Usually with the levels we have right now 494 would be open and Levee would typically open this weekend. This is just from reopenings that I have seen in the past. Not the case this year.. Don’t know what’s up with that but disappointing. Not even disappointing but sucks paying the 10-15 bucks every time I go out. Ha ha.
Used to be better when it was $10 and a free drink token.
Used to be better when it was $10 and a free drink token.
I agree 100%. Nothing seems to get better or improve with these facilities.. More rules and less fun. What the H 
Lillydale Road was still closed yesterday afternoon. St Paul Parks worker said it would be a few more days to clear the mud off the road.
-J.
Watergate is open,$15.00 on weekends.Hidden falls park is open but ramp lot is barricade until they get a loader in there to clear out the mud. Was out today for a few hours. Caught sauger, sheepshead, white bass and northern. All on small current seams upstream from the northern end of Pike Island.(Silty water from the Minnesota is dirtying up the river below that.)
Not a lot of fish but great to be out after almost 2 months.
I talked to a guy who works for the SSP Parks department, he said they won’t open the 494 access until they clean all the mud off (and it’s a mess right now). It wasn’t clear when that might happen.
Can’t wait to get back out there.
S.R.
Launched at hidden harbor last wknd for $10. Fishing was decent in side channels/backwater seams. It has already come down several feet since then.
494 was closed as of Sunday but my guess is everything opens up in the next few days. River is dropping below action some outside of debris cleanup the ramps should be good.
Private ramps I think are all open. Not sure on watergate.
Get that dirty bass boat on the river.
Watergate posted on FB that their ramp is open. Hidden falls still closed I think.
Just an FYI, they stopped putting the “boat launch closed” signs at the top of Hidden Falls entry, but the launch and the whole back lot is still barricaded off. The water has come down enough I think, but lots of debris remains. It’s still a pain to get a trailer turned around if you do go down there, so just a heads-up.
Called Watergate Marina today, $150 for season pass for the rest of the year.
Gonna get mine today. Good ramp, secure vehichle, nice dock, no current or rocks.
I usually get one in April, but with this crappy water levels tonight will be my first trip on pool 2
Were you out last night? We did ok, lots of branches and stumps still coming down river. Biggest eye was a fat 22″er, it should keep getting better.
BTW, I drove through Hidden Falls. The barricades were up at 3:30pm or so, but a boat launched around 7pm. IDK if he drove around the barricades or if it open now.
Yes, I was out last night in a white lund. Mixed bag of walleye, catfish, and smallmouth. If the water drops a bit it will be on fire!
Still plenty of junk to watch out for when navigating.
Saw the jokers that launched from Hidden falls, I think they drove around barricade, when I saw them on the river they didn’t understand what no wake zone meant either…
One barrier has been moved at hidden falls and cars are back to using the whole lot. You could get back there but it doesn’t look like much fun. I’ll stick with watergate a while yet.
Re: no wake. Are you just talking in front of watergate or is there a wider regulation in effect now?
Does anyone have an update on 494? Seems like they should get it back open any day now.
Does anyone have an update on 494? Seems like they should get it back open any day now.
It’s still closed. And next weekend is “Kaposia Days”, South St. Paul’s community festival and that will keep the parks department guys pretty busy. I wouldn’t expect the access to open any time soon.
S.R.
Ugh. Thanks for the info, Rootski.
I’d hope to see it open very soon. It’s a critical access for emergency responders, both fire and rescue. It should be high on someone’s “To do” list! 
-J.
Jon the 494 access is open to first responders, just not open to the general public. Vice President Pence was in town a couple of weeks ago and the Sheriff’s department boats were launching there to secure the river or whatever.
As far as the public goes, the issue is all the mud that the river left on the ramps, and the cement divider between ramps was under water which causes problems for people who don’t know it’s there. And the dock isn’t in yet.
A couple of weeks ago somebody with a big Skeeter moved a barricade and attempted to launch at 494. When he backed in, he ran one wheel up on top of the cement divider. It came crashing down, tearing off the fender and damaging the boat. This all happened right in front of a SSP Parks guy. The boat owner started screaming about suing the city. The response was that he could either pack up and drive away, or push the issue and get pay a big fine for moving the barricade. Can’t fix stupid.
S.R.
Jon the 494 access is open to first responders, just not open to the general public. Vice President Pence was in town a couple of weeks ago and the Sheriff’s department boats were launching there to secure the river or whatever.
As far as the public goes, the issue is all the mud that the river left on the ramps, and the cement divider between ramps was under water which causes problems for people who don’t know it’s there. And the dock isn’t in yet.
A couple of weeks ago somebody with a big Skeeter moved a barricade and attempted to launch at 494. When he backed in, he ran one wheel up on top of the cement divider. It came crashing down, tearing off the fender and damaging the boat. This all happened right in front of a SSP Parks guy. The boat owner started screaming about suing the city. The response was that he could either pack up and drive away, or push the issue and get pay a big fine for moving the barricade. Can’t fix stupid.
S.R.
Holy smokes, some people! 
The slabs arrived to lions levee. I did not hear what the dates are to have it completed but will keep you all updated. They have a bit of work to do. Dock, stairway from the upper to lower lot and the launch pads but there is progress now!! Stay tuned. Haha.
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Well, good news and bad news on the levee. They have the pads scheduled to be installed but not till September!!! SOB!!@#!($!~~!!!
This ultimately means the launch will be closed till this happens. They did try to pull the landing for the dock straight but it would not go without worry of destroying it. So worst case they will make repairs to the dock when the equipment is on site to install the pads. Long and sort this launch is out of question for a while. However once it is done it will be sweet!
Well, good news and bad news on the levee. They have the pads scheduled to be installed but not till September!!! SOB!!@#!($!~~!!!
This ultimately means the launch will be closed till this happens. They did try to pull the landing for the dock straight but it would not go without worry of destroying it. So worst case they will make repairs to the dock when the equipment is on site to install the pads. Long and sort this launch is out of question for a while. However once it is done it will be sweet!
Man what a bummer. My favorite “down river” launch to use.
So, is it still only private launches open south of 494? Trying to figure out where to go Sunday.
Hidden Falls ramp is open. Out a couple hours this morning. Walleye, northern,bass. Fish where below lips of flats. Goldilocks syndrome… not to much current, not to little current, not too deep, not too shallow.
Is the 494 launch open?
There were a couple of trailers in the 494 lot…..it looked open as we ran upstream past it. We launched out of hidden harbor and paid the 10 bucks.
A little slow for us but caught a couple. Water has really come down but it seems really dirty. Casting cranks on dams was the go to for us.
494 Access is open! City of SSP reports on their Facebook page: “The DNR Boat Launch located at Verderosa Ave and I-494 has officially re-opened! Please note, the dock will be installed within the next few weeks.”
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Thank you Sharon!
Picture from this morning of the water level at the 494 ramp
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Made it out yesterday for a few hours. Launched at 494. No problems with the access.
Still have quite a bit of flow ripping through. Water clarity down, but not too bad overall. Found several fishable areas downstream. Trolling cranks in the 6-10 FOW range produced.
Lot of areas have changed up. Cuts that were 10 foot deep are now 2 feet deep. Others that were 2 are now 10! Lots of shoreline erosion and downed trees. Some points completely washed out. Will take some time to re-learn some areas. I guess that is what makes fishing the river great. Nice break to get back on P2!
River Lake Marina docks took a beating!
-J.
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