Pool 2 Smallmouth

Hey All!

I am a long time reader but first time poster. Next weekend (27th) my Dad and I are going to put in on Pool 2 and try to do some Smallmouth fishing. We are huge bass fisherman, but all of our fishing experience is on Lakes throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, so the River is a very new thing to us. From what I have heard (mostly through reading on here), Pool 2 is a great Smallmouth fishery.

We plan on putting in at the Lilydale ramp. I just wondered if anyone had any general pointers for us as to where we might want to head to find some Smallies? Not asking for your secret spot, but if you have some general direction that might help put us on some fish that would be greatly appreciated!

Our plan is to slowly work jerkbaits (Rogues and X-Raps) or Lipless Cranks as these have been our go-to’s for open water, cold water temp Smallies. Again, any general help would be great.

Thanks guys!
-Ryan

By then flow could be lil more than now with the impending rain and snow coming so I would recommend going with weedless presentations. Clarity is garbage now and would think most fish are gonna need something subtle yet flashy to help em find it. Good luck!

With that said in the early winter I found the biggest fish of the system on an outside bend front part of hole that was a gradual but decent dropoff from 8-20. Sandy bottom with rock up top and wood snags on side, fish were hanging on the break and hot all of them on lindy gold spinners with shiners at 12-18′. Flow is much different than it was then but some info. Maybe they will be deeper in hole my guess.

Think I would plan on your 1st trip out just doing some running around and checking things out. If you find active fish that may be a bonus. Not sure what those smallies are doing this year. Water temps are not going up. Thought I heard yesterday they where 34 to 36 degrees at the dam. Those smallies might still be hanging around the deeper holes at those temps.

Once summer roles around just about any rocky shoreline will be holding fish.

There are some monster smallies in there. I have my best luck later in the year. Like mike said rocky shorelines can be killer. Or shady spots by submerged wood. Some nice largemouth in the southern part of the pool as well.

Going to be a real tough bite with the rising water and real cold water Temps. Last year at this time the water Temps on pool 2 were in the upper 50’s to mid 60’s right now my guess is they are in the 36-38 Deg. range. If you struggle wait until the water level goes down and temps come up and give it another try. It really is a good fishery.

try a number 5 shad rap tied on a spinning rod with 6-8 pound mono in the red crawdaddy color. Retie often. Unfortunately fishing might be tough with the late spring and cold water temps. Once the water gets to 45 or above they should start biting a little bit. Look for rock around deep holes. Sunshine beating on the area is a BIG plus this time of year.