Rate Card ID: 21888

Advanced fishing trip on Lake Minnetonka with Captain Dave targeting walleye, crappie, muskie, bass

Rate Card ID: 21888

Full Day Advanced Fishing Trip On Lake Minnetonka - Crappie, Walleye And More

Old School Fishing Guide Service Captain: Dave Gausman

Full Day Advanced Fishing Trip On Lake Minnetonka

Lake Minnetonka

Private Trip

Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing

What you will be catching:

About This Trip:

Full
day advanced fishing targeting crappie, walleye, muskie, bass, and pike
Captain Dave Gausman provides expert guidance using precision electronics aboard 19' Lund
Strategic approach focuses on diverse lake structures and trophy fishing techniques

Trophy Fishing Action

"Large muskellunge fish caught during fishing trip in Minneapolis Minnesota"

"Northern pike fishing success on boat in Minneapolis Minnesota with catch displayed"

"Large muskellunge fish being held on fishing boat in Minneapolis Minnesota waters"

"Northern pike catch displayed on fishing boat in Minneapolis MN"

"Two walleye fish in boat livewell compartment in Minneapolis Minnesota"

"Two walleye fish caught during fishing trip in Minneapolis Minnesota"

"Fresh caught crappie fish lying on pavement with yellow measuring board in Minneapolis MN"

"Large bass caught while fishing in Minneapolis MN"

"Angler holding large bass catch while fishing in Minneapolis MN"

"Fishing guide holding caught crappie during spring fishing trip in Minneapolis MN"

Full Day Advanced Fishing Trip On Lake Minnetonka

Ready to step up your game on one of Minnesota's most productive fishing lakes? This full-day advanced trip with Captain Dave Gausman puts serious anglers on the fish using time-tested local knowledge and cutting-edge electronics. You'll spend the day targeting crappie, walleye, muskie, bass, and pike across Lake Minnetonka's diverse structure, learning proven techniques that consistently produce results. This isn't your typical guided trip – we're talking advanced presentations, strategic moves, and going after trophy fish that call this renowned lake home. Meet us at Grays Bay with your valid Minnesota fishing license, and get ready for a day that'll sharpen your skills and fill your photo gallery.

What to Expect on the Water

Captain Dave runs a tight ship aboard his 19-foot Lund, equipped with the latest fish-finding electronics that'll show you exactly what's happening below the surface. This trip focuses on the kind of fishing that separates weekend warriors from dedicated anglers – we're talking precision casting to specific structure, reading electronics like a pro, and adjusting techniques based on what the fish are telling us. Lake Minnetonka's got over 14,000 acres and countless bays, points, and drop-offs to explore, so you'll see different water throughout the day. Don't expect to anchor in one spot and wait for fish to find you. We're constantly moving, analyzing conditions, and putting you on active fish using location-specific techniques that Dave's refined over years of guiding these waters. The boat's comfortable for up to three anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to work without tangling lines or bumping elbows.

Advanced Techniques & Electronics

This trip's all about leveling up your fishing game with techniques that actually work on Lake Minnetonka. We'll be using precision electronics to locate fish holding on specific structure – think submerged humps, weedlines, and drop-offs that casual anglers cruise right past. Dave's approach combines traditional jigging methods with modern sonar technology, showing you how to read what's on the screen and translate that into hooksets. You'll learn proper jigging cadences for different species, how to work live bait presentations that trigger strikes from finicky fish, and casting techniques that put your lure exactly where it needs to be. The boat's rigged with quality rods and reels suited for different presentations, from light jigging setups for crappies to heavier tackle for muskie and pike. We'll cover trolling patterns for walleyes, vertical jigging for suspended fish, and casting techniques around structure that holds bass and pike. Every technique we use has been proven on this specific lake system.

Target Species You'll Hook

Largemouth bass on Lake Minnetonka are absolute tanks, with fish regularly pushing the 4-5 pound mark and giants over 6 pounds cruising the weedbeds and rocky points. These fish are most active during low-light periods and will absolutely crush topwater presentations early in the morning or late in the day. Bass here love structure – fallen trees, dock pilings, and weedline edges where they can ambush prey. What makes them special is their fighting ability in this clear water system. When you hook a big Minnetonka bass, expect multiple jumps and drag-screaming runs that'll test your skills.

Crappies are the bread and butter species that keep anglers coming back to Lake Minnetonka year after year. These fish school up in incredible numbers, especially during spring and fall transitions when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 55-65 degrees. We're talking about slab crappies that'll bend your ultralight rod double, with fish averaging 10-12 inches and plenty pushing 14 inches or better. They hold tight to structure like brush piles, fallen trees, and dock cribs, making precision presentations crucial for consistent success.

Walleyes in Lake Minnetonka are known for their size and fighting ability, with fish regularly exceeding 24 inches and providing that classic walleye headshake that every angler loves. These fish follow predictable patterns based on season and weather, moving from shallow spawning areas in spring to deeper structure during summer months. The lake's clarity means these walleyes can be finicky, requiring precise presentations and quality electronics to locate schools holding on specific depth contours.

Northern pike here are aggressive predators that'll absolutely destroy your presentation when they decide to feed. These fish love the lake's abundant weedbeds and shallow bays, where they ambush everything from suckers to smaller gamefish. Minnetonka pike regularly hit the 30-35 inch mark, with true giants over 40 inches lurking in the deeper weedlines. What makes them exciting is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights – when a big pike hits your spoon or spinnerbait, you'll know it immediately.

Muskellunge represent the ultimate trophy fish in Lake Minnetonka, with these apex predators growing to massive proportions in the lake's fertile waters. These fish require patience and persistence, often following lures without striking, but when they commit, the battle is legendary. Minnetonka muskies can exceed 50 inches and provide fights that'll leave you shaking with adrenaline. They're most active during fall months when water temperatures drop and baitfish schools concentrate, making this timing crucial for serious muskie hunters.

Time to Book Your Advanced Trip

This full-day advanced fishing experience represents serious value for anglers looking to improve their skills while targeting Lake Minnetonka's top-rated fishery. Captain Dave's local knowledge, combined with quality electronics and proven techniques, gives you the best shot at connecting with trophy fish while learning methods you'll use for years to come. The trip accommodates up to three anglers, making it perfect for small groups of serious fishermen ready to focus on results rather than just getting on the water. Remember to bring your valid Minnesota fishing license and be ready for a day that'll change how you approach fishing this world-class lake system. Book

Vehicle

Skiffs and flats boats

This 19' Lund skiff cuts through Lake Minnetonka's waters with authority, powered by a reliable 150hp Evinrude that gets you to the fish fast. Built for serious anglers, this shallow-water performer handles tight spots where big crappie and walleye hide. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip into structure silently, while the GPS keeps you on productive waypoints and the fish finder shows exactly what's below. With stable casting platforms and room for three focused fishermen, you'll have the space and tools needed to work Captain Dave's proven techniques. This boat means business when trophy fish are the target.

Length

19 ft

Capacity

3 passengers

Engines

Type

Boat

Features:

Wireless trolling motor for quiet maneuvering
GPS navigation system
Fish finder for locating targets

Target Species

Pomoxis Nigromaculatus

Crappie

These tasty panfish run 7-12 inches and travel in schools, making them perfect for filling the cooler. You'll find both black and white crappie in Minnetonka, usually suspended around brush piles, fallen trees, and deeper structure in 8-20 feet of water. Spring spawning time in shallow bays is prime, but they bite year-round if you can locate the schools. What guests love most is the steady action once you find them, plus they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the lake. The meat is white, flaky, and mild. My go-to technique here is vertical jigging small plastics or using live minnows under a slip bobber. When you catch one crappie, don't move - there's usually a whole school underneath.

Micropterus Salmoides

Largemouth Bass

These green-backed fighters average 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, but don't let size fool you - they'll give you a real battle. Bass love hiding around structure like fallen trees, weed lines, and drop-offs in 3-15 feet of water. They're most active during spring and fall when water temps hit that sweet spot around 65-75°F. What makes them fun is that explosive strike and the way they jump when hooked. They're also great eating if you keep a few. On Minnetonka, try working swimbaits or jigs along the deeper weed edges early morning or late evening - bass here get pressured, so slow presentations often work better than aggressive retrieves.

Esox Masquinongy

Muskellunge

The apex predator of our waters, muskies are true trophy fish that can reach 40+ inches and 20+ pounds. These solitary hunters patrol weed edges, rocky points, and deeper structure, often following lures without striking. Late summer through fall provides the best opportunities when they're bulking up for winter. What draws anglers is the challenge - they're called "the fish of 10,000 casts" for good reason, but landing one creates memories that last forever. Their explosive power and acrobatic fights are legendary. Unlike pike, muskies have vertical bars on their sides and a more forked tail. Use barbless hooks and heavy tackle - 50-pound test isn't overkill. My local trick: after a muskie follows your lure boatside, do a figure-8 pattern with your rod tip in the water. That often triggers the strike.

Esox Lucius

Northern Pike

These toothy predators are Lake Minnetonka's aggressive ambush hunters, averaging 24-30 inches with razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through light line in seconds. Pike lurk in shallow, weedy bays and along vegetation edges where they can dart out at unsuspecting prey. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're actively feeding in 5-15 feet of water. What makes them exciting is the violent strike and strong fight - they'll make runs and even jump occasionally. Always use a steel leader or heavy fluorocarbon to prevent bite-offs. On our lake, focus on the weed-choked back bays with spoons or large swimbaits. When you feel that initial hit, don't set the hook immediately - let them turn the bait before driving it home.

Sander Vitreus

Walleye

Minnesota's favorite eating fish, walleye typically run 14-20 inches with those distinctive glassy eyes that help them hunt in low light. They prefer rocky structures, drop-offs, and weed edges in 12-25 feet of water during the day, then move shallow to feed at dusk and dawn. Best fishing is spring through fall, especially during those twilight hours. Guests chase them for the excellent table fare - firm, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also crafty fighters that test your skills. The silver eyes give them a big advantage in dim conditions, so focus your efforts during overcast days or evening hours. On Minnetonka, live bait rigs with leeches or crawlers dragged slowly along bottom transitions consistently produce.

Full Day Advanced Fishing Trip On Lake Minnetonka - Crappie, Walleye And More