Lake Minnetonka Fishing
Hennepin County, 14,206 acres, 113 feet deep.
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First look at Lake Minnetonka
The DNR lists Lake Minnetonka as a lake covering 14,206 acres in Hennepin County. Soundings put the deepest water at 113 feet, with an average of 30 feet. About 42% of the lake, 6,032 acres, is under 15 feet deep. About under a mile separate the lake from Minnetonka Beach. Surveys come from the Metro West area fisheries office. The DNR muskie layer tags it introduced.
DNR surveys have recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Anglers launch from 11 public water accesses, 9 of them trailer launches. The newest catch data come from a standard survey on June 6, 2022. Walleye numbers, 2.5 per gill net, landed below the range the DNR expects (4.0-9.6). The DNR ice-out median is April 12 (269 records).
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These rows come from the standard survey on June 6, 2022; the normal range is the DNR range for lakes of the same class.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 60 | 2.5 | 4.0-9.6 | 2.59 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.29 | 0.3-0.9 | 2.53 | 1.0-2.2 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 292 | 12.17 | 3.0-7.9 | 2.56 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.21 | 1.72 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 74 | 3.08 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.12 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.12 | 0.7-3.7 | 0.19 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 73 | 3.04 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.33 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 45 | 1.88 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.33 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 761 | 31.71 | 0.2 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 2,209 | 92.04 | 3.7-42.9 | 0.15 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 8 | 0.33 | 0.3-1.2 | 0.95 | 0.6-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.08 | 0.4-1.4 | 0.14 | 0.3-0.7 |
Gill net totals, Lake Minnetonka
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
The Lake Minnetonka fishery in the DNR report
“Lake Minnetonka is a 14,206-acre lake in Hennepin County, with a maximum depth of 113 feet and an average depth of 30 feet.”
“The lake is comprised of many connected bays and has a complex shoreline.”
“Multiple public and private boat launches are located around Minnetonka, and the lake is popular with both anglers and recreational boaters.”
“Naturally reproducing populations of Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass are present, and Walleye and Muskellunge populations are maintained by stocking.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Lake Minnetonka (report). Checked October 2026.
Where trailers back down on Lake Minnetonka
- Lake Minnetonka, Grays Bay Access3 ramps, 107 trailer stalls, 4 docks, toilet, City of Minnetonka
- Lake Minnetonka, Maxwell Bay Access3 ramps, 80 trailer stalls, 5 docks, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Lake Minnetonka, Spring Park Bay Access3 ramps, 8 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, Hennepin County
- Lake Minnetonka, Carson Bay Access2 ramps, 17 trailer stalls, toilet, City of Deephaven
- Lake Minnetonka, North Arm Access2 ramps, 51 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, City of Orono
- Lake Minnetonka, Regional Park Access2 ramps, 53 trailer stalls, 3 docks, toilet, Three Rivers Park District
- Lake Minnetonka, Halsted Bay Access1 ramp, 1 dock, City of Minnetrista
- Lake Minnetonka, Mounds Bay Park Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, City of Mound
- Lake Minnetonka, Phelp's Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, City of Minnetrista
- Lake Minnetonka, Grays Bay Dam Access1 ramp, 1 dock, toilet, City of Minnetonka
- Lake Minnetonka, King's Point Access1 ramp, City of Minnetrista
Fishing Lake Minnetonka from shore
- Minnehaha Creek Grays Bay Dame Park Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Minnetonka, Lake Minnetonka, Grays Bay Dam Public Water Access Site
- Lake Minnetonka, Regional Park Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Minnetrista, Lake Minnetonka, Regional Park Public Water Access Site
- Lake Minnetonka, Maxwell Bay Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Orono, Lake Minnetonka, Maxwell Bay Public Water Access Site
- Lake Minnetonka, North Arm Shore Fishing Siteshore fishing site, Hennepin County, Parks, Lake Minnetonka, North Arm Public Water Access Site
- Lake Minnetonka, Coffee Channel Shore Fishing Siteshore fishing site, Hennepin County, Parks
- Lake Minnetonka, St. Albans Bay Shore Fishing Siteshore fishing site, City of Excelsior
- Lake Minnetonka, Kings Point Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Minnetrista, Lake Minnetonka, King's Point Public Water Access Site
- Lake Minnetonka, Narrows Channel Shore Fishing Siteshore fishing site, Hennepin County, Parks
- Lake Minnetonka, Harrison Bay Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Mound
Lake Minnetonka sub-basins
- Minnetonka-Black LakeDNR 27013306
- Minnetonka-Carsons BayDNR 27013303
- Minnetonka-Crystal BayDNR 27013310
- Minnetonka-Emerald LakeDNR 27013308
- Minnetonka-Grays BayDNR 27013301
- Minnetonka-Halsteds BayDNR 27013309
- Minnetonka-Jennings BayDNR 27013315
- Minnetonka-Lower LakeDNR 27013302
- Minnetonka-Maxwell BayDNR 27013311
- Minnetonka-North ArmDNR 27013313
- Minnetonka-Seton LakeDNR 27013307
- Minnetonka-St. Albans BayDNR 27013304
- Minnetonka-Stubbs BayDNR 27013312
- Minnetonka-Upper LakeDNR 27013305
- Minnetonka-West ArmDNR 27013314
Accesses a short drive from Lake Minnetonka
- Christmas Lake AccessChristmas, 3 miles southeast
- Lake Minnewashta, Regional Park (NE) AccessMinnewashta, 3 miles south
- Lake Minnewashta, Regional Park (E) AccessMinnewashta, 4 miles south
- Virginia Lake AccessVirginia, 4 miles southwest
- Dutch Lake Access near MoundDutch, 4 miles west
- St. Joe Lake AccessSt. Joe, 4 miles south
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Depth and shape of Lake Minnetonka
Since 2007, 135 Secchi readings have been recorded on Lake Minnetonka.
The earliest ice-out on record for Lake Minnetonka came March 11, 1878; the latest, May 5, 2018.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake Minnetonka elevation
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Minnetonka Abv Grays Bay Otlt In Minnetonka | 928.18 ft gage height | Oct 20 10:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 20, 2026 10:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
The Lake Minnetonka level history is a DNR volunteer gauge series, not a live feed.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish on record for Lake Minnetonka
Species for Lake Minnetonka come from DNR survey nets, so small or rare fish may be missing.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Bag and size limits on Lake Minnetonka
The statewide table below is every limit that applies on Lake Minnetonka.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Map position places Lake Minnetonka in the North-central Zone for pike and bass.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Competition on Lake Minnetonka
Open the Lake Minnetonka tournament page for dates and results.
Lake Minnetonka compared with its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Minnetonka | 14,206 | 113 | 11 | 2.5 | |
| Tanager Lake | 3 miles northeast | 53 | 23 | 0 | 2 |
| Forest Lake, Hennepin County | 3 miles northwest | 90 | 42 | 0 | |
| Christmas Lake | 3 miles southeast | 267 | 87 | 1 | |
| Virginia Lake, Carver County | 3 miles southwest | 105 | 34 | 1 | 0.4 |
| Lake Minnewashta | 4 miles south | 680 | 70 | 2 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Close by Lake Minnetonka
Lakes a short haul from Lake Minnetonka
- Tanager Lake3 miles northeast
- Forest Lake, Hennepin County3 miles northwest
- Christmas Lake3 miles southeast
- Virginia Lake, Carver County3 miles southwest
- Lake Minnewashta4 miles south
Bait counters serving Lake Minnetonka
- D H Custom Rods & Tackle LLCbait and tackle shop, Wayzata, under a mile
- Tonka Bay Marinamarina, Tonka Bay, 1 mile
- The Caribbeanmarina, Tonka Bay, 1 mile
- Rockvam Boat Yards Incmarina, Spring Park, 2 miles
- North Shore Marinamarina, Wayzata, 2 miles
- Minnetonka Marina Gideon Baymarina, Hennepin, 2 miles
Places to bunk near Lake Minnetonka
- Minnetonka Beachunder a mile
- Tonka Bay1 mile
- Spring Park2 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Lake Minnetonka
- Hennepin Countyseat: Minneapolis
Spinning and baitcasting picks for Lake Minnetonka
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Species in the nets at Lake Minnetonka
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Fizzishin, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Answers before you launch on Lake Minnetonka
Where does Lake Minnetonka sit on a Minnesota map?
The lake point falls in Hennepin County, managed from the Metro West fisheries office, about under a mile from Minnetonka Beach.
What acreage does LakeFinder give Lake Minnetonka?
14,206 surface acres, 113 feet at the deepest.
Where is the public access on Lake Minnetonka?
The DNR layer lists 11 public accesses; Lake Minnetonka, Grays Bay Access is a good start.
Is Lake Minnetonka a good panfish lake?
walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, per DNR surveys.
Is Lake Minnetonka above normal for walleye?
A standard survey on June 6, 2022; walleye ran 2.5 per gill net.
Is Lake Minnetonka under experimental regulations?
Statewide limits, North-central Zone.
Do I need a Minnesota license for Lake Minnetonka?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does Lake Minnetonka freeze and thaw?
Around April 12 in most years; April 3, 2026 last time.
Where can I buy minnows near Lake Minnetonka?
Closest on our list: D H Custom Rods & Tackle LLC, under a mile.
Hook up the trailer for Lake Minnetonka
The license page lists every Minnesota limit.