Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Canoe route: Champlin to Hidden Falls


buzbunni

Recommended Posts

Has anyone ever paddled this route? I'm curious how long it may take. A buddy of mine is planning to paddle this stretch this week. I'm figuring it must be at least a full day. He's not a real experienced paddler(I'm hoping his canoe partner is) and I want to make sure he's not in over his head.I've already informed him that he needs to learn how to navigate the lock(or portage around it...ouch!)

Thanks all.

------------------
SERIOUSLY! It was THIS big!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Buz - how's it going! About paddling that stretch... that will be a pretty decent haul. I'm figuring at least a full day of good paddling! If he is planning on fishing at all or taking it slower, it may take a couple days. I'm guessing, but I would put that distance at around 20+ miles. You'll have to portage at Coon Rapids dam and then do the locks twice (stone arch bridge & ford dam). Be sure to be wearing life jackets and be extremely careful after the 494 bridge. It will get deep quick and the barges will make for an interesting journey! Below Ford Dam it will also be a bumpy & crazy ride! Once you hit the current it'll get hairy right down and then calm down right as you get to Hidden Falls.

Like I said, if your friend is planning on fishing at all, you may suggest a shorter distance, say Champlin to 494 bridge.

Good luck - hope to see you out on the water before it gets too much colder! smile.gif

------------------
Mike
TJ Tackle Pro-Staff

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is a long route. I'd try something like Otsego to Coon rapids. No locks to worry about, less traffic until you get to Anoka. Watch out for the speed boats.

He can order free maps from the DNR.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the help guys. Just a canoe trip with no fishing involved(such a shame). I thought it would take much longer, but they did Champlin to St.Anthony in 4 hours. Mr. Mathematics figured the current speed+paddling speed and guessed correctly. I was WAY off.

------------------
SERIOUSLY! It was THIS big!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hidden Falls Park is a City of St. Paul park located on the Mississippi in the Highland Park area of St. Paul. It is about a 1/4 mile below the Ford Motor Co dam and Lock #1. It is on the East side of the shore; the Minnehaha Falls Park (City of Minneapolis) is across the river on the West side. By road, follow Ford Parkway to the river, exit south on East River Road. Go about 1/2 mile, look for the park entrance on your right.
There is a very good concrete boat ramp and plenty of parking for trailers.
PS., there is no "hidden falls" unless you count the storm water discharge that comes down the small canyon area in the spring.Maybe there was at one time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yea, it is north (and upstream) from 494, if you're talking about on the water, I would guess about 5 to 6 river miles. In general terms, think of adjacent to the MSP airport, or Fort Snelling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.