Early spots on the river?

[PeachyHans]

Hey all! Tomorrow (Apr 3rd) I'm taking some friends out to do some fishing. We usually target rivers, and live around the metro, but I'm willing to drive a ways to find good spots. No boat, so this would be shore fishing.

We aren't after anything specific but would be nice to get something to fry up later! Which of course means targeting legal fish like carp, suckers, cats, panfish, etc. 

[gimruis]

I am not familiar with this area but Pool 2 which basically starts near downtown St Paul is open all year round to fishing any species.  It is stricly catch and release in that section, however.  Right now there are some big pre-spawn walleyes moving through.

 

Lake Minnetonka has pretty good panfishing from shoreline locations and you could keep some.  I'm guessing they will be very busy with the nice weather on tap.

 

I wouldn't want to eat a carp or sucker though.  Can't help you with the catfish thing.  Maybe someone else can recommend a river catfish spot.

Edited April 2, 2021 by gimruis

[PeachyHans]

4 hours ago, gimruis said:

I wouldn't want to eat a carp or sucker though. 

Carp are actually quite tasty if you prepare them right and suckers are great smoked.

[Mike89]

maybe look for back waters too...

[Pigmeat]

Probably late to the party, but Pool 2 for sure. Below the Ford Dam, either side of the river (Hidden Falls or Minnehaha Creek). I've fished around the mouth of the creek and caught tons of nice walleyes, pike and smallmouth. Keep in mind it is all catch and release, as said above.

[PeachyHans]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Turned out they already had a place in mind so we went there. There was some action initially but no luck. Oh well, next time!