3/6/2023 - Lake Minnewaska Ice/Fishing Report
Lake Minnewaska Fishing Report
Travel is doable off road with the right equipment as of 3/5/2023. I saw multiple 4wd trucks, wheelers, and side by sides getting around off the roads on Saturday. Forecast looks like we may get some more snow so that could change. With some warmer temps it should continue to shrink and make it easier to get around.
The panfish bite has been pretty good on the Glenwood end. There are sunfish nearly everywhere from 12-15ft, finding the bigger is more difficult. Focusing on finding the right school and then holding tight seemed to pay off. Crappies are around too, just in fewer numbers. The primetime window is the best bet to capitalize on the crappies. With so many sunfish around, using a deadstick with a crappie minnow can get you a few additional bites. The classic late ice spots should start to fire up with the longer days.
Looking for green weeds is key, especially with the snow and ice cover we have had this winter. Oxygen levels are at a low point and green weeds provide that for the fish. There are fewer weeds on Minnewaska it seems compared to prior years so it makes it even more important. Other lakes around the area will follow the same pattern. Look for weed flats/edge close to those traditional spring spawning areas. The closer it gets to the spawn, the closer those panfish will be. Good luck fishing and stay safe!
Ice/Fishing Report Lake Minnewaska 1/22/2023
Lake travel on Minnewaska remains good. We did not get all the snow they got in southern MN, so it's easy to get around on the lake. There is 20 plus inches of ice on the lake. For the most part all the access are still in good shape as well. The beach access that is next to the snack shack is a little beat up. Would not recommend taking your fish house on or off using that one. Hunts Resort access remain closed, and doubtful they will open it.
Fishing has been a little slow with the warmer temps and lack of sunshine. People have been catching a few out in front of Lakeside as well as out from the A Frame house. The High school bar as been producing a few fish as well. Ideal depth would be 14 to 16 feet of water.
We have many specials going on right now in our tackle department. Take $10 off any size Engle cooler, 20% off ice combo's, and rattle reels. Also, all our decor items are 20% off.
We have wax worms and spikes in red or white. A full line of bait including 3 different sizes of shiners, regular, large and XL.
Our ours are Monday-Friday 5:30 - 8:00 - Saturday 6:00 - 8:00 and Sunday 6:30 - 7:00
12/28/2022 Fishing Report - Minnewaska
Panfish bite remains strong all over the Glenwood end of the lake. Shoot for shoreline breaks in 12-16ft for both sunfish
and crappies. Crappies are most active in the evenings and at night. Using a spoon for the sunfish can help to weed out some of the smaller ones.
Walleyes remain decent, getting to some of the main lake structure is the best. 15-22ft seems to be the range, although that can vary from spot to spot. Use both a combination of set lines and jigging. We have fatheads, suckers, and shiners available.
Lake travel is pretty good right now. Some drifts but being able to drive just about anywhere with a truck is doable. Bring a shovel if planning on going in a truck, some drifts are pretty solid. On average 14-16 inches of ice but that varies widely depending on where you are at. West of priest point was kept open longer by waterfowl, please use caution over there.
Lake Minnewaska and Reno both have truck traffic on them, we are hearing anywhere from 14-17 inches out on the lakes for ice.
Good luck fishing!
Ice Report Lake Minnewaska and Reno - 12/01/2022
Minnewaska official froze over on the 22 of November. A few are the bays look a little ruff as the ice that was on the lake blew in when the wind
was 30 mph for 2 days. But after the wind settled the lake froze over so smoothly. Ice looks like glass it is so smooth, Reno is the same way.
We did not get any of the snow that parts of southern MN got, so there is no snow cover on the lake. From the reports we have been hearing there is 3-5 inches
on Minnewaska and 4-6 on Reno. We have heard reports of small permanent houses out on Reno in the boy off of HWY 29. Fishing has been good as well, people catching nice
walleye's as well as the crappie bite at dusk.
We have a full line of up of minnows in, including our famous shiners in 3 different sizes, regular, large and XL. Our shelves are stocked up with great gear and lots of new items that hit
the market this year.
We are open Monday - Friday 5:30 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. Saturday 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Sunday 6:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
7/7/2022 Lake Minnewaska Fishing Report
Fishing continues to remain strong on Minnewaska as well as many area lakes. Walley's can be found anywhere from 5-18 feet, during the day try a little deeper, especially if the sun is out. If you can find the cabbage patches on Minnewaska you can find the walleye's. People are also catching many nice size sunfish the ones in the 10' category. Fishing for panfish is a great way to keep the kids occupied on the boat, as yes even some adults. There are a lot of weed beds around the lakes, find the weeds, then fish just above them. A small jig tipped with a crawler and bobber is a great way to fish for them . If you are looking for a popular catch it all spot to fish, check out the high school bar. You will find, bass, sunfish, northers and yes you will catch a walleye or two as well. Fishing the edge of the weed line and following it around the tip of the point is a great place to catch nice fish.
Yes it is difficult to find us right now, From 55, once you hit the round about you can turn right in. Coming up the hill from Glenwood 29N, turn right on 140th Ave it's right below the dental office. Follow that around past the town homes and also the water tower and you will come out on 55. Take a left which will take you around the round-s-bout.
We have Non-Ethanol Premium Gas, propane, ice in 3 different sizes, great selection of Koep's Gear, bait, tackle, etc. Leeches are being sold by the 1/2 pound or by the dozen. If you are on vacation and forgot something, chances are we have it for you.
If you have any questions, please give us a call 320-634-4660
Fishing Opener 5/11/2022 -
Well, it's almost here the great Minnesota fishing opener, and we are ready. Our bait is arriving daily, we do have regular golden shiners in, and
hope to get some Lake Shiners on Friday. Leeches are going to be small to start the season, but hopefully within a few weeks we will
lave a larger assortment. On opener we suggest to go shallow, don't be afraid to try 2 feet of water. The walleye's will be in shallow
feeding on the bait fish. Jig n a minnow is the best presentation for opening week-end, but do not rule out a crawler and a lindy rig.
We have a lot of great sales going on thru out the store - Rod combo's 20% off, JT Rod's 20% off, Koep's hats 15% off, take $5.00 off
any clothing purchase and all reels are 15% off.
We are open the following hours on opening week-end
Friday night we are open till 10:00
Saturday 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sunday 5:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
12/15/2021 Ice Report Lake Minnewaska/Lake Reno
Ice conditions are defiantly deuterating around the area, with the warmer temps and rain we are getting today. People are still
venturing out on Reno in the bay off of Hwy 29 as well as on Minnewaska out in front of the beach and Captain's bay by Hunt's Resort.
Some of the smaller lakes we have been hearing anywhere from 4-6 inches of ice out there, however have not heard much over
4-5 on on Waska. A big part of Reno was still open on the 6th of December so that will not have as much ice on it as the bay off of 29 does.
We are fully loaded with bait, including 2 different sizes of shiners.
Remember no ice is safe ice, please use caution when traveling out.
Not a ton has changed since the last report. Still in the heat of summer with water temps anywhere from 74-78 in the area depending on the lake. Water levels are down significantly on most lakes so that is something to be aware of when launching. The next week still has most days in the 80s so there shouldn't be much change in water temp or patterns.
Walleye fishing remains decent, look for it to improve in the coming weeks as the water temps drop. Spinners with worms and crankbaits on leadcore are still the two most popular tactics right now. There are still fish spread out in the basins chasing bait and those are two good methods to target them. More walleyes seem to be moving into the weeds so don't be afraid to try pulling spinners through the weeds or a jig/plastic combo as well. Best bets for walleye are still Reno, Waska, and Mary.
Bass fishing has been on fire, especcially on Minnewaska. Most largemouth are schooled up on the deeper weedlines. Locating coontail and sunfish together is key to finding the bass. 16-18ft with a jig worm, drop shot, or finesse jig has been best. Smallmouth are still biting as well and most fish are on shallow sand in 4-8ft. Other good options for largemouth are Reno, Pelican, Scandi, and Le Homme Dieu chain.
Panfish are also holding in the weeds and on the edges of the weeds, mostly in 12-17ft. Sunfish can be found schooled up and easy to catch once located. Crappies are a little more spread out, slowly trolling a small plastic or a small crankbait is a good option for the crappies. Fishing in the evening has been key for a good crappie bite. Most lakes in the area are producing a good panfish bite, just have to find them and they will bite.
The dog days of summer are offcially here and the fish are still biting fairly well. Walleyes have moved out into deeper structure and the basins, anywhere from 17-26ft depending on the lake. There is a few different ways to catch these fish, one is pulling spinners. Experimenting with your spinner presentation is key, whether that means switching weight sizes, blade color or size, or even speed. Another factor to think about is how long your spinner is as well, with clear water being common around the area don't be afraid to try spinners up to 6 or 7 feet long. Often times during the day it is effective to speed up to 1.5 to 1.7 mph when pulling spinners to create a reaction bite. Another option for the deeper fish, especially basin fish, is to pull leadcore. Some key colors have been firetiger, perch patterns, and purple. For those new to leadcore here is a good video that explains the basics, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m48LRDJTXgQ. Slip bobbers and jigging raps are another good option when you find fish more concentrated. There are still some fishing holding shallow in the weeds, casting plastics or jig/minnow combo works well for that. Best bets for walleyes are Minnewaska, Reno, Mary, Andrew, and Amelia.
Bass are still biting well on most area lakes. It can be a fun time of year to fish bass since they can be schooled up on the deep weedlines, especially on lakes like Minnewaska or the Le Homme Dieu chain. A variety of baits can work on the weedlines but some of my favorites are a jig worm (ned rig), drop shot, and a finesse jig. Finding sunfish and coontail are the two keys to finding the bass. If you can locate both of those in the same area you should be catching fish shortly. Here is a good video explain how to fish deep weeds for bass, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4zlvVjUQY0.
Sunfish and crappies are biting well if you can find them. Both are on the deeper side or just into the weeds. Cabbage weeds are very good this time of year for all species but especially panfish. Vertical jigging a smaller jig tipped with a panfish leech or piece of crawler is the best option for sunfish, once you find a few there is usually a bunch. Casting and slowy trolling through/over the weeds has been working best for crappies. Sunfish have been good on most lakes, for crappies I would look at Reno, Mary, and Villard.
