Pool 2 Report (2025)

Kinda surprised no one has started this. With warm weather coming I’m sure there will be some people out later this week.

Post reports and questions here.

Well, they will now that you posted it all over the interweb!!!!

Shouldn’t be long now.

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Alright, first post, bear with me. I walked Hidden Falls to the Ford Dam yesterday, and there’s about ~1000 ft of open water from the dam to where the river narrows and the ice begins. The middle of the open water is max ~14 ft deep, with decent drop-off on either shoreline. Close to the dam is more shallow and flat, but as it gets further downstream to where the ice begins, it drops more “dramatically”.

Think it would be worth it to pitch a jig and crawler in that open water? I don’t have the time or gear to devote to ice fishing, and honestly know little about river fishing. Just trying to scratch that itch and this nice weather got me itchy.

Thanks ya’ll, happy to be here. Open to any tips or alternative ideas.

There never NOT a good time or place to pitch a jig on Pool 2! I’d say go for it. Also give a pulse R a try… Its a P2 staple. I wouldn’t step foot on any main channel ice personally.

Dysentery Gary wrote:

Alright, first post, bear with me. I walked Hidden Falls to the Ford Dam yesterday, and there’s about ~1000 ft of open water from the dam to where the river narrows and the ice begins. The middle of the open water is max ~14 ft deep, with decent drop-off on either shoreline. Close to the dam is more shallow and flat, but as it gets further downstream to where the ice begins, it drops more “dramatically”.

Think it would be worth it to pitch a jig and crawler in that open water? I don’t have the time or gear to devote to ice fishing, and honestly know little about river fishing. Just trying to scratch that itch and this nice weather got me itchy.

Thanks ya’ll, happy to be here. Open to any tips or alternative ideas.

I used to shore fish that stretch a ton. This time of year the fish are pushed deeper with the cold, clear water. Look for deeper stretches with some slack water. I’d be pitching a jig and minnow or a plastic right now.

Right near the boat launch isn’t a bad spot. Across the river along the rip rap near the dam is a good cold water spot. It’s a little dicey making that walk though.

Come March and through April the shore bite really picks up. The dam all the way to the confluence has good shore fishing then.

This was this morning. Wouldn’t be surprised if it clears out pretty good tonight.

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I think I’m about ready to break the boat out.

Going to need to get the chainsaw out first for the shore ice. Wouldn’t be surprised if the wind takes care of a lot of the main channel ice tonight.

Mike W wrote:

Going to need to get the chainsaw out first for the shore ice. Wouldn’t be surprised if the wind takes care of a lot of the main channel ice tonight.

Couple more rocks oughta break it up..

Fort Snelling could be open…I may be down there in the next couple days and I’ll check it out.