Locke Lake (Rice creek)

Hey everyone. There is a lake in Fridley that Rice Creek runs through about 1/4 mile upstream from where the creek runs into the Mississippi. The outlet is dammed up. many of you may have seen this while driving on East River Road in Fridley.

This lake is very shallow (averages about 3-4 feet) but does have an old creek channel running through it as well as the Rice Creek inlet at the East end. Does anyone have experience this time of year on a body of water like this?

I have caught cats in the creek and there are tons of bullheads, rough fish, and all manner of other species present in both the lake and creek.

Thanks!

I’ve never really fished Locke, but walked by the trestle many times, especially this time of the year. I’ve seen pods of carp in the creek coming in. I’ve always thought that would be a good area to fish when they run in the spring, but now I am not so sure. The problem is there is no barrier so they swim under the train trestle and into the creek to spawn.

I’ve wanted to try and nab bullies for olies at that spot, but never tried.

Pug, you can get 20 under 7 inches by angling withing 20 minutes.. Just walk down the path to the west side of the trestle and fish right where the water calms down. YOu won’t wait more than 10 seconds

I catch eyes throughout this system! It can be difficult to keep the bullies off at times though. Usually as soon as you can get leeches I fish the rice creek and do pretty well. Good luck

Thanks for the tip. I still work out that way. Maybe I can get bigger ones than I usually get. To be clear, you are talking that little park on the west side of the train trestle?

Yep, the path goes under the trestle, then you can just walk right down to the lake. You’ll catch many bullheads of varying size down there.

Pug, can’t you get them at moore lake? Or Locke Lake up by the highschool?

Moore lake is the one across from the high school.

I don’t know. When it comes to finding bait though, I don’t want to have to fish more than an hour for a dozen+ bullies. And what are you talkig about Locke Lake by the High School? You talking the creek behind Irondale???