Fishing around Taylors Falls and Scandia

[willace walliam]

I have never ice fished the river.... I am wondering if there are any good ice fishing spots around Taylors Falls or Scandia area? I know the main season is closed but I still want to give er a try for crappies or some of the other weird fish that come out of the river. I am also a little scared of the river and ice conditions...... so i'm wondering if there are bad areas or if the ice is good right now.

[tunrevir]

SoHaad, or FLSniper can chime in on this one or Ole Matty, me, I'm mums the word on all of those hidden gem areas for crappies. If you do decide to venture forth, travel light, bring your picks and spud and have a buddy to travel with you. Some of the ice can be sketchy and it is best to travel in pairs if you go.

Tunrevir~

[willace walliam]

thanks for the tips rp

[slipperybob]

I've always wanted to try around the area too, but still can't convince a buddy to try it with me. I haven't been able to make it this year either...maybe next year.

[FL SNIPER]

My experience on the ice in that area is little. Although, tunrevir, sohaaad, ole'mattey, and myself put in a valiant effort for a half day this winter north of the Franconia landing. We had little to show for our efforts unfortunately (although Mattey seems to think we all owe him $20 for his catch of a small perch???). With that said...there is a lot of water up there and the fish must be somewhere right??? I'm guessing if anyone knows of a good spot for crappies in that area that they'd probably be tight lipped about it (especially on the forum). So it would probably take a lot of trial and error to find a spot with fish down there...or look for other tracks/fishermen...(which we saw very little of when we were out). No matter where you go, be sure you know how much ice you're walking on and don't take chances without checking as you go...I imagine the river can be very unforgiving if a guy was to go down in its current. Good luck exploring that area! FLSniper

[willace walliam]

Thanks for the info guys..... I am always about going out and exploring but with the river I'm not as courageous.... this is the only reason I am asking on this forum..... plus its the river, its not some small lake that will get fished out or damaged by gluttons keeping everything they catch. I'm not asking for specific spots, just wondering if the fishing is good in this area and if it is safe......remember I asked about a 10 to 15 mile stretch of the river from Taylors Falls to Scandia thanks WW

[tunrevir]

Give the area a few weeks yet and let the ice melt off and the flow come up. The fishing will improve in short order for a variety of species. Myself, I like the silver bass early, and often, up till the eyes open up, then eyes and suagdogs for a few weeks and then focus on the crappies. Travel with a buddy though and bring your spud and picks if you go out.

Tunrevir~

[so haaad]

I would be very, very careful up there right now with the recent warming. Remember that with the melting of snow, the ice on the river depletes from the bottom as well as the top around this time of year.

Like Mr. Sniper said, Ole Matty is the expert fish catcher in the Franconia area in the winter. The fish have got to be around there somewhere. I dropped the camera down in a few spots but saw nothing, even in the deepest hole.