The walleye fishing on pool 4 has still remained slow for big numbers of fish but the quality is still very good. I am still focusing on shallow rocky areas casting cranks and casting hair jigs. The last two trips I have had on the river casting cranks has out produced the jigs for me. With the high winds I was faced with on the last couple of outings jigs did not get a real fair go of it. Best cranks overall have been #7 shad raps in fire tiger and blue & silver patterns. #5 RS shad raps in the same patterns have been effective as well.
There has been a fairly decent trolling bite at the head of the lake on the buoy line from what I have been told, most of the catch has been some of those big saugers. I have not pulled off some of the bigger fish areas to check this bite out. Crappies have been very active along the rip rap banks of Lake Pepin as well. I am still seeing the occasional bruiser smallmouth or largemouth while casting up shallow, sorry no pictures of the bass.
Some anglers have been testing the sauger bite in the dam area with poor results. Look for the saugers to show up very soon. We usually start to see them show up at the end of Sept to the 1st week in Oct.
Yesterday I shared my boat with Pat, Jon and Tim. Walleye fishing was very slow but we did manage to get some quality fish in the boat. Pat and Tim are pictured here with their best fish of the day. Both these fish were caught casting cranks. Thanks for spending a day in my boat guys. I look forward to doing it again.
The other 2 big fish pictured in my report are from last Sunday I shared my boat with neighbor and river rat buddy Randy Stevens. Randy and I had a slow day as well for numbers of eyes but a couple of big fish like these is all we were after.
Not much else to report on. Not much has changed since my last report a week ago.
This will be my last report on the river until late October. I am off to Mille Lacs on October 7th for a week straight 
See ya’ on the water 
Nice fishies Dustin.
Sure gets a guy excited for the upcoming fall and winter Pool 4 bonanza.
Are you going to get a chance to fish Mille Lacs this fall?
Thanks Dustin! I have not been on the water in over a month, and I at least get to see some great fish on your report.
I’ve got a game plan now. Casting cranks should be working well here as well…I hope. Our water temp is just a little above yours from what I’ve heard. Are these fish on sharp dropping rock to deep water, or on shallow shelves?
Good luck on the Pond!
Nice fish Dusty. Thanks for the report and pics.
Thanks, Bill
John,
All areas I have been targeting are shallow shelves. I have not targeted any of the steep and deep rip rap areas.
Jason,
Yes I will
. I am heading up on the 7th and will fish until the 14th or 15th 
Great, see you up there, but only 3 nights for me.
Maybe I can swing a week next year.
Hey Dustin!
Are all the IDA Guides headquartering out of Hunter’s? Just wondering if I get up in that area in the next couple of weeks.
I got a 21″ yesterday on a chartreuse/pepper paddletail on that wingdam you and Marty like so much. Otherwise pretty slow on 3. Good luck on the pond sir!
Joel
Joel,
I will be launching out of the west side. Garrison and the casino landing for the most part, depending on wind direction.
If you guys see me out and about give me a shout
Dustin,
NICE river report,
AND best of luck up north, hope to see you up there.
Jack..
Dustin,
Thanks for the report and the pics! You still have the knack. Glad to see you and Randy still have the magic too. The last couple of months have been nuts, I’ve got to get the boat out (dust off the cobwebs) and as usual your report helps keep me going.
Good luck on Mille Lacs!
dave