Troy-My one complaint against the Yamaha 4-strokes. What I did was bought a 12-volt pump that you stick a tube down the dipstick area (remove the dipstick) and it pumps it out real good. The only problem I see is that you are not guaranteed to get 100% of the used oil out. You can buy one of these at Cabela’s or Bass Pro.
Hope that helps. Otherwise you just have to try and catch it best you can without spilling-difficult as I’m sure you’ve found.
Randy
Gentlemen-I’m happy to report the plastics bite works great-unhappy to say that was 2-3 weeks ago for me. I was doing real well on the upper portions of pool 2 on 4 and 5 inch plastics before the water got super low. They were nice fish as well. Each trip boated at least one walleye that would go 5.5 lbs. The largest one was 6.5 lbs. Then, when the flow was ultra slow, the plastic bite petered out. The last two times down (Sunday was the most recent) I could only manage one ‘eye on plastics. Now bombers, on the other hand……
It sure was fun feeling that unforgetable thump when the walleye hit. Just a prelude of what’s to come.
Randy
Inge-If you’re interested, Stange had an article in the January issue that was specific to jigs, plastics, and rivers. I did read the February article but you may find the January article interesting as it relates to rivers only.
Gentlemen-I read the article and found it to be full of great tidbits. I’ve used plastics shallow as have most on this subject and had success. What Stange was saying was there are times when the fish are a bit deeper and one should continue to fish with platics but do so with a larger jighead in deeper water. He made a point to say that you’re fishing from an anchored position, from the back of the boat, casting at a 30 degree angle. From there let the jig find bottom, sweep it across until it’s straight out the back of the boat. At that point, you swim it back to the boat very close to the bottom. It’s really a spin off of the shallow water 1/8 oz. method already used. He made mention of the fact that if you cast too far upstream (much more than a 30 degree angle) and let the jig hit bottom, it’s just too fast for the ‘eyes and not very natural looking. Just like the shallow water method, his point is to keep the bait in front of the fish as long and as naturally as you can and the weight doesn’t matter to the walleye. I’ll be trying it. And if that doesn’t work I’ll be pitching up on shore with my 3/16 or 1/8 oz. jig and plastic.
Thanks for the post DeeZee. Glad to hear the fishery will stay as is. It’s a great place with very few people due to its catch and release status.
Fishhunter-I had a replica made of a walleye in 1991. Still looks brand new today. I’d recommend Tom’s Taxidermy in Clarks Grove, Mn. 507-256-4134. Don’t know what his smallies look like but I loved the paint job on the walleye.
Was out on Tuesday on pool 2 as well. Fished early a.m. and had great success. Anywhere along the rock shorelines where the current is fairly slow is a bonanza. If you troll where the water’s moving rather quickly you’ll not have much luck. Pool 2 rocks!
Fellas-Can’t help but chime in here. I’d agree that pool 2 is about as good as it gets. There could be an argument that a couple other fisheries can compete with pool 2 but I’d take pool 2. You don’t have to drive five hours to catch numbers of quality walleyes/saugers. The bite has been up and down on pool 2 but I do not question the number of walleyes in the water. The “poor” fishing at times can be attributed to the incredible amount of baitfish. If you’ve spent plenty of time down there you’ve seen the hoardes of baitfish cruising. If you’ve ever been around there near sunrise you’ve seen the surface exploid as the smallies and whities feast. Also, in May and June, before the baitfish become bite sized the fishing is tops. Then, every year, it slows a bit. Those walleyes have so much to eat it becomes more difficult to talk them into our baits. And the other thing, you don’t have to worry about too many fishermen there as the catch and release rules scare most off. Fine by me.
I was on Mille Lacs Friday night when a bad storm approached. We were watching lightning far, far north when all of a sudden a small, dark cloud a couple of miles produced a bolt of lightning. Surprise the heck out of us and we were off the water in a minute. I was very surprised at the number of boats that didn’t get off of the water. Mother Nature is not to be messed with-especially on the big pond.
JCAM-Both great stretches of water. Don’t know if you’re focusing more on walleyes or smallies. The stretch above the Coon River dam is better suited for smallies. You can put in just south of Anoka on the west side of the river just off of 169. There’s a park there and you’ll have to pay a couple of bucks to put in. The water directly in front of the landing is good as is the other side near the mouth of the Rum River. Pull crawdad colored cranks (#5’s or floating stick baits work well) in 4-10 ft. of water. Smallie action is good with some big ones present. You may catch an occassional walleye too.
The stretch of water you mentioned in pool 2 can be accessed in St. Paul at Hidden Falls park. It’s located just south of the Ford Plant. It’s a free landing and is one of the best stretches of walleye water around. It’s 100% catch and release. Pull firetiger crankbaits (#5’s or 7’s) along the shoreline and hang on. The bite is very strong right now. Focus on 4-10 ft. again. Plastics work great up on the shorelines at lowlight hours. Throw a 1/8 oz. jig with a 4 inch plastic worm and hang on. That technique slows during the day but is deadly in 1-5 ft. of water in the a.m. and evening.
You are on the right track with those two stretches of the river.
Good luck.
Can’t help but respond to this interesting topic. The fact that this conversation is taking place on a public forum is evidence to the strides walleye fisherman have made in protecting their resource. 20 years ago this wasn’t a topic of discussion. Are there game hawgs out there? Yes, of course, but we’ve come a long ways and we’re pointed in the right direction. My father’s generation (he’d be approaching 70 if he were alive) fished to feed the family-everything was kept even if a limit was still in the cooler. We still have some of that but, in general, we’ve learned what overharvest can do and what putting fish back can do to a fishery. You don’t have to look hard to see the positive effects of regulations. The Mississippi, Mille Lacs, Rainy Lake, Kabatogama, Rainy River….The bottom line is we’re getting smarter and forums like this help educate anglers. Halvy
Panny-I don’t know specifically where you’re are talking about but can share my experiences. I’ve had much success catching quality ‘eyes in the spring in the areas where all the rough fish congregate. Generally, after the water rises, many fish will move back into the backwaters to avoid the current. The big females will hand right in there with the rough fish. I assume the backwaters you mentioned doesn’t have a lot of current. Give that another try this spring. Standard jig and minnow should suffice. Go as light as you can get by with in terms of jig weight. I often slip down to 1/16th. Don’t be turned off by the water getting a bit cloudy. Actually, that’s when it really turns on.
Good luck.
Gundy-I’ve had such horrible luck with factory trailer tires that I just spend the money and buy 13 inch steel belted radials. You wouldn’t have to if you put “normal” mileage on your trailer. I put many more on than that so I just go with a tire I know can take it. Certainly you can get by with a lower grade (40,000-50,000 mile) tire. I feel it’s worth it. My experience tells me that standard trailer tires don’t last.
Was out Monday. Nada! Fished 3.5 hours and didn’t get a smack. Tried about all I know.
Was out for 3.5 hours on Monday. Nada! Tried everything. Can’t be long, however. Great to get out and make sure all equipment is in working order.
Tom’s Taxidermy in Clark’s Grove, Mn. is the best graphite replica man I know. I had a nice graphite done way back in the early 90’s. Still picturesque today. Looks brand new. You’d have to check out his non-graphite jobs but based on his painting ability I’d recommend him.
Can’t help but to chime in here. It is hard to swallow when you see nice fish (18+) being filleted. I’ll remind all that we’ve come along way on this topic. Many generations took what they could-whether they needed the meat or not. I grew up in a household where the cooler was filled when the situation presented itself. I learned from it and now keep only what I can eat without freezing fish. My point is that we can only set an example to do what we feel is right. It’s catching on and it’s working. Look at Mille Lacs (what a great fishery). Look at the Rainy River, Rainy Lake, LOW, Pool 2….it continues. Selective harvest is more and more the excepted way of fishermen. Does everyone do it? No. We are, however; making big strides. We’re getting smarter and smarter about conservation. We enjoy some of the best walleye fishing in the world (and it’s not just walleyes) and more and more people are seeing the benefit of selective harvest.
It’s happened to me as well. Not a good feeling coming off the water and seeing that. I’ve resorted to paying at Eddy’s and boating. More of a hassle but what do you do. Sorry to hear of your situation. I guess it’s not uncommon to have vehicles AND trailers disappear. Ugh! T
It was a pleasure trip with my family. Didn’t do enough fishing to say. It was killing me not to troll for an extended period. Had a great time with the family. They love the sandy shores.
Best rainwear I’ve owned is by ProRanier. I bought it at Reed’s in Walker. It was about $150 total for top and coveralls. It’s been great. I use it during rain, snow, and as a windbreak. Highly recommended. Halvy
DaveB-Were you out last Wednesday p.m. trolling around the island below the dam? Halvy
Thanks. Spent some time fishing the Mississippi near Grand Rapids during the dog days last summer. Wonderful walleye fishery.
Leadhead-How long of a float (canoe) is it from Clearwater to Monticello, say the landing just below the power plant? Thanks. Randy
DeeZee-What size boat is appropriate at that Clearwater landing? Halvy
The debate on whether the fish are good for the body or not is nice talk, however; the fact that the fishing is excellent can be attributed to the catch and release regs. It’s a beatiful thing.
I’d agree that below the Mn. things get much worse with the quality of the water. I really think the Mighty Miss. above the Mn. confluence is pretty healthy.
Who knows about all tha? I’m going fishing. Halvy
Amen to catch and release, RiverEyes. One of the best fisheries in the state. Wouldn’t want to eat them out of there anyway, why not make it a trophy fishery. Halvy
Vern-No bottom bouncers. #5 and #7 raps should get you to the bottom easily in 8-12 ft. Didn’t try trolling downstream too much. I’m sure it works, it’s just more difficult when snagged. You’re going so fast that it’s a lot of work to stop your forward momentum quickly. I can’t recall a fish caught trolling downstream but there wasn’t much of an effort.
DaveB-Fished Pool 2 on Saturday (7th). Fishing was excellent. Put in at Hidden Falls and conditions were very good. The water levels are approaching normal and may very well be normal by now. On Saturday the levels were 1.5-2 ft. high. Water clarity pretty good-especially above the Mn. River.
Pulling cranks was the way to go. Nearly anything worked. Depending on depth a number 5 or 7 shad rap worked best. Color didn’t seem to matter much. We focused on 8-12 ft. of water with the shorline side pulling a 5 and the channel side person pulling a 7. Catch of the day was a 9.25 lb. brute. Smallie action was excellent as well. Middle of the day proved a bit slower than the morning but the bite never died completely. Focus on the rock shorelines and the sand shorelines. Bridges were productive as well. Get down there asap!!! RH
