Anyone ever try ice fishing pool 2. I’ve tried in the pigs eye channel right where the lake starts. long walk and even longer wait for not even a bite. Anyone ever try in front of the lock in st paul. Not sure if the ice would be safe. spring lake or moores, just wonderin.
I ice fished one of the Marinas down town St paul last year and caught a couple of nice sized panfish. The lake behind lillydlae landing offers some ice fishing opportunities. Caught lots of small panfish there but wondering what it may be like this year. That lake was flooded a couple of times this summer I believe.
I think there are some opportunities south of 494 to its just a matter of searching them out. Now that snow conditions have changed Im hoping to get down there soon to do some more looking around.
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I think there are some opportunities south of 494 to its just a matter of searching them out. Now that snow conditions have changed Im hoping to get down there soon to do some more looking around.
I’ll go!!! 
-J.
I have heard but have not checked it out for myself that the pond by north star steel has nice panfish in it. It used to have nice northerns but when the word went out it got hammered and the big pike disappeared. I have not seen anyone icefishing there for years and I am thinking they did not get all the pike and I bet some of them have gotten to a pretty healthy size. I plan on trying it this winter to find out, maybe worth a try.
After all the flooding this year I would think alot would of changed in those back water lakes. A lot of fish tend to head towards them in high water and many most likely get trapped in them.
Maybe this weekend Jon. Saturday afternoon or Sunday.
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I have heard but have not checked it out for myself that the pond by north star steel has nice panfish in it.
Are you talking about Little Pigs Eye the small body of water just north of Pigs Eye on hwy 61, that is not connected to river. Talked to someone with dnr fisheries last spring and they said they haven’t done a survey on the lake in a very long time and the last survey they did there wasn’t much of anything in there. I’m thinking it might be worth a shot with the major flooding we had this past year there’s a chance there might be a lot more fish that made it in there from the high water.
If your talking about Hog lake which is connected to the river on the south west side of Pigs Eye just in from the sunken barges, not sure how you would or what the safest way to get back there either way it would be a hike but I think a guy could put a smack down on the monster white pies back there.
Take Care!!!
Kevin
If your talking about Hog lake which is connected to the river on the south west side of Pigs Eye just in from the sunken barges, not sure how you would or what the safest way to get back there either way it would be a hike but I think a guy could put a smack down on the monster white pies back there.
that lake has a lot of potential…but that would be a serious hike from 61..or wherever you would start…if there wasnt so much snow i might be tempted.
The night i fished the pigs eye channel, there was a guy at the grain tower and he was telling me that there is a 30 ft hole in the lake he wasn’t sure where but he said he’s seen a certain long bearded river guide was bringing people back there to “hog” lake. I look at alot of satelite maps on google and there is a big dark spot in that area, looks alot deeper than the rest of the lake. I parked at the end of red rock road and walked quite a ways to get to the channel. If you had a snowmobile you can get to hog lake from pigs eye. I have been in the main lake in my boat a few times and havent found water deeper than 3 ft, but in the cahnnel it was 8 ft or so. The guy at the grain place said hes never seen anyone ice fish the main lake though. our conversation was brief because he was 200 yds away and it was snowing very hard. Could only scream at the top of my lungs for a few minutes.
I was talking about the little lake along 61 north of north star steel not attached to the river. I used to take my son there and we would catch very nice pike. That must have been at least 18 yrs ago (wow time goes fast) anyway word got out and people where fishing off shore in the summer and icefishing in winter. Couldn’t catch anything after couple of years of intense fishing for such a little pond. I drive by it everyday and have not seen anyone fishing it so there is probably nothing to catch, but before the word got out it was very good fishing for pike and panfish. For the last several years I have thought that if any little ones made it and didn’t get caught they are probably pretty good size again by now. I may be giving you a bum steer or the fish that have survived are again pretty good size. Now you guys have got me going and I am definitely going to check it out and let you know.
tomr I know exactly what you are talking about and, like you, recall 20 years back too. I haven’t seen anyone or anything on there for years. Only one way to find out! 
I’ve been eye balling that thing for years too. Let’s go!!
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I’ve been eye balling that thing for years too. Let’s go!!
I’m down to give it a whirl. I think it would be cool to try and get some people together, swiss cheese the lake with holes put some tip-ups out and see what happens. Maybe a little metro gtg, bring a little grill out and grill up some brats and burgers, meet some new faces and if anyone actually catches something its just a bonus. What’s everyone think of this?
Take Care!!!
Kevin
A get together down there sounds good. Is there still good access to the lake?
I’ll start the PM’s now! Seriously, game on, this weekend, really.
shoot me a note if you guys are planning on heading there, too close to home not to try it if my other plans fall through..
Im free now for this after noon or sunday about noon.
I just drove Red Rock this AM to check, did not walk it, not dressed for the cold. Not any signs of activity on the ice, no parking signs either side whole length but bet you wouldn’t be bothered or could at least run back and argue. Across from the three big fuel storage tanks looked good? Bet you could use the fish for thermometers if their in there! If more than a couple go today or tomorrow let me know? Only one way…
Anyone get out there today? Looks like I may try to get down there about noon tomorrow. May start my search at Willies hidden harbor.
Grey Titan with bumper stickers (told you I never grew up), one is “CZ”. Say hi? By the time I had time today, it was time to take the boys sledding instead. Those Battle Creek hills are still fun, another something in that area I recall from 20 years back.
Cool. I be driving the beat to snot ford windstar with smashed up front, rear bumpers and side door. Should be pretty easy to spot. The wife is a little tough on her vehicles. Guess now this is my winter ice fishing vehicle.
So where was everyone today? Checked out that lake off of Red Rock road. Looks fishy but not sure about the parking. Lots of no parking signs up. Maybe towards the end of the road would be good to park. Access would be very easy if parking could be found.
Willies was very easy to get out on the ice. Just a quick walk down the main ramp and you are good to go. Water depth in the harbor is 5′ max that we found. Once you get past the docks towards the back channel check ice often. It went from a foot thick to a couple of inches very fast. Had a few fish come threw on the finder but no takers.
I didn’t make it to Willys until almost dark, drove through and didn’t see anyone by that point and the bottomless pits in the back were hungry so didn’t get out. What’s Willys serving up these days? Any chow? Noticed they are getting the docks done and my summer boat was bubbling away waiting for thaw. Drove Red Rock again just because we were waiting on Savoy, I wonder if you’d be bothered too bad if you parked regardless of the signs? If not, those chained electrical turn out spots maybe? Of course the spot I want to fish is not close to those.
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What’s Willys serving up these days? Any chow?
Kitchen is open. Full menu.
-J.
Cool on Willys! I know the guys were working on it, good to hear. I spent much time there, well, much time ago….
I was most likely sitting inside when you came threw. Had a few beers and watch the game until half time. Yep, they have a full menu. Watch out for the jello shots they serve for touch downs. Not sure of what type of vodka they mixed them with but pretty sure they could be used to strip paint if you didnt want to drink them.
The Red Rock lake is known as North Star (surprise)DNR#62-0237-00, last survey was 91. Mixed bag then typical of a flood river lake. Funny, 91 would be 20 years back when we recall those slimers and crappies. Concerning the max depth reported was 5′, wonder if there’s a hole?
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