Mississippi River Pool 2 Walleye report 5-9-08

The walleye bite here on Pool 2 this week has absolutely exploded with big fish making its way to the boat. The spring post spawn feedbag has been switched on in major fashion. Instead of a typical spring of a gradual bite increasingly getting better and better, the bite is red hot right out of t he gate. I think this might have a lot to do with the gradual spring thaw we had and a lot of walleyes spawned within a close period of one another and now they have regained composure and beginning to eat.

It’s been a few weeks since my last fishing report as I have been spending a fair amount of time chasing springtime lake crappies with my 5 yr old son. Time well spent in my mind without a doubt as I get more joy out of him catching fish as he does actually catching them. I guess that’s what being a proud parent is all about?

I have been dropping down to Pool 2 about once or twice a week over the last few weeks anticipating the bite to be further along then it was to no avail…until this week. With water levels high and quick currents, the walleyes have been in some pretty predictable spring locations. Main channel current breaks as well as entrances to backwater cuts have been the most productive this week for me. Current seams that has shallow sand/gravel next to quicker deep water has been the best it seems. With as many fish piled into these areas right now, if you do not get bit within 15-20 minutes it seems best to keep on moving to the next spot until you make contact with the fish. Although I have not had a chance to check out the main channel wingdams, they appear to have too much current on them for the time being. With water temps in the mid 50’s right now I think this switch could be flipped on once water levels drop a bit.

Although I have been mainly pitching 5/16th oz Jimmy D’s yellow/chartreuse Weenie jigs, I have also been throwing a fair amount of crankbaits to these areas and each outing appears to be getting better and better. I think this weekend could be a real start to the trolling or pitching crankbait bite that takes place every spring here on Pool 2. BFT Tackles ringworms and blade baits have all taken fish for me this week thus far, but the best producer for my boat has been the Weenie jigs.

The last several outings have given up between 20-30 fish per 4 hour outings and most all of those fish have been between 23”-29”. I tell you what, when you can get into that kind of quality fish …..Its about as good as it gets. I think the next several weeks should be real good outings.

Some anglers have expressed a little intimidation when it comes to high water spring river water levels and all I can say is that if you take small chunks of water and concentrate on these areas and fish areas thoroughly, you will run into a mess of fish sooner than later rather than running up and down the river in search of that special spot. Even after the years I have been fishing Pool 2, I still find real good spots real close to the boat ramps that I have often overlooked for many years. Some spots will certainly give up more fish potential than others, but rest assured that one little spot may have a shot at producing a fish of a lifetime. Until then, I wish everyone a productive and safe Mn fishing opener and I will have a more detailed report up next week!