Pool 2 backwater ice action!

Thought I would throw a little tid bit out here about some of the action on Pool 2’s backwaters. I was out last night with a friend of mine and we explored some backwaters far south of the 494 bridge and knocked into a couple nice walleyes through the ice. We were fishing jigging raps in about 6-8 foot of water, this was the max depth of this backwater. We iced two nice average walleyes and lost one other fish that hit and got off shortly there after. This area was about a 1/4 mile off the main channel area and the bottom consisted of mostly muck and sand.

This will most likely be my last time on the ice here on Pool 2 as the open water action will be heating up soon.

Here is a pic of one of the fish that came up.

I used to fish those backwaters all the time before everything up there became Catch and Release. Was to hard to get into some of the places to not keep anything.
I don’t necessarily agree with the catch and release for that part of the river. A lot of fish are getting released and wasted. I would prefer slots over no fish at all and fishing year round.
I was shocked when I found out that they were going to Cand R.
Whenever I fished south of the toll bridge I rarely found more than one fisherman/woman in the river.. So maybe there were wall to wall boats up above by Dam 1. I don’t know. Whenever I was up there I would maybe see 10 boats or so actually fishing. The rest were just pleasureing around. How could 15 miles of river be that overfished that they would have to Do Cand R?
At any rate I don’t visit up there much anymore. I am sure I miss out on some great fishing, call it my protest to the CandR regulation. Opps better watch out. Maybe the Croix will be next or the prized Redwing area from Pepin on up to the Dam.
Enough venting.
Gotta go fishing Friday.

As I was driving home from work yesterday my view from the Lafayette bridge showed plenty of ice again. How was the ramp and channel down to where you were at?
Dino

Dino,

Plenty of ice down my way as well. The main channel and slightly more was open in areas that I could see. Anyone have a feel on the 494 ramp and its condition with the cold snap we had the last two days? I am guessing there is quite a bit of ice here again. The slightly warmer weather coming will help open things up a little more with the sun being more potent this time of year! I got my rods crosed hoping for warmer weather.

I will check the 494 ramp this evening. I am hoping to get out Friday afternoon.

Thanks Dino,
I may be down there as well then too if the ramp is in good condition.

I encourage you guys to get out and open it up for the rest of us who actually have to work for a living. Hope to see ya’all Sunday!

Nice Fish Steve. This is driving me nuts! I can’t wait to get back out on the water. Pray for warmer weather.