Friend and I are planning our first trip to fish the red wing dam walleyes. The plan is to try for the weekend of March 21st. Is that a safe date to try? And also is there anything in particular I should know considering neither of us have ever fished below the dam? Any tips and techniques would be awesome! Thanks
James and Eric filmed a show I think last year that was pre-spawn. Good tips in there
Don’t go past the sign on the shoreline and watch out for the wing dams. And be nice to the people at the bait shop and I’m sure they will help u out. And don’t be affraid to fish well after dark. I’ll be going down this weekend I’ll let u know how we do.
And don’t be affraid to fish well after dark.
Well…. as much as I like fishing after dark, there are a few things you’ll need to locate before coming back in after dark.
Do check in at Everts and Kari will set you up. But still, you’ll need to know where the three wing dams are located and pay attention the the channel markers and any ice that happens to be coming down (if any).
To be honest I’m not sure I would recommend staying out after dark until you’re very familiar with the water there or any place.
Stuff happens ya know?
Here’s the link to last years show on P4 fishing prespawn eyes.
I usually base it off the weather, it’s tough to set a date this time of year. March 21st could be a blizzard or sunny and 65, ya know? But I plan on getting out there by then, at least a couple 3 times.
The cool thing w/ P4 is there are a million different spots to try and about as many techniques being used. I just started fishing it a couple years ago, and have tried almost everything. But usually end up having the most success with a jig and a minnow. One frustrating thing is it will change drastically by the day, but Evert’s is great at helping newbies out and pointing them in the right direction. Same w/ the bait shop in Red Wing (All Season’s Sports I think?). Good luck and post a report when you’re done!
Just want to point out one obvious detail. Look closer at the water temp and listen to what James is tossing. I’ve been a firm believer in going all cranks when the water is 42 and above for years and it has served me well.
in the show
Temp = 41.8 in & James is fishing a #7 Riprap. Don’t be worried about down-sizing when that water gets over 40
temp-1.jpg
Just want to point out one obvious detail. Look closer at the water temp and listen to what James is tossing. I’ve been a firm believer in going all cranks when the water is 42 and above for years and it has served me well.
in the show
Temp = 41.8 in & James is fishing a #7 Riprap. Don’t be worried about down-sizing when that water gets over 40
Quick question for Ya Randy! When you mention cranks are you trolling them or casting? Also are you more talking about the rippin raps apposed to say a shad rap, flicker shad, ect…
Curious if James and Eric are anchored or using the Ipilot in anchor mode?
Curious if James and Eric are anchored or using the Ipilot in anchor mode?
Shows them dropping the anchor in the beginning
Hey BK, any chance you could draw up a map from Everts, and/or the public launch on how to properly navigate the wingdams to get to the main channel? Distance off shore, favor one side or the other?
Thanks man!
Please be extremely cautious. The river can be VERY unforgiving at this time of year. Extreme caution must be used at all times, especially when moving at anything above a trolling speed.
Remember, floating ice can be anywhere at any time and a sheet of floating ice can be almost invisible.
Brian K is giving excellent advice. Have fun, but be careful and don’t push the limits of your experience of comfort zone.
Grouse
Please be extremely cautious. The river can be VERY unforgiving at this time of year. Extreme caution must be used at all times, especially when moving at anything above a trolling speed.
Remember, floating ice can be anywhere at any time and a sheet of floating ice can be almost invisible.
Brian K is giving excellent advice. Have fun, but be careful and don’t push the limits of your experience of comfort zone.
Grouse
Watch out for floating debris if it has been warm, both visible and that which is not that visible. 2 years ago I split a sheet of plywood with the lower unit in the middle of the day running up to the damn, it was slightly below the surface, and invisible with the glare of the sun on the water.
You are going to want map chip for your locator. That will show the wing dams. There is one short wing dam near the dam that isn’t shown on either navionics or the lakemaster maps. I can give you coordinates for the end of that one. I can’t tell you how many people I have seen hit that little unmarked wingdam.
And don’t be affraid to fish well after dark.
Well…. as much as I like fishing after dark, there are a few things you’ll need to locate before coming back in after dark.
Do check in at Everts and Kari will set you up. But still, you’ll need to know where the three wing dams are located and pay attention the the channel markers and any ice that happens to be coming down (if any).
To be honest I’m not sure I would recommend staying out after dark until you’re very familiar with the water there or any place.
Stuff happens ya know?
…Mr. BK..Sir The last time I was up that way, there still were 4 wingdams.. …rrr
You are correct of course Mr. Walmart.
Assuming they would be coming back after dark from the dam, IF they hit the 4th one above the Vermilion, we should be telling them about the dangers of the back channel at night as well.
Ps wear PFD’s! You have 10 minutes before your muscles lock up. 
Thanks for the PFD reminder RCR.
You are correct of course Mr. Walmart.
Assuming they would be coming back after dark from the dam, IF they hit the 4th one above the Vermilion, we should be telling them about the dangers of the back channel at night as well.
Ps wear PFD’s! You have 10 minutes before your muscles lock up.
Thanks for the PFD reminder RCR.
..Yes Mr Catfish. The closing dam just above the Mr. Sippi on the back channel, Has already claimed its share of lower units.!! It has poked a few holes in the bottom of some BIG BOATS to. Cabin Cruisers and the like…Even when I marked the route over the dam with buoys, there where still plenty boats on the rocks. Plus a mile or so down river from the closing dam, when the water is low you can not get over the sandbars. …rrr Ps. A few years ago there was a bass tourney out of EVERTS. Some of the bass boys tried to run the back channel. In the time span of maybe 2minutes there were 13 of those crotch rockets were hung up on that sandbar. Or I should have said Buried in that sandbar.!
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