New bank fisherman in Rochester

I haven’t fished in over 10 years – this year it made the top of the bucket list. Where can I catch pan-sized fish – crappie, sunfish, bluegill, eating-sized bass – off the bank around Rochester area?
I understand some areas are catch & release and some prohibit worms, etc. I’m just a social fisherman who would like to catch and eat some fish!

Go east of town on 14 to Chester. There is a county park there with a small lake. Never been there, but I heard the fishin was good.
WKW

If you want trout you could fish in Mill Creek Park in Chatfield that is located 15 minutes south of Rochester on HWY 52, or at Foster Arends Pond in Rochester. If you want panfish you could try Willow Creek Resivour in SW Rochester, or Gamehaven in SE rochester. these would all be good bets. Good Luck.

There are some places on lake Zumbro
anywhere that you can get down to the zumbro river in town can be good too.
down stream of the silver lake dam is good
PM ct (crappie tom)on here he is a GREAT rochester fishermsn
If you get out my way (Mankato) let me know I can hook you up here with lots of shore places and if I have a open seat that day your welcome to come along

Welcome!!
DT

went to gamehaven aka the boyscout camp last week and fished jigs with plastics for crappie and couldn’t get bit…but we were fishing from shore. i want to get my boat out sometime to a local pond for panfish if i could find where to get some nice size. once silver creek resivor opens up that’s where the bigger fish are at…

may hit the water this week in the row boat so if i do i’ll let u know how it goes. we’ll keep ya posted!!

Hey Rod-Man, how are you doing?

If you want some panfish action try the public piers at Fishermans Inn point. I suggest using the one to your left as you drive into the parking area. Take Hiway 63 north about 9 miles to the suspended yellow blinking light at the intersection of 63 and Co Rd 12 to your left. Take the left and go three miles. When you cross the bridge and start up the hill, you’ll want to take the first road at the top of the hill and it will take you right into that parking area. Easy drive, easy walk and access to the pier, maybe fifty feet from lot to dock.

Crappies and sunfish will be found there from about now until late May, early June. Minnows or jigs/plastics will work as will small jigs with waxies. I’d avoid any of the traditional nightcrawler/garden worm baits to help keep bullheads off the line unless you want a few of them.

Willow Creek Reservoir, Silver Creek, and Chesterwoods [you need an annual or daily sticker at Chester Woods, $5 daily, $25 annual] all have or provide access to some decent panfishing. All of these require some walking and actually all of these have a limited amount of actual productive shore spots. All provide great winter angling opportunities though. If you take 2nd Street SW to County Rd 21 and go right, take the first right after your turn and bear right again and then a quick left. Go into the Cul-du-sac and turn around and then park next to the curb where the paved bike path runs. Follow the bike path out to the lake on the left and drop down to any of the many shore spots and fish. Crappies and sunnies all over in there. The lake to your right is also full of fish, many times showing you better fish size.

Maybe a bit of a drive but Lake City has a real nice breakwater that holds fish all year and is fairly easy to access with a bit of a walk….about a block. You might catch a walleye or sauger if you’re not careful and pike and catfish are common. Smallmouthed bass are all over along the rocky rip-rap.

Another area with some really interesting angling opportunities is to be had along the hiway between Wabasha, MN and Nelson, WS….the area is referred to as the dike road. Pannies all over along that stretch. Between Wabasha and just south of Kellogg you’ll find numerous places to toss out a line from shore and have a good time. Do a map check online and find Wilcox landing and West Newton Chute. Both are drive to locations and both can have outstanding panfishing. Bass are another frequent prize as are pike.

I have a serious love for the big river and I would chose the longer drive over any of the local ponds except for the docks at Lake Zumbro and CountryClub pits. If time or a short drive are better for you by all means do the Zumbro or Cascade.

Again, waxies or minnows will probably be a goof starting point for baits unless you have used some plastics and have confidence in using them. All of the areas you see mentioned are fun fishing. And if you are just catch and release you ca hit up Foster Lake here in town and do some trout. You don’t need the stamp as long as you do not keep the fish. If you want some to chew on, get the trout stamp endorsement…$2 cheaper than getting the stamp.

Tom
I’m doing well just starting to get some crappies here
from shore
I’m putting the boat in later this week to see what I can find off shore
we diod very well on Ice this winter
Next time im in your town (AT MAYO)I’ll let you know It will be good to see you again
Later Frank

Thanks guys!