Ice fishing the MN river.

[Wonka]

Hey guys.. Has anyone been out on the river lately? I was wondering if anyone's been down in the St. Peter area. I have been out a few times with just bite.. BAIT ROBBERS. Lol. Hope some of you guys are having better luck. We have about 8 inches in some spots. Any advice would be great..

Have fun and be careful, the rivers a tricky beast..

[Fever]

Ice fishing the Mn river this year has been absolutely horrible. I'll start this off as stating a little bit of my background. I've been fishing the Mn River and targeting Walleyes and Saugers exclusively for the past 5 years. Prior to that - I fished mostly panfish around the west metro. I sold my permanent that I used to use to fish for Crappies and sunnies but the appeal of 8-10 inch crappies and 5-7 inch sunnies got old.

I was spoiled heavily with massive success the first few years of fishing the river - catching multiple trophy fish along with many keepers. I've personally caught several eyes over 28 inches that had girths that nearly made them impossible to get through an 8 inch hole. Last year my fishing buddy hauled in a 32 incher that he had to squeeze to get back down the hole upon release... My personal best I think was a 28.75 incher that weighed around 11-12 lbs. Now - this year rolls around, the river depth, bottom content, sediment, and current have changed. The spots that were awesome - now are unproductive wastelands. I've now fished 6 different river spots - most / all of them involving a great deal of work just to get to - with very little success. What the heck happened??? I've barely seen any other anglers either. The last few years while on the Mn River - I've seen others out there. This year - a total of 3 other anglers have been on the ice at the same time and place as me. I can't seem to figure out what the heck is going on.

I've fished as deep as 36 fow and as shallow as 7 fow. Inside curves, outside curves, current breaks and wood structure... I've focused most of my attention during the peak feeding times (dawn /dusk). If someone / anyone has any type of advice or rationale - please share.

Thanks.

[tj417]

I still feel like I am at the infant stage of learning how to catch walleyes on the river but of the last five years this past year has been by far the worst for me walleye fishing the river. I fish between Shakopee and Lesueur. Not sure how to explain it other than the fact that these prolonged periods of low water do not seem to be doing the walleye fishing any favors. Then again, maybe I just suck...

[Alagnak]

You guys aren't the only ones having some slower fishing at times the last couple of years. It's not just eyes and not just ice either.

[Scott K]

I found one decent spot this year, and it involved fishing in a spot I shouldnt have been fishing. The ice wasnt very thick, but it was a last ditch effort spot, and it did pay off. Basically I found moving water. I found a nice rock point, where the depth dropped from 0-6 feet, and it was on the outside bend of the river. I was on about 5 inches of ice, and 10 feet away it was open. I would drop my line in, and the current would take it to the drop off. They were sitting on the edge of fast moving water, but sitting in the dead water. You had to hold on to the pole to feel the bite, and the current was to fast to use a bobber. I managed to reel them up at a steady pace, until dark, then it slowed, and I left.

Now I dont recommend anyone doing what I did, I have had many years of experience ice fishing the river, and I know the river fairly well.

[DTro]

This fall was one of the slowest in the past several years for me for walleyes. We found fish, but not in numbers or size or multiple spots as we have in the past.

I gotta think the extended periods of low water have been taking a toll. Probably a lot of fish moved down to the Miss.

A nice drawn out swell this spring would help a lot, but I fear we just won't see that anymore on the MN....

[Fever]

I don't think it's reasonable to think that fish where I fish moved to the Mississippi. Maybe in areas closer to where the two rivers converge - sure. But No way in heck Walleyes that I was catching last year in the west metro swam to the Mississippi. I do agree with some of what you guys brought up about low water but still - fish have to eat and most of the population has to be somewhere.

I've always tried to fish during prime time walleye hours of dusk and dawn. I always try to fish in the vicinity of deeper water / around a hole so to speak. I look for current then I try to find the edge of the current actual underwater structure is far less important than current, depth, and time imo. Fish (Walleyes) for me have used these current edges in the past like a hwy. Typically in the past I'd have two or three waves come through starting around 7 am and going till 9-9:30am and after that is a waste of time as most feeding is done, and most of the population turns from positive to neutral or negative, as the light increases and they slide back down to the depths.

Funny - I've seen many times guys get to the river around 10 am as I'm packing up. I can't help but think to my self - what are you doing? These folks fish deep, catch smaller and fewer fish and sometimes fish backwards. Last year I saw a guy facing the current fishing through a 6 inch hole while jigging a lindy darter in heavy current. Head scratcher. Little did he know that 30 min prior to walking by him I released a 10 plus lb pig that wouldn't have come close to fitting in the hole he was jigging in - and I caught mine on a chubby darter in the same color and similar size as his Lindy - only 30-40 yds away. A couple weeks back - I saw a guy using his portable as a wind break as he jigged over his hole with a full length 7 foot rod. It amazes me sometimes. Why are people on the river fishing if they have no idea of how do do it? I've always focused on the shallower areas where current is interrupted. I've always drilled my holes at a slight angle with the current. When needed I've drilled a separate hole for my vex.

This year - something is definitely going on though. I haven't figured it out yet. I have two more spots to try yet that have produced great catches in the past. I haven't been to either in a while but I'll be out and about early this coming weekend checking...

[outdoors247]

Quote:

I don't think it's reasonable to think that fish where I fish moved to the Mississippi. Maybe in areas closer to where the two rivers converge - sure. But No way in heck Walleyes that I was catching last year in the west metro swam to the Mississippi. I do agree with some of what you guys brought up about low water but still - fish have to eat and most of the population has to be somewhere.

I think you would be very surprised to see the miles that these fish travel throughout the year. It's definitely not impossible. I added the link below on a telemetry study done on Pool 2. You can see that these fish move great distances throughout the year. They will also move if conditions are forcing them too, which extremely low water does.

DNR Study

[Scott K]

Or extremely high waters, which the MN has also had in the past couple years. I dont think it is farfetched at all that when the river is 10+ feet out of its banks for 2 weeks, and current ripping at 5-8 knots, that a fish wont ride the current down stream, rather then fighting the current for that long of a period. I know this, my best fishing was prior to the 2010 flood, and it has gradually dropped after each flood since.

Follow those high waters up with practically stagnant waters late summers, and you have a not so great environment for fish.

[brian6715]

The weird thing is, I have been fishing the Mississippi below the MN and down to Lake Pepin, and the last two years have been the worst fishing I have experienced, by far. I have fished it for 15 years and I have never seen it like it is now. So if the fish are migrating down, I am not sure what is happening to them.

[Fever]

I understand the floods and the droughts having negative effects completely. But if that were really the main issue - then by that logic, from the point at which the Mn enters the Miss and down to the first major dam, there should be a walleye population like no other. I don't think that is the case. Also, some spots I've been fishing are literally over a hundred miles of river away from where it meets the Miss. I think the real truth lies somewhere else. I for one think it is more likely based on forage. I have no doubt that walleyes move but I think they move for the sole purpose of eating and breeding. Pressure on the river as far as angling and leisure is near non existent and isn't a factor at all imo. They are perfectly designed to handle current and are very very good at finding seems in current as well as any slack water, so no need at all to ride the current down stream for 30-40 miles of river. Rather, I think they follow their food sources. I just haven't figured that out this year. The fish that I have caught this year each had empty stomachs. Not that it is huge data pile to go off this year I admit (between my buddy and I we are only at 8 that we've kept and cleaned) but I think it is worth considering. In years past - we'd have close to that in one day between us with a couple picture fish mixed in). Anyway - In the past, I've seen 2 inch sunnies, Crappies, bullheads, baby sheephead,baby carp, fatheads,shiners, and even frogs in their guts. I've caught huge eyes in as little as 6-7 fow but deeper water (20 plus) was only a matter of 15-20 yds away. This has been the mystery of mysteries for me this year. I am humbled and besides myself. The last 3 years have been borderline insane as far as size goes. Between my buddy and I I bet we had about 10-15 eyes that were each wall worthy (all released). This year the biggest I've iced was a 20 inch Sauger. Nice Sauger but not at the same level as a 29 inch eye with a 25 inch plus girth...

[DTro]

I can only make judgments based upon the fishing I’ve seen the past 10 years.  Like I said, this fall was also slow and I would bet that if water levels remained low, then the fishing will also suffer (not just walleyes).  One other thing I noticed this fall was the amount of shad in the river.  It was higher than normal and that might have something to do with the fish not being too eager to take an offering.

 

Pool 2 is a massive body of water and there is no reason for fish to push up to any nearest dam or be holed up in any specific area.   If they are not happy in the MN, there is plenty to offer from St Paul to Hastings and I have no doubt they will go that far or even further if need be.  Plus whether they know it or not they are darn safe from harvest in P2. 

[harvey lee]

Why are people on the river fishing if they have no idea of how do do it?

I would assume some that have never fished the Mn or have for a outing or two fish the way they are used to and have to learn the ways of the river. Trial and error will educate them like it does all others with expierence on this river.

[Alagnak]

Why are people on the river fishing if they have no idea of how do do it?

Because they get to read on here about the 29''ers with 25'' girths- that's why. LOL

Of the few eyes I got this fall the vast majority of them were loners here and there- rarely more than one in a spot like it can be when you find a pile of them. And the few I cleaned were PLUMP full of shad.

[Fever]

Hey Harvey, I know I know. We all start somewhere and I was saying that a little tongue in cheek and just stirring the pot. I didn't mean to come off as a jerk if I did. Just - some of the things I see amaze me.

Still. Imagine sitting 6-7 feet behind your hole jigging with a 7 foot rod. I've never seen it done before and couldn't believe my eyes. Also - ice fishing in current / facing the current so your jig / lure is 3-4 feet behind you, through a hole so small you couldn't ice 3/4 of the fish that are actually swimming in the area, or using a Vexilar in your hole that your jigging in even though your lure is 3 plus feet downstream of your cone angle.... (Smack my head!!!) Simple fixes to these things if you understand what you are doing out there.

I'm a high school Biology teacher and there are moments where I just (to myself) thank people as it appears I may have rock solid job security as there are a lot of people could use my help. A lot. So much of fishing in general seems to be rooted in common sense, awareness of ones surroundings, and general problem solving skills - but maybe those attributes aren't as common these days. I completely understand that - The River is a whole different monster than our lakes and it has many more variables to shuffle through and decipher.

I have never been as challenged in fishing as I have these past 6-8 weeks (about 20 outings to the River or so).

I fish a real long ways (as the river flows)to the west from Pool 2 so I'm quite positive we are discussing different populations of fish entirely. No way in heck the population that I've experienced moved that far in less than one calendar year regardless of droughts or flooding. I'm also fairly sure that the issues I've been having revolve around prey species. Either too many or the location / availability of them changing / changed.

On a side note - kinda - I would pay good money to see a guy battle a 29 incher with a 25 inch plus girth with a 7 foot rod through an 8 inch hole. I think that would be a site to see. I'm imagining it now and cant help but chuckle a bit. Ice fishing rods are quite affordable and there is definitely something to be said about using the right tool for the job.

[bassfshin24]

Here you go. Not the 8" hole but still pretty entertaining.

[DTro]

Well we are going to have to agree to disagree on the movement thing.  You stated West Metro in an earlier post, not sure exactly what that means, but It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if fish as far south as Mankato could move down to the Miss.  I’ve read several movement/tagging studies and it not uncommon to find walleyes moving 100 miles or more and as far as 250 miles.      You might be very surprised to see where these fish might go when they feel the need.   One of the biggest MN river walleyes I’ve ever caught was in a drainage ditch a couple of miles from the main river.  It was during high water and somehow that fish (and others) found their way there.  

 

The good news is that everything is cyclical, and soon enough I’m sure the fish will move back into a semi predictable pattern.  IMO, the constant movement and change is what is so great about the river.   Each year brings either new honey holes or ways to approach old ones.

 

I guess the one thing I worry about though is that the drastic ups and downs seem to be occurring on a more frequent basis...

[aanderud]

Amazingly cold November we're having.

Anyone been out ice fishing on the MN river yet?

Obviously joking, but the harder and longer winter we have, the better chance of getting out there. I've not tried it in the past, but this year might make the plunge and try it out (and try not to take an actual plunge at the same time).

[MattL]

I scoped out the St Peter access today to see if I could still get a boat in but it was skimmed over. I did not check any of the other accesses.

[WalleyeSlayer21]

saw 2 guys and a portable house on mn river in st peter mn couple days ago