New to the river. Hear a lot of Wingdam fishing, is there a way to find where these wingdams are, a map or actual way to see a wingdam out there on the river? Also what is the best boat launch these days to get to where the fish are? Are the fish still down stream or up to the Ford damn already? I was out on 10/15 caught one eye so I think there is more to it than what I am doing, so any help would be great.
Thanks
Hey WallyorTwins….I know that the new Navionics chip does show the wingdams!!! Some are better than others, just have to fish the river to eliminate the ones that don’t produce!!!!! 
I am not sure which access is better right now…Maybe Steve DeZurik will jump in and suggest an access right now!!!!
Good luck this fall/winter!!!
WallyorTwins, when I first came to this site, I was reading about wing dam fishing and had the same questions as you. Just about that time BfishN Tackle came out with a video on fishing wingies with plastics…
It make fishing them so understandable that even I could catch fish without hiring a guide. I’m going to say of all the fishing videos I’ve watched…it was the most educational and what’s more important…I can actually say that this video PUT FISH IN MY BOAT. About two years later I went out with Mike W and he gave me more subtle tips on the presentation. Then just this year Dustin Stewart gave me more tips on how to find a wingy that holds fish.
I don’t fish walleye much…on purpose…but by picking up one of those videos …I can fake it! 
I brought this thread up from the depths!
This was a recent post. Maybe it will help you some? River Maps
Check out the In-depth fishing articles forum. Jarad Fluekiger has a very informative article on fishing/finding productive wing dams.
Also you can use the search feature of this site to find past posts on whatever subject you seek info about. Just punch wingdams as a keyword and you will be reading about wingies for a long while.
Mapping Specialists 3D lake maps has pool 9 ready to go print . It has all wingdams indicated.
Any idea how I can access the recent James Hoist video on the same subject.
They have them I believe.
B Fish N Tackle Co.
http://www.bfishntackle.com
Email: [email protected]
Ph. 608-412-0170
If you have the Navionics Premium North chip, be aware that the wingdam locations on pool 2 are not all exactly where the wingdam actually is….it shows some that don’t even exist! 
I haven’t checked them all, that’ll take a lifetime, but of the ones I have verified only about 50% are actually where the chip says they are. They are generally close, but not right on. Just an FYI.
As for the fish all being up at the dam, I think you will be pleasantly surprised that walleyes in pool 2 can be found all up and down the river most of the winter. In fact, many guys spend most of their time fishing around the 494 area and never go up to the dam area….I’m one of em!
Good Luck to ya, maybe see you down there sometime….what type of boat are you fishing from? I will look for ya and say 
.
WallyorTwins,
Slipsinker is right, there are a ton of oppoerunities right within a couple miles of the 494 ramp access. The ramp is located directly under the 494 bridge in South St. Paul on the west side of the river. There is lots of bridge construction going on right now, but the ramp has been staying open.
These maps are what I started out using!
I still refer to them once in awhile!!!
Right now the flows are way down, so putting your odds iin your favor means finding those ambush points for the walleyes to take the biggest bang for the buck. Looking at the tips of wingdams, current swept rip rap shorelines, head of islands. All these areas provide a place where walleyes can “herd” bait or sit and ambush they next avail meal?
THe best is yet to come!!!!
Mississippi River Guide by the MN DNR is also a good resource. Only problem is that they are usually backordered. It took me over a year to get the Hastings to Iowa border river guide. I forgot that I ordered it. BUT!
The guides are free and have great info in them!
Good Luck!
dd
These river maps are very helpful; one suggestion is print off a set and take them with you, I have a set in my boat and refer to them often especially as I am a newbie to river. I have found they hold their resolution nicly even in you expand the view.
Remember that the river is always changing, what I have learned is that it is a very dynamic process and with constant flow and water clarity the fish move all the time. I must confess that I am still not as adaptive as I need to be in adjusting to changes in the river. But thats why I think its so much fun!
Using the river maps as a guide, each trip I explore a couple of new wingdams and other likely locations. I have had some trips that I hardly fish, instead I spend my time using my electronics to really get the feel for different river spots. Many of the wingdams are partially silted in and what I am learning is that these still hold some semblance of stucture, probing these with a crank bait helps find the remnant rubble and the fish.
Also the Corp of Engineers is always making changes, several spots I use to fish have been significantly changed and are not as fishable, but they have also added a couple of very nice wingdams! Point is be flexible and adaptive. Use your eyes and electronics! With practice, reading the surface of a river, especially watching for changes is flow can be very useful. I sometimes think we may over rely on electronics over use of our own eyesite and instincts.
The last piece is I.D.A. I have learned so many tricks from others posts and try to contribute what ever I can to the discussion. Sharing information is essential and make it fun. Also, dont hesitate to PM people.
See ya on the water!
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