Directions to Zumbro Dam

[Down to Earth]

Well after a long trip out to Pennsylvania I'm back. Unfortunately I had to use up a bunch of PTO time, so I won't have the flexibility to fish during the week very much for quite a while. Probably won't be able to make it over to the river until next weekend, but would like to get out some maybe Sunday for at least a couple hours. Thinking about fishing below the Zumbro and would like to know how to get there. I've tried once before, but never could figure it out. Thanks.

Andy

[Dan Thiem]

Andy, There is a couple different ways. From Roch go north on 63. About 10 miles or so from Shopko you should see County road 7. Take a left. It goes up and down a few small roller hills and starts winding downhill. After you get to the bottom you will be at "The Green Bridge". Cross the bridge and make another left. This road will take you to the Mac's Park Place road which is only about a mile or so. Thats where you make another left. Gravel on this road and a slow speed limit. Only about 1/2 mile and you will be there. It's on the left.

Now, if you want to fish the top of the dam , bypass the Mac's driveway and go straight up the little one lane road all the way up to the top. There you will be right across from the Ponderosa.

[MURPHFISHER]

Shhhhhhhh! Should have kept this off line.... It gets busy enough down there.

[Swamprat72]

Murphfisher, the dam has been popular for a long time and there is nothing that will change that, besides it's a great place for a quick fishing trip. This forum is a place to spread knowledge and help other sportsmen, and I feel that by giving him directions Dan was helping a fellow sportsman. Be sure to let us know how you did

[plonkit]

Thank you for these directions. I am new to this forum as a member, but I have used the information from this forum many times. I am very new to this area and appreciate all the help the regulars here have given me as a have browsed around this site. Please keep up the good work and I will return the favor by joining up and giving my two cents.

[Jim W]

Well, considering just how small of an area/ resource it is I sure hope the new found exposure won't hurt things! It's always up for debate.

Now that it has been mentioned PLEASE consider what you plan to do wafter catching a nice fish! Take good care, minimize the length of the battle and let it go, unless you plan to keep for a mount.

Also, please refer to your regs book on Muskellunge regulations per size etc.

ponkit, welcome. Now it is up to you to return the favor by letting us know how you did!

Keep the rods bendin'!!

Jim W

[CrappieJohn]

Word has it in the Muskie....Zumbro thread, this forum, that the campground has been sold and that access from that point is gone for now. Unless people are good at wading for a few miles, this fishery will likely become another one of those pay to play things.

[Down to Earth]

How far up is the dam from the green bridge?

[Dan Thiem]

Hey Andy,

It's kind of hard to say how far it is.

I wouldn't try to wade it all the way up. Too far for that.

But, I have run it all the way up with my canoe and electric motor. It wasn't pretty either. Too much current in some places. There were areas where I literaly had to get out and help. The 40lb. thrust couldn't quite take it.

Anyways I'm pretty sure it's less than five miles.

I know of another way to fish there without having to go through Mac's. But I bet if you talk to the new owner he'll be glad to let you fish there. I know him pretty well.

We always have had to pay to play there. Granted it was only a buck. Even when we would go there to visit the "regulars" we would always pay the buck. No big deal. I'm not to sure how much shoreline is the property of the park and how much is property of the electric company. If you want to get down there without going through the park, e-mail me and I'll let you know how. DT at vikingolds dot com.

[plonkit]

Was out there today (tuesday, Dec. 7TH). I hear the new owner is the same as the owner of "Roses bar" in Zum. I guess it would pay to ask first before you wander out.

[CrappieJohn]

Andy....I think the trip is between three and four miles...closer to the four. And Dan...e-mail those specs to me.

[JIvers]

I only got to fish at Mac's once--that is bad news. Is it possible to get a small boat from the Green Bridge up to the Zumbro Dam, or would it be more trouble than it is worth?

[FishinFool]

eyehunter-it will be possible to get a small boat up to the dam. However you will have to get out several times to pull the boat over shallow areas. I guess it all depends on how much work you want to do.

F.F.

[Dan Thiem]

'eyehunter,

Possible? yes, worth it? maybe.

The only thing that resembles a ramp at the bridge is a sand/dirt river bank. And there is a lot of current in that spot. Also it's just above the bridge and you don't have a lot of space to get going before you get to the support colmuns.

I've seen the water level go up and down so much down there that there is a lot of times you can run the river with a small boat and outboard. But most the time when the water is high the plunge pool is very murky.

[JIvers]

Thanks--that's kind of what I thought regarding running a boat up from the Green Bridge. It's not so much dragging the boat that bothers me as it is changing sheer pins on my outboard. I've taken my boat up other small rivers, and I know how that goes. I think next summer I will try asking the new owner for permission to shore fish below the Zumbro dam--I am not an expert muskie angler, but I can tell you that it is not easy to find good muskie fishing from shore.

[MURPHFISHER]

Dan, I would like to know how to get down there without going through Mac's. I think I know where you are talking about, but send me some e-mail with details. murphy21 at charter dot net Thanks...

I would not mind paying to get in there to fish, most of the time I always have any way. I usually bring a garbage bag and try to clean up every time I am down there too (it is a dump I guess I will not worry about it, unless I am told by the new owner that it is closed for fishing access.

Edit: that should have been dot net on my e-mail. Dan and I are investigating whether or not fishing access through Mac's will remain the same.

[MURPHFISHER]

Dan, do you have any solid update on the access to Mac's now with the new owner? I have been soooo busy I have not had a chance to make it down there. I go in to work before the sun is up and head home after it is already set I need some serious relaxation (fishing) after the holidays...

[Dan Thiem]

We were just down at Roo's last nite for supper. I saw Randy but didn't talk to him about the park. He looked pretty busy.

I'll call him today and ask. I know that in the past when Howard owned it, there was no problem fishing down there after they closed the gate in November. The seasonal people have a key to the gate, but it's not that long of a walk if you park at the bar.

Anyways I'll let everyone know what's up after I talk to him.

[CrappieJohn]

Thanks for stepping up to help here Dan!