Rapala Original Floater F03
Rapala
The wounded-minnow that started arguments in more Minnesota tackle boxes than we can count. Twitch it, drown it, or just believe in it.
View on AmazonWater · West-central Minnesota (Pope County)
Lake Minnewaska
Pope County's big flat water at Glenwood. About 8,050 acres and only 32 feet deep, built for walleye and wind.
Usual suspects: Walleye, Northern pike, Panfish, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass
Minnewaska is about 8,050 acres per DNR LakeFinder and tops out at only 32 feet, so it’s mostly a big flat plate the wind likes to push around. Glenwood sits on the shore and watches it happen, like a town on the porch.
DNR surveys list walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, perch, tullibee and channel catfish. There’s a public access, and special regulations apply, so check the DNR regs before you keep fish. The lake also has zebra mussels and starry stonewort on the DNR list, so clean, drain and dry. Real bite notes go in Reports. Facts from DNR LakeFinder.
What’s happening
We are watching the calendar. Nothing on the books for this water that we can stand behind. When a real event shows up, it will land here — not a daydream with a date slapped on it. See all of Events.
Boat kit
Usual tray for this water
Picks from the species that actually live here, already on the gear guides. Click a card if you want it in the boat. We still will not invent a bite.
Johnson Standard Minnow Spoon, Gold, 2-3/4 inch, 3/4 oz
Johnson
The original weedless wonder still earns a seat in Minnesota pike boats. Cast it through pads and cabbage, keep a steady wobble, and tip it with a trailer if the fish want a little more meal. Gold 3/4 is the listing we can actually buy today.
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Clam Drop Jig, Size 12, 1/16 oz, Wonderbread
Clam
Minnesota ice-house tungsten with a flat tie-eye that puts the hook where soft-mouthed crappies keep their secrets. Small, dense, and weirdly charming in Wonderbread paint.
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Storm WildEye Swim Shad 03, Fire Tiger
Storm
Pre-rigged soft shad with holographic flash and that WildEye stare that looks slightly judgmental. Cast it along weed edges and riprap when Minnesota bass want a baitfish without the drama of live bait.
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Rapala Shad Rap 07
Rapala
Balsa with a job. The Shad Rap is the crankbait people name the way they name a truck.
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Rapala Minnow Spoon RMS-10, Firetiger
Rapala
Minnow silhouette with spoon flash, built to slide through greenery without a speech. Firetiger is the loud outfit for stained summer water when pike are parked in the salad.
View on AmazonFish notes WalleyeNorthern pikePanfishBass
Gear guides MN weekend rod & reel — wallet setupsMinnesota walleye classicsSpinners and cast daysWalleye spinning & jigging setups
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