The mighty Mississippi River is full of surprises. Some of the biggest fish can be caught on this river system. It’s really a matter of when and how big. Even some of the most annoying fish in the river can be fun for some people. Especially when it is a young whipper snapper. If you are one that hasn’t heard already, by him, on this side of the river, you will now.
Austin nailed this big sheephead while trolling Lake Pepin one afternoon. This fish came in at astounding weight of 14.9lbs. Needless to say, as much as these fish fight, he didn’t last long but made it quite obvious that it was still his fish.
What and how have we been doing otherwise? This river has seen some of its best fishing I have seen in year. We have been scattered out though out the year on different pools. The best place for bigger fish the last couple of weeks has been pool 5A, Bass Camp
For numbers Lake Pepin is kicking a lot of good eaters right now. Best presentation for us on the lake has been finding drop back and funneling areas from the upper river. Trolling #5 shad raps in almost any bright color, as had the best success. Speeds on the other hand have been almost 3 MPH. With the warming water temps look for these speeds to even increase in my boat. Am I nuts with these speeds? Well, if you ask my wife I am always nuts. However, the faster speeds have been putting the better fish in the boat. The best depth for me this last weekend was 6-9’ of water. Saturday seen over 25 walleyes make it to the boat along with over abundance number of stripers. Sunday with the cold front our numbers dropped drastically. Look for the Lake this weekend to be in great shape. Best advice is to find the windblown shoreline and work that area.
As I mentioned earlier Pool 5A has been good the last couple of weeks. My ol man has been working that Pool almost every other day with good results. Here is my dad’s girlfriend with a couple of Pool 5A walleyes she nailed. Don’t tell anyone…She’s actually out fishing the ol man…SHH! Wingdams have been the place to be with the water dropping. Wingdams just out of the main current and next to side cuts from backwaters have been the best producers. Live bait on river rig, crank baits, and BFNT Ringworms have been the best presentation. With the water dropping almost .4 of a foot a day look for the wingies to really get “Cranking”.Here is Dave Hamre is a couple of Pool 5A Walleyes.
Hey Jarrad Nice report.
Wow Austin nice sheepie. You just joined the 10lb plus club.
My nephew Mike will be here next week he will like seeing that those big sheepies are ready for battle.
Take care hope to see you on the water.
Nice report, appreciate it. Was going to hire you for a guide last year, but Randy at the bait shop was less the helpful.
Anyway, time permitting I will try and get a hold of you this year for anything but the Pepin pool.
Best Regards,
Chuck
[email protected]
Great fish Austin!!! Looks like you show people a really good time Jarrad! Nice walleyes!!!
How big is the eye in the upper left Jarrad??
Great report.
That is one monster sheepie
I never did weigh the fish but looked near 10#’s.
Here is an illustration that may help. When Water is high the first wingdam will still hold fish. However look to the inner side of it. As you move down the river to the next dams, walleyes will start moving out further, since the current slowed on the next.
Slides taken from my Wingdan Seminar Powerpoint.
#2
Look for blowout to catch fish. Anchor on the upside of the blowout. Sweep bait into the hole naturally and set the hook.
Hope that file worked out for you.
Warren
Those are great illustrations!
Your slide are really helpful, I tend to be a visual learned, when I see something I can make more sense of the information which of course makes it more usable. I have will have to spend mroe time looking for “blowouts”, this one is a new concept.
Thanks
Thanks for the report Jarrad! I can’t wait for the flow to subside down here a little more, seems like she’s been ripping for months! Gotta get out and fish some wingdams if/when she slows down.
That sheepie looks almost as big as some you and Tony trolled up down here! Wow, lot of fight for a little tyke!
looking for some good advice, heading to lake pepin for the first time this weds the 31 st and was hoping someone could tell me where to launch at and where to start troling for eyes,im coming down hwy 63 from wis heading into redwing,any info will be appreicated..thanks