Pool 2 – 04/01

Today was definately April fools day in the 494/airport area. I have not seen a day this slow in quite a while. I could not even snag a fish with a sonar if my life depended on it. After too many hours exploring the usual spots and a few new ones I called it a day at 3.
I did speak with a couple others who shared my puzzlement as to where the fish were at. The only happy guy was the one with a new Smokercraft on its maiden voyage.
I will hit the water at Lilydale on Friday and head up to the dam. Maybe something is happening there.
Dino

Upper pool 2 was just as bad for me on 4/1. Zero fish. Did not see anyone catch one either. I tried everything- jig/minnow on the current break just below the lock, ringworm along the rip rap, ringworms into small current breaks all the way down to Hiway 5 bridge, jigging and pitching at the confluence. Zilch. Also, the eddy current at the Hidden Falls ramp is making loading by yourself fun, so be prepared.

Dino, did you launch at the 494 bridge access?? Is it open? They had it posted to close last week..

Yes , Thursdays trip was from 494. They were hauling dirt in and working under the bridge but the road was open.

Friday afternoon I launched at Lilydale and spent some time trying to work a few current breaks. There is plenty of flow right now. I had to use 1/3 throttle with a 50 Merc to go through the no wake zone at Watergate. I did not go to the dam but worked the break by Pike Island and the one by the storm water pipes. No fish for us.
Looks like its time to move downstream next week for a daytime trip , either to Prescott or bumper boats at Red Wing.

Hey… things may just be starting to get better. I launched at 494 at around 2. Hit some wingdams south, then on my way up. Only 1 small fish to show for my efforts. Ended up working the confluence to the dam. About dusk, nailed two nice fish, a 23″ and a 25″. Lost a BIG girl dragging a rogue after dark. Never got a look at her, but she was big.
Dino is right, there is a good amount of flow. Temps ranged from 42-46, depending on where you were. Oh yeah, the 2 netters came on ringworms.

Dino, Was that you I talked to at the Lilydale boat ramp on friday? We talked as St. Paul Fire was messing around with that boat on the ramp. Anyway, we caught 2 walleye up at the dam off jig / minnow and that was it. They werent big but better than nothing. We tried the confluence and couple other areas but nothing else. It was my first time fishing the river there my myself. If you ever need a boat partner to teach the river fishing techniques let me know. I would be glad to drive over and fish.

Todd

Todd: No , it was not me. We launched at about 2 and came off at 5. I am running a red Lund with a 50 Merc on the river. Does your work schedule have any week days open? I hope to fish a few mornings the next couple of weeks.
Dino

Dino,
Thursday AM might work depending on when you go out. I have to work at noon but could push it back to 2pm. I live over in Western Wi so it is about a 40 min drive over to St. Paul. Let me know if that works.
Todd

Todd: Sorry , Thursday will not work. Lets look to next week.
Dino