Mankato area

[ANYFISH2]

Good Morning everyone,

The family and myself will be in Mankato July 27-29 for the MSF baseball tournament(U11).  It appears we may have down time Sat. Was wondering if  anyone could point me in the right direction to a shorefishing area I could take the family?  

First time to Mankato, so no real idea where to look.

Thank you.

[roony]

Shore fishing can be limited. Personally I would go to the fish hatchery on Lake Tetonka. There is a spot there that produces pretty well at times. 

 

[Mike89]

lots of river fishing, try where the Minnesota and Blue Earth come together.  go to the park down there and enjoy!!!

[Knowknot]

I have to agree with Mike89, lots of good spots to try.

[Rick]

Mike89 is spot on.

Explore that river. Walleyes and cats can be had.

[Mike89]

that's the general area where I grew up....  caught many fish there and some dang big cats!!!!!  notherns too!!!

[Hoey]

That park is Sibley Park.  Areas there for parking with a very short walk to the river.  Water is high i believe.  And plenty of areas for your family to enjoy as well, with a playground and picnicking areas.  I grew up in Mankato, a Scarlet from the class of '78.  40th reunion this year.  I will be in town on Saturday, driving my Mom around to visit family, graves, and places we have lived.  Good Luck!!!

[ANYFISH2]

Thanks everyone.  Will spinning gear hold up along the river? I have a couple heavier casting rigs i will bring to handle the cats(hopefully).

Any tips on gear/lures/bait to have?

Also, considering I am from very central MN, I have caught your usual species.  Any species in the river there, we/I could target that are not very prevalent here? Examples, goldeye, quillback, drum, ect.  less than common fish? Always looking for new fish to add to the list.

Thanks again.

[Mike89]

class of 70 here, and the park across the river  is Land of Memories if I remember correctly...

[Hoey]

45 minutes ago, Mike89 said:

Land of Memories

....is a City Park.  Land of Memories  with a lot of Minnesota and Blue Earth River shore access and I believe you can access the confluence of the rivers there as well.  

Another attraction not really connected to fishing is Minneopa State Park with the falls on one side of the road and drive through buffalo herd area on the other.  Parks require a car window sticker for entrance.  

Good Luck

[Rick]

Bring your spinning rod and fish for walleyes or white bass at the confluence. Wherever the river is pounding the shoreline fish the current breaks for big flatties. Heavy fiberglass rod with a sturdy baitcaster and 50 lb power pro line will be effective. Fish the head of snags for channels. Setup just like a Lindy rig for them with 1 oz to 5 oz no roll sinker and a big live bait like a 7" bullhead or even larger sucker for flatties. Use cut strips of bait off a large sucker or something similar for channels. Frogs can be good too.

Have fun.

[Mike89]

walked that creek to the river many years!!!  again home area!!!!  

[Rick]

Good fishing in the Blue Earth river too. Also, a short drive to Rapidan can be productive.

[Mike89]

below the darn is a park there too if I remember right, Plus Garden City has a park by the river too I think..

[ANYFISH2]

Thank you all, very much!

We arrived this morning, all Isaac wantes to do was fish.  Him and I hit the shoreline in Sibley park.  Not much to speak of.  Isaac, however, accomplished catching his first drum. I caught a SMALL channel cat.

We will try again tomorrow evening.

 

[Rick]

Well done.

[Mike89]

don't forget at Sibley park you can both rivers!!!!

[ANYFISH2]

Tomorrow, i will have to search around for the right bait.  We were limited to crawlers, leeches, or small minnows at Walts.  Apparently, he was cleaned out of suckers and bullheads, due to contest this weekend.

Crawler caught the drum and a leech the cat.

We fished mostly the confluence of the rivers.  I may move down and fish a couple of spots that looked a bit more snaggy on the Minnesota.

Any suggestions on lures to cast around for walleyes or anything else?

 

[Mike89]

i used mostly crawlers...  now you can use things I never thought of back then!!!  the best way is to just enjoy!!!!  

[ANYFISH2]

Thanks for all the help and pointers! Isaac and I truly appreciate it.

 

We got out for a couple hours Friday at the confluence of the Minn. and Blue Earth rivers.  

Saturday Isaac fished a little bit while we visited Mineopa State Park.  He was successful catching about a half dozen carp below the falls.  The first carp he has caught.

Sunday we spent the better part of the afternoon fishing.  We started at the confluence again, getting skunked for a couple of hours.  The river had dropped about a foot since Friday.  I had convinced Isaac we should start our 3 hr drive home.  He had a different plan, beg mom to go to Rapidan Dam.  He must drive a hard bargin!

We headed to the dam, then proceeded to have a blast.  Using up 2 dozen crawlers and a dozen leeches, and a couple cut baits.  We caught a bunch of small catfish, with a couple decent one mixed in, as well, as my first drum, a walleye, and a bunch of carp.  It really was quality time with boy.  When he figures things out, he definitely can out fish his dad.

 

Thanks again everyone.

[Mike89]

sounds like a great time for you folks for sure!!!  

[Rick]

13 hours ago, ANYFISH2 said:

Thanks for all the help and pointers! Isaac and I truly appreciate it.

 

We got out for a couple hours Friday at the confluence of the Minn. and Blue Earth rivers.  

Saturday Isaac fished a little bit while we visited Mineopa State Park.  He was successful catching about a half dozen carp below the falls.  The first carp he has caught.

Sunday we spent the better part of the afternoon fishing.  We started at the confluence again, getting skunked for a couple of hours.  The river had dropped about a foot since Friday.  I had convinced Isaac we should start our 3 hr drive home.  He had a different plan, beg mom to go to Rapidan Dam.  He must drive a hard bargin!

We headed to the dam, then proceeded to have a blast.  Using up 2 dozen crawlers and a dozen leeches, and a couple cut baits.  We caught a bunch of small catfish, with a couple decent one mixed in, as well, as my first drum, a walleye, and a bunch of carp.  It really was quality time with boy.  When he figures things out, he definitely can out fish his dad.

 

Thanks again everyone.

See my comment in the Fishing Report Club.

 

Great report here and awesome detail in the club.

 

Issac has an awesome Dad.