Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

NEW TO THE TWIN CITIES AREA / HELP!!


Recommended Posts

I've recently moved to the metro, specifically the Minnetonka area. I know, there's great fishing to be had on Tonka, Waconia, Minnewashta, etc., but I was born and raised fishing the Mississippi (specifically around the Clearwater MN area) and I love catching the smallies/catfish on the river... not much can beat it.

Anyhow, I have my own place now but not my own river boat (yet). Does anyone have any suggestions of where I could catch some numbers of fish from shore??? I'm new to the area so when people say "pool 2," I don't have a clue. If you could help with where to park and walk from, maybe what to use.. that would be great!!!

Just another river rat trying to have some fun in the sun

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pool 2 starts at the Ford dam(between MPLS and St. Paul just downstream of the bridge next to the Ford plant) It goes all the way too the next dam(hastings i think?). A good place to start is under the dam, where the Minnehaha Creek enters the river. You can access this easily from the MPLS side by parking in the Minnehaha park(located just off of hwy 55 and hwy 62) above the river and walking down the stairs to the river. You can also access the river from the St. Paul side at Hidden Falls boat landing, or the lilydale landing, or Ft. Snelling State Park(this is where the rivers meet I believe), locations for these can be found on the DNR website.

I would not overlook the Minnesota River either, though you won't find bass populations there like in the Mississippi. Also, fishing upstream of the Ford dam can be good, though I don't have specific access locations for you.

A good city map will show you access areas like parks, streets, and boat launches.

Be careful when fishing the city rivers, the "wildlife" can get a little rough sometimes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks a lot for the help! I appreciate it and will do my best to get out and catch some numbers... without letting the "wildlife" get me. Probably a good idea to take a buddy or two... and always more fun.

Thanks again!!

Any more ideas out there... let me know! grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I recently moved to downtown St. Paul by XCEL center. I am looking for a good shore fishing spot down here for anything that bites. Any help is appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.