Pool 2 March Smallmouth?

Hey guys,
So with this incredible warm spell that we’re going to have this weekend I’ve decided to get the boat out for the first time of the year and head to Pool 2 and hopefully target some smallies (though honestly this time of year I’ll take anything that will bite!). Anyways, I’ve never fished the upper part of Pool 2 and just assumed thats where I should head with most of the backwaters still frozen over. So, I’m looking for some advice.

First off, what are some of the safety concerns for the everything north of the 494 ramp? Are there alot of wingdams up there or are those mainly in the more open parts of the river?

Secondly, where should we even start with the water temps as cold as they are? Shallow rocky shoreline? deep holes? wing dams? I’m completely clueless where to start looking for just about any type of fish right now. I’ve never fished water colder than probably 45º so this is a whole new ballgame to me. With air temps supposedly hitting 60 and it being sunny, I thought they may come up shallow and enjoy the heat.

Lastly, any recommendations for which ramp to use and does anyone know which ones are currently open? I’ve heard Hidden Falls and Lilydale have been open, but didn’t know about 494 & St. Paul Park.

Any tips would be much appreciated. Just hoping to bend the rod a few times extra early in the year!

I like the wingdams down by Newport, but haven’t been out this year due to my ankle break. I would also try the outside opening to the first gas loading harbor/bay, just below the 494 lsnding.

I’ve caught them around the ford dam, especially. But the biggest smallie I’ve seen on P2 was from the confluence (20″).

I have fished the confluence and the dam, and all the way down past the 494 landing… Launch wise, I really like the Lilydale launch unless your by yourself, the shore is pretty rocky and its a bit of a hike to your vehicle. The 494 launch is also a hike, but there is a nice sand beach to push up on.

If your gonna fish the dam or the confluence I would go Lilydale. We fished the confluence on Wednesday but had no luck, we were marking fish but just couldnt interest them (we were also on the backside of a cold front) But from what my buddies have said as soon as it warmed up they were pounding eye’s and saugers, with a few smallies!

If you do decide to fish near the 494 launch be careful of some of the wingdams, they are very shallow right now due to the low water, I found that out last Monday when I put my troller into one and had to get into that damn freezing river at 8am to get pushed off.

We are gonna fish the confluence tomorrow! Stop by and say hi if your out. Can’t miss the master baiter’s decals! And good luck!

I am going to try it after the weekend. I caught 10 smallies in mid November this year when the water was 41 degrees so have some confidence. I think it will be an early season this year and bass fishing will be going strong before April 1st with the look of this weather. Two weeks ago I caught 4 smallies down on P4. The exciting thing is 3 of them came off the exact same spot.