The big walleyes are on the prowl right now on Pool 2. Plenty of big fish catches going on up and down the river for the anglers pitching jigs shallow. The river continues to get back in shape from our high water period that we had nearly 2 months ago. It appears to be almost in typical November conditions. The fish we are catching now are still a bit in transition. We are just starting to see the good numbers of fish bunching up on a few particular spots. But now is the time to run and gun if you want to up your overall days catch.
I spent the weekend on Pool 2 once again chasing those big beautiful walleyes that we long after this time of year. Pitching jigs to the wingdams was my target approach once again as it is most outings this time of year. My last week’s report indicated that we were catching fish on the ends of the dams with 5/16th and 3/8th oz jigs. Well, this weekend I could not buy more than a couple fish off the ends…. Go figure! The fish had shifted a bit more inside for the spots that I fished all weekend. Saturday’s fishing was down right slow in the late morning hours until I finally made the adjustment that I needed to make. I lightened up my approach considerably and went shallower and got bit immediately. I wish I would have made that adjustment earlier in the day on Saturday. By days end we ended with nearly 25 fish.
Sunday morning Dustin Stewart and I got on the water and immediately went shallower from my findings on the day prior. The fish responded right off the bat with a bunch of nice 19-23 inch fish taking their turns on a 1/8th and 3/16th oz BFT’s Precision Jigs coupled with various plastic combinations, Ringworms, Croaker tails, paddle tails ,etc…
Finding more than 4 fish per spot was a struggle all day unless you were willing to spend a lot of time on one spot. So we opted to stay on the move and got bit with in 10 minutes of pulling into a new spot. Each spot gave up 1-4 fish and the new needed o pick up and keep moving. The big fish were on the chew once again! Dustin and I tallied the day with about 25 fish once again and plenty of big fish to boot. Our 4 big fish were all over the 8# mark including 2 that were well over the 9#. We lost a few fish through the day that felt really big……I know they all do when you lose them, but would of liked to at least get a looksie!
Look for the these fish to continue to school up more and more as the water temps progress cooler. This is big fish time on Pool 2 if you are willing to stay persistent and go shallow. Our best depths where we pulled our fish were 3-6 foot of water for the big fish and a bit deeper for the smaller fish. Stay on the move if you want to up your odds a bit is my suggestion for a good day’s catch and remember the spots where you caught fish and revisit them later in the day. Fish on wingdams are continuously roaming and timing can sometimes be classified as a stroke of fate, but once you gain confidence in your pursuit, your day will be filled with anticipation….and most day’s a good fish to boot! I noticed a fair amount of angler traffic on Saturday; I hope everyone got into a good fish or two!
I still do have some remaining openings for the rest of the month if anyone is interested in tangling with these beauties!
I was out with Mike C. (Alvinmack5) in his RiverPro on Saturday morning for a few hours and though we found a few fish early in our day it was near impossible for us to keep them on! I did put one good fish (26″ or so) in the boat eventually, but it still wasn’t hooked that well and it was the only big one we got. Short-strikes on plastics: not cool, walleyes!
Quite a few boats out on Saturday! I think people are going to have to start drawing numbers for the wingdams…
WHere is everyone putting in at now? I assume nothing is open below the 494 bridge.
Steve,
Thanks for allowing me to spend a day in your boat again
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Anyone looking to get in on the great pool 2 action should get in touch with Steve. He knows the wingdams in this pool very well. And beleive it or not……the best is yet to come. The water temps are still hovering around the 50 degree mark. Those big fish have not tightly schooled yet for the fall/early winter feeding frenzy.
Steve, what was the best big fish bait yesterday……….
? Tought we had a picture of it hanging in the mouth of one of those hogs but can’t seem to remember for sure 
Steve, nice fish even allowing for Dustin’s 4ft arm length
. I debated all weekend whether it was going to be 2 or 4. Coin flip said 4. Need a new coin. Thanks for the report and I might see you out there this weekend.
Steve;
I really enjoyed hoping in the boat with ya Saturday morning!
Also, tell Tony I said thanks again for bringing us burgers!!!
Sorry Dustin….me no comprendo! JK
Yes….Dustin pulled his big fish on the new BFT paddletail! Got to admit, the plastic has got a neat subtle action….and for awhile it was the best thing going!
Here is a pic of Dustin holding one of his big fish that he stuck on a paddletail. Nice fish buddy!
Gary,
I enjoyed it as well! I wish I would have made the adjustments earlier when you and I were struggling in the late morning hours…..Next time buddy!
Here is another that Dustin “Way Cool” Stewart pulled on a paddletail!
Here is another fish that inhaled a Croaker tail!
Schmidtty,
THe 494 public access is open as well as the Lion’s Levee park south of 494 about 2 miles on the east side of the river. The Lilydale ramp is also a good option for fishing the upper streches.
Here is another picture of Shane Novotny of Blaine, Mn with his 29″ brute that hit the scales at over 10#. Nice fish Shane! This one hit a 3-1/2″ Chartruese Croaker Tail on a BFT Precision jig!
I am “way cool” aint I…..
. Thanks again Steve 
. Is there any camp grounds up that way? Might have to up and move my camper to that end of the mighty Miss 
Sure beats catching 30 plus 15″ to 20″ sauger on pool 4 right now 
That oyster shell paddle tail was my best bait on Saturdays pool 4 guide trip as well. Granted, most of our catch was those “trip saving saugers”,got to love them for that……. and only that, but those paddle tails worked some magic.
How do you get to the 494 ramp,Stuart and I want to fish pool 2 for the first time(for me)and I have no Idea how to get to that ramp.Ive been by there a few times but couldnt find it.
Doesn’t anyone go deer hunting anymore, I couldn’t believe all of the people out. I managed 5, nothing over 20, I couldn’t get anything consistent going, alot of running and gunning. I’m getting the shallow pitching dialed in, ticking rocks but not to many snags. I am going to watch the sun come up on pool 2 friday morning, see you out there.
All the people out? What the? I only saw 7 other boats out there on Sunday and 2 of them were duck hunters I beleive.
You pool 2 guys want to see boat traffic hit pool 4 
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Awesome job Steve and Dustin. You just have to love how fat those fish are right now. It’s amazing. We landed a 29 1/2″ this weekend that looked like it swallowed a football. Pool 2 is definately turning into my favorite waters to fish. I’ll be down a couple of days at the end of the week, maybe see ya down there.
Derek W.
Hey Dustin,
Ya us pool 2 guys are spoiled. I launched monday morning at the 494 ramp. I was the only one there. During my day, I motored by the Levee Park ramp and didn’t see a single trailer parked there. I got off the water by 11:30 and there were two or three trailers in the lot. Never did see anybody else on the water. Congrats on a succesful day on the water.
Good fishn to ya!
John, we went fishing with jarrad a few years ago and the trick to those short strikes is a stinger hook. He uses a no.4 or 6 treble with a short length of mono with a loop in the other end dipped in liquid plastic that he slips over the hook of the jig. The day we fished with him we were getting alot of short strikes, then he said use these and then we got about half our sets on the stinger. Try them for short strikers, i’ve got too tie some up soon too.
How about those directions.
494 Ramp directions;
The ramp is directly below the 494 bridge on the west side of the river in South St. Paul. Hardman Ave is closed, so Concord Ave is the exit to use. All you have to do is drive towards the bridge. There is bridge construction going on now, but there is a opening for through traffic.
Hardman is open if you’re coming from the West (eastbound) on 494. Westbound 494 Hardman exit is closed, so you’ll have to take Concord from that direction.
Steve,
Those are some awesome Walleyes.
Congrats..
What are some of those fish tapeing out at??? 30″-31″??
Jack..
Thanks Jack.
These fish pictured here are 28″ to just under 29″ fish.