Pool 4 report sunday 2/18

Great to hear the reports guys! I’m pumped to head out this Wednesday. Just wondering if on those crowded days if anyone has tried moving away from the crowds? Trying the WI channel this time of year? Or the main channel in Red Wing? I really hate bumper boat fishing, but as new as I am to this pool 4 fishing I still fall victim to following the crowds. “Look at all those boats! They’ve got to be catching fish!” But with my limited experience it’s hard for me to jeprodize my entire day of fishing on a hunch. I’ve been studying an updated map of upper pool 4 for the past few weeks and feel there’s got to be some sweet honey holes further down river. I just haven’t gotten the nerve to try them out. I guess I am asking, “is it worth it?” A normal day of fishing between everts and the dam will yield me 2-6 nice keeping fish per day so it’s not as if I’m striking out, but I know that river can put up some crazy good fishing days. And that’s what I want! I feel I’ve got a pretty good handle on presentations and technique. But need some help (or maybe just encouragement) to venture out of my comfort zone. So, is it worth it to go south of everts this time of year? Is the WI channel good or better than the main channel? Any tips or opinions would be greatly appreciated. And as I am very new to this discussion page, I hope to see some of you out on the water someday. I’ve tried to get my friends as excited about going fishing on open water in 20degrees as I am, but it hasn’t been successful. I’m glad to see there many more out there as passionate as I am about chasing these elusive eyes. Pool 4 in the spring truly is one of the most enjoyable fisheries I’ve ever fished.

Venture out…. there are walleyes all over. We had the camera out yesterday and saw them in a handful of spots, some community and some not.

I think the key right now with low water and clear conditions is to find current and work it.

Hay Creek had a number of boats.
Bay Point had a few
and
I only saw a couple at the high bridge.

I don’t have a clue what was up or down stream of those locations.

All I’ll say is that I’ve seen some very large walters on the camera South of Hay Creek in the past. There’s much more fishable water downstream of the Y into the back channel then above it.

Don’t forget you can take your cleaned catch into the Harbor Bar and Chief Charley will cook it up for you!

Venturing out can always be rewarding if you land on them. I cant say that Ive ever had a great day down stream in February but Ive had good days.

If you are unfamiliar with the back channel Id stick to the main channel, the water is a little skinny back there

I just re read my post…to be clear, I didn’t mean to go down the back channel.

Thanks for the advice. I may just have to step out of my comfort zone and venture downstream. I have one more river question, how do you assess visibility? What is the water to you considered clear, stained, or muddy? Is it just an experience thing or do you actually have a way of measuring?

Right now it’s very clear I would say 5 to 7 feet of visibility. When you get the spring melt and run off you might get lucky to see your lure a foot under the surface. That’s how I tell the water clarity is how far I can see my bait beneath the surface.

Jesse Krook wrote:

Those days, when there’s no other boats out there, are so peaceful and serene. Darned cold but sooo nice. Kind of like after MN/WI opener and the river is quiet again.

Yes indeed.
One day I had to myself was -5 with 20 mph wind. Granted I will not go back out in those conditions, I saw over 300 eagles in the lock. You would see 50 in the air at one time

This past Saturday I was having a very hard time focusing on nature with all the boats.

I’ll be spending most my days on pool 3 in solitude this spring as I cannot stand the crowds on pool 4.

Jacob wrote:

“Look at all those boats! They’ve got to be catching fish!”

Here’s what I do.
Pull up to a crowd and watch.
Count the number of boats.
Count the number of bent rods.

I usually don’t watch more than 5-10 minutes, then do this math….

Minutes observed x number of fisherman watched divided by fish caught… Equals your success Rate fishing the spot for each angler in your boat…

Rarely if ever, after doing that math do I come to the conclusion that it is a great bite in a crowd.

If you have any intention of trophy fishing, leave the crowd immediately. Yes, an occasional big one is caught in a crowd, but do the math and you’ll find the success rate to be miniscule!!