Pool 2

Dave B, Where do you launch from? Ever fish down by the 494 area?

Hey Mud,

Welcome aboard!! I won’t speak for Dave. I have launched at Hidden Falls, lots of current no dock, if you are by yourself, I don’t recommend it. Lilydale is just down river(I think Dave launches here). I also launch under the Cedar Ave bridge a cruise down the MN to the confluence. It’s about a 10 minute boat ride at 35 mph. Keep your eyes open for junk floating in the MN, all year long. Good Luck!!!

I launch at hidden falls by all myself seen plenty of other boats do it solo too, if you’re used to loading up by yourself it’s do-able. The current at the hidden falls ramp is flowing upstream and it’s usually moving at a fairly good clip too, so it’s a little tricky. I’ve also launched from lillydale and that works just fine too, maybe a bit easier. I’m 99% sure you need a state park sticker if you launch under the cedar ave bridge so be careful if you don’t, I’m sure you can always pick one up at Fort Snelling.

Ah that being said plenty of people launch by the 494 area too, that launch has a ramp to tie your boat up to.

I put in at lilydale yesterday afternoon. You need to watch out for a new log that drifted in straight out from the ramp. It is maybe a 100′ straight out from the ramp. You can see it pooking its ugly head up if you look for it.

It sure would be nice if one of those tug’s would pull that ugly log out of the way. We launched after lunch on Saturday and I saw it in time to avoid it.
My son and I worked the trolling bite for a few hours and found a fair number of hungry walleyes and smallies. Shad Raps worked good for us again.
With the overcast skies we found the cruiser traffic to be light for a weekend day. The county water patrol was working the area today. Wouldn’t you know it , just after they headed upstream , 2 idiots decided to blaze through the no wake zone.
Dino

My .02 (for what it is worth). Lillydale is a MESS. There is a ton of crap by the launch, and really no place to tie off if you are alone. If I am alone, I make the long run down from the Cedar Bridge. Hidden falls – I unload and beach 20 yards to the north of the launch where the sand is.

I agree with nub on Lillydale. Overall it’s a terrible access but a good location. No place to beach boat other than cement or rock and parking is kinda far away. I’ll never use it unless I have no choice. I have no problem using Hidden alone.

I agree with the Hidden Falls ramp. It can be a bit tricky when the current is really flowing, but more often than not it can be a one man job. There is plenty of sand to beach the boat and parking is plentiful.

My other problem with Hidden falls is if the landing is busy, the parking can be just far enough away I get nervous about my gear walking off. It’s not often this ramp is very busy, but it can happen.

I agree. For some reason I always worry about theft and safety at that launch.

I worry about theft, but my personal security hangs on my left hip.

-J.

Hit Pool 2 on Friday evening. Very slow for me. Water temp is really low for this time of year – 67. 1 Sauger, 1 white bass, and 1 sheepie. Hardly any traffic on the river. Saw Dakota Cty Sherriff and crew at the Cedar Landing. Asked them if they are in contact with DNR very often. Just mentioned to them the ‘issues’ that may be cropping up in the Upper Pool 2 area. They didn’t seem very interested and told me to contact the DNR.

I also was on Pool 2 Friday night, slow for me as well, 1 sauger, 1 walleye, 1 pike and 6-7 smallies. All from the confluence up to the dam. Everything was on a crankbait. We did try to jig with plastics a little. We had quite a few bites, but you would get them half-way up and they would drop it. I would imagine they we holding on to the tail and then let go. How is the bite normally on Pool 2 in the fall?? I am already planning a couple outings out there.

I was out on Sat w/ someone from NYC. Night was great, traffic was heavy, fishing was slow.

It was SO frustrating. I got on the water at 4pm, he called at 4:30pm from the cab at the airport-10 minutes away. In the next 10-15 minutes I nailed 4 eyes and one nice smallie on one pass on the rip rap just below Hidden Falls. I am thinking-WHOO HOO we are into them.

Pick up my buddy and we start fishing. 3 passes no fish, I say “Give me that rod”. The fish had been hitting a shallow runner real tight to shore. 2 minutes-BANG, nice 19″. I give him the rod right away and we snap a picture of his 1st walleye.

3 more passes-no fish. From there we just took a nice trolling boat ride from Hidden Falls to the confluence. Not much action, one here on there, many 3 for the entire pass. Hit some spots that have produced lately and nothing decent.

Finally called it at 8pm and headed to the MPLS bars. Meeting up w/ him again for Metallica tonight.

ROCK ON!

Midnight

What boat were you in? Wondering if we xed paths… You weren’t in the Alumnacraft ?

Nubbinbuck- Yes I was in the Alumacraft Classic 16 with a 40 horse Johnson. I was with my brother in law, having a couple beers, trying to catch a few. Which boat were you??
There were only a half-dozen boats out. Did you see the guy’s anchored right in the main channel by the confluence?? Are they fishing cats there?? Next time I’ll say HI!

I was the guy in front of you who had some snagging issues Left right after I trolled by you down by the confluence.

Quote:

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Did you see the guy’s anchored right in the main channel by the confluence??

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There is an underwater sand point that runs way out at the confluence. Fishing the end of that point for cats can be very good.

Gee Dave, no offense, but I didn’t take you for a Metallica fan.

I am full of surprises. This is a recap of the last 24 hours:

Good one.