Fishing this time of year

[erikwells]

I was thinking I may steal an hour this week and go down to the Mississippi in Elk river and drift some fatheads on jigs. The river is open on this stretch and I got a new rod and real for open water fishing that I am itching to try. I won't be putting my boat out but will just be walking the shoreline. Anyone have any recommendations?

[Guest]

Eric try a splitshot and a hook on a fathead, or a sucker minnow.
One other hint head upriver a few miles to where you were boat fishing this fall. Oh yeh bring lots of minnows we keep running out.

[erikwells]

Ridger, thanks for the response. What have you been catching? Also are you still in the boat or hoofing it?

[Guest]

Erik I live on and close to some of your later in the year fishing spots. The big stream is always fun to fish. Ridger would be correct with his helpful tips. Not too many boats this time of year, water level is down compared to years past at this point. By the way, if you were the one who wrote the article about the illegal activity under the 101 bridge. Great Job!!! I don't know which spot is worse, that location or the spill way from the Lake Orono ****. Take Care and Good Luck

[erikwells]

Sirdrift, that was me. I am going to try to park by the main street bridge (by the landrymat) and walk a ways up stream and float a fattie in tehh current today. I will be sure to let you know how I do.

[Big Laker]

I've been on the river several times since Christmas and the smallmouth fishing is good. I've been using a fathead on a plain hook with a couple split-shot. I was going through minnows so fast I switched to small rubber minnows and I don't think it hurt the catch rate one bit. I've also had equal luck fly fishing. I think I'll take advantage of todays nice weather and hit it again. Good Luck.

[Guest]

I'm hittin' Montissippi tonight. I'll let ya know what I catch, unless it's really, really great - and then I ain't sayin shmidt. (jk)

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RobertC

[Guest]

Eric
We are still in a boat this year and we were out there Tuesday afternoon.
A lot of shore fishermen were out also. Smaller smallies were being caught in the shallows by most of them.
We caught Smallmouths, and Northerns. Sucker minnows were the ticket on all the big fish.

This ice fisherman is really struggling with
any ice time prior to Feb 28th if this keeps up.

[mistermom]

Hey Erik!
Rob and Erik the 4 year old are joining me on Calhoun on Sunday. You should join us and the other FM'ers.

PS I can't give you reports from the last two weeks because between the flu and remodeling I didn't get out.

mm

[erikwells]

Rideger and other FM'ers. I failed to catch any fish or get a bite yesterday evening. I parked by the Main street bridge in Elk River and walked all the way to where the Elk River comes into the Mississippi. I was fishing from shore and was floating a fathead on a plain hook and splitshot. I must have a ways to go yet learning the river fishing. I saw gnats as I was stumbling through the woods?? Crazy weather. Sounds like I should have driven to montisippi and fished with Robertc. I would have welcomed a bullhead. I guess I will have to try to fish more to make up for the steep learning curve called river fishing.

[Guest]

Eric,

Hang in there, next time out will be your turn. You were at some good spots. Do you have 5ml or 7ml neoprene waiters? They come in handy when you want to walk through the shallows to get to those islands. (You know the two I'm talking about)
Have you ever fished north of the Elk inlet? I guess we have to keep it in perspective that you were open water fishing in January and enjoying it. It was warmer Tuesday and Wednesday than it was for the Mn walleye opener last year. Take Care

[erikwells]

Sirdrift, I have waders. I will try again. They have to be there. Doesn't it get really shallow north of where Elk River meets the Mississippi? I remember being up that way in the fall and getting spooked when I hit 2 feet in my boat. There was a guy in a small red canoe out there last night. He really had the right idea. I have had a little success in the area some nice smallies,small cats but no walleyes. Oh well I will keep at it and figure it out sooner or later. Thanks.

[Guest]

Eric
I do feel the fish are more active and schooled up further up. It could be the powerplant and the water temps.
At least the swans and the geese tend to agree as long as they are fed.
Hey, do you think I could make this work with the wife?
"Honey, I need to keep fishing. The fish are wintering here this winter and need to be fed until February 28th."
Its worth a shot.