West Metro area fisheries staff perform management, habitat and oversight work for 102 fishing lakes and 108 miles of rivers and streams in Carver, Hennepin and Scott counties.
Popular area waters are Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and two large rivers – the Minnesota and Mississippi.
- News & notices
What can I catch?
Wondering what fish you can catch and when you can catch them? Seasons vary for different fish so use our fishing season listing to find out.
Get started fishing
We can help you get started fishing. Check out our tips and links to information on how to fish, filleting fish, frying fish and more.
- Fishing opportunities
Outlooks
Fishing piers & boat ramps by county
- Resources
Information
Related Contacts
- Aquatic plant management: Questions and Permits 651-259-5831 (ask for aquatic plant management staff)
- Fish and wildlife kills: Minnesota Duty Officer 651-649-5451 / 1-800-422-0798
- Lake management planning
Lakes scheduled for 2024
People who want to discuss the individual fisheries listed below must call or email this area fisheries office during February. Your observations and comments will be considered as updates begin on these fisheries lake management plans.
Comments from people interested in the health and quality of Minnesota’s fisheries are a critical part of the DNR’s fisheries lake management planning process. These plans establish fisheries management goals and objectives for each lake and guide the work fisheries biologists do each year.
Clicking lake links below take you to LakeFinder, where you can find various lake specific information, including past fisheries surveys. To submit input or learn more about each lake’s management plan, please contact this area office.
How you can help
Comments about preferred experiences, observations or general concerns about the fishery – rather than suggestions on how DNR might accomplish a specific goal or objective – are the most helpful kinds of input.
Some questions to consider when formulating input could include:
- What kind of fishing experience are you looking for?
- Are there fish habitat concerns you’d like to share?
- What species of fish are most important to you?
- Do you like catching fewer big fish or a lot of smaller fish?
Individuals as well as representatives of lake associations, outdoors groups, conservations organizations and local units of government are encouraged to comment.
- Talk with us
West Metro staff
Slide text left for phones & emails
Name
Position
Phone
Email
Daryl Ellison Area supervisor 952-236-5171 [email protected] Matt Petersen Assistant area supervisor 952-236-5175 [email protected] Mark Nemeth Trout stream habitat specialist 952-236-5172 [email protected] Fishing in the Neighborhood Mario Travaline Fishing in the Neighborhood 952-236-5174 [email protected] Kristan Maccaroni Fisheries specialist 952-236-5173 [email protected] Jason Harris Fisheries specialist 952-236-5176 [email protected] Vacant Office administrative specialist 952-236-5170 April Londo Aquatic invasive species specialist 651-259-5861 [email protected]