Was up nosing around the river today and realized how many years it’s been since I fished above the dam. I know there is a launch in the park and another further up river. Is one better than the other or is it a flip of the coin? Many guys here fish that stretch?
Send a PM to Joe Scegura – I’ve fished with him there several times and he knows it like the back of his hand 
Send a PM to Joe Scegura – I’ve fished with him there several times and he knows it like the back of his hand
Really? 
Thanks for the tip! 
I live North of Sartell in the West side of the river. There are 2 accesses near me. One at the County Park and another the old Lion’s access on “Walleye Road” just before you reach the county Park.
The county park access is gravel with concrete slabs which they upgraded last summer with the low water levels. The Lion’s park is paved and a concrete slab, neither have a dock.
There is a better access on the East side of the river North of the old paper mill. Lots of parking and two paved concrete ramps. Its well marked as you head North on Benton Drive. This is a better access, but depending where you actually want to fish could sway you to use one of the others.
There are lots of hazards out there especially upstream from the County Park. Not recommended going up there unless you know where you are going because danger lurks everywhere none of which is marked.
Captainmusky, I grew up a half mile north of Friedrichs Garage on the river road, parents still live there. Grew up on that stretch of river. As Big Werm can attest too, lots of great times were had out there. It’s an underutilized body of water as far as fishing goes. It’s just like any other body of water and needs to be figured out but you don’t need to travel far from either of those landings to get on some fish.
I’ll agree there is some great fishing, variety of species in that stretch – but plenty of rock hazards. Either go all idle/no wake or trolling motor if alone… but best with a guide or local that knows it.
Good advice so far, and as Weedis said we grew up spending all summer on that stretch. You can go north from the County Park, but I would strongly discourage it as I, among many others, donated a lower unit to the river gods by the Rice bridge. Plenty of good fishing south of the county park to the Sartell dam, and a variety of species. The East Side boat ramp is the biggest and nicest by far.
A few of the critters we’ve run into on that stretch with Joe. Can’t recommend him enough…
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Nice fish frydog! There is giant smallies in that stretch.
Good advice so far, and as Weedis said we grew up spending all summer on that stretch. You can go north from the County Park, but I would strongly discourage it as I, among many others, donated a lower unit to the river gods by the Rice bridge. Plenty of good fishing south of the county park to the Sartell dam, and a variety of species. The East Side boat ramp is the biggest and nicest by far.
I was older and cooler than those two, but they’re spot on. North of the county park is treacherous.
East side ramp was way better than the others. Haven’t been to it in nearly 20 years, though.
Captainmusky, I grew up a half mile north of Friedrichs Garage on the river road, parents still live there.
Small world. I live 1/4 mile south of friedrichs.
I havent fished the river much the last couple years, but there is literally always something biting out there.
Starting to open up above the dam, will not be long.
I used to fish the west side rip rap from paper mill to 200 yards or so north of the paper mill and catch lots of smallmouth. At that time there was an access on west side almost across from the paper mill but don’t believe that one is there anymore.
Thanks for the info guys.
I live in Sartell and have fished the Area north of the Dam a few times each summer. I always use the Access on the East side of the ricer just North of the old paper Mill. It is a great landing. Double wide concrete and lots of parking. I though the old access at lion’s park was shut down many years ago. not sure where the county park one is that people are talking about. From the landing on the East side you have a few miles rather safe water. I fish out of a 18 ft boat with a 150 and have never had a problem – You just need to be careful until you learn the area a little. I wish I had went out while the river was pulled down last year. I wanted to mark some rocks and other cover. Almost every large rock or other cover in deeper water seems to hold a SM or two. Finding that cover when the water is up is rather difficult.
not sure where the county park one is that people are talking about.
Mississippi River County Park
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<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
not sure where the county park one is that people are talking about.Mississippi River County Park
That is getting a ways North of the dam. I don’t think I’ve been that far north. My guess is that the amount of shallow water and rocks in that area would make it rather tough with a 18 ft. boat. I’ve only been as far north as where it goes into Rock lake.
My guess is that the amount of shallow water and rocks in that area would make it rather tough with a 18 ft. boat.
From what I recall, you’re fairly safe up to that point. You might run into some shallow sand, but nothing too bad. North of there gets rocky. Long ago, I trashed a SS prop on a GF’s dad’s boat. 
Back in high school, we used to launch at the county park and run down to the dam in a 14′ with a 9.9. Good way to kill a day. We’d run the channel up to Little Rock Lake and jump off the train bridge back there. Good times. 
Starting to open up above the dam, will not be long.
Ice out up there is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. When it goes, it goes quick and takes trees, islands everything with it.
jump off the train bridge back there.
What’s the statute of limitations on that? We may or may not have jumped off of that, the Rice Bridge and every rope swing to be found. The channel to Little Rock is fun on jetski too!
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
My guess is that the amount of shallow water and rocks in that area would make it rather tough with a 18 ft. boat.From what I recall, you’re fairly safe up to that point. You might run into some shallow sand, but nothing too bad. North of there gets rocky. Long ago, I trashed a SS prop on a GF’s dad’s boat.
Upstream from that Park access is sketchy. Do not attempt it unless you know where you are going or with someone who has done it many times. I have gone all the way up past Two Rivers campground with my 17′ boat nearly 20 years ago. It was touch and go in spots.
I now have a 19′ boat and havent tried going much up from the county park. There are very few deep pools up that way. Going downstream if you typically follow the general rule that the deepest water is on the outside shoreline of any bend you will be good.
The Lion’s park access is still open, but there is such limited parking there and the ramp is very steep and at times the current is so fast there that it makes it really tough to load your boat.
I’m not sure of the access I used before. It was past the paper mill, past a park and in a neighborhood the best way I can describe it. I think it had 15 or so spaces. I remember going upstream from there and not getting into trouble. Don’t know how far I went or how far I would have needed to go from there before hitting bad spots.
I’m not sure of the access I used before. It was past the paper mill, past a park and in a neighborhood the best way I can describe it. I think it had 15 or so spaces. I remember going upstream from there and not getting into trouble. Don’t know how far I went or how far I would have needed to go from there before hitting bad spots.
Yeah, that East side ramp is the nicest, and plenty of river upstream before you get into trouble passed Mississippi River Park on the west side.
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