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.