Anoka dam cats

I’ve spent a lot of time fishing there the last 2 years because of some monster carp that lurk below the dam. I haven’t seen very many cats caught there in spring or summer, but there is one caught occasionally. Many people use minnows and catch northerns and smallmouth, but not many cats although nobody uses cut bait. You are right about the bullheads, the place is overrun with them in May and June.

One place that has lots of cats is below Coon Rapids Dam.

I used to live up there and fish there often…. I have seen few cats caught there…. but like Carpchaser says.. there are some MONSTER carp up there…..I would guess right now the walleyes are packing into there…. there is a major spawning run that moves up there… its amazin every year they pretty much get in and out before the season opens!!!… and fishing for them before the season is illegal….. and the wardens are checking there often.. if you fish there better be for crappies or cats or something else that is open….. there ARE a few crappies that hang in the current breaks around there…. a little tube tail and a crappie minnow will do the trick for them (if you can fight through the pesky walleyes and northerns and even occasional big carp!)

I also concur that below the Coon Rapids dam is the best catfish spot…. that whole strecth has lots of cats….