Mr. P for the win.. Analogy confirmed here..
That little guy in pool 3 either got caught up in a condome and floatee through the lock or had a taste for cheese… He just went downstream and the others were going up.. That happens. haha…
Really? It wasnt on Sunday, is the water coming back down or not projected to rise?
I appreciated the update, it was a little sketchy launching solo there with no dock
Really— at least as of yesterday I put my own eyes on it! There is a lot of room for the water to rise before they would have to pull it right now. Could still happen but I appreciate they put it in the water.
Watergate is open as well for folks who don’t mind paying. I launch solo a lot so having a dock is nice.
I still have yet to catch a fish this year on p2 not even a damn drum been fishing up river and down river deep shallow rock wood flat steep you name it this bite sucks lol and I suck.
I still have yet to catch a fish this year on p2 not even a damn drum been fishing up river and down river deep shallow rock wood flat steep you name it this bite sucks lol and I suck.
It’s been slow for me, I am not a good spring river angler. Had a thick 30” pike under a float like 5 minutes into my season, and nothing since
Low water makes for a tough spring. I haven’t heard of anyone doing really well.
What are the water temps at? Do you guys think we are still pre spawn? or Post Spawn?
Havent had the chance to fish pool 2 yet. Spent some time on the Upper Mississppi this past weekend. Water temps were about 55 in the main channel.
The spawn hadn’t really started on 4 when I was down there last Friday. I haven’t been on 2 for a couple weeks but I think the spawn is just getting going. Seems about a week late this year.
What are the water temps at? Do you guys think we are still pre spawn? or Post Spawn?
Good question.
If all the walleye spawned at the same time all of their fertilized eggs would be in the same basket. Thats a reproductive risk nature doesn’t take. So the spawn is spread out over many weeks. Many have already spawned, some haven’t spawned yet. So the answer is both (or neither).
Technically we are in the “peak spawning” period for our latitude (i.e., photoperiod).
Bite has picked up in the past few days. Managed 18 Saturday in around 5 hours. Nothing huge but decent numbers. Most of the females were post spawn. But still a bit finicky.
Bite has picked up in the past few days. Managed 18 Saturday in around 5 hours. Nothing huge but decent numbers. Most of the females were post spawn. But still a bit finicky.
Don’t want specifics, but lower or upper half of the pool?
I made it out tonight. I did okay, just 4 but the cats were chomping. Managed a 10.6lb cat a 7lb cat and Got 4 eyes and lost another nicer one. One Dink a 14,16,19. Upper half of the pool. They are biting decent just have to find em I’d say.
Going out today, is Lilydale open?
Going out today, is Lilydale open?
Yes.
Did a multi-species trip yesterday for both walleyes and bass. Water temps ranged from 50 in the morning to 56 in the afternoon. The walleyes are starting to move back out of the MN river. We caught 19 with our five heaviest weighing 33lbs and the big fish at 7lb 8oz. The bass were pretty active as well. We caught 21 with our heaviest being a 4lb 1oz largie. Fun day on the water!
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Was out on saturday for a couple of hours with my dad, only 2 walleye 21 and 23in along with a couple of pike. Focused on the middle section of Pool 2, only saw one other boat fishing. Still pretty slow, looking forward to the summer bite.
Water temp about 55 in channel and 60 in backwater
Dock is in at 494 access! 
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Bummer. Every spring they put that dock in, it rains non stop, and then the river goes nuts and they close the accesses. Hope this year is mellow 
There’s another “yacht” across from the cut to Baldwin that’s been there for a while. Seems like there might be a guy living in it now. 
Whats the story on that yacht? Whats the owners reasoning for walking away from it? Is he a .10 cent millionaire who could’nt afford it?
The post-spawn females continue their feeding binge. We caught 14 after work yesterday and half of them were 27″-28.5″. Judging by how the fish are eating full-bodied 6″ swimbaits, I could see up-sizing even more. Wonder how long this will last…
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There’s another “yacht” across from the cut to Baldwin that’s been there for a while. Seems like there might be a guy living in it now.
Pretty sure that is the houseboat that has been parked on the inside cut of the island just upstream from where it is now. (Power line island. Been there a 2-3 years.) I’m making a guess that it was blown off that island over winter. Probably has not run in a long time. Guy needs to get that towed out of there before the tuna boat wakes grind that thing to chunks!
-J.
Good to hear they got the feedbag on Brian!
Great catches 
That’s insane. I heard from a buddy that he didn’t get much out of the backwaters near lions levee. Were these fish on the main river or in the backwaters? And what ramp did you launch out of?
All of the fishing I’ve done so far this year has been from the confluence up to the dam. In my experience I don’t ever see any big fish caught from the confluence up. All my big fish have been north of 494 but east of St. Paul. Still trying to learn the spots south of there.
Were these fish on the main river or in the backwaters? And what ramp did you launch out of?
These fish are on the main river and chasing big baits that they can see and feel. Best depth has been about 10 feet, give or take a foot or two.
That’s sick thanks for the intel
I put in at lilydale today and finally caught some bass pike and walleye good lord it only took 8 trips goosed lol. Caught em all on current breaks
Not sure if it was Monday’s downpour dirtying up the water, or if someone hid a banana in my boat but I struggled last night.
I was marking fish, and had a couple missed bites but no hook ups. Had me scratching my head, that’s for sure. Maybe it was tough for them to find the bait with dirty water?
What are people’s “go to” swimbaits these days? I’ve been using suicide shad for a couple years now but think I’d like to mix it up a little.
New member here and my first post so not sure if it is common but I wanted to ask for some help. I’ve never river fished before but would love to try pool 2 since I’m a college student and it’s close to the U. Wondering if anyone could give me some spots to shore fish from? Or even better I would love to go with someone Sunday afternoon since it looks like it will be beautiful out!
Best,
Panning my Handfish
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