Info Needed on Fishing Backwaters Near Wabasha, Mn

I will be fishing Lake Pepin in September out of Pepin, Wi. I have been doing this for about 20 years and typically at least 1 to 2 days during the week we cannot fish the lake due to stiff winds. I would like to have some info that would allow me to fish backwaters either from my boat or from shore. At least I could fish rather than sitting in the motel. I have a 18 ft Ranger that I would like to use in the backwaters, but have no idea where to put in or even if there is enough water to float it at that time of year. Any info any of you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Also, can I fish the backwaters of Wabasha area with my Wisconsin license?
Thanks!

The Wabasha area will offer several launching options for you. Wabasha’s municiple landing is great if the water levels haven’t messed things up. Leaving the harbor area go right, downstream, for a couple miles then work your way into the Big Lake slough from the bottom by heading back up-stream after you get to the Sconie shore. This is the bottom side of Indian Slough. Or enter the area the same way from the channel but go to your right thru the maze of islands and small sections of slough.

Wilcox landing found just below and a mile east of the Wabasha High School is a nice area with backwaters right from the get-go.

Do a web search for West Newton landing just below Kellogg in pool 5. From the landing run out to the channel and take a right downstream for a couple miles…lots of weeds and pads on the MN side while the Sconie shore has its share of weedy cuts too.

On your Wisconsin license you can fish up to the train tracks on the Minnesota side of the river.

Ron, question for you?

How bad are the winds that you cannot fish out of an 18′ Ranger comfortably? I cannot say I have ever seen Pepin to windy to fish. You could always run up to the head of the lake and fish the river out of the wind. Or south to Wabasha and fish the river.

x2

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I cannot say I have ever seen Pepin to windy to fish.

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You have not fished it long enough. I have seen scary stuff big on Pepin. Right up there or worse than Mille Lacs.

Pepin has sunk some big boats.

-J.

a 40-60mph shear wind is enuf to make an 18′ range seem small. and it’s got a 20 mile straight crack at you. i’ve been on P4 nearly all my life and i’ve seen some 5-6’ers that i’d not like to be out in…

i think we have all seen pepin to bad to fish including wade but what he was thinking is probably the same thing i was thinking that out of all them years almost every trip the lake has been to windy to fish a day or two? i have had problems several times in my 15 years of fishing it, but one time was the worst i have ever been in. that being said wabasha and red wing both will give you shelter from the wind the back waters are usually okay for large boats but take it slow there are logs and wing dams just troll your way into them and you can find all sorts of species of fish to target. good luck

JJ – thanks a lot, I have Coors Light all over the keyboard… Yep, if you haven’t seen Pepin unfishable, you haven’t fished it enough…. Wicked and not to be messed with. Ma Nature WILL win… Be safe…

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I cannot say I have ever seen Pepin to windy to fish.

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You have not fished it long enough. I have seen scary stuff big on Pepin. Right up there or worse than Mille Lacs.

Pepin has sunk some big boats.

-J.

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PM sent

Thanks to all of you for the info.
Jon, thanks for moving this post. Sorry I put it in the wrong place.

I am chicken. When the wind gets 20+ MPH, i usually head back to the barn.

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I am chicken. When the wind gets 20+ MPH, i usually head back to the barn.

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on pepin you should

I’ve gotten myself into a couple sticky situations fishing Pepin in high winds. It is nothing to mess around with. Similar to Mille Lacs as someone mentioned earlier. As for the backwaters, there are all kinds of areas to fish out of the wind and many species to target. A simple google search of the area can give you an idea of what you’re dealing with.

Thanks, Frank! I always lean toward safety. No fish is worth a disaster.