Let's get some discussion going about Minnetonka smallmouths. I have fished Tonka twice this year and I can't believe how this fishery has improved for smallies. It used to be rare to catch a Tonka smallie, now I am confident I can get a dozen or so in 3 hours of dusk fishing.

My problem is that I basically have only one spot - a rocky shoreline on the north end of the lake. I usually Carolina Rig a 5-inch Berkley Gulp leech in 5-7 feet of water. Of course the Senko will catch them too. I've caught fish up to 19 inches long. There has got to be other areas to catch them. Any one else fish Tonka for smallmouths?

I have never specifically targeted smallies on tonka, but have pulled in a few down around exclsior, and st. alban's bay and the northern side of wayzata bay while fishing for walleye and muskies.

Smallies on Tonka? What?

I've caught a couple incidentially, but would like to find some areas that hold them consistently. Rocks, sand, rip-rap are all good locations to try. Some nice ones to be had. Sounds like you are on the right track though.

Here's the DNR's survey.

Smallmouths are listed.

I thought they were still few and far between, oh how I would love it if Tonka became a real good sm fishery.

I have the lil smallies figured out:) I've seen 2 19" both released come from Tonka, so there's gotta be a 20-21" in there by now as it was a few yrs ago that the 19"'s were caught.. Their population is growing which is sweet! Mostly Brown's bay that I've seen them in, but they are all over, and even way on the west side. Hard bottom areas.

It would be great to have a decent smallie lake in the Twin Cities. I caught a few by accident years ago, but haven't ever targeted the little buggers.

Good to hear folks are starting to go after them specifically, the numbers must be creeping up. Keep 'em breeding!

I caught my largest smallmouth, 21.5 inches, on Minnetonka six years ago. It looked like a football. From that point on I have made it a point to hit a couple of spots that have consistantly produced smallies whenever I am on the lake. I have managed many in the 18 to 20 inch range.

Wayzata Bay - deeper structures are all good, but Browns may offer the most consistency. I have noticed that the fishery seems to be getting better. I did catch a 20.5" football on walleye opener three years ago.

Anybody know why they don't stock them? I would be nice to give it a good jolt and have it become a good sm lake.

Just taking a stab I'd say who'd pay for it. I don't think there's enough shallow rocky habitat to support a lot of #'s. Then again there could be huge schools of 20"'s 40 feet down - what do I know.

Well maybe we should start an organization to stock them. Smallmouth Inc? The thing is, they don't really stock smb anywhere...

Smallmouth Bass are like the northland's version of carp...if you get a few in a lake, they'll become established. I really don't think stocking them will help the numbers in minnetonka all that much...smallies adapt very well, so it all comes down to spawning habitat, as well as competition for food.

Some of the lakes in the grand marais area are a perfect example...a handful of lakes up there have been illegally "stocked" with smallies by local anglers. And in less than 10 years, some of these lakes are already overrun with bass. Because there is an endless amount of spawning habitat and lack of competition from other species, it only took a small number of bass to take over the lakes in such a short time.

Now, minnetonka has had smallies for quite some time, if the lake was suitable for big numbers of smallies, they'd be there by now. I like smallmouth bass, but largemouth bass are fun to catch too.

Thats a interesting point. I've been meaning to call my local DNR Fisheries guy and maybe I'll ask him about that. I love fishing lmb too, but just about every lake in MN is good for lmb but there isn't anything in the metro that is real good for smb (unless Minnetonka is better than I thought) It just would be nice to have a good smb fishery.

Lac Lavon in Apple Valley is the only lake that I know of that has been stocked, but they don't allow motors and there isn't a boat ramp so thats not a good option.