High Flow ??

Saturday, we headed to the dam area right away and worked our way downriver. We were unable to find any “keeper” size fish so we kept moving downstream. We hit all the typical spots, I know, not always the best way to find fish. Anyway, after fishing Hay Creek area we headed back to the dam to try that area again. When we got back there, the flow had increased considerably. What do you typically do in situations like this?? How do you determine key spots to hold fish when conditions change like this?? Any suggestions are welcome!!

Waterfowler,

This can be a complicated situation depending on how much the flow increased in that short amount of time. Typically in a situation like this the fish in most cases will take time to adjust and give them a good case of lockjaw.

Once everthing stableizes the fish will continue on their normal feeding patterns. If you have a dramatic increase in the flow the fish will definately move shallower and or closer to subtle current breaks.

It will be interesting to hear what some of you other river rats have found in your past expeiriences on the river in this situation.

There is no better protector of fish, than the army corps messing with the flow at a dam. I would slide over to shallower water . I was catching fish on a wing dam in Clinton when they opened up some gates and as the current increased ,the fish moved towards the inside.Within 4 hours the fish have moved over almost the entire lenght of the wing. The wing i`m talking about in at least 3 blocks long! It was pretty cool moving with them. John

I’d have to second both of the previous replies. In situation where the water flow increases or rises or both, I’ve always found that the fish will mover closer to shore and tighter to cover. I also beleive that the baitfish do the same.

Beav

Thanks guys, I had assumed that may be the case, but unfortunately I think of this until after I had left the river. Oh well, any day on the river in January is something to cherish in itself….

I have found that fish will turn off with lowering water but they turn on with rising water. Love that rising water spring time as long as its not fast flooding water.

Being from Alma the flow changes all the time. Alma being a much bigger dam than Red Wing makes fishing patterns change daily. Some interesting patterns I have seen develop over the years. My brother who works for the Dam has always told me when they are changing the gates. When the Dam changes the gates that is the first sign to get ourr but out there. The first couple of hours of the gates being change are the best. When the gate was opeing we would fish the side of the gate. When the gate would start opening all the bigger wallleyes would come outand move to the side where there would be less current. Some of our best walleyes would come this way. One old timer once told me that the current near the bottom, next to the bullnose of the gate has very little current, and that the bigger walleye will hold there waiting for the bait to come down to them. This same old gentleman would take his favorite lure and fish these spots in the darkness. Another thing I remember that when the Alma Fishing Float was having a bad week a call would be placed to the Dam and a gate change would come near the float bringing in a instant fishing frenzy, but would later die for a good day or two untill fish the stabilized. That would usually happen during the week bringing on a good fishing weekend for the out of towners. Just my thougts. What and how does everyone else feel about tailwater of bigger dams?

I never have trouble catching fish. Matter of fact I limit out every time,shallow, deep it does,nt matter. caught my limit and the warden asked me if I would take him out in the morning,told the lad to show up in the morning not to early I need my sleep, also told him not to bring his gear he could use my special lures. well i showed up with my net and steel tackel box. well along came the young warden and off we went.did,nt have far to go,stoped and put the anchor out and said lets fish. I opened the tackel box ,lit me a cigar,pull out a stick of dynomite,lit the fuse with my cigar, let it fly and BOOOOOOOOOM!!!!! the water boils and fish float up to my net. Now thats fishing!!!!!. Well I,ll be damned if that ungratefull warden did,nt make a stink.He pulled out this thick book, and then made a comment about hoping he would,nt get writers cramp and comenced writing down numbers and mummbling stuff,the poor boys blood preasure going though the roof. So I just lit one more TNT sticks and handed it to the lad and asked him in the most polite voice ARE YOU GOING TO FISH OR ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP WRITING? We,ll you know I never saw that lad again, he probably liked my fishing technic and decided to show his fellow wardens how to do it,would,nt you agree. Oh by the way who wants to go in the morning ,I got a xtra seat open, and a bounch of new lures to try you,ll get a bang out of Em!!!!!.

Funny! Can you tell it’s mid January…..

I agree 100% with Dustin.

The thing I like to do when this happens is SLOW way down and pull rigs on any current breaks or pitch jigs shallow to rocks and timber

Nate Cadwell

THIS MY FIRST TIME ON THIS FORUM. I’M A NOVICE WITH THIS COMPUTOR, SO I HOPE THIS WORKS! I AM THE 599TH MEMBER AND HAVE BEEN READING WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN WRITING WITH ALOT OF INTEREST. ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN THE REDWING AREA, AS I AND FIVE OF MY BUDDIES ARE HEADED UP THE 27TH – THE 29TH. STAYING AT EVERT’S RESORT. LIKE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT WHATS GOING ON UP THERE?