I just graduated from Mankato, and am moving to an eden prairie (basically 494 and hwy 5) and am looking to see what people would suggest for fishing around there. I know minnetonka would be pretty close, but any other suggestions? Also I own a boat but will be getting it out of winter storage soon and don't have room for it at my new place so I will be looking for somewhere to store it for the summer, any suggestions for that neck of the woods?? Thanks in advance for any advice, this site is AWESOME! P.S. I just got a brand new northern set up for graduating and am itching to try it out!

Your best tool for finding information on lakes, (aside from reading old threads on FM! ) is to use the DNR Lakefinder...

DNR Lakefinder

as far as storing your boat, if you dont have the space at your residence, there are quite a few storage places with secured lots that you can store the boat outside, or there's always renting a garage at one of the mini storage places. My usual M.O. is to start burning up the phones until I find one that meets my needs for price, features and location.

Welcome to FM!

waconia is a good lake and close to where you will be.

regards,
minnesotatuff

If your looking for northerns i would recommend Riley. It has quantity and quality. I wouldnt be afraid to try some of the smaller lakes in the area either.

Jake,
I was in the same position as you a few years back, having moved to EP and wanting to fish. Though at first I did not have a boat I quickly came by one to try out a few of these lakes. I haven't fished quite a few of the lakes in Eden Prairie, but I'll tell ya that I have a few favorites for sure.

First being Bryant Lake, which is loaded with great bass (had 5-6 over 20" last year in the boat) and it has a decent tiger muskie population to boot. There are quite a few northern in there, but its difficult to target them since the bass population is MUCH higher(in reference to your new rig). If you have any questions about that lake feel free to email me though (acarrell at gmail dot com) and I'll answer whatever I can (seriously).

Minnewashta is a fun lake as well, though I've only fished that one from one of the fishing peirs several years ago. I've heard good things about Riley and Mitchell, and I'm actually planning on trying out Mitchell myself here within the next week or 2.

Minnetonka is of course an obvious option too, just gotta get someone with ya that might know the water a little bit and show you some good breaks. Or, just study a contour map a little bit.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

Learn how to fish on Minnetonka and you will have the quality and quantity of any species your looking for. If you can handle the pleasure boaters.

Good luck

Yup Tonka - hands down the best lake in the metro. Bryant is good, but plenty of wake boarders to put up with.

Take Hwy 5 West to Dell rd North. That turns into 101 and that'll take you right to the Grays bay access. 15mins and you're set.

Welcome to FM Jake! I live in Eden Prairie right now as well and I think you'll have no problem finding a good lake in the area to call home. Here's just a few I recommend....in no particular order.

Bryant Lake
Lake Riley
Lotus Lake
Lake Minnewashta
Lake Waconia

Good luck and welcome to the city of "Absurdly large SUV's."