Ice Fishing River (St. Cloud Area)

[fuzzyray]

I was wondering if anyone here ice fishes the river in the St. Cloud area? I have been hearing reports that people have been people on the ice below the Sartell Dam and the 10th St. Dam. I hear people also ice fish down by Cathedral. Anyone have any information about these spots or know of any other spots people fish on the river in this area? How safe are spots like these to fish? I have always atempted to avoid moving water when ice fishing! Am I missing something or is it that some people are risking too much to catch a few fish?

[Sartell Angler]

yeah it can be a little iffy, that is for sure. The bite can be pretty decent right away but it has the habit of dying off real quick. Bring rope and life jackets to be on the safe side...safer at least

[Dean Schellinger]

I avoid moving water ice if possible as well. Seems like all the accidents reported are on early ice, or on rivers...

[Tippman]

I've still never ice fished the river. I can tell you there is always someone in front of the little fishing pier near Cathedral after dark when I'm driving by to work. I've just stopped once to check and didn't catch him with any fish, but he's always there.

[MSRiverdog]

I live in Champlin and have watched the interesting things the river does in the winter on a 24/7 basis, if it's anything like that in St, Cloud there's no way in Hades I would go out on any place with moving water. Today frozen over, yesterday open, last week frozen, this week it'll be open again. In a minute the river will rise 2 feet and break up and flow again. No Thank You, be careful anywhere out there.

[Royce Aardahl]

Below the Sartell dam has had a few people out and I walked to the 10th st dasm to check it out today. saw a few holes on the south east side of the ice. water coming over the dam and reforming ice on top. I use to fish these areas alot till al gore made it so warm out with his big S.U.V. lottsa cold this year and sartell looks to be the best bet, you can go above the paper mill on the east side and drill by the wood posts and up for eyes and crappies. also up by gordons bridge can be fun. that would probably be the safest spot.

[MSRiverdog]

You walk out on that stuff EG?

[Royce Aardahl]

no way, this is the bad spot! This will freeze good though if it stays cold and they slow the water some.

[Stick in Mud]

How safe is walking above the Sartell dam? And is there a place to park on the paper mill side, or would I have to walk across the entire river?

I know that I've caught some of the biggest crappies of my life down by Cathedral, but that was probably ten years ago now, so I can't speak for anything recent.

I would just like to mention that, if anyone does get into nice panfish, to let go all but enough for a meal. The nice crappies are not numerous enough to survive large levels of harvesting.

Carl

[fuzzyray]

I made it down to Cathedral Saturday morning for a few minutes to punch some holes. There was 7-8 inches of ice....until you get more than 50' from shore and then I hit more like 3-4. Didn't mark much for fish. I was only there for about 30 minutes. Really scary how variable the ice is, which is what I expected I guess. Please, if anyone needs to fish on the river do lots of ice checks and take it very slow. I think I will stick to lakes for now! Hope everyone has a nice Christmas, I am off work for 11 days starting Saturday..plan to be on the ice for most of it!!!

[Dean Schellinger]

Was down on riv near Cathedral last night. Did really well on the crappies surprisingly. Just wanted to hit a close spot for some action. Careful, ice was cracking alot.

[mrklean]

I always think about the kid who died by cathedral and i couldnt bring myself to fish on the river. What is more scary is when ppl fish by the 10th st dam one day theres people out fishing the next day theres no ice there.

[MSRiverdog]

The River can kill you quick if you challange it, Summer or Winter. Watching it in front of my house on a daily basis and the changes in ice and water I'ld have a [PoorWordUsage] hard time going out there. Ice can go from 2 feet deep to 2 inches in a footstep.

[mrklean]

I love to fish the river in the summer huge smallies and plenty of them but i gotta stick to the lakes in the winter, maybe someday ill try to brave the river for some ice fishing

[Dean Schellinger]

Sure accidents happen, but if you are smart about it and test the ice, you will be fine. I've been fishing the river for several years and have encountered no problems.

[SpearPike]

1 mile north of the Sartell dam there is at least 15-17 in of ice. Walleyes really biting!

[gopher_nation]

There are a lot of holes below the Sartell dam. Everytime I try fishing a worker says they're gonna open the gates and it's time to leave. By the way they don't open them after I leave. When are people able to fish there??

[Sartell Angler]

In addition to the paper mill workers, the cops usually keep a close eye on it and will tell people to get off the ice from time to time. I have been down there when the horn sounded and the dam opened...with the gates open it doesn't take long to wipe all that ice out down there so be advised.

Not worth the hassle from what I've experienced.

[Dean Schellinger]

I have been nailing some nice eaters 14-16" walleyes a quarter mile north of the Rice Bridge as well.

[muskie35]

Hey Flowage Tamer, how much ice is there? Do you go on where the access is there?

[Tippman]

There has consistantly been people on the river near Cathedral high school this year I see on the way to and from work. Any of these FMers and how's the fishing, I'm sure people are getting something because they're always out there.

[Stick in Mud]

FlowageTamer,

Can I send you an email?

carmike

[Dean Schellinger]

[email protected]

The ice varied greatly, between 5" and 15"+, so be careful. I walked down through relatives property but you can use a snowmobile/quad if you know the river and want to risk the varying ice conditions.