Lakemaster GPS Map Chip Reviewed: 2009 LakeMaster® ProMap Minnesota Card
Reviewed By: Mike Finke – In-Depth Outdoors Staff
Mike Finke Outdoors
Lake / River: Lake Independence (West Metro – Hennepin Co.)
Additional Information: http://www.lakemap.com/newlakemaster2009products.aspx
Lakemaster’s 2009 MN GPS Chip – Lake Independence 3 Mile Zoom Range
Lake Independence is an 844-acre lake located in western Hennepin County near the city of Maple Plain. Due to the tremendous diversity of the available fishing opportunities Lake Independence can lay claim to being one the metro’s best all-around fisheries.
Lake Independence offers a diverse sport fish community consisting of black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch and it is the quality of the bass, muskie and pike fishing that really helps this lake stand out from its neighbors.
The Lake Independence muskellunge population averaged approximately 39 inches and 14 pounds during a 2004 survey. All fish were larger than 35 inches with two fish exceeding 40 inches. The largest fish measured a respectable 47.8 inches.
During the 2004 assessment the largest walleye measured slightly over 28 inches. Approximately 84 and 61% of sampled walleye were over 15 and 20 inches, respectively. IT should be noted however that the presence of good numbers of small perch may make catching Lake Independence walleyes very challenging.
Lakemaster’s 2009 MN GPS Chip – Lake Independence 1.0 Mile Zoom Range
From Mike Finke… The mid lake hump located at N 45 01.640 W 93 38.764 holds fish all year long. Early ice it has been known to produce nice catches of walleyes for those anglers that key in on this structure early in the ice fishing season before traffic from other anglers make walleyes in this location much more difficult to catch. The key is to fish the hour before and couple hours after dusk and make sure you have all your hole drilling done early. Drilling and making noise during prime time is the quickest way to kill the bite. Drill holes from 30’ all the way up to 11’. Set your tip up out deep and hop from hole to hole with a flasher and work a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head once you mark fish. Once the perch move out the walleyes will move in. They will start in the deeper holes and work shallower as it gets darker.
Lakemaster’s 2009 MN GPS Chip – Lake Independence 0.4 Mile Zoom Range
Summer anglers use Lindy rigs in this area with leeches for walleyes. It is also a popular spot for muskie anglers. Lake Independence receives a heavy amount of recreational boat traffic, thus fishing is best suited to weekdays or early in the morning. There is a great access and park on the east shore with lots of fun things for the whole family!
Note: The All New 2009 LakeMaster® ProMap Minnesota Card is plug & play, which means you simply insert the chip into your Lowrance unit, turn it on, and the lakes automatically appear on your screen. It’s that simple.
The new MN chip is loaded with an amazing 770 total lakes with contours, of which 180 are high definition LAKEMASTER PROMAP lakes. That’s over 50 new ProMap lakes. Just a few of the new updates for 2009 include: Shaded Shallow Water Areas for all ProMap lakes, Western Lake Superior in amazing 3 foot contours, Duluth Harbor and St.Louis River in 1 foot contours, and all of Kabetogama lake in 1 foot contours!
For a complete list of lakes featured on the 2009 LakeMaster® ProMap Minnesota Card >>> CLICK HERE