Has anyone been getting eyes above the confluence recently? In prior years, they would be on a tear right now with some decent numbers of bigger fish, but I am only getting 1-2 per outing.
The smallies are plentiful and running much bigger than prior years. White bass are also hitting and running very large.
So, I am not complaining about the action, but I am not seeing the typical bite.
The reason I am a bit concerned was that the last few years have been slower than the early 2000s.
I wonder if it could be related to the “catch and no-release” that seems to take place so much up there?
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I wonder if it could be related to the “catch and no-release” that seems to take place so much up there?
My thoughts exactly!
-J.
Does this happen much? SHore fishing or boats. I have never noticed it but I usually do not fish much past the confluence and am always fishing from a boat. I have noticed the lack of size this year also. It seems that the flood has changed the point of the confluence and it does not seem to hold as many fish
I’d guess that the catch and no-release is hurting, but I’d also guess that some of the trolling runs/best areas changed with the floods. Both good points.
What are you guys saying? 
I’ve been out three times in the past 2 weeks and got 10-15 eyes total. White bass were way more active. Nothing over 20″ on the eyes and most were under 14″ so yes I agree they seem to be running small but the numbers have been o.k.
I don’t think poaching is at all to blame for the lack of fish or bigger fish in the upper pool. I thinks it’s more structure and forage base related.
I think the main reason along with the obvious structure deficiency’s the area has compared to other sections of the River is Minnehaha Creek.
The Dam on Tonka has been closed for the most part in recent years thus turning the Creek into a back water or even a dry creek bed for the most part.
When the Creek is flowing which has been rare in recent years the fishing is much better. I just don’t see the bait fish up the creek like we used to and add in the recent so called up grade “construction” to the creek with the elimination of the DEEP hole and rock WALL we just don’t have the fish spawning or traveling to eat up there like we used to.
Still some nice fish to be had in area by the Dam but timing seems to play a bigger role in how that goes.
I’ve been down south almost exclusively of late, and the fish #’s and sizes seem to be very good there.
dd
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