Lake Waconia Fishing Report 9-02-09

September is here and the muskie bite continues to be Waconia's bread and butter. We've continued to hear successful catches this week in the mid to upper 40 inch range. Most of the same spots from previous weeks have continued to work. Evenings have been very good.

This past week we started to hear of a more productive walleye bite. Anglers have been catching them from 14 feet to 20 feet of water. Kegs Reef, Red's Reef and Anderson's Reef have been a few of the better areas. Fathead minnows have been the popular bait of choice.

If you're looking for sunfish or bass, continue to work near the weeds in areas like Pillsbury Reef, Center Reef and North Reef. Action has been decent, but should improve as we get further into the month.

Don't forget about our Nickle Dickle Day Kid's Fishing Prize Pond. September 19th from 10 to Noon, we are giving away prizes for kids 10 and under. Don't miss the fun.

Have a great week!

Lake Waconia Fishing Report 8-26-09

This week we're gonna start off with a little excitement. In Towne Marina Employee, Kyle Stender, caught the fish of a lifetime, with a monster 52 1/2 inch muskie on Tuesday at 6 pm.

While the fishing conditions haven't changed much from the previous week, we're getting closer to that time of year where both the muskies and walleyes begin to pick up. Evidenced by Kyle's catch, the muskies continue to be well worth fishing for on Lake Waconia. Try working the weeds on Reinke's Reef, North Reef or Center Reef for starters. Walleyes, while not overly active of late, would be worth fishing on Keg's Reef or Center Reef, with a patient presentation. Jigging fatheads or slowly dragging lindy rigs has worked for a few anglers recently. Sunfish and crappies have been a touch deeper than the past few weeks. We're seeing some of these fish biting in 12 to 14 feet of water using wax worms and crappie minnows.

Don't forget to bring your kids 10 years of age and younger to our FREE Nickle Dickle Day Kid's Fishing Prize Pond on September 19th from 10 am to Noon. Kids will have the chance to "fish" for prizes that include candy, toys and fishing tackle. Every eligible child that participates will win.

Also, a quick reminder, we will be sending in ALL cormorant petitions after Monday, September 21st, so if you are collecting signatures, please return them to us before that date. Thank you to all of you that are working with us on this issue.

Lake Waconia Fishing Report 8-19-09

We want to start this week's report with a little news regarding our Cormorant Petition that we've been very passionate about. We greatly appreciate the overwhelming support that we've received from local businesses and people in gathering names. If you haven't signed our petition, or if you would like to help gather names and signatures, don't forget to check our our website at InTowneMarina.com (click on the Cormorant Awareness link) and print off your own petition from there. Just remember we need to have ALL petitions returned to us by Monday, September 21st, so that we can send them all in together to the DNR.

Now, on to the Fishing Report. This summer's weather has been very interesting. Last week, temperatures soared into the 90's, while this week it appears we'll be dealing with upper 60's and low 70's. This drastic difference from week to week can greatly influence the bite. The better fishing is usually during the frontal changes. When it gets cooler like it will be this week, it's best to have a patient plan of attack. It's a good time to put away the fast moving baits and go with a slower approach like bobber fishing, or slowly dragging a jig along the bottom.

During the last week or so, anglers who have been having the most success have been fishing amongst pockets in the weeds. Certainly you can expect to catch fish along the weed edges as well, but fishing in the weeds, while more difficult, gives you a better chance. Places to find good weed structure are Center Reef, North Reef, and Pillsbury Reef. While each of these areas have been spotty from day to day, more often than not you can find a good bite there. Generally, it's a good idea to be fishing between 10 to 13 feet. Expect the sunfish and bass bite to be the most consistent. Some bass anglers have been reporting catches in even shallower water, throwing baits in the reeds and shallow weed areas in less than 6 feet of water. Crappies and Sunnies have also been doing well between the two marinas as well as into Waconia Bay. If you're looking for the big gamefish bite, the muskie action has tapered off a bit, but don't put your rods away yet. Muskie action can turn on a dime and when it's on, there isn't a better lake than Waconia.

We hope to see you on the lake!

Lake Waconia Fishing Report 8-12-09

The dog days of summer are finally here! It's been a while since we've seen consistently warm weather, and that can greatly impact what to fish and where to catch them. While the fish aren't as active as they were earlier in the summer, there are people still having success.

While the muskie bite isn't as ferocious as it has been, there have continued to be some successful catches. Just yesterday, Eric Wolf and Kyle Stender won our Employee Fishing Contest with a couple of nice muskies. Eric's measured in at 41 inches and Kyle's was a fat 39 inches. Both fish were released. The bite continues on the edges of reefs such as Center Reef, North Reef and Anderson's Reef in around 12 to 15 feet of water.

Sunfish and Crappies, while not jumping in the boat, are still active. You may have to do some sorting to get some of the bigger ones, but it is worthwhile to give them a shot. Sunnies continue to bite anywhere from 8 to 15 feet of water in areas like Harm's Point, Center Reef and in Waconia Bay. Crappie action has been a little deeper. Try for crappies of the deeper edges of Keg's Reef and North Reef in depths as much as 20 feet.

Walleyes have been somewhat quiet lately, but it would be worth your time to fish in the evening or early morning for them off of Kegs Reef and Red's Reef between 15 to 20 feet. Lindy rigs or Jigs with leeches have been working for some of the anglers.

Bass anglers continue to find success jigging plastic worms and casting spinnerbaits off of Cemetery Reef and North Reef. Some shallow-water fisherman have done well in the reeds throwing topwater baits like plastic frogs or buzzbaits. Don't shy away from trying around Peterson's Creek (also called the Carp Trap) on the northwest side of the lake. As always, pay attention to your depth readings in that part of the lake, due to lower water.

Happy Fishing!

It's Fair Time!

This Summer sure has been flying by hasn't it? The Carver County Fair is in town again August 5th thru August 9th. It's time for Pronto Pups, Funnel Cakes, Cheese Curds and milk shakes! While you are there, make sure to stop by the Waconia Chamber of Commerce building to sign our Cormorant petition! Our friends at many of the busineses in the area you may visit will also have the petition available for signing. Some of the locations include: Mackenthun's County Market, Hopper's Bar, Waconia Farm and Home Supply, Hardware Hank, Waconia VFW, Island View Golf and Dining, Wytt's End, Franklin Printing, Cabin Fever in Victoria and The Gasthouse Bar in Young America, with more locations to follow soon! Remember the petition is easily available to you right now if you click on the Cormorant Awarness link on our website. Get friends and family involved if they are concerned about our local Lakes and the trees on beautiful Coney Island.

Now, let's talk fishing! This week the panfish bite has remained strong for this time of year! Sunnies and Crappies can both be found on the 9'-14' weedlines. Kegs reef, North Reef and Waconia bay have been giving up Nice Sunnies and some marginal Crappies along those weedlines. Deeper Water off of North reef and Kegs reef have been producing some Bigger suspended crappies.

Muskie Anglers can be seen throwing their giant baits on almost every corner of the lake, but Anderson's reef, Reinke's reef, and Center Reef has been seeing a lot of action.

Largemouth are being caught shallow and deep right now. Powerbait, and Bass Assasins have been very effective! Don't be affraid to upsize baits, Musky guys are hooking big bass on accident with their giant lures!

Speaking of accidental fish on Muskie baits ask In Towne Marina Employee Travis Genz about his fish story! Travis boated a 28" Walleye with a big Bucktail! Not a common occurance to say the least!

Thanks for reading, and good luck on the water!

Lake Waconia Fishing Report 7-29-09

The lake produced another solid week of muskie action. We're continuing to hear reports of multiple catches of fish over 40 inches, with the largest of the week being 51 inches. North Reef, Center Reef and the southeast side of Coney Island are a few of the better areas to fish, throwing large swimbaits and bucktails along the weeds.

Those of you looking for a bass bite should be encouraged with the continuing action. If you like to use artificial baits, texas-rigged worms and spinnerbaits have been useful for enticing nice bucketmouths. If you're into using live bait, you can't beat a jig with a leech right now. Try working the outer weed edges of Pillsbury Reef, Cemetery Reef and Center Reef.

If you're looking for fish for the frying pan, sunnies are still worth your time. Wax worms and angle worms are the bait of choice for many anglers. Spend time working the weeds of Pillsbury Reef, Waconia Bay and Anderson's Reef in about 10 to 14 feet of water.

Just another reminder...with rain totals way down this summer, lake water levels continue to drop. Areas of concern include the northwest quadrant of the lake (several hundred yards from the outer edges of the reeds in that area), by the Rock Dock in the west end Wagener's Bay, as well as near the public access on the east side of the lake. Each of these areas are shallower than normal, and pose a great danger if caution isn't used. Stop in to our bait shop if you would like further detail about these shallow spots.

Have good week fishing!

Take a Kid Fishing

On Saturday July 18th, 2009, In Towne Marina hosted the 18th Annual "Take a Kid Fishing" event for the Waconia Lions. More than 30 kids showed up to spend some time on the water with the Lions that day. The weather was a little on the cool side, but made for a fine fishing morning! The kids had a fun morning of reeling in some respectable Sunfish along withe some nice Bass! Captain Jim got out the fillet knives and several of the Lions made sure that the kids who wanted to bring their catch home, could do so ready for the frying pan! As always we donated the use of our Screenhouse, all the bait, and with the help of Ken's Bait in Chaska, jig sticks for each kid to take home. Some of the other sponsors were our friends at The Waconia Patriot, and Cabin Fever. As always another wonderful event put on by Jeff Schulz and the rest of the Waconia Lions! See You next year kids!