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!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
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.
"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.
Friday, January 6, 2012
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!
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!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Rental Houses are out!
Today we did another ice check out front and found about 8 inches. It's good clear ice. As always, keep an eye out for springs and anything marked with branches. Having said that we are very happy with the ice. We've used our 4-wheeler to pull a couple of small rental houses into Waconia Bay and felt comfortable doing so. We have not brought our bigger wheel houses out yet, but we will wait until we are closer to driving ice. If you're thinking about coming out to rent a fish house, we've got a couple of 4-holers on the ice ready to go. As of now, our hours continue to be 9 am until 5:30 pm. We will be closed on Christmas Day. After Christmas, we will be extending our hours. Monday-Friday, we will be open from 7:30 am until 6 pm. Saturday and Sunday we will be open from 6:30 am - 6 pm. We hope everyone has a safe and happy holidays!
Friday, December 16, 2011
12-16-11 Ice Report
Yesterday we were down to about 5 inches of ice after the warm up, rain and wind we just came out of. After last night's cold temps, where we have checked today, we have found about 6 inches of ice. Things have firmed up pretty nice. If heading over to the Wagener's Bay Gravel Public access, use caution. A friend called and told me about some open bubbling springs North and West of the access. I headed over to check it out this afternoon, and with his help we marked about 15, YES 15 OPEN, BUBBLING springs with pine bows and flagging tape! Use Caution, and please mark anything you think looks suspicious! Another area to be wary of is just North of the Rock Dock. Geese have been keeping a hole open just off shore. If You decide to run the shoreline with your snowmobile or ATV, keep it in mind!
Remember For your last minute Christmas Gifts, You are sure to find something here!
From Stocking stuffers, Ice Augers, to Gift Certificates, we can help you pick the perfect gift!
Remember For your last minute Christmas Gifts, You are sure to find something here!
From Stocking stuffers, Ice Augers, to Gift Certificates, we can help you pick the perfect gift!
Friday, December 9, 2011
It's Ice Fishing Season!
It's time to go Ice Fishing! Lake Waconia has been frozen over for a few days now, and we have seen some encouraging ice thicknesses. Ben checked this morning out from Waconia Bay and "Under the Wires" to the south side of the island, and over to Cemetery Reef and walked back to the marina crossing the commonly fished walleye spot between the 2 marinas. He also took a 2nd walk this afternoon from the small access in Wagener's Bay, around Harm's Point and back to our marina. Throughout his walk, he found ice averaging a strong 4 inches.
We can't speak of other areas yet, and it is important to remember to use caution either way. This early in the ice forming process, we recommend chiseling in front of yourself as a precaution. Having said that, we expect to see a lot of happy anglers!
Our store hours right now are 9 am to 5:30 pm daily. We will extend our hours as the ice thickens.
We hope to see you soon!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Greet US Rep John Kline @ In Towne Marina ! Waconia Visit Wed 10/19/11
In Towne Marina is honored to welcome MN US Rep. Congressman John Kline to Waconia & his visit HERE- in our bait shop, from 12:15 to 1 pm this coming Wed, 10/19/2011!
We'll open from Noon to 3 pm, to receive guests wishing to see him. Please come to join him & discuss his Oct 3, 20ll proposed bill HR.3074, regarding Cormorant Control for Natural Resource Preservation.
Thanks also to bi-partisan bill co-sponsor, US Rep Collin Peterson for supporting the bill, and for previous work done on this issue!
This visit, is the culmination of years of work by Congressman Kline and his staff.
See You at the Lake this Wednesday!
We'll open from Noon to 3 pm, to receive guests wishing to see him. Please come to join him & discuss his Oct 3, 20ll proposed bill HR.3074, regarding Cormorant Control for Natural Resource Preservation.
Thanks also to bi-partisan bill co-sponsor, US Rep Collin Peterson for supporting the bill, and for previous work done on this issue!
This visit, is the culmination of years of work by Congressman Kline and his staff.
We're grateful that he listened when local concerns were raised. Our families 2009 Cormorant Control citizens petition collected 3,028 citizens signatures, in less than 6 weeks!
He received a copy of the originals delivered to MN DNR and US Dept of Interior officials , as action action agencies. His packet also included a City of Waconia Resolution along with Waconia Chamber of Commerce and Waconia Heritage Association letters of petition support!
Lets hope the bill passes and leads to better solution!
See You at the Lake this Wednesday!
Submitted by : Cindy Mase
Petition Sponsors & Co-Owner
Husband Jim Mase & sons Ben and JimmyMase
In Towne Marina
Waconia, MN
In Towne Marina
Waconia, MN
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