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Mississippi River Fishing Reports Pools 2 & 3


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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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?

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  • 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.

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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.

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  • 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.

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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.

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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!

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  • 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.

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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.

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  • 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?

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  • 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.

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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?

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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.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
    • 11-87
      Looking for recommendations on scope or red dot    I basically hunt turkey and whitetail, live in southern MN. So it’s all deer/ shotgun    looking to add a scope/ red dot as my eyes don’t work like they used to to with the open sights.    my gun options are 11/87 12. Browning BPS 12    not looking for the most expensive or the cheapest    pros and cons of one over the other
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