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2016 fishing reports

old timer
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old timer Collaborator

old timer

Posted
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Lilydale ramp is not usable yet. It still has a large ice shelf.

Hidden falls ramp is usable. Ice ramp is about a trailer length wide, 10 inches thick, sloping into a foot of water. Would have gone out today, but I checked it out too late in the day.Somebody get out there and see if the big girls are hungry at the confluence.

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  • 3 weeks later...
old timer Collaborator

old timer

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Hidden Falls ramp unusable with the cold snap. (Large ice shelf out into the open water.) We did get out a week ago. Only managed two dragging ringworm and minnow. Hopefully it will open up again by this weekend.WP_20160207_002.thumb.jpg.98f6251b52bdec.

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bassfshin24 Rising Star

bassfshin24

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I have been day dreaming about Spring fishing on Pool 2 lately. Sure hope this warmer weather opens up the ramps soon. Can't wait to get out! 

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  • 2 weeks later...
esoxrocks01 Enthusiast

esoxrocks01

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Is shorefishing possible at the moment?  I got the walleye bug, and I'm hoping to hit it as soon as it looks good enough.  Also, an off-topic question, but what is the best method for catching walleye from shore?  Thanks for the help!

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old timer Collaborator

old timer

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Of course it's possible. However, with the low cfs, the fish are not concentrated at current seams, but spread out. They are not at the dam yet. A person could fish off the end of Pike island, but that's a long hike with not real good odds. IMHO.

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esoxrocks01 Enthusiast

esoxrocks01

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Okay, thanks old timer.  I'll wait until at least April when everything warms up enough for them to make their annual run.

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WillieMN Contributor

WillieMN

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im interested in fishing from shore in this area too. do you just cast a jig? or some type of lindy rig set up? I envy the boats I see there every spring, but I don't drag my boat home.

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old timer Collaborator

old timer

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The best place to fish from sure IMHO is from the riprap on the MPLS side below the dam. Of course, that is when the walleye move up to the dam. You will know that the case when there are lots of boats fishing, (and catching) there. You could cats a jig and minnow or jig and plastic. Be prepared to lose jigs

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WillieMN Contributor

WillieMN

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the dam, as in the on basically down town Minneapolis? im working on a construction project on the U of M and there is a dam right off of the river.

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old timer Collaborator

old timer

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No, it is the Ford Dam. There are two ways to access the riprap on foot. One is parking at the Minnesota veterans home. (Not sure if parking is allowed there anymore. The other is parking at Minnehaha Falls park and walking down. Look at Google maps to get to both of these options.

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expl Collaborator

expl

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I wouldn't wait until April.The way the weather has been that may be too late.I don't have exact numbers but I have boated a ton of fish,a lot of 12-13" inch fish showing up which is good.None bigger then 26"as of yet but I'm guessing it was at least 8lbs along with many typical males 15-18".Fish when you can,I was catching good numbers of fish a couple weeks ago before the real nice weather even began to warm the water.Get up early or stay late,avoid boat traffic and crowds.The fish are defiantly there.

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old timer Collaborator

old timer

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Found them again after a dry spell. Biggest two were 25 and 22. Not at the dam or confluence. Current seam,  8 fow

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old timer Collaborator

old timer

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Fish are spread out. Small to medium males. Females recovering from spawn? Vertical at the dam on jig and minnow, as well as on 3 ways.  Also bit on cranks at current seams in 8 - 10 fow. Water temp 47.9 degrees

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gdog Enthusiast

gdog

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I've never fished Pool 2 before, so when you say "at the dam" which dam are you referring to?  Ford?  Thanks!

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old timer Collaborator

old timer

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Sorry, I thought I replied to you. It is the Ford Dam aka lock and dam #1.

Out Sunday 4/3/16. Slow... Lost 1 fish at the boat. Fished from below the confluence up to Hidden Falls ramp. Went to all my go to spots and nobody home. Tried cranks and blades. Nope. Water temp dropped almost 4 degrees from Thursday. Also very muddy. I'm afraid we are in the post spawn, muddy water doldrums.(walleye will spawn at 44 to 48 degrees).

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CranktheTank Apprentice

CranktheTank

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Made it out with a buddy on shore at Hidden Falls park fishing from shore on Wednesday from 3-6p for the first time this year.  I couldn't stand it any longer and needed to scratch the itch!  I am a novice river fisherman, so that being said I tried to concentrate on what seemed to be eddy's and current seams as I was able.  I used jigs and plastics in a variety of colors and the only action we had were what we would considered two short strikes.  I also tied on a jigging rap in clown color and tried retrieving that to no avail in the same locations.  There were a couple other fishermen along the shoreline, seemed to be that they had the same luck as we were but were able to pull up a carp or two with crawlers.  Just curious, does anyone have any info on general patterns throughout the season on walleye/sauger habits in pool 2?  Not looking for specific locations, but from my research thus far it seems that they tend to migrate up to the dam around spawning time and then disperse?  Please correct me if I am wrong.  Like I said, novice river fisherman!  I am anxious to get the boat in operation and get out and try some more, will report back next time I make it out.  Thanks in advance for anyone willing to share!    

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old timer Collaborator

old timer

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That is correct about dispersal. Don't worry about not catching anything right now. Give the fish time to recover from the spawn, for the water to warm up and clear up. The river changes daily, (water flow, clarity, temp, etc) . That means that what works in one location on one day might not work the next day. Generally, since the water is never very clear, except just after ice out, meat or lures that rattle or vibrate tend to produce better. Here is a link about migration. It is old data, but informative. http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/fisheries/investigational_reports/482.pdf

 

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old timer Collaborator

old timer

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Fished 3 hours today. I fish caught. 30 inches. Thought I was snagged. 7 fow,  water temp 59 degrees, current seam, crank bait.WP_20160424_002.jpg

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JFitz Contributor

JFitz

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Awesome! We've been running into a few walleyes downstream as well. Still fairly deep. Fishing should continue to heat up!

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fisherjmb Collaborator

fisherjmb

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Kind of a late report but I was down on Monday (7/11) morning into the early afternoon. Walleye bite was good. Found fish in faster current in the rocks in 7-11 ft. Jig and minnow caught most of the fish. We would drift downstream with the current and jigged vertically as much as the current/wind allowed. We did catch a couple on a jig/plastic combo. Also a couple trolling cranks upstream. Nothing huge but a good number of fish in the 14-19 inch range. Also caught quite a few cats and sheephead, one pike too.  It's a much different story down there now. With the high water from all the rain up north I am sure the current is really ripping now. Fish will probably be found in slack water areas out of the main current. NWS forecast page says the river in St.Paul should crest at 11ft on 07/25. That's 3ft below flood stage but still very high. Be careful down there if anyone goes out and good luck. I would like to get down there one more time before my son is born the middle of next month but I will have to see what time allows. 

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
      2024Mn fishing opener......

      By smurfy · Posted

      is 3 weeks away............who's going and where???? i skip the first week and i'll head up to the cabin the 2nd week.  ussually fish smaller lakes. 
    • jparrucci
      water levels

      By jparrucci · Posted

      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      water levels

      By mbeyer · Posted

      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      Ice-Out 2024

      By SkunkedAgain · Posted

      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      Ice-Out 2024

      By mbeyer · Posted

      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      Sturgeon Fishing is Hot

      By LakeofthewoodsMN · Posted

      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. 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. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   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...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
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