Lake Pepin Fishing Reports & Conditions

[perchslayer29]

hows the bite on pepin going so far this year and can people ancore up and jig fish or whats the best way to fish walleyes and saugers this time of year. looking to head down that way on saturday never been down there before. I only have a 16 foot boat and no electric motor.

thanks in advance.

[Tip Up Rookie]

I was out last sunday in the wind, fishing was slow although I am also learning the lake. The wind really restricted where a person could go. The docks were also not in on the landing just north of lake city as of Sunday.

[Gopher_Guy]

Any updates on Pepin? Was thinking of trying it out on Saturday.

[bobberdown69]

Hi i am new vto the forum and i am thinking of making a trip down to pepin, i was wondering about lake levels i have a 16 ft with 25 hp thanks

[96trigger]

Was on Pepin today. Lake levels are still up and current is still moving pretty fast. Your boat should be fine unless it gets really windy, then you might have a challenge. Walleye and sauger bite was pretty good when I finally found the fish. Used crawler harness and bottom bouncer.

[RickyTicky]

Anyone ice fish Pepin much? I fish it pretty hard in the warm months, but never on ice. I'm thinking about heading to the cabin (Pepin/Nelson area) at some point in the next month. Excited to look for the walleyes.

[Andy Loos1431189100]

It can be great fishing, but also very frustrating. Be careful with the ice on the upper part. Need some really cold weather, but the fishing is usually better. Good luck and let us know how you do.

[Majestic]

Anyone going out of Maiden Rock yet?

[Mike Walerak]

Not that I have heard of. There has been a few folks creeping out of the MN side. I have no reports of what the ice is like I just heard there are people out. I would be willing to bet that the ice is sketchy at best.

mw

[FishGuru]

Hi, I'v never ice fish Lake Pepin befor and was wondering where the access is and what areas to stay away from?

Thanks in advanced...

[crazyice]

There are many access points up and down the river on both sides.

[ChuckF]

Heard Pepin was iced out? Do any of the launches in Lake City have docks in?

[hookie]

I know this is off subject but I didn’t want to start a whole new thread for a simple question. When they refer to the “High Bridge” are talking about where 63 crosses the river?

[rosspj59]

Yes, the big bridge right in downtown Red Wing.

[hookie]

Thanks Ross.

This should be a real treat this weekend with the Cabelas walleye tournament going on.

[Gekhang]

As title states, im looking for on the water gas stations on lake pepin. anyone know if there are any on the lower end of pepin? Have a tournament in two weeks and would like to drive down pepin but would need at least a fill up to come back up.

[dudewheresmyboat]

Camp Lacupolis

[crappie getter]

I have also have fished a tourney out of hastings and ran to wabasha years ago. i got gas at camp lacupolis i gave them a call first to see if they had gas. the marinas should have gas as well Lake City, Pepin, and wabasha. I would call to see if they would be able to pump gas since its early and maybe give them a rough estimate on time so they might have someone keeping a eye out for you. I did this and they where down to me fast and took care of me and sent me on my way.... You dont want to take chances running this far to many issues may arise. so eliminate as many as you can make sure to get lock and dam phone number so you can check barge traffic as well. If your locking through. however dont completely bank on that either had a lockmaster tell us barge was not expected until after 4 pm we got there little before 3pm and barge was just going into lock. cost us 3rd place and money......Good Luck..

[Gekhang]

thanks!

[JBMasterAngler]

I drove down with the intentions of fishing the chippewa river at the hwy 35 access in WI. Go there, water was low and access was covered with sand...wasn't going to take the chance launching with my mini van Drove up to Durand, WI to fish it there. Launched, discovered the river is nothing but shallow sandbars

So with all that goofing around I drove back down and launched at maple springs...there was just enough water in there to launch my boat. I've never seen Pepin so dirty and full of algae! Even though there was no wind, my boat was rocking from the constant wake of pleasure boaters. With such a small boat, and lack of time, I stuck to working the rocks along the railroad tracks. Caught about 15 little smallies, 1 tiny perch, 1 sheepshead, and 2 monster bluegills. I tried trolling cranks in deeper water, but didn't get anything.

[TruthWalleyes]

I putzed up the chippewa last weekend. 3-10' depths. I launched in wabasha.

[Griggs]

Anybody know if Pepin is fully open?

[haleysgold]

Anybody know if Pepin is fully open?

It's wide open.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

Outstanding!!!

[Griggs]

Awesome! Been out fishing on it yet?

[haleysgold]

Not the lake itself yet. Was up to the dam 1 day last week...probably the only day they weren't biting. or least that we found. Told we "shoulda been there Monday" !

The fish are just about to spawn, just spawning or already spawned so most of them are not in the lake yet...little early. It's right in that "in-between" time. However...not all those fish head up so there are fish to be had...might have to look a little harder tho.

[Morris06]

Any info about lake temperature, conditions, or fishing on Pepin anyone can share. Live an hour away and hoping get over there this weekend. Thanks !

[BlueLundFishrman]

Did okay on Saturday & Sunday by Bay City. Trolling crank baits, two best were eriedescent wally diver and holographic perch salmo hornet, both in #5. Lots of boats working where Isabelle comes in, saw guys doing well on leeches.

[IAtransplant]

Any recent reports from Pepin after all the rain last weekend? I'm planning to give it a go this weekend, hoping that storms stay away on Saturday. Primarily targeting walleyes and northern, maybe some crappies and white bass, too. Any general help or pointers would be much appreciated!

[HansB]

With all this rain, is the lake fish able? Ramp open at Lake City? (Don't want to drive 90 miles to a closed launch ramp.)