Pool 2 Report (2020)

At the confluence from 9:00 am – noon. 5 boats, saw zero fish caught. Water temp 32.7 degrees. Big impassable ice jam just upstream of 35E bridge.

Didn’t hit pool 2 but did get on 4. Fishing wasn’t any better and was slow for everyone.

Did anyone see people ice fishing the barge channel north of 494? When driving over the bridge saw a few boats and then people standing on the ice in the channel. Looked dicey.

Looked like 4-6 guys and 2 boats up there this afternoon Matt. I haven’t seen that down there before.

I will stick with fishing out of the boat…

Was able to get out early yesterday morning. Kinda a waste of time going early as there was plenty of skim ice till mid morning. Difficult to fish through.

Myself and a couple other boats got the ice jam at the airport busted out early morning. Worked on the jams downtown for a while but still couldn’t get completely through.

Did get in a little fishing during the afternoon and the bite wasn’t to bad. Caught 10 for a few hours fishing. Size was off from most trips. 20″ average. Then this gal hit and tried to up the average. 28.5″.

Fun day of fishing. Maybe next trip Ill have to spend more time fishing than breaking ice.

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We were out yesterday morning from about 7:00 til 1:00. Bite was very slow for us. We managed one pike and no walleyes. Tried quite a few different areas with no luck.

Nice Fish Mike

Mike,

Just out of curiosity. How do you clear the ice jams?

Too many boats out this weekend. Sounds like fishing was slow all around. We hit it hard for 12 hours and didn’t have anything great to show. Good experience though, first time on the river for me and my buddy.

We went out last evening and caught 3 but nothing to special.

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Ice jams get broken up by waves from your wake and by breaking them with your bow.

I watched a guy put a fish in the livewell yesterday. Big no-no. Please remember that Pool 2 is 100% catch and release for all walleyes and saugers.

The only reliably “easy” Pool 2 bite is jig and minnow at the confluence. Not everyone can be like Mike! I’m sure all the new traffic will die back down as people figure that out.

john23 wrote:

I watched a guy put a fish in the livewell yesterday. Big no-no. Please remember that Pool 2 is 100% catch and release for all walleyes and saugers.

Ugh. Did you say anything? I’m always on the fence. Don’t want a confrontation, but I also know that calling TIP won’t do a thing. You never know how receptive to “education” people might be.

I only had an hour on my hands yesterday and saw it from shore – wasn’t close enough to say anything, unfortunately. Maybe there’s a reason to put a modest sized fish in the livewell for release later, but I can’t think of it.

Must be immediately returned to the water, putting in live well is illegal.

That said, I have a friend who is legally native American, with a card, he can keep anything he wants, where ever he wants.

There is a video on my Facebook page on how to and how not to break ice with a boat.

Slow for us Sunday morning as well. 1 walleye from 10:00 – 2:00. Water was flowing more than we anticipated so was tough boat control but tried our best. Great to be out there for first time. Nice fish Daniel and Mike.

toddrun wrote:

Must be immediately returned to the water, putting in live well is illegal.

That said, I have a friend who is legally native American, with a card, he can keep anything he wants, where ever he wants.

What tribe is he a part of, I would like to ask some family about this card bc it would be news to them as well.

toddrun wrote:

Must be immediately returned to the water, putting in live well is illegal.

That said, I have a friend who is legally native American, with a card, he can keep anything he wants, where ever he wants.

Pretty sure those cards are only good in the 1863 ceeded territory. Even there are still rules and seasons.

I do know this time of year the DNR contract guys to take fish for the Sports Show. Then those fish end up in the DNR rearing pond on Warner road. Used again at the state fair pond. The Griz did it for years.

-J.

Jon Jordan wrote:

I do know this time of year the DNR contract guys to take fish for the Sports Show. Then those fish end up in the DNR rearing pond on Warner road. Used again at the state fair pond. The Griz did it for years.

I remember Dezee getting a one day permit to catch fish for the state fair also. They would take a few walleyes and flatheads out of pool 2. I always thought that was pretty cool.

I drove across the 35E bridge early this afternoon (Friday, Feb. 28th) and the river looked pretty ice-free as far as I could see upstream and downstream. Not sure what the ice situation is at downtown St. Paul.

There was a boat fishing at confluence but in the 0.8 seconds I watched him, I did not see him catch anything so maybe the bite is still slow.

Thats about how long I give a spot before moving Boone. No sense in wasting time out there.

Not even March yet and 4 pages of fishing reports for the year.

I think a TV show has a lot to do with the 4 pages already… I also think it will calm down a lot too after the second Saturday of May.

Hi guys. I typically launch out of hidden falls on pool 2 but I will be by myself in the boat this weekend. Do any launches that are open this time of year have a dock in? Thanks!!

Lions has a dock but not sure if its open.

I launch alone often. Just bring an anchor and long rope. toss the anchor up on shore. Also be careful as the shore ice can be very slick this time of year.

I do the same as Mike. Hidden Falls is a challenge anytime with the back current.
If you don’t motor on to your trailer, I have found it is a tad easier to land downstream and let the back current carry your boat back upstream to the trailer.
With the warm weather, it should be busy out there. Good Luck.

Hows that new tiny wingdam just downstream(but up current of the launch) at hidden falls. Does it deflect much current there?

Saw it last fall at the turkey combo? Almost ran over it pitching jigs to shoreline, said well isn’t this thing cute.

It was an item tangler and me brought to the Crosby farm committee thingy they had, was glad they implemented it, but doesnt look to be too effective. Once they reach out into the river so much they need corps approval, so I’m sure they just did what they could within those boundaries.

mark z wrote:

. Hidden Falls is a challenge anytime with the back current.

Deuces wrote:

Hows that new tiny wingdam just downstream(but up current of the launch) at hidden falls. Does it deflect much current there?

Saw it last fall at the turkey combo? Almost ran over it pitching jigs to shoreline, said well isn’t this thing cute.

It was an item tangler and me brought to the Crosby farm committee thingy they had, was glad they implemented it, but doesnt look to be too effective. Once they reach out into the river so much they need corps approval, so I’m sure they just did what they could within those boundaries.

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mark z wrote:</div>
. Hidden Falls is a challenge anytime with the back current.

Yeah that’s a lil one. It’s hard to tell because water level seems pretty low right now but I don’t think it’s gonna do much. Don’t know why the usace would care since there is no barge traffic up that way. In the name of safety they should really do more.

This time of year I basically only use that ramp with waders on because at some point I’m gonna be in the water dragging my boat onto the trailer

Lions is open.

Hows the bite going?

Can’t catch em from your computer.

Seemed like that baby wing dam made it worse last fall in the high water. I was used to that back current and it changed the flow. If they wanted it to help it should be on the downstream side.

Did alright yesterday. 13 fish with a 29” and 27” being the biggest.
There’s a new feature in the water just out from the 494 launch as well. A truck sitting in 8ft of water. Pretty sure I nicked my prop on it. I let the cops know and they gotta get a dive team together to get it out. There’s another one to that’s up against the Wing dam just downriver that didn’t look as fresh lol.
Will post a pic of the screenshot when I get home.