Tips for a new timer

[Krisco]

Hey I've heard a ton about the river and spring fever has taken over so I want to get out and try it. Any tips for pool two? Where to go generally, is it just drifting and jigging or casting to shore? It sounds like 494 launch is only launch open, head north from there or can you really catch stuff just about anywhere?

Obviously I'm not looking for your secret spots just general tips to get started out there, thanks!!

[expl]

Dont really have any solid advice for you as Ive been fishing pool 2 for just a couple seasons now.I found all of my spots by trial and error and what produces one year may not produce the next.I can say tho that transitions in bottom content have been good areas-sand to gravel,rock to sand,hard to soft bottom areas have been good to me keep an eye on your depthfinder and to shore to find these areas.I know guys do good fishing the wingdams which I havnt really gotten involved in just yet but plan on trying a little more this year.Good luck.

[Krisco]

Thanks for the info, how far of a trek is it to a decent fishing out of the 494 or lilydale launch? Can you get on stuff close to them or do you have to go a ways to get to some good fishing spots?

[expl]

I normally launch at lilydale and have found great fishing very close to there,used to launch at Hidden Falls but lily dale has been my go to now since I normally fish around there and up river from there.Have only launched at 494 once and fished down that way and didnt do so great but it was a hot late August saturday with alot of boat traffic so it wont be my last time down there,I will give it a try this season at a more appropriate time.

[Krisco]

Thanks for the info! Thats great to know I can get on fish close to the launch! I have a smaller boat so don't know how far I want to venture up from there.

[expl]

Yeah you dont have to go far.I have a 14' with a 30h.p that doesnt allways seem to run the greatest so I tend to go upriver for getting back to the landings sake.It allmost stranded me downriver from the landing once.Its old and will be replaced this season sometime but does the job for now.Good luck out there.

[old timer]

Here is what I have learned over the years. Others could add much more than I. The fishing changes on the river a lot. The river changes daily. The walleye respond to current flow and water temperature.That said, there are certain periods and conditions when the walleye concentrate in certain areas. From ice out to about 40 degrees they concentrate at the confluence. From 40 to approximately 48 to 52,(spawning temp), they move up toward the dam. After spawn, there is a lull when they recover, and are tough to catch. Then they move into their summer locations, dispersing throughout the river, but you can always find them on current seams. The tactics for catching them change as well. Spring time it is dragging or vertical jigging with a jig and minnow or jig and plastics. Summer it is trolling crankbaits or pitching light jigs and crankbaits to current seams or wingdams. If this seems complicated,it is. Get on you tube for more info on these techniques. The Mississippi is a fantastic fishery! Just put in your time. It is well worth it. ps. Hidden falls ramp is open.

[RumRiverRat]

Jig and Moxie pitched to the wingdams.

Jig and Moxie drug along the bottom near the confluence.

2 surefire ways to put walleye and sauger in the boat.

[Krisco]

Awesome tips, thanks for all the info! What confluence are people talking about here? Is that just where Minnihaha meets up with the river?

[bassfshin24]

It's where the Minnesota River meets the Miss.

[Krisco]

Thanks a lot guys! That's great info for getting out, now at least I know where and how to start. Can't wait to get out!

[bassfshin24]

Enjoy! The river can be a blast! Never know what you can hook into!

[SalmonSlayer]

My buddy and I are heading out Saturday morning for our first Pool 2 experience. So if you see two idiots in a black sea nymph who have no idea what they're doing, come say hi.

[Krisco]

Sounds good SalmonSlayer! I'm doing pool 4 and pool 2 this weekend, just trying to figure which days to do which!

I'll be in a 16ft camo boat also having no idea whats going on!

[MN BassFisher]

Good luck out there guys! Hopefully you find some hungry fish!

[SalmonSlayer]

Sounds good SalmonSlayer! I'm doing pool 4 and pool 2 this weekend, just trying to figure which days to do which!

I'll be in a 16ft camo boat also having no idea whats going on!

We were debating pool 4, but the drive is just too long. We both have newborns at home, so we don't want to spend 3 hours of our kitchen pass on drive time. We'll be launching from Hidden Falls, going to try up near the dam first, then drift down to the confluence if we're struggling to pick up fish.

[John23]

Honestly, here's your best bet: Launch at Lilydale if it's open, or Hidden Falls as a second choice. Go to the confluence of the Mississippi and MN rivers just upriver from the 35E bridge. Fish on the Mississippi River side. There is a big sand bar that comes off the point between the two rivers. You'll want to fish the base of the Mississippi side of the break of the sand bar I mentioned, but the whole Mississippi River side can be good for a couple hundred yards up and down from the confluence itself. You might also find some fish (mostly saugers) downriver from the 35E bridge in the deep bottom of the channel. The best fishing this time of year is typically between the Lilydale Launch and a half mile or so upriver of the confluence. There may be fish at the dam, but it's not like Pool 4 where they are there in big numbers. Focus on the confluence. Most importantly: I'm not a fan of live bait, but I would not go on P2 without it this time of year. Bring fatheads and jig them very slowly (hold them just off the bottom and no more than every 10 seconds drop it back to the bottom to make sure you're within a foot or so). You'll catch a few fish, and you'll have a chance at a big one. Good luck and remember it's 100% catch & release.

[expl]

X2!! Sound advice.

[SkunkedAgain]

...and most importantly, remember that this is a big river in the spring. There is lots of current and lots of debris/logs/garbage floating in the river both on and below the surface. Don't be in a hurry to get anywhere and remember that the water is very cold and swift. Life jackets are a smart idea.

Good luck fishing

[SalmonSlayer]

Thanks for the tips. I was planning on dragging a jig with a a moxie or twister tail, but I'll pick up some minnows. If a guy wanted to get some whitebass in the boat, would the same tactics apply or should I try something else? Wife really doesn't like it when I'm fishing all day and don't at least bring something home.

[expl]

Id try something else as far as location,as Ive only caught a handfull of white bass down there when walleye fishing,very possible someone else knows more then I do about them tho.Id say a jig/minnow,jig/plastic would work but maybe different locations??When I have caught them they have been tight to cover/shore and later in the season.Good luck.

[Krisco]

Where is the hidden falls ramp?

[WWW]

Its in hidden falls park.