05-09-2012, 11:10 AM
Roughly 45 minutes west of the tall towers and busy streets of downtown Minneapolis lies a gem of a lake where, come May 12, Gov. Mark Dayton will seek Minnesota's favorite fish for the walleye opener. Chances are good he'll succeed.
At 3,000 acres, Lake Waconia is one of the largest lakes in the seven-county metro region, second only to Lake Minnetonka. But it's second to none in terms of the quality and variety of angling experiences it offers. Much of that is the result of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fish management efforts.<br />
"Waconia is a great walleye lake," said Brad Parsons, DNR regional fisheries manager. "Currently, walleye abundance is 1.5 to 2 times higher than Minnetonka, White Bear and Forest lakes."<br />
While many metro lakes are stocked every other year, Waconia receives walleye every year as part of a study to compare returns on stocking of walleye fingerlings versus cheaper walleye fry. Generally, walleye fry - recently hatched fish that are about one-third of an inch - are stocked three out of four years, and fingerlings are stocked the fourth year. This spring, the DNR stocked about 830,000 fry. In 2011, 38,411 fingerlings were added to Waconia. Over the past 11 years, the DNR has stocked nearly 2 million walleye fry and fingerlings into Waconia, as well as nearly 6,000 muskellunge.<br />
That stocking regime has resulted in good numbers of catchable size fish. Waconia has a minimum walleye size limit of 16 inches. Fisheries surveys indicate an average walleye size of about 19 inches and 2.5 pounds. Anglers visiting Waconia for the first time might explore some of the reefs in the north and west portions of the lake, as well as the area around Coney Island. The lake is also a good bet for catching northern pike and, after May 26, largemouth bass are available for harvest, too.<br />
Waconia also provides a quality muskellunge fishery. Muskellunge are stocked every other year, and 50-inchers are not uncommon. The muskellunge season opens June 2.<br />
Access to Lake Waconia includes a public boat ramp on the east side of the lake, a private marina on the south end in the city of Waconia, and a fishing pier at Cedar Point Park.
At 3,000 acres, Lake Waconia is one of the largest lakes in the seven-county metro region, second only to Lake Minnetonka. But it's second to none in terms of the quality and variety of angling experiences it offers. Much of that is the result of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fish management efforts.<br />
"Waconia is a great walleye lake," said Brad Parsons, DNR regional fisheries manager. "Currently, walleye abundance is 1.5 to 2 times higher than Minnetonka, White Bear and Forest lakes."<br />
While many metro lakes are stocked every other year, Waconia receives walleye every year as part of a study to compare returns on stocking of walleye fingerlings versus cheaper walleye fry. Generally, walleye fry - recently hatched fish that are about one-third of an inch - are stocked three out of four years, and fingerlings are stocked the fourth year. This spring, the DNR stocked about 830,000 fry. In 2011, 38,411 fingerlings were added to Waconia. Over the past 11 years, the DNR has stocked nearly 2 million walleye fry and fingerlings into Waconia, as well as nearly 6,000 muskellunge.<br />
That stocking regime has resulted in good numbers of catchable size fish. Waconia has a minimum walleye size limit of 16 inches. Fisheries surveys indicate an average walleye size of about 19 inches and 2.5 pounds. Anglers visiting Waconia for the first time might explore some of the reefs in the north and west portions of the lake, as well as the area around Coney Island. The lake is also a good bet for catching northern pike and, after May 26, largemouth bass are available for harvest, too.<br />
Waconia also provides a quality muskellunge fishery. Muskellunge are stocked every other year, and 50-inchers are not uncommon. The muskellunge season opens June 2.<br />
Access to Lake Waconia includes a public boat ramp on the east side of the lake, a private marina on the south end in the city of Waconia, and a fishing pier at Cedar Point Park.