Still wet behind the ears

  • A – Aron
    Red Wing
    Posts: 106
    #1445406

    OK Ill admit it Ive just started river fishing. I’ve fished my whole life in northern MN, and well I usually do pretty well depending on whatever I target.

    I now live a stones throw away from pool 4 and other then trolling shad raps in the lake I cant seem to catch a fish to save my life. Im 24, married, with one more year of school and the first kid on the way. I can’t afford the gas every week to go North. Im just plain frustrated. I don’t need a handout just a few pointers and well known strategies for Walleyes, Crappies, and Northerns.

    redneck
    Rosemount
    Posts: 2627
    #1445411

    Young man, you are sitting on the edge of one of the best fisheries in the upper midwest and all you have to do is put in the time and effort and it will start to give up it’s bounty to you. Pool 4 can really be broken down into 3 parts, the upper part of the river upstream of the lake, Lake Pepin and river below Lake Pepin. Each fishes differently and has their time of year. I concentrate more on the northern part of the lake and river upstream just due to my location. This time of year a jig and half crawler dragged downstream at the head of the lake should put some fish in the boat. One nice technique is to drag crawlers downstream and troll Raps back upstream. There is no secret technique that will always put fish in the boat and time on the water will be what starts to break down the secrets of the lake for you. If you are on the north end I would suggest launching out of Evert’s and listen closely to the advice they give you. At the end of the day if you come off the water and there is a campfire—mosey over there and listen—be polite—and take in the info because there are years of river knowledge sitting around that fire many nights. I haven’t fished much this summer but Pool 4 has given up quite a few fish to me between 4 and 9 pounds and not a SINGLE one has come on a crankbait. Put in the time and learn Pool 4 and the drive up north will be to visit relatives because the fishing up there has NOTHING on where you are right now!!!!

    Tom Sawvell
    Inactive
    Posts: 9559
    #1445418

    Where is home now? You might be able to get a seat with someone local who has lake knowledge if they knew where you lived.

    Redneck offers some very straight forward ideas on the lake and river. Depending on where you live, time of year and species you want to chase there are places that offer shore fishing that’s almost better than boat fishing.

    I’m in Rochester and if you are close to there I’d be happy to sit down with a map and point out some areas for you.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59996
    #1445419

    Aaron, Redneck has some very good advice.

    To speed up the learning curve there’s always using a guide.
    River Rat Randy
    Marty Hahn
    Denver McKinnin to name a few.

    Take a note pad along because you will be over whelmed with information while catching fish.

    As Rich said, there are seasonal changes and one thing a person can count on about the river…it’s always changing.

    Both Everts and 4 Seasons has good, up to date river fishing info.

    PS I’ve found the mistake most people make when they aren’t catching fish is the bait isn’t in the strike zone. Most of the time that is within the bottom 12 inches of the river.

    Also, lately the word has been the fish are being caught in less then 10 feet of water. Jig and a crawler has been the ticket.

    ssperch
    Hudson, WI
    Posts: 175
    #1445423

    As Rich said, you’re in a great area! Pool 4 is a fun stetch of river to learn. Growing up with a family cabin in Northern WI I had always done my fishing up there. About 4 years ago I started fishing our rivers around here (P2 and P4). Now I spend much more time relaxing on the deck with a cold one than fishing up there…

    River fishing can be challenging and very frustrating at times, but stick with it and you will be rewarded.

    I mainly fish walleye and my “normal” summer patterns include long lining cranks, leadcore cranks, dragging jigs with half crawler or leech, and pitching wingdams with jigs (you can find more of these south of the lake near Wabasha).

    Summer often brings lower water levels. I typically start by looking for current. Neck down areas, outside bends, and tips of wingdams can be good places to begin the search.

    I sent you a friend request, accept that and I can send you a PM with some more info.

    Sam

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13310
    #1445433

    Look for cool spots for the pike to hang out during the warmest parts of the summer. Creeks and springs are a couple good spots to start looking.

    Dont fish river crappies much.

    For walleyes look for current and structure near it. Trolling crank baits in the rocks was one of the 1st ways I leaned to catch river walleyes. Might not want to run your most expensive cranks in there. Do some research on this site on dragging jigs. Another great approach for this time of year.

    Hiring a guide for a day is a fantastic way to quickly learn the river. Make sure to let them know you are interested in learning a new tactic or two or a few different spots. Not just a meat run. Other than that spend lots of time on the water trying new things and enjoying the hunt. Im going on close to 15 years up hear on pool 2 and still learning it.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59996
    #1445447

    LOL Right on Mike!

    We are all students of the fish. )

    flanders51
    Posts: 152
    #1445490

    Well, three months ago I would have told you to do a bunch of research on posts on the site with the search terms “Pool 4”, “walleye”, “pike”, “crappie”, etc. However, the site changed and that doesn’t work for me anymore. Does anybody have thoughts on this?

    I have been fishing Pools 3 & 4 for the past 3 or so years. I am in Cannon Falls. The river is AWESOME. Sometimes it can kick your butt. However, at the end of the day, it is a tremendous fishery with lots of options and different ways to fish.

    Listen to the advice the guys have already given. I have been fishing Lake Pepin more lately because I am learning the lake and leadcore. If you like trolling, buy some leadcore and long-line with crank baits on the lake. You will catch fish (they not be the right kind of fish but you will learn a lot doing it).

    Get a good map of the river and the lake. Study it. Fish drop-offs in the lake for Sauger and walleye. Watch which way the wind if blowing. In the river: fish current breaks, points, etc. Jig by the dam. Pitch wingdams by dam 3 or down by Wabasha. There are so many different ways to fish the river. Pick a couple technicques and fish them exclusively until you get them down.

    Good luck. I sent a friend request to you. Feel free to PM me.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59996
    #1445505

    “Pool 4 fishing reports” site:idofishing.com

    Using google, that brought up a wad of IN-Depth Fishing reports for P4.

    A – Aron
    Red Wing
    Posts: 106
    #1445774

    Thanks everybody for the responses, really appreciate it.
    I was able to make it out for 3 hours the other night, I didn’t catch any fish but it was a nice evening. Other than not catching any fish does this sound about like a solid pool 4 plan? I put in at Bay city headed up the channel trolled around in wacouta Bay for about a hour, then headed up by the Bay city light marker and drifted crawlers and leeches on jigs the rest of the evening.

    I’ll have to give it another try in the coming days. Once again thanks for the responses. I live right in Red Wing so I see the river every day and go crap… I should be fishing.

    Nick Dennison
    Rochester MN
    Posts: 324
    #1445784

    a buddy of mine that is in the walleye club im in here in Rochester lives in red wing and is a pretty good stick and a wealth of knowledge he is here on the site you should look him up his name is dale rueber or maybe look into our club (the walleye searchers of southern mn)

    mike anderson
    Posts: 2
    #1445793

    Aaron,
    You are living where many people dream to live. Pool 4, is where I grew up fishing, and it is unbelievable. I now fish northern,mn as I moved up to Duluth area about 13 years ago. Any time I get a chance to fish pool 4 I take it. I think saving some money and hiring Randy Stevens as a guide, is a must. I don’t know what kind of fish your planning on targeting, but he can teach you how, when, and why walleyes are biting where they are any time of the year. After you hire Randy, start saving your money up again and call up BrianK, for a guide trip for flathead catfish. He will teach you a ton about them, as well as teaching you about the river in general. These two people will make the difference in going out fishing, and going out and catching fish.
    Good Luck on your next trip!

    Tim Reszler
    Kenosha
    Posts: 182
    #1449279

    This IDO community is absolutely outstanding! I found this website a few years ago after I started fishing pool 4 and I am absolutely amazed and grateful that there is a site like this out there, with people like the guys that responded to your post. I literally checked this website multiple times a day this spring reading the wealth of knowledge out there on pool 4. This spring I put 3 personal best eye’s in the boat and owe a lot of that to these guys. But like they state. You can only read and research so much. Only time spent on the water grinding out the learning curve will help you consistently put fish in the boat! Good luck.

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