Shore fishing

Now that I’ve wimped out and put my boat away for the winter I was wondering about shore fishing spots on Pool 3 and 4. If I remember right, I think you can get fairly close to the lock and dam in Hastings from shore but I’ve never been to the lock and dam in Red Wing. So, now that I’m landlocked for the duration anyone have some well known or favorite spots that I could try from shore (before the whole dang planet freezes solid)? Is there any access to fishable shoreline near the dam in Red Wing?
Anyone else out there get a charge out of shore fishing?

I saw a couple of guys fishing the Mn side of the dam today… but I have no idea how they got there……
you need to cultivate some friendships with guys on the board going out over the winter!… plus Everts rents boats pretty reasonable if the need to get out gets too bad!…..

That’s a very good idea… I’m not exactly sure how to go about it. I just took up fishing about 4 years ago so I feel a little sheepish about my lack of skill and knowledge. I’ve gone out with James a couple of times and have confirmed that there is no end to the things I have to learn. I didn’t know Evert’s rented boats, that’s something to consider as well.
One thing though, and I’m not sure I’m imagining this or not, but is there a general feeling out there that shorefishing is in some way inferior to fishing from a boat? Again, I’m new to all of this so I apologize if my question on shorefishing isn’t appropriate. I have noticed on another site, however, some open contempt for people fishing from shore which didn’t seem to make sense to me. I suppose it’s kind of like the bass vs walleye or catfishing vs carp fishing or the whole fly-fishing thing. It’s funny, when I tell friends (who don’t fish) that I’ve taken up fishing, they automatically assume it’s fly-fishing. Some seem to think that fly-fishing is somehow superior to other kinds of fishing. I don’t know; it all seems like fun to me! And quite challenging!
Thanks for your response.

Nat Joe,

Thats what is so great about this site! We have all walks of like here and welcome all to it that like to participate. There is no such thing is being inferior being a shaore angler. At many times of the year, shore fishing can be very productive..(Now is one of those times!!)

Rivereyes has a good point, in which to post on the board here that you would like to go out for a day of fishing. There are many anglers here that would welcome some company in the boat if they have the room on any given day.

I was once told that “Nothing in fishing is concrete”. Meaning that no one in the world can give a “guarantee” in the fishing world. There are far too many factors that change on any given minute, hour, day,etc… to nail down that “this IS what the fish will be doing at this given time.” I fish 180/days a year on the water and I learn things every single outing out. I have lots to learn before I die!!

So, get out and enjoy and welcome aboard this great website.
Good Fishing.

I saw the other site and post that you are referring to. It looked like it was only the original poster that resented shore fishermen. If you want to try some Pool 2 shore fishing try the 494 access in So St Paul. There is a long stretch of rip rap on the flood wall downstream from the ramp and there is another long stretch north of the ramp about a half mile or so.
When we have drifted this area casting toward shore we found walleye , sauger and smallmouth along with the usual river fish. I have to believe that a shore fisherman would have the same luck.
Dino

I frequently shore fish esp. at night. If you can find fish it is often more productive (for me at least) you dont have to worry about boat control (simple is better at night) If you are not picky and can be flexible you can normally catch something from shore. I usally catch smallmouth and walleye using crankbaits (husky jerks, shad raps, floating raps are personal favorites) or jigs (1/4 oz or less w/ a 4″ twister tail). I would say just go out and try everything you can as you never know what will happen.
p.s. shore fishermen are not inferior just a little less mobile.

Well enough of this love fest. I fished for a LONG time as a kid from shore in little lakes around my home growing up. But I dont like shore fisherman on the river. There I said it. I have two problems. One, on Pool 2 (like most other rivers), there are a ton of snags. Fishing from shore it is much harder to get a snag out if you cant get to the other side of a rock. Since they often cast as far as possible, I am constantly picking up tons of line, w/ junk attached to it. It is especially hard when fishing in fast current, trying to get free from line that is still attached to the bottom and it keeps pulling your lure under water unless you are right on top of it.
Second, long casts and unattended lines. Most of the area I fish the walleyes are in under 8′ of water, which is less than 20′ from shore. But people feel the need to cast out 50-60′ from shore and get into the channel. If I want to troll around these lines, I need to go out to the middle of the river and then I am still bound to snag them every once in a while.
There-that is why I dont like shore fisherman. I also dislike big boats, barges, paddleboats, swimmers, hippies and commies. That said, however, I try to be considerate and believe that they have every right to share the river w/ me. I have always found them to be respectful and considerate of how each other are trying to fish. I have never had a problem w/ shore fisherman being a jerk to me.

But for the most part, I dont fish during the weekends any more by the Hidden Falls area of Pool 2 because it can just be too frustrating. Now fall/winter/early spring-that is a different story.

Nat Joe,

I have a couple of friends that have been doing well in some of the river marinas for both crappies and walleyes. Pitching light jig/minnow combos or slip bobbers has both produced. Most marinas close down this time of year and you can fish from their docks and have good access to some of the deeper areas in the marinas. For the most part, these areas are very easy to fish, no current, consistant depths, and best of all migratory fish. And when the ice freezes over, get out the portable shacks and hop onto the ice and have at it as well. Some marinas are well known for being good “through ice” producers.

There is nothing wrong with fishing from shore,,, when the water is up especially,,, every spring i can go right off the banks and get limits while the boat fishermen arent doing worth a hoot,,,, the fish come from the main channel threw out the day making shad drives up against the banks,, .

some of my best days have been fishing from shore.. it CAN be very effective.. but it can also be very frustrating!!.. with a boat you have options you jsut dont have on shore.. shore fishing is simple but limiting…. though by limiting I also mean limits of walleyes.. I have had 50+ fish days from shore.. and IM talking 15″+ fish… but I just did not want you to think that shore fishing was your only option!! there are a lot of guys on this board… and open seats do come up… the best way to learn is to fish with guys that know what they are doing…… then work on your own boat control skills when on your own……

Wow! Everyone, thanks for all the ideas. Dee Zee, thanks for the encouragement. That’s a good way to look at it. I started thinking about this last spring, when I had an hour to kill in Red Wing after a meeting so I fished from shore right in Bay Point park. I was the only one there so I kept looking for “No Fishing” signs! I caught two walleyes and I’ve never been so pumped up in my life! (again, I haven’t caught many walleyes so every one is like a gift!)
Dinosaur, you’re right, I just read the first post and now I see all the responses, kind of interesting. I see that rip-rap when I drive over the Wacouta bridge and I’ve always wondered….
DaveB, you’ve got some very good points there that I hadn’t considered that are unique to a big river like the Mississippi. I would think though, if you look at the relative number of boats fishing shoreline areas and the total hours spent fishing those areas during a given period of time that, statistically, a significant portion of the line and snagged lures would come from anglers fishing from boats? Maybe not, but, a good reminder, though, to be respectful and considerate no matter what you are doing.
RiverEyes, I know what you mean. Too often, it’s a lot easier for me to forego the hassle of the boat in favor of the “quick fix” of shore fishing. There is nothing like time on the water. I’ll keep an eye the trip swap forum and see what develops. That would really be a cool way to learn.
I grew up in ND where I believe there are only about 300 fishable bodies of water. I think 70-80% of the fishable surface-acres are tied up in Devils Lake and the Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River system. I hunted all the time but fishing wasn’t even on the radar screen. I really appreciate all the resources that we have here.

I am sure that a lot of the “man made” snags in Pool 2 are from boats. But it seems like when I fish next to a guy on shore for a bit I see him trying to work or a snag 1/2 of the time. The real nice part about that part of the river is the lack of fisherman. I would say there are just as many if not more shore fisherman up there as there is boat guys. Heck-I have even been guilty of giving guys on shore tackle when they loose there last jig or weight. So in a way, I guess that I am part of the problem !!!

Seems like if everything is working correctly, you should almost never leave any line attatched to a snag. The knot will always be the weakest point, assuming that you change line at least annually, check for abrasion/nicks periodically, and re-tie if there is a problem, check the guides for cracks, and all the other regular maintenance things that most fisherman do.

When I find line attatched to a snag, I pretty much assume that it was left by a weekend warrior who didn’t keep his equipment up to snuff. Getting snagged may be more likely from shore, but leaving the line behind is usually caused by slobbishness (i.e. has nothing to do with where you fish from).

Just about every trip to Pool 2 I end up bringing home someone’s 60+feet of line that has become part of the bottom of the river over time. At times have I brought up just mounds of line, tackle, jigs, tennis shoes, bailings wire, lawn chair and the most unique find was a very old washtub with almost 1″ of gunk grown the sides of it. All this garbage always makes it back to the ramp with me every outing to be pitched in the trash.

Yes, shore fishing has its share of advantages as well as disadvatages. I know a few veteran shore anglers that beef up a little on the line to bend out any hooks that are hung up on snags. This helps keep the price tag down for lost tackle.

I fish Pool 2 by boat and on shore. When I’m shorefishing I use 4/10 Fireline and have had good luck pulling baits out of snags. Either the hooks will bend out or you can pull the snagged object in. If the line breaks it’s usually at the knot so you don’t leave any line. Just be careful pulling Fireline hard with your bare hands. It can cut into you pretty good. Vern

I went shore fishing for a couple hours on pool 2 yesterday and I learned a great lesson. Walking the shorelines made me pay great attention to where fish may be holding. I managed to catch a fat 26″ walleye that I would have never caught in my boat. I have driven by the spot many times in the boat and never noticed it. When I am in the boat I tend to look at bottom structure rather than the shoreline. In the future instead of just staring at my depthfinder, I will scan the shorelines looking from small current breaks also.

Mr. Willowcat is talking about the shores of the Nelson Dike Road, in the spring, these walleyes come up in there and for about a 3 week time span the walleyes are a good catch out there, just look for a red and silver chevy blazer. When the water is high on that dike road in the spring that is a good place for people without boats to go out and catch some good quality fish.