Pool 2 – general question….

Hello,

I am asking this in very general terms….

I’ve been out of fishing and boating for close to 13 years. I just bought a boat late last fall, not having owned since 2005.

I used to get on the river about a dozen times a summer, trolling from the confluence to the dam. Not rocket science, but always put a few fish in the boat. Typically sticking with Firetiger, Orange Craw, Emerald Green, etc.

Fast forward – I’ve been out 3 times this August. Didn’t get out earlier, as the state never put in the pier below the Cedar ramp till recently (and the prolonged flooding). I have yet to catch a Walleye. Small pike, Catfish, Sheephead. Has the quality of fishing changed over the last decade? I don’t remember the amount of boat traffic either. What a zoo this afternoon, although I should have expected it.

Thoughts appreciated.

What boat were you in yesterday? I probably saw you out there. I was in a white Lund with a talon. I fished from confluence to dam between 12 and 7.

It’s usually more of a mixed bag this time of year. I caught more smallies and crappies than anything yesterday but picked up a few walleye trolling and jigging. I think when the water is low and slow like this the walleye kinda spread out. I’ve been fishing pool 2 for about 5 years and this is the best walleye year I’ve had from feb through now.

Once the water cools I think the walleye will really pickup again. Hope to see you out there.

August and September are the worst months to fish for walleyes in pool 2.. This is just my opinion.

In general I believe the walleye fishing is down from what we had 10-15 years ago but is still better than most places in Minnesota. Live bait/crawlers are a much better choice down here on the lower part of the pool right now than crank baits. Once the water drops back below 55 degrees the crank bait bite will pick back up.

buschman wrote:

August and September are the worst months to fish for walleyes in pool 2.. This is just my opinion.

This is surprising to me. Do you feel that applies to any specific stretch? August – October has consistently been my best period on upper p2 from downtown St Paul on up. August is by far my best month.

For numbers and size the cold water months dominate in my experience. However, I catch a ton of fish year round. The summer months are more of a mixed bag, though.

Can’t speak to what it was like back in the day, but as I get more experience I feel pretty dialed in year round on the ‘eyes. When P2 freezes I head to P4 Dec-Feb and the bite is really good then, too.

Im going to assume buschman probably is speaking about upper class eyes, those mid to upper 20″s?

Matt or P2 you guys get any fish over mid 20s this summer in the upper stretch? Dave B is on that bite quite a bit to yes?

nhamm wrote:

Im going to assume buschman probably is speaking about upper class eyes, those mid to upper 20″s?

Matt or P2 you guys get any fish over mid 20s this summer in the upper stretch? Dave B is on that bite quite a bit to yes?

Our biggest has been 24, last summer. I know that’s not considered big.

That’s a great fish man. I’m just eluding to the percentages.

Whole lotta 17-22″ fish on the upper stretch in the summer. Very few over that mark until the water cools.

I know guys get on some larger ones south of 494 year round but I don’t think that’s a numbers game either.

I fish below 494 9 out of 10 trips on P2. I usually do not even target walleyes during late july and august the last few years. Catfish are going good at this time and I don’t mind leaving the walleyes be.

Years a ago I used to stay on those walleyes all summer long. Pitching wing dams can put out a lot of fish if you keep moving and you will find big ones in there but nothing like you get when the water drops back below 55 degrees.

My biggest this year is 29 inches. I have seen a decrease in the # of fish over 28 inches since 2013. They have been hard to come by the last couple years. I don’t know if this is year classes or me just being a bad fisher dude. Back in 2008-2011 you would get more fish over 22-24 inches than under. Those averages are not there anymore. Lots of 16-22 inch eyes down south now. Just what I have seen.

Matt Moen wrote:

Whole lotta 17-22″ fish on the upper stretch in the summer.

buschman wrote:

Lots of 16-22 inch eyes down south now.

So basically the river is full of these fish right now. Lots of good hiding spots for the big ladies.

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the input. My boat goes into storage on the 19th. Maybe for some gas money, I could hook up with one of you in October…

Best of luck to all you.

BTW, Matt, I was in a white Warrior V177 Eagle that particular day… dodging a dork on a Jet Ski, and the Thurston Howell III Yachts…

I think I might have seen you coming up river but I agree with the jet skis and big boats.

I saw a group of 5 on jet skis come down through the lock in the afternoon. Lamest looking wanna be biker gang ever.

I plan to be out til she freezes solid so I’ll post when I go if anyone is looking to get out. I’ll cover gas, you get the beer!

Matt Moen wrote:

I saw a group of 5 on jet skis come down through the lock in the afternoon. Lamest looking wanna be biker gang ever.

Important question: were they clothed?

pool2fool wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Matt Moen wrote:</div>
I saw a group of 5 on jet skis come down through the lock in the afternoon. Lamest looking wanna be biker gang ever.

Important question: were they clothed?

Let’s jusy say the water has started to cool down a bit….