St. Cloud to Clearwater Eyes?

So i’m headed up to CW Outfitting tomorrow to test out the kayak that i am planning to buy soon. They will be shuttling me up to the St cloud dam and dropping me in the river where i will float the 13 miles back to Clearwater (pretty good pricing, if you’re thinking of getting into kayak fishing check these guys out).

I have never fished this stretch of river before but do understand the smallie fishing will be similar to the Rum (very good).

I will be bringing some fishing equip but not alot in case i tip. Im guessing a handful of jigs some plastic, leeches and a few raps.

Has anybody targeted walleye in these waters before? Is it worth it or should i just focus on the bass.

I printed the DNR’s depth map of this area and laminated it so i have an idea of where the pockets of deep water are.

Any tips/guidance is much appreciated.

Thanks!

I would wait tell the water came down to fish up there in a kayak. The water will really be moving through beaver islands. If you decide to go find current seams and pitch them. I have done decent on eyes up there in the fall but this time of year I would be targeting smallies.

Thanks for tips… Caught a lot of smallies and a wicked sun burn

What kind of kayak did you use and did you like it well enough to want to buy one? How big were the smallies?
Al

I have been researching kayaks for a while now, and they had the one i wanted to buy in stock, Ocean Kayaks Prowler big game 2. This isnt one of there rentals but they allowed me to “demo” it and use it as a rental no questions asked!

Most of the smallies i caught were rather small but a got a couple nice sized fish (18″+/-) right behind the construction site of the new bridge they are building in Clearwater. It is flooded so it is basically a dam at this point water is flowing over the cofferdams and creating some nice structure to fish.
Plus this was my first time fishing this body of water so i had no idea what i was getting into, but after i buy my kayak i will be back with electronics to get familiar with the river bottom.

As far as wanting to buy, this basically sealed the deal. I have been researching this kayak for a while now and wanted to know a few things that i would have to try myself to get answered.

Speed was good for me, and i got the chance to try standing in it. I brought two rods and stored one inside the kayak while not in use.

Im 6’3″ 240lbs and this thing was more stable than i could imagine. Plus the seat was super comfortable.

If you are looking to buy a kayak this is the PBG2… http://kayakbattleship.com/

Thanks for the info. I’ve fished from Clearwater all the way down through the Cities. My usual drift was from Monticello to Otsego.
I’m going to have to take a look at that kayak. My niece lives on the Becker side of the Mississippi, between the power plant and Clearwater. I’d love to fish from St. Cloud down to there.