Super slow with a deep diver.If it isn’t ticking bottom all the time, the current is too fast or you need to switch to a different lure that will get down there. Went out this morning with a friend. Water temp yesterday in the morning was 75 degrees. This morning at 8:30 it was 77. By the time we left at 12:30 it hit 79. Only scratched out a few fish in spots that were gangbusters a few days ago.
It is time to fish slow and deep,(15 – 16 fow) following the counters with a 3 oz bottom bouncer with a crawler and spinner. Not my favorite technique, but it has been my go-to when the water temp hits 80.
Good Luck

Current seams close to deeper water. Also snake trolling from 15 fow up to 11 fow.

Hidden Falls is open. Water about 1/3 up the ramp. Fish are hungry.

Hidden Falls north gate closed!
Just hiked down there. Lots of trees and branches across the road going down. Anybody know the status of Lilidale? Not eager to launch out of 494 and head upriver with all the debris coming from the Minnesota.
Thanks

Hidden Falls 02/16/23
Ramp is driveable as is. About 5 inch drop from ice to concrete. Could be improved with a little spud bar work.
If you have a heavy rig, I would agree with Jim. Thanks for the clarification.I have a light 14 foot aluminum and AWD, so it works for me.

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Hidden Falls ramp on 2/13/23
Approximately a 30 yard ice shelf

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Is the 494 ramp open?
Thanks

Out today from 10:30 till 2:00. River high, fast and dirty. 33 degrees. Lots of fish still marking around confluence. No fish marking at the dam. River really rolling over the dam. Very little fishable water at the locks.Caught 1 sucker at the cut at the north end of pike island.

We were at the confluence from 10:30 until about 1:30 and saw 1 fish caught and it was a carp. Talked to a boat that was leaving as we were heading out. They said they caught 3 but had been there all morning. Lilydale was open and the sheriff was checking.

See photo. Lots of rigs in the lot, Haven’t seen any reports if anyone is actually doing anything.

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Doesn’t look good 02/23/2021

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Hidden Falls access should be open in a few days. You can see the open water patches in the ice shelf.

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Welcome Hunter,
Well some of the safety concerns depend on which part of pool 2 you are talking about and others apply to the whole stretch.
1. As soon as the ramps, (Hidden Falls, 494 at this time of year), the biggest danger are ice chunks and ice sheets and logs).
2. As spring progresses, and the river floods, the current can be quite a challenge, especially the back current at Hidden Falls.Watergate Marina will be open by then, and the ramp is very sheltered. (At that point you could head to Pool 4 out of Red Wing to scratch the itch).

Wing dams:
There are no significant wing dams between the dam and the 35 E bridge. I am not that familiar down river from there.

Barges: There is barge traffic below the confluence with the Minnesota River. Something to be aware of.

I have found the vast majority of the fishing boats out on Pool 2 to be courteous and friendly. Since it is all catch and release for Walleye, Sauger and Smallmouth bass, I think are people are less territorial and proprietary about their spots. I am sure I missed some points, but others will probably chime in. Welcome and Good Luck!

Hidden Falls ramp has about 50 feet of an ice shelf. Ramp is usable.Main channel is open with ice shelves of 20 – 40 feet, to HWY 5 bridge.I will scope out from HWY 5 to the confluence and report back. Where are those crazy water skiers who opened it up last year??
River is open to Watergate. Could not see to the confluence.
Here is a photo of Hidden Falls ramp.

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Hello All,
I started fishing Pool 2 around 2011, I was walking my lab at the dog park across from Hidden Falls and watched a guy catch a few walleye trolling upstream from the culvert.I was intrigued and was “hooked”. I live in south Mpls, and can have the boat launched in 20 minutes from my house. I fish from whenever the ramps are open until mid August.(Fall is hunting season).
I am not a big fan of night fishing, so I leave all those big girls for you hard core river rats. I especially enjoy taking friends out and putting them on fish, especially on a warm spring or summer morning.

Out yesterday from 1:30 – 4:30. Fish are hungry. Caught Walleye, Sauger, Sheepies, and Pike. Current seams in slower water with cranks. My buddy caught this old battled scarred pike in 6 fow.

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Out today for a short time. Here are the conditions:
-Water is up to 10 feet from the top of the boat ramp at hidden falls.
-Island below the dam is about 3/4 under water.
-Water is churning with cross currents, upwelling etc., so hard to find a distinct current seam.
-Lots of slack water below the locks, but did not mark fish.
-Subject to change hourly.
Be careful.

I agree with the above posts. It is great you are cautious. I have run with an old 12 foot Alumacraft and a 9.9 Mercury for many years.(Fish don’t care what kind of boat you are fishing out of). I always wear my lifejacket. Make sure the boat is trim,(sandbags in the front if fishing alone), and make sure your motor is running right and is positioned on the transom correctly. (The anti-cavitation plate should be even with the bottom of the keel). Fishing out of Hidden Falls below the dam is probably your best option right now. Unfortunately, as of yesterday, the fish have not moved up there in any great numbers. Fishing from shore along the riprap below the lock is also an option. In addition, shore fishing below the old Fort Snelling can be productive as well. Hope this was helpful.

I do the same as Mike. Hidden Falls is a challenge anytime with the back current.
If you don’t motor on to your trailer, I have found it is a tad easier to land downstream and let the back current carry your boat back upstream to the trailer.
With the warm weather, it should be busy out there. Good Luck.

At the confluence from 9:00 am – noon. 5 boats, saw zero fish caught. Water temp 32.7 degrees. Big impassable ice jam just upstream of 35E bridge.

Hidden Falls was open yesterday, (after some work). Small ice shelf at the base of the ramp. River open to the confluence. Still large ice shelves extending from shore of Pike island. Water temp 32.5 degrees.

Good news is Hidden Falls ramp is open and the ice jam at the confluence is gone.
Bad news is that the remaining ice has narrowed the channel. Could not find a fish yesterday. Water temp is 33 degrees and gin clear.

Worked for an hour this morning with the water ski club to open hidden falls. Ran to the confluence, but there is an ice jam just upriver. Huge ice bergs busted loose from the shore from the skiing are piling up.When the ice jam breaks open, it should make navigating down river from the confluence interesting.

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I would be glads to help this morning, I don’t have a chainsaw but have an ice chisel. I Was planning to launch out of Lyons but would gladly meet there. PM if you can. It is 6:48 now.

Incredible!! You guys have got it dialed in down there. We are chasing hard water gators Might have to jump back to open water, and be humbled again by Ole Miss.

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Yes, I have healthy respect for the river. I have always had my best luck catching big fish in Feb and March fishing 11:00 AM to 1:00 pm on a sunny day.(Which is contrary to common belief). Having said that, expanding my fishing
“sweet spot” probably would be the smart thing.
Thanks for the advice.

Wow! Nice work!!
I may have to get over my hesitancy about fishing the river after dark.

Really nice! I was out midday for a few hours and saw one small one caught. (I am not one for night fishing the river.) The waves were brutal heading back to the ramp. Its hard water fishing time I guess.See you all in the spring.

Hello Mike,
I ran into you early last spring after you guys opened the 494 ramp. I was in that little 12 foot duck boat. Are you fishing above or below 494?
Thanks

Went up to the dam out of hidden falls this afternoon for a couple hours. Caught 1 small sauger in by the locks dragging a ringworm. Saw a couple of other boats come and go. With the water coming in strong around both sides of the island, the usual current seams are blown up. Didn’t have the time to get down river. Great afternoon to be out.