Minneapolis-Ford Dam-Pool 2

A week or so back someone was discussing shore fishing the Minneapolis area. This spring i have been doing the same thing, with limited results to this point..
Talked to a few locals and have been told one of the better spots is the Ford Dam, but how/where do you park to fish this!? its easy to reach the top part, but i havent had much luck..i have heard of a hike that can get you to the bottom where the good fishing is.. any pointers on how to get there? all Minneapolis area shore fishing reports would be welcome as well!

First place that comes to mind is to walk through Minnihaha Park.

Or hop in your car and drive down to winona and join me

Hidden Falls park will get you right down to the river below the dam on the St. Paul side. You can fish the shore from there up to the dam with no issues. There’s an inlet just upstream from the park that can hold lots of fish in high water conditions.

If you go to Minnehaha Park and drive south on S Minnehaha Dr .
Right before the dog park you’ll see some parking Meters on the street and a parking lot.
Look for the stairs that will lead you down to where Minnehaha creek flows into the Mississippi River.

Easy to figure out from there.

They closed Hidden Falls and booted me out of Lilydale about an hour ago.I went back to the landing to pick up my brother to fish and he said the gate was locked and a note on my truck said call St.Paul Parks Security.So I called and they told me I had to get my boat out and theyd come open the gate so I could leave and told me I could no longer be there..That sucks,he said the water was gonna come up and wash my truck down the river,Ha it would have had to rise quite a bit for that to happen.I asked what level of the river did they open it back up,he didnt know but gave me his card to call his office.Anyone know if I can launch at that marina between Lillydale and Hidden Falls?

Just a heads up, because I don’t want you to go down there and get discouraged. Water is really high and fast down by the dam right now so shore fishing is kind of difficult (at least for me, but I’m not the most experienced guy). Slack water areas are limited and the river height limits the fishable shoreline. However it doesn’t take long to drop/slow down so keep an eye on the river because it changes daily/hourly. Even small changes can make all the difference.