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.

Minnesota River Fishing Report


Recommended Posts

Does anyone know of any good bank fishing spots, to fish for flathead catfish? I have been hearing a lot of reports on big cats coming from the river. But, I haven't learned of any locations. And, I am considering taking a trip up to catch some. If there are any, accessible from shore. Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You won't get a lot of specific posts for locations other than an occasional community spot like the water discharges at black dog lake.

However, you can use google earth and find some nice spots to fish -- focus on creeks, inlets, sharp points where there are nice current seams, water discharges, bridge pilings or other current breaks where there might be both deeper water, slack water, and the presence of baitfish. You can also look for wood snags, but most will be less accessible from publicly accessible land. Rocks and boulders can be really good to fish (you'll find these near blackdog) if you can find them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to the great family of HSO.

Lots of knowledge on these forums.

Right now shore spota are harder to find than the catfish themselves with all the recent rain and the flooding the river has been up then dropping and leaving it quite messy/muddy for the shore guys.

aanderud has some good info to follow. I might add to check the state trails systems alots of good areas to fish but a hike may be required. you can find this info out thru the google maps aslo.

Good Luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is there a way to get into black dog lake to fish in a boat? Whats the closest launch to the power plant

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You cannot fish Black Dog in a boat. There is no access and I think it might be part of the Minnesota Valley Refuge, where they prohibit boat use on their lakes. You can fish it from shore. I have caught carp from shore there pushing 20 pounds with either worms or homemade doughballs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The closest ramp to blackdog's upper dischargs is the 35w ramp. The downstream discharge is closer to the 77 bridge, I believe.

The lakes are closed but....the discharges into the river do hold some fish. I know there's one guy who used to post some really nice blackdog flathead pics on here, but I haven't seen any this year yet. It's been way too high most of the time, as Gordie mentioned.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Boy there pound"n now. Caught several limits of nice walleye and sauger today. Water clarity is trash but rattle baits and erie drie's were on fire. Got a couple hogs on bollig riged jigs. Should be a great week. evenings have been outstanding.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

geeeeesh they were jumpin in the boat before that storm tonight. Had ta let my last 5 limits go cuz im swimming in fillets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Boy there pound"n now. Caught several limits of nice walleye and sauger today. Water clarity is trash but rattle baits and erie drie's were on fire. Got a couple hogs on bollig riged jigs. Should be a great week. evenings have been outstanding.

Maybe a stupid question beefeater but what exactly is a bollig rigged jig?

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is just a jig with a plastic worm. Like set up like a mister twister but its usually like a full size bass style worm. could have a curly or stright subtle tail. Larry bollig popularized them i guess.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got out near the 35W bridge today. Didn't get a bite, but a couple came down right next to me and brought out 2 sheepshead. Right at that moment, it started raining and I decided to head for home.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was out on Saturday, tried several snags and current seams, but could not get any fish, only snagged to lose several set ups. The storms stayed just barely south of us and only got sprinkled on. Had good company on the boat and it was fun to get out on the water. Putting the boat on the trailer with that swift current is a bit of a challenge.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

sheell be risin again. Fishings been amazing and will get round 3 oughta the deal

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

If anyone snags a shimano bait caster with an ugly stick,a 5 oz sinker and presumably a flatty on the other end of it let me know. lol The gf wasnt watching the pole and the rod got pulled in the river while catfishing the other night there goes a 120 bucks but have to say that was quite the experience

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If anyone snags a shimano bait caster with an ugly stick,a 5 oz sinker and presumably a flatty on the other end of it let me know. lol The gf wasnt watching the pole and the rod got pulled in the river while catfishing the other night there goes a 120 bucks but have to say that was quite the experience

Its No fun to lose a cat set up been there done that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If anyone snags a shimano bait caster with an ugly stick,a 5 oz sinker and presumably a flatty on the other end of it let me know. lol The gf wasnt watching the pole and the rod got pulled in the river while catfishing the other night there goes a 120 bucks but have to say that was quite the experience

That'll teach you...better leave her at home next time wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went fishing last night, and almost had a fish reeled up to shore. Unfortunately, it broke off my line and made off with my dough ball-filled treble hook. At least it didn't take the barrel swivel and egg sinker with it! The way it kept making my rod tip shake as it was biting made me believe it had to have either been a flathead, or a channel catfish!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Out last night 7:30 to Midnight. Had one drive-by on a bully but was dropped within a few seconds. I have yet to land a flathead in 12 trips so we decided to try for a little action and fished 50/50 between live bully and cut sucker, the channels were very active on the cut sucker. We were in 5fow on a little mud flat between a few log jams. All fish cam right off a current seem with the biggest at 26". The river was very active last night, water temp at 83 degrees with hoards of baitfish everywhere and actively feeding northerns everywhere you looked. Overall a great night but man do I want to catch my first flathead soon!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The river was very active last night, water temp at 83 degrees with hoards of baitfish everywhere and actively feeding northerns everywhere you looked.

Those were most likely gar feeding if it was after dark. The pike typically shut off once the sun is down.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

yeah that is probably a good point. I know some of them were pike because they swam within a few feet of my boat but I bet a good majority of them were gar.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Went out on Saturday (7/21/2012) with my dad and tried a couple locations I havent been to in a couple years. I caught a 6 pound flathead and he got a sheephead and a nice channel cat. I forgot the tackle box, which I've never done before, so when I had to cut my line for the flathead I just enjoyed the afternoon and heat. It was really hot! Nice to get Dad out on the water and off the golf course for a change.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Slow action tonight out of Carver, but the boat ramp was PACKED. We must have seen 6+ boats in a 2 mile stretch of river. Darren got one tiny flathead and one mid-sized channel cat, both on cutbait (which is 2 more fish than I got). Nothing to write home about but at least someone wasn't skunked. One missed run (by yours truly).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah I havent had a hit on a live bullhead last 5 times out its been weird. But every night I catch at least one off cut bait. Been going out lately by jordan hasnt been lights out. Seen a couple boats hit some logs right south of the landing rivers low be careful out there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got 5 channels last night got them on frogs and cut creek chubs and picked up a small flathead on cut chub as well. miss several thru the night.

Was great to be out and not have the humidity to deal with.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went catfishing last night, and managed to catch my first cat! It was a 14 inch channel. After releasing it, I didn't get anything else. But that's okay, 'cause I accomplished what was an impossible feat for me this summer!

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 :)

    • 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
×
×
  • 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.