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.

Mississippi River Fishing Reports Pools 2 & 3


Recommended Posts

Thanks for the updates Old Timer. Anyone that spends any amount of time on the river this time of year knows that the water temps usually plummet once the snow starts melting. Have seen it in years past go from the 40s back down to near freezing due to this. Usually turns the bite off to when this happens.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Since it sounds like I'm not the only one that's experiencing a poor bite on pool 2 has anyone been to or heard any reports on pool 3, around the Hastings/Prescott area? Is pool 4 the only place for a decent bite right now?

Went down to L&D 2 again yesterday afternoon and again, nothing. Watched probably 4 boats come up river to the dam and each of them spent about 15-20 minutes looking for fish and took off back down river.

Also, I've been checking water temp with an instant read thermo. when I go down and what oldtimer is saying is what I've found as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

thanks for the web site. i will be down there sat. and i will let u know what i find. i was going out friday but i think u can understand why i did not make it. hope that i did not affend u with my other comments. if i did i am sorry no intention too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

thanks for the web site. i will be down there sat. and i will let u know what i find. i was going out friday but i think u can understand why i did not make it. hope that i did not affend u with my other comments. if i did i am sorry no intention too.

Thanks. No offense taken.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9:30am - 12:00, water temp 33.4 degrees F, Minnesota River opened up,

1 monster flathead catfish caught above Lilydale, nothing else caught. wind blowing hard downstream of confluence, Hidden Falls ramp open and clear. Lilydale open but icy, another fisherman said he caught a few at the confluence the other day? It has to get better.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9:30am - 12:00, water temp 33.4 degrees F, Minnesota River opened up,

1 monster flathead catfish caught above Lilydale, nothing else caught. wind blowing hard downstream of confluence, Hidden Falls ramp open and clear. Lilydale open but icy, another fisherman said he caught a few at the confluence the other day? It has to get better.

full-28971-31436-dscf0925.jpg

Finally got the photo uploaded. That is a 36 inch tape measure on the seat above the kitty.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished from shore near the confluence today, not a single bite. Watched a few boats fishing at the confluence and it didn't look like there was much action in their boats.

The only sign of life that I saw in the river was thousands of small black bugs (kind of looked like a beetle) swimming under water near shore.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Was on pool 2 on Friday and the water temp was about 38.5 degrees. Can't imagine it is much warmer after yesterday and today though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Could not catch a thing in a short outing Friday or Saturday. Water was 39 friday and 37-38.5 sat.

Marked some fish and tried tons of different spots but ouldnt get anything to go on artificials. Sure was nice to get the boat wet again and see the thousands of birds along the river.

Decent amount of debris and ice still floating so keep your eyes open!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was fairly slow on Friday for us too. Caught about a half dozen eyes between 18-22 inches. Didn't try plastics, caught everything on a 1/4 oz jig and a fathead. Water was still very clear for this time of year. I bet it will get a bit dirtier in the next week or so. The water temps should increase as well. Maybe that will help the bite a bit?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

sorry about the report had some personal things happen and had to go oout of town. i didnt make it out. but it sounds like i didnt miss anything. i am going to try to get out tommorow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i went to pool 2 yest afternoon and we got 6 eye all 20-23 inches. in the slack water by the lock. nothing at the confluence. marked a lot of fish in both places but the bite was pretty slow. just one here and there. the water temp was 36.8 pretty cold. there were about 6 other boats out there and they were catching just a couple here and there also. it seemed like most of the fish were caught with a jig and minnow. but some were taken with plastics. the current is ragging by the dam.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Had a day off work yesterday and spent the day hitting multiple shore fishing areas. Landed 7 eye all 13-17", missed a bunch as well. All were caught on a 1/8-1/4oz jig and minnow. All were caught casting into the first current seam off of slack water areas and most hook ups happened within 5-10 yards of the shore line.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Caught one eye tonight in front of the Mississippi flats condos at upper landing. Had something big hit hard and snap my line. Was good to see my son catch his first decent size walleye. See if we can have anymore luck tomorrow morning. I have never river fished before and have no idea what I'm doing so were just happy to have caught something.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Caught one eye tonight in front of the Mississippi flats condos at upper landing. Had something big hit hard and snap my line. Was good to see my son catch his first decent size walleye. See if we can have anymore luck tomorrow morning. I have never river fished before and have no idea what I'm doing so were just happy to have caught something.

I'm a novice as well, but like I said in my little report. If you find slack water areas and toss small jigs tipped with a minnow you should have some luck. Maintain contact with the bottom and jig the lure slowly back with small pops. I was out again for a few hours yesterday afternoon and caught 2 walleye, 2 sheepshead, 1 white bass, and 1 smallmouth all with a 1/8 oz jig/minnow. Good luck!

Edit: sorry, technically I didn't land the smallie. Had it up to shore and was bending down to grab it when it took the opportunity to give one final shake and got off the hook. Would have been my first smallie too. ARGH!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

hit pool two for the first time saturday, caught a small flat and two small channels nothing big but still nice to break the ice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went for a cruise yesterday from St Paul on the Miss to Afton on the St croix.

Wonderful weather and going through the lock was a new experience.

We only dropped the leadcore lines for about 45 minutes but did manage to catch a small white bass? and a catfish of some sort on the Wisconsin side of the St Croix in 25 fow.

A catfish hitting a Salmo at 2.5 mph?

I cant say I've ever heard of that but then again I can't say I really know anything about Catfish either.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

I am going to be home visiting family the next couple weekends and I'm wondering if I should be bringing home the ice fishing gear? Will there be walkable ice at Dushanes or preferably North lake?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

No 2014 posts yet...?

Skunked twice up by the dam. Its pretty tough from shore right now. Water needs to come up for the shore people to really get into them.

Plenty of boats around the locks. Saw some nets and cameras so somebody's catching something.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was one of the guys at the shore at Minnehaha.

Nothing but carp biting.

Did you happen to get the water temp by the dam?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I didn't even see the carp while I was there.

Didn't get a water temp up by the dam, but the USGS says its's 46 at Pike Island and has been trending upwards about 2 degrees everyday this week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • 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.