Finding wally’s on the Mississippi without a boat… hows it done? I typically fish pool’s 1 and 2. Coon Rapids and Anoka dam area. I’m assuming finding deeper holes/pockets is typically best. And how in the heck do you spot a Wing Dam? Need help on that one, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Welcome aboard.
Look for current brakes usually extending from shore into deeper water. Water will appear to boil in a straight row similar to what you might see in stream riffles as water flows over rocks.
Not sure if there are any wingdams above the Ford Dam. Maybe a few rock piles. Take a trip down to the 494 landing on pool 2 and on most days you will see many wingdams from the landing.
Pitching jigs is hard to beat. Try a short piece of crawler threaded on the jig or maybe a small leach. Minnows work well to but seem to come more into play in late summer or early fall. You cant go wrong with a jig and plastic either. Moxies or Pulse Rs both would be good bets.
Crank baits are another option. Flicker shads are good lures and cheap. You most likely will loose a few. When Im on the river in my boat many spots Ill start covering a area with jigs and then before leaving hit it with crank baits. You never know what they will want.
Finding areas with deeper holes near by is good. If there is some rock or wood and a little flow there its a good bet there will be walleyes. During the summer with higher flow and darker water mid day can be good. Towards late summer and fall make sure and fish first light in the morning and last light in the evening. You can get on some fantastic bites at those times. Later into the fall you may even want to fish after dark a bit. Stick baits and large plastics are great at this time.
Pay attention to the river forums on here and what is being used and where. Most of these tactics will work on the upper river to. Many of my river walleye spots are with in casting distance from shore. One this spring I just put the nose of the boat on shore and fished. It may take a little while to find some good shore spots but it worth the searching. Once you do find them you will have those spots to fish for years to come.
And check out some of the IDO videos 
Thanks For the advice everyone, I’ll be checking out the 494 landing early tomorrow morning, hopefully not too much traffic persists. I’ll have the smart phone on me so updates will be included. Thanks all!, and have a blessed day!
If you are trying the 494 landing, a short walk upriver to the railroad tracks and rocky shoreline usually holds fish.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
