Pool 2 in the Summer

I’ve only fished Pool 2 once, very early season, and didn’t catch anything. Now with summer here, high temps etc. is pool 2 still a solid fishery? I just have no idea, does it turn off in the summer, or is it still worth the trip down?

I have all day sunday to fish so I thought i’d head down that way if it’s still worthwhile. That said, is tossing jigs around the dam still an appropriate approach? Do the tactics change as the season does?

Thanks for any advice.

You can catch fish down there any time of year. I’ve never spent much time up by the dam fishing so can’t help on that side. Been down there many days in the summer and caught a bunch of walleyes.

I’m actually thinking of heading down Sunday. Not sure of conditions, stage and flow, but I will be our trolling raps. I’ll start in the 494 area and head down stream.

For the dam area maybe try trolling crankbaits on the shorelines. You can start all the way down by the 35e bridge. Plenty of good shorelines between there and the dam.

Mike W wrote:

For the dam area maybe try trolling crankbaits on the shorelines. You can start all the way down by the 35e bridge. Plenty of good shorelines between there and the dam.

Again, being so new to the river, I have to ask… Do you just follow any old shoreline? Last time I was there I’d say basically the entire shoreline still had plenty of current to it. I’ve read so much about finding breaks in the current and fishing those…

Same question applies for up near the dam. Do you just troll around anywhere, right out in the middle of the moving water, or should a guy be targeting the slack waters?

You should hire Mike W if he is still guiding. That will get you going in the right direction. Otherwise the only way to really find out how to catch fish on P2 is to figure it out or fish with others that have. You can get some very good technique and general location advice here but nobody is going to tell you the spot on spot info you need.

Just a heads up. I was down there this weekend and there was debris everywhere. Everything from small sticks to large trees. I don’t get down there much anymore but I don’t remeber there being that much debris in June. Maybe you guys got a lot of rain down there recently?
DT

River is coming up. Typically in the 4 ft stage this time of year. On the way down by Sunday.

-J.

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Higher water is better during the summer months. Moves those fish into more predictable locations. Just grab some number 7 smash shads or flicker shads and pick a shoreline you think looks fishy. Get those lures ticking bottom a bit. Pump the rods. You will loose a few lures but they are cheap.

Was out last Thursday and will be back out tonight or tomorrow. This time of year I’m fishing 494 and south. (Areas all the way down to Spring Lake) Putting in at 494 or Lions Levee access. My daytime go-to presentation this time of year is a simple jig and half a crawler. Jig weight should be just enough to make bottom contact. Most spots will hold a variety of fish (walleye, sauger, smallies, white bass, sheepshead, suckers, channel cats) Sometimes many are in the same spot or area. Not out to get walleye specifically, so anything to bend the rod is good for me.

Trolling cranks on the upper end can be good. Especially now with the water up. Don’t be afraid to get right up close to shore. Speed trolling up and downstream can also trigger these fish.

Good luck out there!

-J.

I should clarify, I’m not looking for exact GPS spots or anything. Just wasn’t sure on fishing those currents.

Thanks for all the advice.

I was down on Tuesday and you would swear we were fishing the MN river with water clarity.. MN River valley got a pile of rain and we are seeing all its color in P2 right now..

My best advise is to get out of the main channel. If you are on the main channel find those current breaks next to shore. Wingdams in the main channel are not fishable to me right now. If you find off channel slack seams, rocks or steep shorelines getting less/moderate flow you will find some fish. They like the shorelines right now. If your not catching some brush or grass while casting on the shore right now you are missing out on some fish.

I agree 100% with the crankbaits and the old jig and crawler.

Fishing was slow for me on Tuesday.. but that doesn’t mean anything. I only fished a couple hours.

Was out today from 8:30 – 1:30 and we had a great morning. Water is highest I have seen it since spring. Temp is down to 74 degrees. Fish were in 8 fow or less. Trolling cranks in low current flow but not slack water. As Mike W said, tick the bottom, pump the rod occasionally and you will catch fish.

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Nice job!

-J.

We made it out today at about 8:30. Left the water around 4:00.

We ended up boating at least 25 walleye, a few smallies and a catfish. All fish were caught on shad raps except for one I caught on a jig and moxie plastic.

3-6 FOW was key, trolling against the current at about 1.5mph.

We did make it all the way up to the dam but didn’t have any luck up there. Shaded shorelines, and under the bridges gave us the most success.

Thanks to everyone for the tips and advice. It was incredibly helpful, and I feel like i’ve learned a lot about the river.

Sounds like some good fishing.