Stonewall Christopher Keim wrote:

You are my hero! Still 7 left after I just got one. I searched for HOURS! Thank you so much!

Only 6 left now. Just ordered mine. Hope shipping is quick.

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Lot of good info. I appreciate it!

Greenhorn wrote:

If you want good smallmouth action, check out the Mississippi up in the Monticello area. The nuclear plant dumps warm water all year and the fish congregate in that couple mile stretch of river. It’s a very popular stretch on those weekends it gets above freezing in the winter, but the action and size of fish can be awesome if the fish aren’t too spooked.

Thanks so much for the info. I’ll definitely try that out!

What kind of anchor do you use? I had a good friend a few years back on the TN River that had a tragic accident. They were just above the dam and the big motor broke down and the trolling motor wasn’t strong enough to move through the current and unfortunately they either didn’t have an anchor or it wouldn’t hold the boat and it ended up being a very tragic ending. I would want to make sure I had an anchor that would hold no matter what.

eyeguy507 wrote:

the river can be intimidating but pick a day outside a weekend and you will have the river mostly to yourself to figure out. I do this in spring and fall because I hate traffic on the water so i take days off work that are cold and rainy and that usually takes care of the crowds. there is a lot of shoreline along the river but getting to it can be a challenge. I’m on P4 and if i was going to find a shore spot on P4, I would go to Hoksila park on that beach and toss out a float with a big minnow or creek chub at dusk. super sharp break into deep water and there is so much bait that there has to be predator fish in there non stop. its Pepin and not the river but walleye are in the lake and the river year round.

biggill wrote:

Whereabouts do you live? There’s really no need to travel long distances on the Mississippi to find good shore fishing areas. I know some places in the Coon Rapids area if you are near there.

I’m not far from Coon Rapids. I’m in Maple Grove. Thanks!

I accidentally posted this twice. Sorry. I’m new and still learning the ropes