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.

Matt Moen wrote:

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

I think it’s still a ways off. The MN is still totally locked up from the entrance of the state park all the way down pike island. There is one spot of really bad ice directly under the bridge at the ramp (probably salt run off), but otherwise ice looks fairly consistent.

This morning at 494. Just needs somebody with a chainsaw to open it up.

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Yep, It’s close!

-J.

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Matt Moen wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dysentery Gary wrote:</div>
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.

Thanks for the info! The last few days I’ve been chucking a stand-up fireball jig with various plastics, just opposite of where the stream dumps into the river. Zero bites, two snags, exactly what I expected so far haha!

Looking at the depth maps, it doesn’t get any deeper than ~15 ft until it connects with the Minnesota at Pike. That will likely be my next spot to try, hopefully there’s some open water.

Thanks again and always open to suggestions!

This is a tough time for shore fishing but that area can be a good one.

One other option is a three way rig with a plain hook and minnow. If you can find slack water next to main channel current a minnow fluttering out there can be tempting to lethargic fish.

You probably only need about a half ounce weight on the dropper with the low current. It’s snaggy on those shorelines so tie up a few before you go.

Yeah she’s still pretty iced over around the 35E bridge.

Honestly you can catch fish in that area any time of year, but if you want decent chances and more consistency I’d wait until sometime in march to early April, especially from shore. A lot depends on water temp and flow. You want mid-upper 30’s and some decent flow/volume always helps.

Chris (CBMN on IDO), Dustin (Dbight) and me cut the ramp open Thursday. Got a few hours of fishing in. Decent bite for 19 to 25 inch eyes. Thanks to Chris for dragging out the winter boat.

-J.

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That will make a guy jealous. Hopefully we get another warm spell in the next few weeks.

Thanks for the work guys. Wish I could of helped.

Yep, that bite is pretty decent. I got out yesterday afternoon and caught 22 in a few hours. Had one launch a bait back at me. All my years of fishing and this is the first hook I’ve had past the barb.

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Good work fellas. Always cool to see the guys sawing the ramps open. I need to adventure off pool 4 more .

Mike W wrote:

the first hook I’ve had past the barb.

For all the fishing you do Mike, that was a pretty good run!

-J.

Thanks Chris, J and Dustin for opening her up. We’re the boat that joined later that day… didn’t mean to encroach upon where you were fishing. We were trying to make it happen south towards the rock / sand transition to give you some space. Good numbers nothing real big for us.was just a lovely day to be out.

Prodigyboatsguy wrote:

didn’t mean to encroach upon where you were fishing.

No worries! We felt bad sending that ice sheet down your way. We needed to get just a bit shallower for our fish there. Could see them on the side imaging under the ice. Those guys ice fishing were making me nervous!

-J.

I was surprised when the 14″ bar on the chainsaw wouldn’t cut all the way threw near shore.

Thursday was just to nice of a January day to not get out on the river. Thanks again Jon and Dustin for the ramp work and help carefully getting the boat in and out.

She’s gunna open wide open here soon getting my new boat ready

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Saw two boats up above the bridge this afternoon. Looked wonderful.

SR

Steve Root wrote:

Saw two boats up above the bridge this afternoon. Looked wonderful.

Awesome can’t wait just gotta put some lower unit oil in. Hopefully she starts. I’m going to try to get out Sunday