Spending some time this past week on Pool 2 has shown its ups and down again as far as consistent results. The lowlight periods of the day continue to be the best time to take advantage of the shallow active pitching bite. Water clarity is extremely clear right now and the fish have been responding accordingly by moving deeper as the sun gets higher in the sky.
My plan of attack for the last couple trips has not changed much as far as specific features on the river to target. Wingdams, sand flats, rip-rap and channel edges has all shown potential for producing some quality fish, however depths have changed a bit as of late for my boat. Finding fish shallow overall has been very inconsistent, so taking my offerings a bit deeper has proved to be rewarding. Instead of searching for those 3-8 foot of water fish, I have shifted to areas where shallow feeding shelves are adjacent to deep water edges. Fishing these edges has produced more fish in the 10-16 foot areas than anywhere else.
My presentation has still remained the same for pitching light jig/plastic combinations. Light 1/8th-3/16th oz BFT Precision jig rigged with YUM 4” Ribworm in the cotton candy color has been my best combo for the last several trips. This color has quickly become my go to favorite for coaxing clear cold water neutral fish into biting. Fishing this light of a jig relies on a large portion of patience because it requires you to fish slowly. Definitely not a search tool, but once you have located a particular spot that appears to show some potential, take the time to fish it thoroughly. This patient approach has shown me that sluggish walleyes will take a risk and give their way to a slow methodical moving plastic through their front door. This approach that I mentioned above has proved successful for me for better than average fish. Not a lot of numbers, but the size has rewarded me.
A little update on the ramp situation as of late, 494 ramp is completely ice-free on both ramps and bigger boats have been launching here without any problems. I took part of the morning on Sunday morning and ventured south past the St. Paul Park ramp (Lion’s Levee Park) looks to be ice-free as well. I have not launched here at all lately, but from a initial glance, the ramps and channel looks to be good to go! My next couple trips will be concentrating on the upper section of Pool 2. Hope everyone has given in to the cabin fever and dug that boat out of storage and get down to the Mississippi River to experience some late winter/early spring angling!
Steve- when fishing these shelves you talk about, typically how far from the bank are you talking before it drops to deeper water? I assume if the shelf is wider from bank, it would be better or am I wrong and it doesn’t matter? By the way, those are nice fish. thanks–John
I have a good idea of fishing wingdams, but I also have the same question- how does your approach to fishing sandflats differ. What do you look at when looking for the best flat. Do you anchor up? I would expect that fishing flats would also provide more of a mixed bag of sauger and walleye. Any other suggestions, etc.
Thanks
I could be wrong, but from Sheppard Road Lilydale looks open as well. It hasnt been plowed and I dont think anyone has launched there, but I cant see any ice.
Hey Steve-when you say upper, do you mean above the confluence? I have tried this area a little prior to high water and have always found it real hit or miss (like 1 trip out of 4 or 5 -but great results when I find them). Are you able to consisantly find fish up there this time of year?
I was down at the Lilydale ramp this a.m. and it is still a little rugged. There is a little lip at the end of the ramp and the ramp itself is very icey. Its awfully close. But it would take 4-wheel drive to launch there now and it still might be a little tough getting out.
dd
WOW, great report and Pic’s Steve.
John R/Professor,
Some of the areas that produced fish for me this past weekend were simply flat areas or edges that are adjacent to the main flow of current and have deep water nearby. The flat area itself varied and topped out at depths from 8-15 feet deep. I found most off my fish right on the edge or drop of these structure pieces. Unfortunately the fish were not stacked up in these areas like I had hoped. A fish here and there was all I could muster on these structures. But definately enough to raise my interest in pursueing these areas for future. These areas are often located between wingdams, where sand and silt get washed away and settled down river a bit.
Make sense?
DaveB,
The areas I was thinking of re-visiting were areas from downtown St. Paul up to the confluence. Overall, I find myself spending very little time above the confluence every year. Usually the only time i escape up that way is when the Mn river lets loose and it get sooo muddy.
As for finding fish consistently, it has been hit or miss for me this time of year up that way, but thought I was due for a visit.
BTW…..Has the Mn river started to let loose already? I noticed the water clarity changed dramatically down south yesterday?
The MN river has been ice free for over a week. I havent been near the water, so I dont know if it is running fast and dirty. I just see it each day on my commute.
Steve, how do find the 494 ramp? Never fishing pool 2, but would like to give it a try soon and at least get my boat out.
Thanks
eyefishing,
THe 494 ramp is directly below the 494 bridge on the west side of the river. Harman Ave is the exit off of 494 here. TDepends on which direction you are coming from…(east or west) you will want to take the first road to the north of 494 bridge and follow this to the ramp. Its actually very easy to get.
Even with these slightly colder temps, the ramp should be in great shape.
Good luck getting the boat wet.
Great post Steve. I have had some limited success fishing the sand flat areas adjacent to the main channel as well. A slow approach is the only way to go.
See you on the water.
I fished out of the lilydale area a few times last march, my first times ever on pool 2. with the road construction on 494 I did not even want to try. I had fair success always boating a few walleye/sauger on each trip. Nothing huge , but a good brake from the hardwater. Seems like the 494 situation is better this year I will be making a trip there real soon. Thanks for the good reports Steve! Keep em coming they allow everyone who reads them a more efficient day on the water.
Lindy
http://www.fishthestcroix.com
In-Depthangling Field Staff
I was out last night for a brief trip and was really surprised at how high and muddy the river is compared to just one week ago. Between the wind and the current, areas that I had been fishing with 1/8 oz jigs required 1/4 and 5/16. Yuk! I had to move off those areas to find fish, and even then it was slow. Maybe if had fished longer I could have figured out a decent pattern, but the water condition was pretty discouraging. Maybe the day-bite will pick up as a result.
John
Just thought I would drop a little update on the status of the river and a little report as well.
Spent the last week on the water when weather was permittable and noticed early last week that the river was in the mix of a pretty substantial change. I come to find from a source that the Mn River let loose a couple weeks ago. Slowly but surely the river has started to cloud up a bit from the run-off and icedigging its way out of the river. So far the water clarity has dirtied up a bit from where we were a few weeks ago, but not too bad actually. We went from a 2-1/2-3 foot of clarity to about a foot currently. It seems to be holding at about a foot for the better part of a week now. This should promote a better day bite as John23 guessed, but so far its been pretty slow for me. I was able to scratch 5 fish yesterday probing the shallow water out of the current a bit. I suspect fishing will step up better as we see the better weather come. We are at that time of year where a little bit of sun and nice days can turn things around immediately….I hope so!
Water levels came up about 8″ in the last 2 weeks. Flow has increased from 5200cfs to 6300cfs in the last 2 weeks as well.
St. Paul Water Control Website
Any further update on the SPP ramp.
I might have to come up and see you guys one of these days.
Clarence,
I have not been to the ramp in a couple days now. I wil be there first thing Saturday morning. I believe John23 was there yesterday. Hopefully he will chime in here and give us an update!
Steve, Do you think with the darker water color we will see more wingdam action?
I’ll be down Satuday morning as well.
fish any time,
I am hoping to see a bit better day bite than I have seen over the last several weeks. This darker water usually promotes better feeding cycles by the walleye, especially if we get some sun. Over the years in cold water applications, I have seen a much better day bite with dirty water if the sun decides to come out and shine! Hopefully, we will see this take place this Saturday! Sun or no sun, I will be there giving it an old college try!