Upper 4?

[Jim W]

All right, who will be hunting or joining me down on upper 4 Saturday?

Looks like a great day to put the chores back a day or two and either hunt or fish!

Be nice to see other FMer's down there!

Jim W

[rich4walleyes]

Jim,

I would love to be down there this weekend but unfortunaly I will be working both Saturday and Sunday. I am planning on going down there on Monday tho so let us know how you did. Thanks

Rich

[Jim W]

Rich, I'll have a repo by Monday morning. That wilkl be as soon as I can....sorry.

Uffdapete will be joining me in my boat, but would like to see other FMer's as well.

I believe we plan to put in at Colville in the am.

Keep the rods bendin'!!!

Jim W

[fish4living]

I will be out on sat we are headed over early in the morning so we can be on the river by 7. Going to put in at the park in Redwing and was thinking of starting out at the wingdam up by the lock just north of there.

Any reports for good fishing around the Redwing area would be appreciated. We usualy have good luck up by the dam just using a fathead on a lindy. Get a lot of walleye but a lot of them are small.

Was up there about 3 weeks ago fishing that wingdam and my uncle caught a Sturgen that was 5.5 feet long. Ugly fish but he had a blast catching it.

[Jim W]

fish4

What will you be floating in? Uffdapete and I will be in my dark green lund rebel with a 50 evie on back. If ya see us, give a hollar. We could exchange notes at that time!

We will be down there around that time too, putting in at Colville Park!

Jim W

[fish4living]

We will be in a 19 foot blue bayliner. Not realy a fishing boat but it is all my wife would let me buy this year. So you should have no problem spotting me

I got a couple sonars and gonna get a bucket of flatheads. We should be down to the dam by 7 or 8 at the latest. Hopefuly it is not too packed with the deer opener and all.

[Jim W]

Cool,

We will more than likely do some eddy hopping plan to fish the dam someitme, but more than likely not right off the bat.

Yes, we should be able to spot you!lol

Good luck!!! Bring some plastics!!!

Jim W

[CrappieJohn]

I may make an appearence, but if I do I'll be running right up to the dam. There's a chance that Alma will prevail too. Who knows at this point. I might even leave the boat to home and do the backwaters.

[wastewaterguru]

I may make an appearance as well. Not sure which boat I'll be in yet. We've been down there the last two weekends and have been doing pretty well...

Good luck to y'all.

[Jim W]

Well, I know all too well what Tom looks like, so finding him won't be a problem. Tom, just don't be in "my" spot!LOL

Wastewater, we met briefly at the Chaska landing once, but if you see me hollar or wave!

Should be interesting to see just how many folks are on the waters!

Good luck to all out!

Jim W

[northernpiker]

I should be in RW by about 9:00 or so. If I see ya Jim W. I will give you a hollar. I will be with my bride. Best of luck to ya.. Maybe we can compare notes later I'll be in the older 69 lund red with a 30 evinrude..

[CrappieJohn]

I was at Red Wing and did not do too well. The plastics were not the thing early on and sonars came up short too. The fish were hitting me short, but I did see lots of fish caught. Lots of fish! I must have scratched something ulgy this morning, because I used identical rigs as some other guys and came up zip. My tally for the day was six fish, with one being kept. Like I said, they were hitting me short. To note....the bait users were hot when combining jigs with minnows. The hottest jig/plastic combo I saw being used was the chartreuse shad PowerBait minnow in 3" on a 1/4 orange head. I saw lots of nice fish going to that set-up....just not mine. Oh well, another day.

I had a visit from our very own Coery Bechtold today too. He and his brother-in-law were at Red Wing and were dooing some crank dragging....even saw Corey catch one that way, but not as large as the ones shown in the crappie forum! lol

[Corey Bechtold]

It was nice to see you again Tom! Too bad we didn't get much time to B.S.

Bumper boats, Combat fishing, and Floatilla were the words for the day. We tried fishing with 3-ways and cranks but had a hard time dodging the "IA" boats. I sware that half the state of Iowa was down there! After catching only 2 small fish on the cranks dodging boats we started switching around searching for the "golden ticket". Fish were caught on jig and plastics, jig and minnows, sonars, and then hair jigs. Hair was working best for us but the window of opportunity slammed on us and fishing went south so we called it an early day just as the sun was setting. The best part of the day was the sunset. It was pretty amazing! The water temps were +/- 47 degrees. Water clarity was a bit on the dingy side. And the flow was pretty stiff in different areas. The fish seemed to relate to the dropoffs in 15-20 feet for the most part. Things snould heat up a bit in a week or two.

Hopefully we can hook up and share a boat next time Tom. once again, it was nice to see you. Keep in touch.

Good Luck everybody,

Corey Bechtold

[lawmanjoe]

Tom-

You’re not alone. Spent a half a day out there, threw every thing I had and only ended up with a salamander and 14" walleye. Both went back, of course, I don’t think the salamander would have tasted very good. Interestingly, there were these two older gentlemen in a small john boat

hammering them. They were only about 50 ft away, I think they were using a plain hook and minnow? Left at 2:00 thinking I would take advantage of the rest of the day and start to winterize the boat. After spending an hour washing it up, my brother-in-law (who always catches fish) called and asked if I want to give it try this afternoon. I told him no that I was putting the boat away for the winter and had already cleaned. After about 10 seconds of thinking about what I had just said I called him back. We’ll be out there again about 1:00.

[CrappieJohn]

lmjoe....Welcome aboard! Yes, the river threw me a curve ball yesterday, but hey, was it a nice day or what? When you can fish in the November and watch people taking their shirts off, it simply has to be better than scratching ice off their ears. Its not like I got skunked either...nor did you. The day just didn't give up what we thought was right. The real beauty lies in the fact that there is always another day....and maybe one that is much less crowded.

Again...welcome to fishingminnesota.com

[wastewaterguru]

I was pretty close to the older guys in the jon boat as well. Saw them boat a couple fish that had to be 4 pounds or better. They were drifting back and forth in the deeper water of the eddy on the Wisconsin side. We started anchored in a little shallower and picked up a fish or two and one of those darn mudpuppy things. But after watching those guys get a few, we pulled anchor and drifted through with the jon boat and a couple other boats and caught fish every time we got vertical with the baits. After half an hour or so of that, a few boats came in and dropped anchor out where we were catching them.

We dropped anchor as well and immediately got a double on our dead sticks. So we started focusing on that techinque. We were throwing our slip sinker and bare hook/minnow combos out into the deeper water and letting drift across the current edge. As soon as the 1/2 ounce weights were hitting the bottom, we were getting nailed. We managed well over 20 quality eaters with this technique and managed to eat lunch at the same time.

A few hard boiled eggs were flying between my boat and my friends'. Any of you guys see me catching them in my net??

We kept our 12 with most being between 16 and 19 inches only two walleyes and the rest saugers.

The traffic reminded me of March. But the good fishing made the trip worthwhile.

I doubt we'll get any more weather like that this year...

[CrappieJohn]

Wsatewater....The area you are referring to was chock full by 6:30 am. Both side were busy already. Lots were anchoered up on your side and I could not find an area large enough to slip into without feeling as though I were encroaching, so I did the drift thing on the other side. As the saying goes...one day you're the dog...one you're the wheel.

Your last two sentences sum it up real well though.

[lawmanjoe]

Wow, what a day. Only got out for 2 1/2 hours, but we put 18 sauger in the boat. I guess keeping it simple, plain hook, was the way to go.

[CrappieJohn]

This is a shining example of the transition fishing I speak of. The water temps are well within the range of several methods of fishing...all which catch fish consistantly in their own right, but change quickly from day to day, hour to hour.

[Jim W]

Uffdapete and I made it out as well. We fished (or should I say , spent oo much time) down stream from Cilville for the better part of 3-4 hours. Nothing.

We fished a couple slack spots enroute upstream, picking up a couple small fish. Then stopped near Haycreek catching a few keepers there. Marked a ton of fish, and like Tom, short hits and missed opportunitites ruled for my boat.

We went up near the dam, fishing below the Y and a couple wing dams up, getting a few to respond, but nothing major.

I personally didn't see a lot of action coming to other boats, but a fish here and there. Again, a couple of my spots were literally chuck full of non eager fish.

Not one plastic or technique prevailed this day.

I would like to mention that one spot, I found a ton of fish and no one else fishing there. However, heavy current, winds and a moderately skilled captain at the helm prooved too much. If I get out for the holiday on Thursday, that will be my first spot.

WHat a wonerful day to be on the water eh?

Keep the rods bendin'!!

Jim W

[Bait Killer]

Jim,

Where EXACTLY was that spot?

[fish4living]

Well we did pretty good on Sat. We were on the water by 7am and hit the dam right off. between about 7:30 and 11:00 it was work just keeping up with the bite. We were using plain hook/minnow with about a 2foot lead from the weight. We had 3 guys in the boat and by noon we had our limit of walleye and only 2 were saugers.

Nothing huge with the largest being just over 4lbs caught by myself . We hit the harbor bar for lunch and then headed back to the dam and between 1-3:30 only got 1 fish total so we called it a day.

No sheephead at all but to make up for it i caught 3 salimanders

We were fishing the wisconsin side at the 11-13 foot range. Winterized the boat sunday so that is all for me this year but what a beautiful day to get the last fishing of the year in.

See you guys in the spring!!

[Jim W]

Bait killer, give me a hollar.

fish4, and everyone elsle, thanks for the replies and posts. Sounds like a morning bite for the most. With forecasted cool and cold at night, the bite might just pick up. My boat is getting a little "sleepy" too, not sure how long I can keep it awake this year!

Jim W

[Jim W]

ANy recent reports?

I may be hitting her on Thursday, wondering if any recent activity to report or go on?

Thanks much!

Keep the rods bendin'!!

Jim W

[sal]

Was out this am. Pretty slow but steady bite. Anchor and three way was the ticket on the break approx 14 feet. A boat not 30 feet away (depending on the drift)couldn't keep them off the line. Couple 3 to 5 pounders. Hope for another nice day !!!!!!!!

[rich4walleyes]

I was out on Tuesday and it was a beautiful day out there. I fished near the dam and actually did well. Didn't get there until about 11 and was done fishing at 3. I was using a jig and minnow and ended up catching quite a few. We were just drifting with the current. Going back up stream I did not get a bite. It was better to just motor fast back up to the front of the line and then drift back down. I actually saw alot of fish caught. Nothing huge but still fun action. All were saugers and walleyes except for 1 catfish and 1 sturgeon. I am hoping to make it down there again this weekend or next monday. I hope this helps.

Rich

[Jim W]

Thanks guys, it always helps. It will be interesting to see what kind of effect tonights cold air will have on tomorrows fish.

Thanks....anyone else?

Jim W

[CorynTracySellHomes]

How did ya do Jim?

I have a major league 'Sippi itch that needs to be scratched, maybe next weeek sometime. Hard to leave the home water though the bite has been pretty darn good!

Cory Frantzick

[CrappieJohn]

Corey.....Jim and I did RedWing this morning into early afternoon and did quite well. The fish hit basically everything thrown to them, but plastics were the primary catchers today. Blade baits got but one fish. PowerBait minnows got one fish. Culprit shads got a couple. Even hair jigs took a half dozen. But what really got us into the fish was Jims version of the Debuque rig with a plain hook and minnow on the long line and a ringworm/ 3/8 oz jig hanging under the the three way. Most of our fish fell to the ringworm, but the minnow got a few nice ones too. This rigwas really smoking today and we weeded through outrr fish to bring home 10 nice eaters.

Both shores of the Wisconsin channel appeared to be giving up fish. We stayed on the Mn shore of the Wis. channel and worked the water down to the first wingie. 17-22 feet seemed to be prime time for us. Ringie was purple/white tail. Hope this helps.

[Jim W]

Tom,

Thanks for coming along! I had an excellent time, enjoying the company and fishing! Heck I even got a kick out of the guy litterally playing "bumper boats" with us! (not really).

Water temps hovered around 45 and flow seems to have come down a tad from the weekend.

I would encourage anyone who has the "itch" as Cory mentions to go during the week. You can hit spots with out much hassle. Or, at least you would think!

On that note, if you are new to the "dam thing", if anything, please be aware of your boat in reference to others.

ALso, foul hooked fish are to be released. Witnessed a 21+ inch walleye belly hooked, thrown into the live well! No good!

One more sermon before I step down. We kept some eater sized sauger and I fried some up immediately for my wife and children. THey tasted awesome, but they were only 15-16 inchers. Ya don't need big ones for a big meal!

Keep the rods bendin'!!!

Jim W