Pool 2 Shorefishing

I am new to the website, and I am just re-discovering my love for fishing. I took about 10 years off and now, after some great nights out last year, I cannot wait to get the line back in the water.

My question is where are the best spots for shorefishing in Pool 2? I will have the boat in later in the year, but for now, I am going to have to shorefish. Is anyone catching anything from the shore in P2 right now? I would also be interested if there is a bite by the Coon Rapids dam.

What are you looking to target? and…. WELCOME!

Thanks for the welcome, this seems like a great community,

I really have no preference as to what I am going to target. I have a pretty “all-around” setup and really just want to catch some fish. I would love to catch some walleye/sauger, also interested in bass and northern. I believe that game fish are not open yet upwater from the Ford Dam, so I would be willing to target roughfish up in that area.

Just throwing it out there,but try the Trip swap portion of this page. A lot of time people are always looking for someone to jump in their boat and split cost. I know this is a little off your topic but, I know there are a lot of great anglers on this page and getting out with someone that knows the river on a boat before you pick up your own I think is very important.

Thanks for that piece of advice Hosejr, I was not even aware that section existed. I will definatly check that out.

PM sent – click on the flashing mail symbol in the upper right corner to read your PM’s.

I’m always seeing the same group of old timers year after year shore fishing right around the 494 boat ramp. I know they get thier super early and alot of times they do really well on some big walleyes.

That’s the one down in SSP off of Hardman right?

Correct.

You can fish for Bass, Walleye, Sauger, Catch and release only. Catfish Panfish and rough fish year round Northern Pike and all other fish are subject to the Normal inland regulations and seasons.

If you really want to get ambitious you can bring a bicycle and a small cart for your gear and there is a couple of miles of bike trails that go along the river that are fishable I am pretty sure. When I pull unto the landing at 6am the old timers are always showing me pics of the monster walleye they have caught through out the night.

You can try the St. Paul shoreline between Watergate Marina and the dam with a short walk. I fished there last night.

I would also recommend the bridges to Grey Cloud Island…especially in the spring when the water comes up. I have caught almost everything in the river there!

jp