Pool 2 Report (2020)

I fished the mouth of Minnehaha Creek and all the way up the rock wall towards the lock from shore today from about 3-6. Not a single bite. Several boats and other shore fisherman out and I didn’t see any fish being caught. Current is fast and water is high. Guess I will try harder next time! Rain in the forecast will only make the river push higher.

birkato wrote:

Rain in the forecast will only make the river push higher.push the walleyes to shore where I am.

Fixed it….

Was out in the boat and covered a ton of water with little to show for it.

Cold, fast, dirty and rising isn’t recipe for a good bite. Looks like the next couple weeks will be tough.

Matt Moen wrote:

Was out in the boat and covered a ton of water with little to show for it.

Cold, fast, dirty and rising isn’t recipe for a good bite. Looks like the next couple weeks will be tough.

Looks like I’ll be bass fishing in WI for those couple weeks…..

Since misery loves company, I’m happy to report that I also blanked today.

I was up at the confluence on Monday. The MN was at 41.8 degrees and the sipp was at 38.4. That’s all you need to know. They gone!! There are lots of fish set up in areas yet but don’t think they are white tips.. I don’t think it is the high water anyways. For the big girls it is time to lay some eggs and will be a couple weeks before they find their way back down to post spawn areas.

buschman wrote:

I was up at the confluence on Monday. The MN was at 41.8 degrees and the sipp was at 38.4. That’s all you need to know. They gone!! There are lots of fish set up in areas yet but don’t think they are white tips.. I don’t think it is the high water anyways. For the big girls it is time to lay some eggs and will be a couple weeks before they find their way back down to post spawn areas.

I was real tempted to go left at the Confluence yesterday….

I caught a couple decent females late last week – not a sniff yesterday with the exception of a couple of small males. I assumed the fast rise and water remaining cold shut it down. I was thinking spawn was maybe a couple weeks yet but you think they are staging already?

I found a few spot on the Miss with water temp at 42….couldn’t mark a fish.

Matt Moen wrote:

I was real tempted to go left at the Confluence yesterday….

I have been tempted for years haha.. I believe they are running to their staging areas and with the temps forecasted next week we might see these fish spawn or start spawning by 4/10. I hope sooner than later. That just means they will head back to their summer homes earlier than we have seen in a couple years.

There are big fish that pop up above the confluence still, although somewhat rare. Really more luck than skill. But they can come out the smallest of eddies.

It gives me hope so anyone says otherwise can go to he!!.

Deuces wrote:

There are big fish that pop up above the confluence still, although somewhat rare. Really more luck than skill. But they can come out the smallest of eddies.

It gives me hope so anyone says otherwise can go to he!!.

I can attest to that!

Okay, who’s fishing from their car down at the 494 access today? I didn’t take this photo, someone posted it on facebook and I just had to share it here!

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Wasn’t me, I always fish from the passenger side.

I took a boat ride down river today. the main channel was at 46.7 degrees. She is getting warm. River has crested for now. I did find warmer water in some back water areas but nothing too crazy. I would guess the walleyes should be spawning over this next week. I hope anyways. It was a nice afternoon for a boat ride!!!

buschman wrote:

I took a boat ride down river today. the main channel was at 46.7 degrees. She is getting warm. River has crested for now. I did find warmer water in some back water areas but nothing too crazy. I would guess the <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>walleyes should be spawning over this next week. I hope anyways. It was a nice afternoon for a boat ride!!!

Where did you launch? Might try and get out this weekend but assume the public launches will be closed. Maybe Hidden Harbor?

Took a boat ride Sunday. Put in at Willies. Just pay the $10 at the box by the ramp near the bar and use the concrete ramp on the other side of the parking lot. ( I bring an envelope and write my license plate and date on envelope) Never had any problems doing that.

-J.

I launched at willies.. I an not sure why he has not opened the ramp next to the bar there. It is nicer than the one up top but either way its still a boat ramp I guess.

I think the one right next to the bar was closed most of last year, too.

Might see you guys out there Saturday if anyone makes it out.

Hey Mike
what kind of new boat did you buy? did you retire the alumacraft?

Matt Moen wrote:

I think the one right next to the bar was closed most of last year, too.

Might see you guys out there Saturday if anyone makes it out.

It was closed last year because they wanted to replace it but thought they had the concrete pad poured and ready to go?? Must be something not done under water that we cannot see.

Still there on Sunday….

Did you drop a beer off for the guy Jon?

dbright wrote:

Did you drop a beer off for the guy Jon?

Nope, kept our social distance!

-J.

Tried to get close enough to get a beer in her hand. Almost got stuck in the mud.

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Couple small males and one decent fish. 23.5” female still with eggs. Water was 46 in most places. Seemed to be pretty clear but it’s still high and fast. I would assume the bite will get pretty good soon.

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Fished Tuesday afternoon/evening and was blanked. Dragged and pitched plastics by the confluence and the dam. Also trolled a 3-way with a Rapala. Only saw one other boat. He was looking for fish with his electronics and not finding them.

About 6 people were fishing the mouth of Minnehaha. I saw one walleye caught.

There was a lot of water coming over the dam so the current was fairly strong.

Water temp 47 F

Anyone else fishing pool 2? I was surprised there weren’t more boats out.

We fished way down river a couple days back and found some awesome fish.

Heavy current seams with slow water on the inside. We dragged up the slow side of the seam at .2-.4 with bright plastics. Fish were hitting hard.

New poster here- wife is pregnant and I have a new boat I need to get on the water. Are there any boat launches on Pool 2 or elsewhere on the river that are friendly for a single person to launch/pull from? Looking to go tomorrow whenever, wherever. Just havent heard much on water levels, docks, etc.

Thanks,

Dan

The 494 launch is open I think, but that can be a little rammy without the dock in if you aren’t used to launching solo.

Thanks Cody- definitely can do it, its just a new boat so i am babying it! Thanks.

Usually beaching on the downside of the ramp is ok. There is a wing dam on the down river side too, so be sure not to cut the corner going out to the main channel.