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The itch to get out in the boat is strong now so this weekend will be the maiden voage.

Going to be targeting bass and am looking for some general advice since I am new to fishing the river. What locations should I check out for both smallies and largies?

Found a few fish last year but struggled to ever put a good pattern together.

thanks

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This time of year I really don't know crazy

All the backwaters are no doubt locked up. I guess I would throw downsized jigs and worms around the ends of wingdams. If that doesnt work maybe try forcing a reaction strike with a crankbait.

If the water is clear enough, maybe a jerkbait around bluff walls?

Hopefully someone with more early season river knowledge will chime in.

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  • 1 month later...

I'm gonna bump this, because I've been out 3 times this early weeks, today water temp was up to 45-48, I still can't seem to trigger any bits, anyone have some more advice?

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The backwaters will be or already are ice free with the last fe warm days and almost 80 forecasted for Sunday.

Drag a tube in Grey Cloud Slough and you should pick up a few smallmouth and largemouth.

Pitch a black/blue 3/8 to 1/2 jig with rattles with a chunk style trailer in and around all the wood/brush in Grey Cloud slough and the other back water lakes at the lower end of the pool an u should find fish.

Chatterbaits can be another good choice. Work them slow just ticking the bottom and bump them into any wood in the water and you should catch fish.

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Ive been looking all around for some type of map or something of pool 2. Where is the Grey Cloud Slough? Is it farther down from Fort snelling? If anybody knows of a decent map where i could find this place or others without looking like i got my thumb up my a** would be greaaaat. Thanks for any help!

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Ive been looking all around for some type of map or something of pool 2. Where is the Grey Cloud Slough? Is it farther down from Fort snelling? If anybody knows of a decent map where i could find this place or others without looking like i got my thumb up my a** would be greaaaat. Thanks for any help!

Its right by grey cloud. It's closer to the hastings dam. Your looking to far north on your map

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It is at the extreme south end of pool 2, it is a haul from the nearest ramp and use caution going through whatever lake that is to get in to grey cloud because it is all about 2-4' deep.

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13 miles give or take from 494. There is an access on the slough, but no one uses it. Crime magnet supposedly.

Access on Spring Lake which is across the main channel from Grey Cloud Slough, tough getting out of the minefield of sandbars and stumps in Spring Lake.

You can use the access in Hastings and go up in the Lock&Dam an u are only about 2 miles from the slough.

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RumRiverRat have you ever had luck in moores lake? Traveled back into that lake this weekend and had the whole lake to ourselves...water was 55-60 in some spots! It is very shallow never marked a spot deeper than 7 but couldnt get anything to go fishing any of the shoreline.

This is my first year making the run down that way from S St. Paul but it sure is a cool area down by spring lake. How is navigating into grey cloud? Moores had some mud flat shallows on the way in and even needed the push pole once...skeg is almost paint free now!

Saturday was beautiful but I have yet to get the first river bass...just cant figure them out...was tossing black/blue jig most of day along with some creatures, spinners and shallow cranks.

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How was the main river looking grits? Was the current fast and was there a lot of debris coming down? Thinking about heading down that way this weekend.

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Sorry for the late response. Current definitely has picked up a bit and debris has also but it was still manageable last weekend. Water has definitely come up since then though so it should be quickening up.

Barges are also going now and I got to discover the bass boat doesnt like running in their wake very much.

Im waiting till next weekend but let us know how you do if you get out.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Anyone been bass fishing out there lately? I think I'm going to take a "mental health day" and go out there Thursday

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  • 1 month later...

Has anyone been out lately with the roaring current? Was contemplating trying to crank some rocks for whatever will bite going out of the 494 Ramp in the morning with the wife. Any input would be great! I like to TARGET bass typically but pike, walleye, white bass, etc are all welcome when I'm hitting the river. Just been hesitant to head out with the water up so much. Thanks guys!

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I haven't been out this yr the current made me nervous. However my boss went out last week and said it really mellowed out, should even be better now. Let me know how it goes if you give it a shot

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  • 5 weeks later...

Finally made it out. Really struggled to find any bass. Tried exploring the grey cloud slough but it seems like the whole area is only 2-3 feet deep so progress was slow since we were relegated to idle speeds. Willing to listen to any summer/fall bass tips you guys may have.

Still a few logs in the main channel so keep your eyes peeled.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Has anyone hit pool 2 for smallies lately? Been thinking trying it out. How is the flow and water level. Thinking about putting in at Hidden falls.

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Flow is way down. Army Corp Water Control Site

Last 7 days of flow data from L&D #1 Ford Dam

Flow is measured in Cubic Feet Per Second.

Current of .5 to 1mph is my guess based on current flow values.

20130903_183644_zpsd4baee00.jpg

When flow drops way off in the fall you need to fish areas with current for smallmouth bass.

Outside channel bends with rock and wood that form current breaks and seams. Bridge pilings in the middle of the river are prime spots.

Around most bridge pilings there is riprap on the bottom, you will find an area of slack water on the upstream and downstream sides of them.

Active and aggressive fish are usually found in on the seam formed on the upstream side.

The key to big smallies in the fall is 4 to 8 inch sucker minnows on a modified quickstrike dropshot rig.

When the river clears up in October the jerkbait bite can be insane.

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Hit a couple just below hidden falls launch (opposite direction of the dam) on labor day with a tail dancer, nothing too big. They hit pretty shallow, I am new to fishing on this part of the river but I am guessing there was a bunch of debris and more rip rap as I kept on getting snagged more in that area.

full-46541-36535-img_0713.jpg

full-46541-36536-img_0714.jpg

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  • 7 months later...

anybody out and targeting bass on pool 2 yet? any idea where to start for this time of the year?

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I was out yesterday chasing eyes and water temps are still a little cold. 38-39. I did throw a jig, jerkbait, and tube a little bit yesterday but no bites. I know some people have caught some smallies this year already thought. I would target deeper rocks, wing dams and throw a hair jig and work them really slow. I'll probably start targeting bass in the next week or two with the warmer weather now.

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