Need a little help…

I have my son, who is 6, visiting this weekend from Arizona. I plan on taking him out in the boat and doing some panfishing. The problem is, I have been a river-rat this summer… and have not hit a metro lake! I’m sure I could take him to my favorite haunts on Pool 2, but the ‘eye fishing is more techinal, and he’d probably loose interest pretty fast. So, I’m looking for recommendations on where to get some quality sized ‘gill, crappes, etc this time of year. I know I could take him to just about any lake and catch potato chips all day long, but I’d like nothing more than catching some eater sized ones for a fish fry… to introduce him to that. I’m not asking for any of your secret spots guys… I’m a walleye man, and rarely fish for pannies. Just looking for some advice as to where I could spend a great day with my son, introducing him to fishing.
Also, I will be taking him out on Friday, as the metro lakes are a zoo on the weekends.
Thanks for any help guys!

Chisago, Green, Lindstrom or any of those small lakes up there. About as guaranteed as it gets for panfish.

Jon J.

Thanks Jon. I have never fished those lakes, but hear about them quite often. Are the ‘gills and/or crappies relatively easy to find in those bodies of water?

Yep, real easy! Find a weed edge and toss out a red worm, 1/2 a crawler, or a waxie under a bobber and you will get bit. You may want to soak a sucker minnow for a bonus pike while you a re-baiting the kids hook!!

Another thought I had while sitting here thinking about pool 2, I know 2-3 area that I can almost guarantee you will catch carp and sheepies by just sinking some meat to the bottom. That is not too technical and can be a heck of a lot of fun for a kid. Let me know if you are interested.

J.

Has the whitebass fishing on the wingdams taken off yet up on pool 2? I know when that’s on a tear there’s not much that will keep a kid’s attention more than whities on top water!

Jon–
That may be a thought too… never even considered that!

James-
Yes, the whities have started going nuts on tops of wingdams. I thought of that as well, but I’m thinking the less casting he has to do…. the better!

If you dont want to cast, you should be able to get numbers of eyes on the upper part of Pool 2 from the confluence to the dam long lining cranks. Any slower moving water has been holding fish. We did OK a few weeks ago for 12-17″ eyes w/ the high water and my daughter (3 1/2 years) caught 30 or so small eyes before the water came up and got dirty.

#5 Firetigers, I started getting lots of fish on shallow runners in 4-6′.

Crimp the barbs and duck! Yeah, I went back and checked the age and at 6 things could get a little hairy to say the least. The white bass suggestion is like a knee-jerk reaction with me any time someone says there’s kids involved. I’ve had some real fun trips with kids and the whities!

I second Jon’s idea on the Chisago area. The south end of Chisago Lake is pretty much a guarantee for a fish fry. My experience is that size in that lake tends to run in cycles, and based on what we did last winter and this spring, it’s in a good part of the pattern this year. You should be able to find a deeper cabbage weedline and throw small jigs with any kind of meat under a bobber and get plenty of bluegills for a fish fry. Going Friday is a great idea, you should pretty much have the lake to yourself. Drop me a PM if you would like some more specifics.

If you want to hit Chisago shot me an email. I will send you a map with a couple spots marked.

Thanks for the help guys… I think I will take the advice and hit Chisago. Mike & Greg… you have mail!

Thanks guys… this is just another reason why this site rocks!

My son who will be 6 on the first has had a blast on pool 2.
He is learning how to cast so I stick him in the front of the boat and keep my head down. He also loves to net the fish I catch and we always spend a little time talking about them. The big kicks he gets out of pool 2 is all the big equipment moving around down there. Barges, trains, airplanes. He loves to see the train bridges open and also loves the big waves. Eagles, turket vultures, it all fits in to a cool trip for him. Gives us plenty to look at and talk about. Pulling up the lines and running up to the train bridge to watch a train go by can be cool.
Our other spot is the croix up by Osceola. My trips up there with the boy consist of fishing, hiking, fishing, swimming, fishing. Plenty of goofing off with a little fishing mixed in. The water should be going down anough that there should be some good sandbars to pull up on where you can fish, he can swim. The park in Osceola can also be a great place to swim. Cool train ride in town also. Fairy boat just up the river in taylors falls. Make sure he wears a life jacket at all times while swimming in the river. This is rule #1 for my kids and should be for all.
One last thing. The trips out with jonathen are usually shorter than my regular trips. Fish bitting or not he does not stay entertained on one thing for long.
Good luck and have fun with the boy this weekend.

Mike-
You know… I didn’t even think of that aspect of it. I was so concerned about catching fish with him, that the focus on him having fun was somewhat blurred. I know for a fact that he would love seeing barges, contstruction eguipment, the swinging bridges, all that stuff. Thanks for sharing that wisdom!

Bring LOTS of snacks and throw a couple fish in the livewell. That keeps my kids interested between bites.
I also have an umbrella so they have some shade. With their life jackets on they can get pretty warm!

Ferny.

If you are looking for kid action I don’t think you can beat the river fishing. A couple dozen nightcrawlers, a bottom rig, a good wingdam, island eddy, or backwater current break and they will catch fish till their arms fall off. They will enjoy taking a carp, sucker or sheepie more than any panfish. Plus when they get tired, pull up on a sand beach and let them have fun in the water. Bring a lot of munchies and pop. They will throw rocks, sticks and do all the normal kids stuff. They will remember the trip forever.

So, RippinPigs, how did you guys do Saturday?