494 wakota bridge ramp is open. Fished for a couple hours this morning until we waved the white flag to the rain. Nothing to show for our efforts, had something big on for about a minute that came unglued.
Dock in as well?
No dock, this is what it looked like yesterday
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Thank you!
Was the gate completely gone from 494, or just moved out of the way? There is a difference to me. According to the City of South Saint Paul it’s not open yet.
The gate was still sitting there, but moved to one side. I am not 100% sure if some one just moved it over or if it is technically open according to the city of St. Paul. There was not sign up saying that it was closed. 3Rivers is there a website that has this information or are you calling the city to get this info?
The gate was still sitting there, but moved to one side. I am not 100% sure if some one just moved it over or if it is technically open according to the city of St. Paul. There was not sign up saying that it was closed. 3Rivers is there a website that has this information or are you calling the city to get this info?
I’ve been in contact with the city parks department. I’ve been told they wouldn’t open it until the DNR puts the docks in. They will also normally post an update on their Facebook page (City of South Saint Paul) as to when it opens and closes. I appreciate and understand launching when the gate is moved, I’ve done it many times myself. I just also know they patrol that area often, and trying to avoid any tickets. 
Gates are still up today at 494
Hidden falls and watergate are both open again. I think fort snelling state park is still closed.
At 494 now..gates are gone
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“We are thrilled to announce that the DNR Boat Launch on Verderosa Ave and Highway 494 is now open! The water levels have receded to safe levels, and our team has worked hard to ensure everything is ready. Please note that there is no dock at this time.”
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That’s good news!
Thanks for the update Sharon.
494 Access Report from this morning. First things first….It felt WONDERFUL to be back out on the river again. I really missed it.
The dock still isn’t in. For me that’s usually not an issue, as I typically pull up on the nice sandy beach after launching the boat. Today however I found that the sand is covered by a thick layer of gooey mud. The boat stuck to it like glue, the harder you pushed to get the boat away from shore the deeper you sank into the stuff, and of course it ended up all over the inside of the boat and in the truck. Not a show stopper but still nasty.
Things have moved around quite a bit. I didn’t travel far, but I saw that the red can under the power lines above the Wakota Bridge (“Big Balls”) is barely out of the water. Not good, hitting that thing would ruin your day. The first wingdam across from the dog park used to have a red can on the end of it. That can is gone, and now there’s a green can instead. On the wrong side of the channel. I didn’t see any favorite spots buried in mud but again I didn’t go far.
Oh, and I found a bunch of nice big White Bass that were happy to hit topwater flies. It was great fun.
Steve
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I bet those are a blast on a fly rod!
This morning I was able to get out on the upper end of p2 for the first time since before the flooding. July is usually my favorite month on the river so I’ve been missing it. Happy to report the dog days trolling bite on the upper end is right where it should be. Managed 12 in 3 hours, along with a couple sheep, a crappie, and a really pretty Buffy that made my day. Not huge at 24” but it put up a great fight in current and the colors in the sun were popping purple.
Surface temps were about 79. All fish caught in 8-12 fow, trolling downstream 2.8-3.3 mph. Jointed shad raps were the best bait for me. Caught a couple on crawlers as well.
Biggest walleye today was only 19. The chunky 17-19 fish all came on the jointed. I switched to a regular flicker shad for one run after I lost a jointed to a snag. Caught nothing but dinks on the flicker, switched back to jointed and saw size again.
Went out this evening. Lovely evening to be out. A bit hot but didn’t stop us. Managed 8 eyes, 10-15 white bass, doze sheep head, half a dozen cats a massive 10.5inch bluegill and a decent 11 inch crappie. Everything we got was sub 10foot.biggest eye was 22” most eyes were 16-18” oh and a bonus 2 sauger. Jigs and cranks did the trick.
Did you catch the cats on the crankbaits?
Dock went in today at 494
Did you catch the cats on the crankbaits?
Nope. Jigs. Be back out next week. Normally hit the river 1-2 times on week days.
Did you catch the cats on the crankbaits?
In general I do catch a handful of channel cats about this time every year trolling cranks. Usually noisy ones. They hit like a ton of bricks.
I got 2 flatheads casting cranks last saturday down a pool. Cats definitely eat cranks, and they hit it so hard you immediately know it’s not a walleye bite.
Rumor has it, 6 Silver Carp were caught and tagged (for tracking purposes) by the MNDNR yesterday out on P2.
Ill be out tonight. Cant wait to catch some fish. And that smell….. 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Cody Meyers wrote:</div>
Did you catch the cats on the crankbaits?In general I do catch a handful of channel cats about this time every year trolling cranks. Usually noisy ones. They hit like a ton of bricks.
Yep, I usually keep an eye out about this time every year for the guys trolling cranks for walleyes. Matt Moen is usually the one who mentions that he’s catching cats and that’s when I know it’s time to head down there and start dragging for them.
I’ve had good walleye action this week. No hogs, biggest 23.5” and very few under 16”. Quality fish.
Did catch some channel cats, mostly small ones.
Regrading the silver carp report, DNR truck and trailer was in the 494 lot
Tuesday and today.
Hah…I haven’t checked in for awhile and see my name mentioned.
My buddy had the biggest cat I’ve ever seen hooked up last week. I tried to noodle it but lost my nerve and it spit the crank. The cat was all of 50#.
Go get em…the cat bite is on!
Walleye pretty good last week!
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I have been catching channel cats on cranks for 3 weeks now. A few every time out. No flats on the cranks myself but did get one last night on a jig. I love when those big flats eat a crank bait and keep you busy for 10-15 min…
I have not reported much but will say it has been a great summer with that high water on P2 and 3. Numbers and size has been good. The river is in great shape and we have some very strong year classes of walleyes in the river right now.
Here is a cool bonus fish from yesterday. Been a few years since I seen a bucket mouth this big down there.
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I have been catching channel cats on cranks for 3 weeks now. A few every time out. No flats on the cranks myself but did get one last night on a jig. I love when those big flats eat a crank bait and keep you busy for 10-15 min…
I have not reported much but will say it has been a great summer with that high water on P2 and 3. Numbers and size has been good. The river is in great shape and we have some very strong year classes of walleyes in the river right now.
Here is a cool bonus fish from yesterday. Been a few years since I seen a bucket mouth this big down there.
Wow, was that over 20″? I had a big smallie that straightened out my swivel and line didnt even break, watched my crank swim away in its mouth
21 inches.
Nice LMB!
One thing I haven’t seen much of the last few summers are pike. Usually run into a few decent ones each summer but nothing the last couple years.
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