Call us at (952) 442-2096 to reserve.

Fishing Report 6/13/2012

The bite on Lake Waconia has continued to be strong for panfish.  While the spawning pattern will soon be over for the sunfish, we continue to see anglers having success fishing among the pencil reeds in Reinke's Bay and along the NW shoreline.  Some, including us, have had luck finding them in 8 to 10 feet of water with ground cover weeds.  Working a Beetle Spin tipped with a wax worm has been a successful method, along with bobber fishing with wax worms or crawlers or panfish leeches.  If you are targeting crappies, expect to find them out of the shallows and hanging along the outside weedlines in 10 to 12 feet.

Bass fishing has stayed consistent.  We've continued to hear nice reports of fish between 1-1/2 to 3 pounds. Some are fishing the shallows with crawlers or leeches, or texas-rigged worms.  Fishing by the Carp Trap as well as the pencil reeds has been productive.  Others are throwing spinnerbaits along weedlines, which in some cases has worked well for northern pike as well as bass.  Try this approach working the weeds out from the north shoreline, or off reefs like Cemetery Reef, Pillsbury Reef and North Reef.

If you are looking for that elusive walleye, we suggest fishing the breaks off Keg's reef, North Reef, or Anderson's reef. Jigging with a leech or fathead has garnered some success, while slip-bobber fishing is always a good approach.

We hope to see the muskies start going strong with the expected warm weather coming up.  So far, we haven't had a consistent enough pattern emerge to warrant much success.  However, this past weekend during the Meto Muskie Tournament, a 44 incher placed Adam Hoen in 9th place with his fish from Waconia (Part of a 16-lake tournament).

As usual during the summertime, road construction is upon us. Currently, Highway 5 is open to local traffic only.  Check out our Maps/Directions page at http://intownemarina.com/Map.html to see the easiest way to get to us and avoid the hassle of construction.
Also, be aware that during this middle part of June, the Hwy 284/Hwy 5 intersection in Waconia will be undergoing construction as well.

Don't forget about our Rentals!  We offer Fishing Boats with Motors, as well as Pontoons, to get you on the lake.  We'd love to help you or your family enjoy a wonderful day on Lake Waconia!  Call us at (952) 442-2096 to reserve.

See you on the Lake!

Fishing Report 5/29/2012

Despite the recent inconsistencies in weather we are hearing of a few good reports out hear on beautiful Lake Waconia. Our best reports are coming from the guys fishing for the sunfish and crappies up in the shallows. A lot of guys are heading out to the northwest side of the lake where you can find some emergent vegetation such as pencil reeds where the panfish like to spawn and protect themselves from predators. Most guys are using wax worms and angleworms under a bobber with a small jig. This last weekend was the bass opener and it was no disappointment. Bass fishermen were finding the bass in the shallow waters were the fresh rain water is running into the lake from our recent soaking. The bait of choice was either a jig and a leech or a 7'' power worm, but you can never go to big when it comes to bass fishing.

As stated before inconsistent weather can be difficult when it comes to fishing, but that doesn't stop guys from chasing ol' marble eyes. A lot of guys are finding most success after dark or when the sun is rising or setting. Many guys trolling a crankbiat get hooked up on a fish, and when it gets to the boat they are greeted by a displeased northern. The most successful tactic is a jig tipped with a fathead or a leech either off a weed line in 12-14 feet of water or over any rock pile you can find in a little deeper water.

This next weekend is the newest tradition near on Lake Waconia as it marks the 2012 Musky opener. We have been hearing of guys seeing many big fish swimming in the shallows chasing the panfish. We are expecting a good report for the muskies this year.

Feel free to call our bait shop (952)-442-2096 any time to get the most up to date reports for the lake or to set up a reservation for a fishing boat or pontoon to get out and enjoy one of the best lakes the west metro has to offer!

Governor's Fishing Opener on Lake Waconia a success!

Waconia hosted the Governor's Fishing Opener this past weekend, and the hosts, volunteers, and committee members who helped with the event can be proud of how well the town and the lake was represented for the numerous media and dignitaries who visited.  The bright sunshine on Saturday was a welcome change from past openers, and set the mood for a nice weekend.  The weather that may have had the greatest impact on the bite for walleyes occurred on Friday evening when a brief cold front pushed through.  That may have had something to do with the lack of success Governor Dayton had catching the state's fish when he was out for the midnight bite. Despite the walleyes being tougher than normal, the fishing of other species was very good, with the warmer weather on Saturday.

Numerous anglers had good luck fishing for sunfish and crappies in the shallows, as the water temps have begun to rise into the mid to upper 60's depending on the time of day and sunshine.  Expect to see them in less than 6 feet of water near the reeds along the northwest side of the lake, as well as Reinke's Bay.  There were still plenty of fish caught in Waconia Bay in 10 to 12 feet of water.

The northern pike action has picked up where it left off this past winter.  We talked to several anglers who had pike ranging from 4 to 8 pounds, with a few even topping 10 pounds.  It's been a long time coming since we've seen the crop of northerns like we are seeing now.  Casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits or spoons has been a good method to get in on the action.  Pillsbury Reef, North Reef, and Center Reef have been a few of the spots worth spending time.

The walleyes on Saturday clearly were affected by the cold front on Friday evening.  Despite the tough start, it is still recommended (for the time being) to try night fishing in shallower water out from the Carp Trap, Rock Dock or Harm's Point or out from the Clay Banks.  Throwing shallow-running cranks has been popular, but bobber fishing with leeches or jigging with a fathead has been a good bet as well.  For those of you who wish to try a tad deeper, we did hear some reports by North Reef, as well as Keg's Reef for walleyes in the evening and early morning.

We would like to thank No Name Steaks for their wonderful gift of FREE Wild Rice Meatballs that were given out on Friday Night, as well as Steak Burgers and Hot Dogs ALL DAY on Saturday!  They put plenty of smiles on the faces of those who visited us on the Opener.  Their products were on fine display and clearly were liked, as plenty of people went for seconds or more.

We would also like to thank our great Waconia Chamber of Commerce and Explore Minnesota and everyone who was affiliated with the Governor's Opener committees that put this together for our wonderful town.  Plenty of seasoned Governor's Opener veterans mentioned how well this event was put together and was one of the best they had seen.  We're thankful to be a part of this community, and look forward to continuing to promote this town and our great lake!

Join us here as the good fishing has just begun!  Don't forget that we rent fishing boats with motors, as well as pontoons.  Give us a call at (952) 442-2096 to make a reservation.

See you at the lake...

One Week from Waconia hosting the Governor's Fishing Opener!

Time is fast approaching to one of the biggest events in Waconia's history.  Last year, Lake Waconia was chosen as the site for the 2012 Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener, a prestigious honor for this town that has so much to offer.  We are excited to be one of many sponsors for this event, and look forward to help showcase our beautiful lake and town.  We are proud of our friend and local guide, Travis Frank, who was chosen to guide Governor Dayton.  We know that if there is anyone who can lead him to a successful walleye catch, it is Travis!

Lake Waconia is known as a great fishing resource.  Walleyes are a very popular choice among anglers to target on this lake, and it's been recently known that if you hook one, chances are good that it will be a lunker.  There is a minimum size restriction of 16 inches, so keep that in mind.  With the early ice out this spring, it's difficult to predict if the walleyes will be in their usual spots for this time of year.  We've noticed weed growth is happening earlier, and the major walleye spawn is over.  What does this mean?  You may have to adjust your approach to fishing from your usual Opener habits.  While it's still probable that you will find action in traditional spots, such as the Rock Dock, the Carp Trap or Harm's Point, it may be wise to move a tad deeper to fish outside weedlines and weed breaks on some of the reefs in 12 to 15 feet of water.  Places like Center Reef, North Reef, Keg's Reef, and Anderson's Reefs might be more productive due to the earlier seasonal start.  We still expect that baits like Large Leeches and either Fathead Minnows or Shiner Minnows will be best to catch the most fish.  While Night Crawlers are usually better come June, it won't be surprising to us to see anglers having success with those, as we may be approaching a June pattern, despite being early May.

If you like to chase after northern pike, you will be happy to know that we have seen an increase in numbers in the last year.  This winter, we were pleasantly surprised to see numerous catches in the 4 to 8 pound range.  For those of you who like to troll, weedlines like those down from the cemetery and out from the beach are popular areas.  Reefs like Pillsbury, Center and North are also good areas to focus if you are casting.  Sucker minnows are a popular choice for live bait fishermen.

As for the other legal species, we continue to hear plenty of good reports of sunfish and crappie bites.  It has continued to be productive by the weedlines of Waconia Bay in 10 to 13 feet of water.  It won't be long once temps start to rise and stay consistent, that both sunnies and crappies should be easier to find in the shallows as they begin their spawn pattern.  There is a wide range of sizes for both, so while the action should be good, you will need to sort to get some keepers for the fry pan.

We look forward to seeing you as we get into this exciting time for Waconia.  We are OPEN ALL NIGHT on Friday, May 11th for the Opener to take care of your bait and tackle needs and to help get you the info you need for a successful day.

If you are interested in renting a fishing boat or pontoon, give us a call.  We will be happy to set up a reservation to get you on water!

Fishing Update and Marina Hours News...

The crappies have been biting on Lake Waconia! We've been receiving numerous reports from anglers having success on the open water this weekend. So far, most of the action has come from Waconia Bay between 7 to 9 feet of water. Besides crappies, there has been plenty of perch action as well. Don't be surprised to see a few keepers mixed in.

We have started April Hours for the store and launch. We will be open Monday thru Friday 9 am - 6 pm or later, and Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am - 6 pm or later. Hours are weather dependent.

Don't forget to buy your annual season launching pass. This year, with the early spring, take advantage of more time on the water! Our passes are $130 for the season, and allows you to launch before or after hours.

We have begun our Boat & Motor rental for limited hours. Rental hours are from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm. Please call for a reservation. Rental is weather permitting.

See you at the lake!

In Towne Marina Preparing for Spring Business !!

After months of reporting Winter ice conditions that were less than great, it's refreshing to report the good news that ice is GONE on Lake Waconia!

Sunday morning, 3/18/12 we awoke up to watch final lake ice disappear. Goodbye Winter and HELLO Spring!!! This is almost a month earlier than Waconia's average ice-out date!

Our crew has begun dock installation to make possible the return of our rental & customer boats, resume launch and re-open our bait shop in the next few weeks for boating season 2012!

As of this writing, 3/23/12, for NOW~ our shop & launch will temporarily remain Closed this weekend 3/24 & 3/25 thru the following Mon- Fri.

Starting Saturday, 3/31, we WILL be open on the weekend only for now.

We'll update hours as work progresses and weather permits.

Watch here or on our web-site HOME page @ or call 952-442-2096 to hear our phone messages for news & Spring business hour updates.

Our goal is to resume shop and launch hours asap, 7 days a week as usual, to accommodate your boating and fishing needs! THANK YOU for your patience while we prepare equipment and great deals to start off an exciting Summer!

Watch here for Fishing and Lake news. We'll be checking water temps and reporting when & where the bite is on. Don't forget to keep up with MN Gamefish Opener news here & also @ for Opener Chamber events @ destinationwaconia.org, as Waconia works together to host and produce an exciting Governors Opener 2012 on Lake Waconia!!

Remember our bait shop & launch is always Open ALL Night Friday night 5/11- of Gamefish OPENER. SAVE THE DATE to stop for bait & supplies & use our deep, convenient boat launch to catch a big fish, or just join the fun!

See You at the Lake Soon!
The Mases

Ice Update 2/22/2012

In Towne Marina will be closing it's access to car and truck traffic after Saturday February 25th. Currently we are not recommending driving, due to diminishing ice conditions. We recommend anyone who has a permanent house on Lake Waconia, consider removing it before the end of the weekend. We will NOT be plowing in the event of more snow. Ice thicknesses are measuring 10"-14". After Monday nights wet snow, the ice conditions are not improving to say the least.

Be Safe when venturing out.

The Mase Family

Ice Update 2/17/2012

This winters unseasonably warm weather continues to give ice fisherman headaches. General ice thickness on Lake Waconia has started to diminish. Until recently we have been maintaining average thicknesses measuring 12 1/2"-15" of ice. About a week ago we had some good cold temperatures, but essentially didn't make any ice.

This week temps have been warm, but not warm enough to melt the little snow we have on the lake. The snow remains, and there is no water on the ice in most areas, but we are still losing ice thickness. Lake water temperatures are most likely the culprit. In the last 5 or 6 days we have lost about 1/2"-1" of ice, giving us a current average thickness of 11"-14 1/2" with 12"-13" being very common now. Jim, Ben and Jimmy have drilled hundreds of holes in the last couple days, to provide these numbers.

Most of the spots that had thinner ice continue to be the areas that are in shallower water and have thicker weeds. When water is 13' deep or more we were generally finding the thicker ice numbers. This was not a rule, but was definitely a trend.

With the consistently warmer air and lake water temps, the ice is also losing freeboard in areas. The ice has lost some of it's buoyancy and is flexing more under load. Several fisherman that have permanent houses on the lake have been reporting flooding around their houses. We will continue to monitor the thickness, especially now with the even stranger conditions we have been witnessing.

Thanks for reading, and be safe.

In Towne Marina Staff

"BLIZZARD BLITZ" Contest 2/19/12 CANCELLED

As of Friday 2/17/12 Adrian Peterson/Starkey Foundation officials cancelled this weekends scheduled Sunday, Feb 19th "BLIZZARD BLITZ" Ice Fishing Contest that was to be held on Lake Waconia.

Minnesota's unseasonably warm winter continued this week & is predicted to last for the foreseeable future. Contest officials made the last-minute decision due to above normal temperatures and diminishing ice conditions.

This winters unseasonable warmth has made ice & snow event planning difficult on most Minnesota Lakes. This contest is one of many unable to be held. Organizers regret having to forego this fun day on Lake Waconia to fund-raise for their important hearing mission!

Our family extends gratitude to Adrian Peterson and Starkey Hearing Foundation[s] for the extensive work and expense they, fellow business Lola's Lakehouse and many other generous sponsors, celebrities and volunteers have committed to try to make a 2nd Annual "BLIZZARD BLITZ" happen in Waconia! We also want to give special thanks to Fred W. Radde and Sons Auctioneers, as they made our preparation for this contest much easier.

Ice Update 2-04-12

As of today, Saturday 2/04, Lake Waconia’s ice is still in very good condition. Despite the milder weather, we’ve only lost the snow cover due to the warmth. The foggy days we’ve been having have greatly helped, because it’s the sun, combined with warmth that can affect the ice the most. With the fog blocking the sun, and temps dipping into the mid-20’s at night, there is little to no water/slush on the ice surface. Things have firmed up nicely. Thicknesses continue to be averaging around 13 to 14 inches in most areas. As we’ve said in the past, continue to avoid any areas on the lake that are marked with branches or lath board/caution tape, because we still are dealing with the same dangerous areas as before.

This week we’ve continued to hear of good northern pike action. Anglers have been taking advantage of the nice weather by tip up fishing, using small or medium sucker minnows in 10 to 13 feet of water near Center Reef and in Waconia Bay. Sunfish have been better as of late. While you still have to cull the small ones out, there is a decent chance to get some keepers near Center Reef and Pillsbury Reef. Crappie fishermen have been moving around to pinpoint the best action. While the bite has been decent, but inconsistent at times, we expect the best bite to be in the deeper water south of Pillsbury Reef. Others are finding them on Center Reef in 10 to 13 feet of water.

Don't give up on the season yet! There is still plenty of time to hit the ice and wet a line. Stop in to get the latest reports. We look forward to seeing you!

Fishing with Minnesota Timberwolves!

Earlier this week, I had the fortune of taking out Minnesota Timberwolves players Derrick Williams and Malcolm Lee and a friend, in one of our Rental Fish Houses. It was their first experience ice fishing. We got the lines wet, and had the camera down. We saw numerous sunfish during the few hours out and had a nice northern pike coming and going. While we couldn't coax the pike to take our sucker minnow, the guys caught a bunch of sunfish and a few perch. While it was a new experience for them, I got the impression that I might see them on the ice again! A good time was had by all. If you are interested in renting a fish house with us, we will have them available until the end of February. Call for reservations...952-442-2096

4 Weeks away from Adrian Peterson Blizzard Blitz Fishing Contest!

Don't forget to purchase your ticket online for the Adrian Peterson All Day Blizzard Blitz, which benefits the Starkey Hearing Foundation. The Fishing Contest takes place from Noon to 3 pm on Sunday, February 19th. Adult tickets cost $25 and Kid's tickets cost $15, if purchased online. If you choose to buy your ticket at the entrance the day of, Adult tickets are $30 and Kid's tickets are $20. There are several Children's Activities that will be going on from 10:30 am until 3 pm, located on the ice. We at the In Towne Marina are excited to be the Official Weigh Station for this event again. We look forward to seeing you on the lake!

To find out more, click the link below...

Adrian Peterson All Day Blizzard Blitz

Ice Update 1-21-12

We opened up our access for vehicle traffic yesterday. While we are finding very good ice in many locations, between 11 to 13 inches, we still have the dangerous areas on Center and Pillsbury Reefs to watch out for. We also are continuing to deal with active springs on the lake. We are doing everything we can to mark any spots we come across, but it's impossible to cover every square inch of the lake, and therefore we can never guarantee ice. We highly recommend that you do your exploring during the day and not at night. Please stop in to the marina to see our map of areas to avoid that we have come across. If you find something of concern on the lake, we ask that you help us by marking the area as best as you can so others can avoid it. We're excited to see people come out to Waconia to get the bite on! If we help each other, this should be a safe and happy rest of the winter for all of us that have waited so long to enjoy it!

Ice and Fishing Update 1-15-12

The majority of the ice on Lake Waconia is in very good shape now that we've had some colder temperatures recently. We've been seeing ice thicknesses in most areas between 10 to 12 inches. However, we still have some areas of concern. You might be aware that we've marked a couple of large thinner ice areas on the shallow parts of Center Reef and Pillsbury Reef. The Pillsbury spot still has an area of open water, with some ice around that between 3 to 7 inches. On Center, there is a long stretch that is between 3.5 to 6 inches. We still are dealing with numerous springs all over the lake. Be sure to stop in to the marina, so we can show you where the worst spots are. Overall, we are VERY HAPPY with how the lake is shaping up.

While we haven't opened up our access for vehicle traffic yet, we've been very comfortable 4-wheeling and walking as long as you avoid the marked thinner ice areas. Don't forget, we try to mark any spots we find that we consider dangerous, but it's a big lake and we can't cover everything. If you see something you feel is dangerous, please help us by marking it to keep everyone safe.

This weekend we have seen larger numbers of fishermen coming out to the lake. The bite has improved. We've been getting plenty of action in Waconia Bay between 9 to 11 feet of water, with a lot of perch and sunfish biting during the day, and some crappies in the evening. If you're tempted to put a bigger minnow on a tip up, it's been decent for some northern action. A good amount of anglers are now spreading out to the Center Reef and Pillsbury areas avoiding the thinner areas and fishing where the ice is better. There have been good reports of nice crappies coming from out there in depths between 10 to 13 feet of water. Some have been producing bites in the deep water (over 20 feet) south of Pillsbury in the evenings, suspended a few feet from the bottom.

It's time to enjoy the lake! We'd love to see you out here, and we'll do what we can to make your time on the water a productive and safe one.

A reminder to those of you who were looking forward to the "Adrian Peterson All Day Blizzard Blitz" Fishing Contest. The contest date has been moved to Sunday, February 19th. We hope you can make it out for the new date, as Adrian will still be here as well as numerous other celebrities!

We are RENTING FISH HOUSES! The heat's on and the holes are pre-drilled for you. Prices range from $55 to $75 for 6 hours during the week, and $75 to $95 for 6 hours on Saturday or Sunday. We hope you'll join us!

Adrian Peterson/Starkey NEW Date for Waconia Ice Fishing Contest Fundraiser set for Sunday, 2-19-12

Good News! The Adrian Peterson/Starkey Foundation Ice Fishing Contest and fundraiser has scheduled a NEW date for the 2nd Annual Event on Lake Waconia! Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 19th!

"With the success of last year's event, and the demand and excitement we received for this year, we regret postponement of the event" said Brady Forseth. "However, we look forward to hosting a successful event next month to raise much-needed awareness and funds for the Starkey Hearing Foundation and All Day Foundation".

Sunday, Feb 19th will replace the original January event date due to warm weather temps, near the original date. Organizers recognized possible ice limitations, and felt it best to reschedule to present a full, safe day of fun in February!

Go to starkeyhearingfoundation.org to register and get updates on this exciting event! Here's a sample of the days activities.

Guests will gather for a fun-filled day of family and children's activities. Included are: free rod and reel building,; ice safety and fish identification,ice fishing Olympics; high-tech fishing gadget tutorials as well as a STAR-Studded Ice Fishing Contest. Fishing entrants will be eligible to win not only Fishing Prizes, but drawings will be called throughout the event for prizes donated by Sponsors.

Plan on bringing cash to buy tickets to pick up delicious food and beverages sold & all proceed donated on the ice that day!

All proceeds will be used to help children around the world receive the "gift of hearing". This year, the event benefits several LOCAL Waconia-area children. They are scheduled to receive free fitting for custom-made hearing devices, with Adrian Peterson present to help fit them, at the Eden Prairie Starkey Hearing Center in Eden Prairie!

IN TOWNE MARINA is providing the Contest WEIGH-IN station and will be on the ice to greet you. Stop at our BAIT Shop before going out for last minute needs & information.

Ice Update 1-06-12

The unseasonably warm winter hasn't been what we’d all hoped for-to say the least! We're happy to see anglers calling & stopping in to keep informed on ice conditions. We spend many hours to alert fellow anglers of areas we have found, or other anglers reported to watch out for. We're here to help during business hours & hope you stop in to see us!

That being said, we've recently marked some IMPORTANT new spots with brush or lath & flagging or caution tape and also noted them on our shop lake map. We can't mark everything- so stay alert, as always!

Even though today [1/06/12] we're still finding most original ice to be about 10 inches- here are several recent [in the last 2 days] IMPORTANT areas of concern to AVOID. Obviously, there is much usable ice yet- but must be patient-until freezing temps return.

Some known AREAS to USE Extreme Caution for now:
-The shallow parts of both Pillsbury and Center Reefs have large areas with ice ranging between 3 to 7 inches, Pillsbury actually has an expansive open area in its' middle. Both of these thin or open spots have very thick weeds in depths of only 6 to 8 feet of water, which soaked up the sun, causing the ice to diminish.
-We've also spotted numerous active springs, most notably east of Cemetery Reef, around Red’s Reef, and toward Reinke’s. 2 of the springs have created open spots as large as 20 feet by 50 feet. There are others, not nearly as big, to be avoided.

Please bring along some brush during this time- to help mark. We can’t possibly find and mark everything, and appreciate those that have well marked their spear holes or holes left, when moving their houses.

Keep your eye’s peeled and share with us, and your fellow anglers. We're all in this together!

Those going out to portable fish, or sit on a bucket should be rewarded during this "quiet ice" period- while we wait for cold!

By the way- Happy New Year! We look forward to seeing you at the Lake!