Pool 2 launches

[j sippi]

Does any one know any boat launches that stays open. Went to 494 and it was frozen. But main current was wide open and fishable.

[PeteBauer]

Hi j sippi-

I think you're out of luck for now.

Unless we get a real warm spell sometime soon, we're probably looking at early March. Typically Hidden Falls will be the first to open followed by Lilydale or 494.

I'm ready for Pool-2 open water

[j sippi]

Last year. At the end of this month, We were fishing a hot bite just south of 494. Was thinking about the Saint paul park launch. But I was not able to make it that far cause of the gps in the work truck. Does anyone know how much ice is in the way. I have a auger and a chisel not scared to use them.

[jigginjim]

Is the road to the parking lot below the 494 bridge plowed? You could try launch at hidden falls, check the ramp soon. I know the river rats ski team normally skis the river New Years day.

[j sippi]

I drove over the 7th street bridge. The river is frozen as far up as you can see. It starts to open up around down town. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW MUCH ICE IS IN FRONT OF SAINT PAUL PARKS LAUNCH. I dont want to go ice fishing anymore.

[SneakAttack]

Might try to call the City of Prescott and see if they can plow out their ramp, anyone ever try that? Thought about getting a snowblower and going that route but since the rain and cold, im sure its solid frozen snow

[PeteBauer]

With this cold snap, I'd guess it will take some serious chipping to open up some of those ramps. I can check the ramp in SPP however being located in a side channel, that's one of the last to open up.

If you're looking for that open water fix, Dean down at Everts Resort on Pool-4 has the ramps open!

[Palerider77]

+1 to Pete, pool 4 rocks the house this time of year. $7 to launch, friendly service @ Everts

[jwmiller33]

PeteBauer is right on. Hidden Falls is usually one of the first launches to open up in the spring. I think this is because it is the closest launch to the Ford dam and has a ton of current in front of it and no real "backwater" area. With the amount of snow/rain/sleet/whatever else has been falling from the sky this winter, i'm sure most of the launches are not even accessible to drive a truck down to without someone giving a good plow first.

And yes, if the itch is that bad, one can drive down to Pool 4 and scratch the open water itch very easily

[stickin_skis]

St Paul Park (lyons levee) is a no-go, it's locked up. This is normally one of the last that opens up, as it's in a channel off the main river with not much flow.

[j sippi]

Does anyone have a report about the 494 launch.

[stickin_skis]

I drive over it every day, i'll take a look on my way home tonight.

[blakeb]

ssp is froze up

[stickin_skis]

yup, locked up to the channel.

[j sippi]

I drove over the 7th street and 35e bridge on wed. I looks like it is starting to soften up. What does 494 area look like.

[blakeb]

ice

[PierBridge]

Historically, I usually start working on the Hidden Falls ramp around the end of Feb. Last year a bit sooner and this year probably a bit later me thinks!

Remember there are NO fish in Pool 2!

Welcome Pete B! "the guy's a walleye machine"!!!

[PeteBauer]

Quote:

Welcome Pete B!

Thanks!

Not sure about a Walleye Machine tho

[j sippi]

Remember there are NO fish in Pool 2!

You are to right. I just can't wait for the river to open up. I need to gather rocks ant old tires. For this summers laandscaping project. Is the main channel starting to open up down at 494

[j sippi]

Remember there are NO fish in Pool 2!

How do you use a quote from other post and add your own comment

[blakeb]

j sippi the main channel is open its just the hundred something feet out to it thats the problem, its looked nearly the same for weeks now saw a fan boat down there today, i got to get one of them.

[j sippi]

Ice fishing is to much work.

[TonyKay]

Would i be dreaming if i thought this warm spell might open things up enough to get a boat in this week?

[j sippi]

What we need is a rain storm(on a day i am not driving). Some wind will break it free. I am taking the boat out next weekend. It would be nice if i dont have to drive that far.

[River Dan]

Things have changed over the years at the 494 launch, since the bridge project started and now complete its going to take alittle longer for the ice to break up in that area because of the redirection of the current but on the brighter side they made a real nice gravel flat under the bridges

[blakeb]

dan, i was hoping i was the only one who noticed lots of numbers there

[River Dan]

Come on I live less then five minutes away from that launch have for 11 years out there alot