Hi. I’ve been fishing Pool 4 for a number of years and since I now live in the TC’s I’d like to learn Pool 2. While I’m hoping to get out with Steve Dezurik soon, I’m going to go it alone a few times as well. Therefore, I need a good bait store and landing. Can anyone offer suggestions? Thanks.
John
The Lillydale ramp and the 494 ramp is what I use. Both are very good. There are many more and you will probably get more responses than just mine. Lillydale is right around the 35E and HWY 13 intersection. 494 ramp is just before the river (traveling east on 494) in So. St Paul.
There is a bait shop in a strip mall in Newport on the NE side of Highway 61. It’s just a couple miles SE of the 494/61 interchange. I believe it’s called Schorns. However, I just read an article stating that it will be closing but it didn’t state when it would close.
Boone
John,
I think Boone is right on the bait shop mentioned as I have heard the same thing not too long ago.
As mentioed above the 494 ramp is probably the best public access on Pool 2 with lots of room to pull your boat up. (the dock should be out very soon) I choose the Lilydale ramp as secondary or if I am fishing the upper part of the Miss River, this gives me quick access to this part of the river from this ramp. Just word of caution with the Lilydale ramp..there is not a dock at this ramp and the shoreline is rimmed with rock and can be slightly difficult to pull your boat up without rubbing a few rocks here.
Good Luck to you!
I have spent the entire weekend on Pool 4, so I am very anxious to get “back home” very soon!
Bait shops for this area are not too convenient. I also read in the paper that Schorn’s is going under because of the hiway construction.
DB Gimps on Rice St. just north of Maryland is my favorite. Joe’s on Dale and Como is not too bad if you go to Lillydale or Hidden Falls. River Bait on Water St. is just downstream from the High Bridge and very close to Lillydale.
There are two other places close to 494 to consider. There is an Ace hardware store just east of Cahill and 57th St. in IGH.
There is a pet store on the corner of 5th Ave and 8th St. in So St Paul that does have minnows but his hours are not good for early morning fishermen.
Dino
494 ramp is very nice. I also like the Ft. Snelling ramp on the Minnesota, it’s only 1-2 miles upriver from the confluence. Advantages to this ramp are a) little current at the end of the ramp b) few people. Disadvanages: a) very muddy on the downstream side of the ramp (upstream is fine) and b) you need a state park sticker or pay the daily fee to get into the park, c) park closes at 10 pm and doesn’t open early early either (I think 8 or 8:30 a.m.) Bait shops: Spur station at Old Shakopee Rd. & Cedar (aka 77) and Wayzata Bait are both not far out of my way on the route to the river.
Im coming from South Mpls and there aren’t any convenient bait shops if your planning on using the Hidden Falls ramp, which is below the Ford Dam. I typically try to find a fishing partner and suggest that they get the bait and Ill drive the boat. That way the issue is on them. In a pinch I typically put in at Lillydale and grab some minnows at Anglers Bait on Water St. as Dee Zee pointed out. The nice thing about Anglers Bait is that you can get Dressed Rabbitt for $7 if you find your self hankerin’ for a Lil’ Hare.
Sealegs
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