Pool 4 and Lake Pepin

Has anyone else noticed the disgusting algae blooms on Pool 4 and Lake Pepin? We really need some good slow steady rains to flush the system and some cool or at least average temps. I’ve been on the river for over 20 years and do not recall anything close to this. The low water coupled with high temps and phosphates in runoff are really taking their toll. Last outing we netted 2 dead floating eyes that were ~6# fish and watched a dead sturgeon drift down the channel as well. Usually my fishing boat sits through most of July and August due to high water temps and the bite slowing, but the algae blooms and smells of the water are being added to the list of reasons.

A well known local business owner was sharing images on social media about the algae, while a few posts down show himself on his beautifully manicured lawn right up to the waters edge (clearly showing he’s part of the issue). It’s crazy how many people have no understanding of the situation or are completely oblivious to some of the river’s issues despite it being a big part of their life.

BTW Canadian Geese seem to love those manicured lawns that go to the water’s edge, those are nice soft areas for those guys to have a poop break.

I’ve been seeing multiple dead catfish floating on P2 every time out the last couple weeks.

It’s interesting. On the lake my family has a cabin on, we’re having record setting clarity this year, even with higher-than-average water temps, and I think it’s attributed precisely to lack of run-off as there’s much less phosphorous getting into the lake. But given the amount of ag drainage and city storm sewers the river has to deal with it’s probably gets a lot anyway and there’s not enough fresh water to dilute it.

What do the walleyes seem to do in conditions like these? Tend to go back into the river for more current? Go deeper? Nothing different?

I noticed the same thing down here in 6/7/8 probably 2 weeks ago. It has to be from runoff because it started after the first rain we got after the long period without. This is just a guess but I think the dead Walleye is from people catching it and not releasing right away. The bigger fish I’ve caught this summer have taken up to several minutes holding them next to the boat before they take off again. That’s something I hadn’t noticed in years past even with warmer water than we have now. Could be lack of oxygen in the low water.

Tom Albrecht wrote:

I noticed the same thing down here in 6/7/8 probably 2 weeks ago. It has to be from runoff because it started after the first rain we got after the long period without. This is just a guess but I think the dead Walleye is from people catching it and not releasing right away. The bigger fish I’ve caught this summer have taken up to several minutes holding them next to the boat before they take off again. That’s something I hadn’t noticed in years past even with warmer water than we have now. Could be lack of oxygen in the low water.

Without a doubt those fish were caught and released to only die. Imagine biting onto a crankbait going 4mph down river attached to lead line. Multiply that force and lack of “give” with 80 degree water and lower than normal oxygen in the water and your margin for error with release is quite small. It’s just the nature of fishing 80+ degree waters for walleyes. The disappointing part is that this usually isn’t an issue until late July here, but this year it’s a month earlier with temps and low water.

beardly wrote:

What do the walleyes seem to do in conditions like these? Tend to go back into the river for more current? Go deeper? Nothing different?

The saugers for sure seem to push deeper with these conditions.

I’m sure there are walleyes that push deep in the lake areas as well as others that seek current first. We’ve caught them both ways, but I’d lean on being in current first if trying to target walleyes for the foreseeable future. The washboard channel bottom is great overlooked “cover” for the mid summer…but good luck even attempting that with the ever increasing recreational traffic.

There are many variables that add up to more pontooning, and less of the fishing boat for me until around Labor Day.

Last weekend for us on Pepin it was green. Left a nice scum on the boat. We caught everything but walleye. Picked up some nice saugers and every species other than walleye and sturgeon. Most around 20’ deep. I don’t remember it being this green in the past. All fish were healthy, released, and cooled me off with a splash of their tail. We didn’t see any dead fish floating. It was a tough bite. Only thing they would take was a bobber and minnow. Caught one nice crappie and small mouth bass on a ripping rap. I hope things turn around.

MN side was the worst I ever seen last Sunday. Sconi side was green too but nothing like the blue/green muck in LC.
I am contemplating where to go out of next 2 days? Thinking I will try the head of the lake? The current from the river should at least keep the can line/lake scum free?
Got to love fishing P4, fish move day to day, conditions change daily. I love the challenges!

more rain, more nutrients = more bloom
algae lifecycle impacts o2 content in water and when combined with high heat can cause fish kill. Those big dead catfish might have died during spawn however – catfish can tolerate some crazy high temps and low o2

algae isn’t bad, it is essential for a healthy body of water and supporting the food chain – bad thing is low hot water that sees a large amount of rain driven nutrient load in a short amount of time that shocks the system and disrupts the balance. Blame the weather than the nutrients in the runoff

I was down there yesterday. Fished the lake and spent a lot of time cleaning lines of mayfly carcasses and grass. What a mess! Found “cleaner” water upstream.

It’s too hot
It’s too cold
It’s too high
It’s too low
It’s too dry
It’s too wet
It’s too green
It’s too clear
It’s too windy
It’s too calm

We all know floating fish are from fishermen… fish never die, especially walleyes live forever. Males grow as big as females. Fish are scared of prop wash and planer boards must be used in shallow.

Happy Thursday

My hands hurt from all the walleye I’m catching on Pool 4…

Actually, correction. All the sheepshead.

Yeah. It’s definitely green.

Think I’m gonna head west to God’s Country this weekend and see if it’s any less green in N.D., and if the walleye cooperate. Peace out.