Pool 2 Question

I have been thinking about trying to make it down to Pool 2 for some eyes’- but I have never been there before . Can anyone give me any pointers… Where to launch? Are there many wingdams? Are there alot of trouble spots? Can a guy fish this pool year round? Thanks for any help!

Skeeter, I try and answer a few of your questions. there is a ramp at 494 bridge, on mn side. some posts last week thought that ramp might be open on a day to day basis with the bridge construction. pool 2 is a catch and release pool only by special requlation, except for panfish (take your camera). there are quite afew wingdams that someone else with have to cover. also not sure what descent maps are avail. good luck. Jack.

Skeeter: If you are driving east on 494 you will take the Hardman exit. Take a right and go under 494. Just past the Goodyear shop you will see the sign for the access and river trail. Bridge construction has caused some closures of the access but these seem to be temporary. The South St Paul access has plenty of parking and the city will plow this all winter. We try to keep the ramp clear of ice all winter.
With the low water there are the usual river hazards to consider. The Army Corp of Engineer maps are good but not perfect.
Dino

Stay in the channel from the MN Confluence to the Hastings Dam. Above than, there are not many wing dams. This time of year is mostly free of debris-so there arent many places of concern-but it is still a river so always keep you eyes open.

Other launches are in Lilydale on Highway 13 and 35E and Hidden Falls, near the Ford Dam.

The river will ice up most of the winter, but a few 30+ degree days will open it back up-so you can fish it all winter, just not each day.

For numbers, launch at 494 and fish the deeper water just above the 494 bridge or go upriver to the airport area just after the railroad bridge. This area is full of wing dams, so stay in the well marked channel. The wing dams hold bigger fish and are pretty easy to see. The Ford dam will also hold fish.

Like Jack said-Pool 2 is C&R for walleye, sauger, LM and SM bass. Everything else is normal regs (crappie, cats, northern etc).

Good info so far!

Here is a link to a Yahoo Map. 494 Ramp Area (Zoom in to the 494 bridge area where it crosses the river)

From Hardman, follow Verderosa down under the 494 bridge, over the flood wall to the ramp.

If we are lucky, they will leave the dock in. However, after the last flood washed the old one away, they have been pulling the dock out.

You can fish Pool 2 year around with the C & R season. Remember Pool 2 is Inland Minnesota water. You need a Minnesota Fishing license and can only fish with one line.

For a first time trip I’d point you to the Airport area about 2 miles upstream from the 494 ramp. Run the river staying in the main channel and keep inside the bouys. Fish right out at the end of the runway. You will know you are in the right area when small jets go flying right over your head.

Jon J.

SKEETER,

Now that you have excellent directions on how to get to the public ramps, I will try to throw my two cents into the pile for potential fishing tips that I have benn having success with. Like Dino mentioned, the numbers game can be played by vertical jigging jig/plastics or jig/minnow combonations in any of the deeper holes on the outside bends of the river. North or 494 bridge and the airport areas are community holes. Community holes for good reason, they hold lots of fish this time of year. Take this info and apply it to other areas of the river to help you explore a bit. For consistent better than average sized fish will come from the wingdams right now. Some wingdams are marked with the Red and Green navigational buoys. Look at this map for a good start to locate wingdams. Use this as reference only.

Fishing hair jigs or jig/plastics to the wingdams will produce some good fish for you if you are persistant in finding how they like to relate to the wingdam. This technique will not produce you lots and lots of numbers, but in the end will produce you much better fish overall.

Here is my latest report to help you out a bit.
Good luck to you.