It sure is nice that a person does not need to travel very far from the Twin Cities to find quality walleye fishing. In fact a person does not even need to leave the cites to find this. The Mississippi river running rite threw the heart of the cities has all the fishing opportunities a true walleye enthusiast is looking for. Quality fish like the one pictured here are very common and to catch multiple fish like this on a single outing is very possible to.
As far as condition on the river go water levels have come up a little over the last week. Along with this there has been a drop in water clarity and increase in grass and leaves in the main channel. This can make fishing the main channel a little challenging but there are still nice walleyes to be had. This nice 29″er came of a main channel rock pile on a crank bait. She was hanging in there with a 27″er that I had taken on the cast before. It was a good way to start the morning.
Consistent walleye spots or patterns have been a little challenging to come by on the river this year. Most years there is always a spot or 2 that I can count on every trip for fish. This year it has been more jumping from one of my spots to the next checking where and what they may be feeding on for that day. As of late the hair jig bite and jig/crawler bite have been getting a little stronger. Casting and trolling crank baits are still good options to. Still can not say enough about BfishN H2O jigs and how well they hold a crawler cast after cast. Their Draggin jigs are very good at this to and work very well in the sticky areas and spots where you need to just crawl these bait across the bottom.
Sometimes its not just walleyes biting. Here is Joel with a nice crankbait flathead. A few days earlier he lost a much bigger one in the same area that hit a crank to.
The last few trips the numbers bite has been down a little for my boat. On the up side the size of the fish has been making up for that. Last Saturday we caught 15 walleyes for the day and a few other misc fish thrown in. Almost half of those fish where 23″s or larger. As these fish get used to the higher flow and darker water we are seeing rite now I would bet we will be in for some very good fishing again soon that will show both quality and number of fish.
Not only is the walleye fishing very good on pool 2 but each year I have been enjoying the wildlife it has to offer more and more. Other than the usually eagle sightings the high light for last Saturday was watching 4 fawns playing at the waters edge. This was very nice to watch. I have also been keeping a eye on a eagle chick in the nest that must not be to far away from flying in the near future. There is never a dul day on the river if you know where to look for it.
Good luck to you that are getting out.
Here are a few more photos from Saturday.
Nice read Mike
Awesome flathead picture pose there Joel!
Almost forgot to add I am running a mid week summer guide trip special for chasing these hungry walleyes on pool 2. $199 for 5 hours of fishing Tuesday threw Friday night. We can meet at the landing at 4pm and fish until dark. Ill provide all the gear and tackle. You just need a fishing license.
Fishing Pool 2 mid week is a real treat. There is very little boat traffic compared to the weekends. Almost no pressure on the fishing spots. The quietness to the river mid week can really bring out the wildlife to.
Not a better way to relax after a day at work than a mid week trip fishing trip on pool 2.
If you have any questions or would like to book a trip send me a PM or Call 612-756-3702
Great report and pictures Mike
Please tell me them deer were on the West side of the river heading North for Bayfield County to establish a herd once again
Hey Mike! Thanks for the outing Saturday!
Pool 2 is a great place to go. The area south of 494 has areas where you will think you’re on some remote wilderness river. Only the St. Croix has anything comparable right close to the metro.
The expression on my face in the cat photo is the face you make when the 32″ walleye you are sure you are about to catch turns into a 15 lb flat.
dd
Nice report Mike…always a pleasure to run into you down there.
J
Great Report Mike
Nice fish guys
Enjoyed your report Mike and congrats on some great looking Pool 2 eyes!
I agree with ya – it’s pretty amazing to be able to catch so many quality fish (mixed in with various wildlife) right in the heart of a major metropolitan area. Great photos and thanks for sharing! 
You are having a great year so far Mike!
Maybe i’ll see ya down there later this week… hopefully ya left me a couple.
Thanks guys. Rootski and I will be out Wednesday afternoon for a while if you are around Jake.
I’ll be out today in a black alumacraft….leave one or two for us Mike.
Looking forward to seeing you out there tonight Mike!
Mike, do you ever get sick of catching those big fish? Wow, those are nice. Good work
Great report, Nice walleye picture. It’s really great..Way to go for another walleye adventure.
Thanks guys. Im sure you seen that report was from last summer. Tee shirts and slimmed down walleyes are a dead give away but looking back at old reports is a great way to do some up coming planning for this year and to kill some time until we can get back out in the boat. Brings back a lot of great memories for me to.
Figuring my 2011 season will get going on pool 2 around the end of April this year. Here is a new phone number if anyone wants to book a trip. 763-434-1821. Or you can get a hold of me on this web site. You can also find me on facebook at “Muddy Waters Guide Service”.
Looking forward to another great season chasing big walleyes on the Mississippi river.