Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 6, 2022
Species recorded at Minnetonka Lake
18 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Minnetonka Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
8 public boat landings are recorded on Minnetonka Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 6, 2022 caught 2.50 walleye per gill net at Minnetonka Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Minnetonka Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
15 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2022-06-06 (Standard Survey).
15 surveys on file · most recent 2022-06-06 (Standard Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 60.91 | 2–8 in 2022-06-06 | 0.17 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 42.46 | ||
| Largemouth Bass | 13.45 | 5–14 in 2022-06-06 | 0.95 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 8.80 | 5–8 in 2022-06-06 | 0.13 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
Yellow Perch
From the 2022-06-06 survey
Introduction 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…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Minnetonka Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — MinnetonkaFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — MinnetonkaFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — MinnetonkaPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Minnetonka Lake?
Minnesota DNR's Standard Survey on June 6, 2022 caught 2.50 walleye per gill net at Minnetonka Lake. Minnesota DNR lists 18 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Minnetonka Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Minnetonka Lake is dated June 6, 2022. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Minnetonka Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Minnetonka Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Do the water-quality readings tell me how Minnetonka Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Minnetonka Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
Water-quality readings are not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class: a lake with clear, low-nutrient water can still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Minnetonka Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Minnetonka Lake
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Planning a trip to Minnetonka Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Minnetonka Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.