Few things can stop an enthusiastic angler from getting out there and enjoying the catch! Winter fishing offers its own challenges and rewards, including the beautiful scenery of Lake Minnetonka in the wintertime. Ice fishing is a unique experience and can make for a memorable trip for you and your family, but we know a few ways that you can take your trip to the next level. For guided ice fishing trips, Minnesota has some of the best scenery, the best fishing spots, and the best ice fishing guides. Minnesota’s own Set the Hook offers guided fishing trips all year round to help you make the most of your time out on the water, whether it’s frozen or not.
If you want to come out on the water with us, we’ll show you the full range of fun that Lake Minnetonka has to offer. You can learn how to fish without worrying about what gear to buy from our experts with decades of fishing experience. Then you’ll be able to take that enthusiasm with you when you go to buy your own fishing equipment. We’ll show you how to stay safe on the ice, and our guides will ensure you can maximize your fun without putting you or your family at risk.
Do you want to fish while in the lap of luxury? Our ice houses give you all the comforts of home, even while you’re out on the ice, landing fish and sharing some good food and laughs with your people. It may be cold outside, but you’ll be nice and comfortable while you’re catching fish and enjoying those beautiful sights of Lake Minnetonka. Ice fishing is one of our favorite winter activities; we can’t wait to share it with you.
So put on your enthusiasm, grab some hot chocolate, and let the best ice fishing guides in Minnesota take you on an adventure you’ll never forget. In fact, here are five ways we can help make sure your Lake Minnetonka ice fishing trip is unforgettable with plenty of memories to last a lifetime.
Fishing Tips From the Experts
Whether you’re ice fishing or summer fishing, Lake Minnetonka offers an abundance of fish to catch no matter what time of year you visit. The lake is rich with bass making them popular for eating and releasing. They are also known for putting up a good fight, which always enriches the fishing experience.
Unlike many other fish, bass don’t require specialized equipment to catch properly, which is why they’re a good starter fish for beginners. They also bite, whether it’s a hot summer or a bitterly cold winter. Of all the fish we help adventurous families hook, bass remain one of the top choices for the ease of finding, catching, and cooking. We’ll get you started with the knowledge that will serve you well whenever you decide to go angling for bass.
If bass are the most accessible fish, walleye are the most delicious. Lake Minnetonka’s best-kept secret is the challenging walleye fish. They’re harder to catch than the bass, but they are popular because they are so tasty. Because of their elusive nature, walleye present a more significant challenge for anglers than bass or other fish in Lake Minnetonka. All these factors make walleye the perfect catch for bragging rights—and the dinner table. We’ll teach you some of the best techniques for catching walleye, and we might even share a few of our favorite recipes with you.
Every Lake Minnetonka ice fishing trip can stand to have a few more pike. These fish are well-liked because they are healthy and delicious, a true Minnesota treat. They’re also serious fighters and can get big (17-25 inches in length on average, topping out around 40 inches). If you want bragging rights or you fancy a real challenge at the end of your line, we definitely recommend going for pike, and we’ll be happy to show you the best places to find them and our favorite techniques for catching them.
Don’t let the name fool you: Crappies always make for a delightful angling experience. Not only do they have a unique flavor, but they’re also abundant in Lake Minnetonka. Fishing for crappies is relaxing because they’re easy to find and not too difficult to reel in (i.e., they’re great for younger anglers and newbies). You can take it easy while you reel in some tasty treats, enjoying the view and the company.
We’ll share our best tips and tricks for catching these different kinds of fish. We’ve been fishing these waters for decades, and we share our years of firsthand experience with you and your guests on all our guided ice fishing trips. Minnesota’s most delicious bounties await!
We Bring the Gear; You Bring Your Enthusiasm
Fishing is a great sport, but for new anglers, the hassle (and expense) of buying gear can seem like a barrier to entry — no need to worry with Set the Hook. If you want to give fishing a try without purchasing your own equipment, look no further than one of our guided ice fishing trips. Minnesota is a mecca for angling enthusiasts because it’s home to some of the best fishing lakes in North America and some of the most popular fish to catch, amongst some of the most beautiful winter scenery. Over the years, we’ve welcomed countless first-time anglers who leave full-fledged fishing enthusiasts. We want you to be part of that group, so we provide all the equipment you need — bait and tackle, rods, reels, lines, and tip-ups — to ice fish. We’ll even drill the holes for you!
The only things you need to bring are your enthusiasm and willingness to learn. If you’ve never fished with underwater cameras, you can also add that to your list of unique fishing experiences. Our underwater cameras will give you a new perspective and a look into the fascinating world of the fish beneath the ice.
You can take advantage of the advancements in fishing equipment technology without having to worry about the cost. The gear is included in the price of our guided trips because we want you to get a taste of the real angling experience. After all, we think the sport speaks for itself. Once you’ve had a chance to try this amazing outdoor adventure, you’ll return year after year. Bring your family, fill up your cameras with great pictures, and discover the rugged natural beauty of Lake Minnetonka in the wintertime.
We promise that you, like your fish, will stay hooked!
Ice Home Away From Home
The best way to enjoy your time on the ice is with an ice home away from home. For many people, the best part of our guided ice fishing trips is the ice houses we rent. The ice houses come in several different models, all of which are ready to turn your ice fishing retreat into the perfect getaway. Our ice houses are the most comfortable and accommodating on the market and come stocked with a full suite of amenities.
We use insulated floors to keep your feet warm, even while you’ve got lines in the water, so you never feel too chilly to enjoy your time on Lake Minnetonka. Each ice house also features several fishing holes, and by the time you arrive, we’ll have them pre-drilled so that you can get straight to the fishing. That’s what we all came here for, after all.
All of our ice house models come equipped with a generator and heat, and we’ll also make sure to have the house warmed up before you arrive. When we say luxurious, we mean it. Our ice houses also feature a TV to watch while you’re fishing, during meals, or at night while trying to wind down before bed. And yes, we have beds too.
Oh, that’s right — up to five people can sleep comfortably in these babies, so feel free to bring your family or friends along for the trip. You can fish all day, spend the night enjoying the day’s catch, then sleep comfortably in the beautiful Lake Minnetonka outdoors. It’s hard to argue with that!
With so many comforts of home, you don’t have to worry about missing out on anything while fishing with us. We’ve got you covered with the best and most comfortable ice houses in Minnesota, and it’s one more reason why we’re the best fishing guides in the area.
Stay Safe on the Ice
Safety is paramount on the ice. While Lake Minnetonka is beautiful in the winter, it can be dangerous to those who are unprepared or who fail to respect the winter conditions properly. Ice, especially, is fraught with risks for those who don’t know what to look for and how to treat it with due caution. Ice is deceptively fragile and durable by turns, so you always want to know exactly what you’re dealing with before you go out. We have the expertise to help keep you safe, and that’s something we make a top priority on every one of our guided fishing trips.
For example, did you know that clear ice is safer to stand on than cloudy ice? Clear ice is stronger than the cloudy stuff, which indicates imperfections and structural integrity loss. The ice should always be at least four inches thick to walk on, but there are certain areas where it should be thicker. In some places, the ice might not get four inches thick. Some areas can be thinner than others, but we know exactly what to look for to keep you safe.
We understand your family is the most important thing in the world to you, so they are the most important thing to us too. With our safety training and operating guidelines, as well as our top-of-the-line equipment and decades of experience fishing on the ice, we’ll be able to keep you and your family safe and focused on the fun.
Fun and Fins
Speaking of fun, we also love to share the fun and joy of ice fishing with our guests. We’ve been doing this for a long time with decades of combined experience in the area. At Set the Hook, we know Lake Minnetonka and Minnesota better than anyone. There’s so much to love about the area; we’ll share that with you through our friendly and knowledgeable guides. Your group can have a few laughs as you create memories that can only be made on a unique outdoor adventure like ice fishing.
Come prepared to share some good times, take some pictures, and enjoy all that the great outdoors in Minnesota has to offer!
Let Us Be Your Guides
For the best guided ice fishing trips, Minnesota can do no better than Set the Hook! We’ve got the gear, the grins, and we’ll make sure you get the fins! Whether you want to catch your dinner and eat it out in nature or take some home with you, our goal is to make sure you can’t stop smiling from the moment you get out here until the moment you get home.
Let our ice houses be your home away from home to help inspire your spirit of adventure. All of the scenic fishing and unforgettable fun await!