Hotspotoutdoors

OK, you got me.

I looked below and saw you're still mod. Man, isn't that the longest you've ever been able to hold a job?

Just waitng around till they hand out the free River Pros for staff.... shouldn't be long now, I hear there builder is a real neat guy

Solid Fish. Nice Going.

Does anyone get out much south of 169 to the Coon Rapids Dam this time of year? I typically log most of my time on the river north of Elk River. Just curious if anyone has any insight on targeting fish in the deeper slower stretch of river. I live in Anoka now and would like to learn somthing new.

I spent sometime this afternoon just south of the 169 bridge. While the sun was out the bite was pretty good. As soon as the sun dipped below the tree line it was over. I missed a couple eyes that shredded my minnows and landed 8 scrappy smallmouth. All caught on jigs and minnows. Water temp at 41. Beautiful afternoon.

The river was a zoo today! People everywhere. That's ok though. Kind of nice seeing people get out on such a gorgeouse day.
Lots of fish biting too. Nothing too big, but sure beats sitting in side.I got this about a week ago. Just dumb luck. He ate a smally I'd hooked. Spit it out. Nailed the smally again in the air! Smally escapes and the bugger's stuck in the corner of his mouth. Too fun!

NICE!! Was out in Monti today, trolling motor broke after 5 minutes, was relagated to one small area and an anchor, still caught a few but not like we should have

Hey guys, Im planning on fishing tommorow in the Elk River area. Problem is, I will be shore fishing. Any tips to catch pike, eyes, smallies, anything? Im not picky. But I have really been struggling to catch much of anything for a while now. Thanks.

Try a jig and plastic 2-5" long.
Bright color, bright day, dark color, dark day, experiment.
Make sure it's just heavy enough to stay on the bottom.
Then pop it.

Thanks fishface. The only thing I managed to catch from shore today was a big ol carp. Man was that thing fun to reel in though. I couldnt care less what species I catch, they are all fun. The carp went probably 10 pounds.

Do you live in the area that pic in your avatar was taken from?

Pretty close. I do fish that area a lot.

If you can figure out where those rocks stop on the bottom you'll find fish. When the waters dropping, when it's on the rise they'll be right up against shore, in inches of water. use just enough wieght to keep it at the bottom. Not too much, not too little. If pop'n the jig doesn't work try dragging it slooowly on the bottom, try let'n it sit, try shake'n it, Bring LOTS though. when you snag, just break it off and tie a new one on. Be persistant and when you catch one, remember what you did to get him to bite, and do it again. Good luck, It really is fun when they start going.

whats up guys I grew up in monticello living right on the mississippi and fished the river every chance I got. I still visit my parents at least once a year and of course through a line in a couple times while im there. I live in pennsylvania now, right on the Susquehanna river. If it is possible the fishing here is just as good as my mississippi was. I am purely a sport fishermen so smallies are always my target. 19 years living on the mississippi gave me 4 fish over 20inches and in only 5 months living on the susquehanna has gave me 7 over 20inches. As it is everywhere fall and winter fishing brings out the hogs and I was just wondering with me returning home for the holdidays if my techniques i learned on the susquehanna will work on the mississippi or at the very least what is working on the mississippi as of right now? I know that live bait is hard to beet with the cold water but I generally stay away from that approach and seeing that I have always been a shore fishermen I dont like to drag a bucket of minnows with me. I have had great success on the susquehanna fishing spider jigs or gonzo grubs with a football head jig, 4' inch stick worms, hair jigs, rapala x-rap slashbaits with long pauses, and jigs with a 3inch plastic shad. I mean just by appearance the rivers look very similar and I catch the fish in the same places. I have found the fish in the slowest moving deepest parts in the winter on the susquehanna and is that where I will find them in the mississippi? Sorry I kind of rambled on but just want to catch some xmas smallies, any help will be appreciated thanks!

Yes you'll catch bass, Might lose a few jigs, but that's the price of rocks. I'm hoping for a little warm up. 25 or better no wind a little sun...
Just like a trip to the tropics

Thanks for the reply but should i use hair jigs then? or a plastics? Any suggestions on where to try, Slow deep water?

I like the slower water. Where I fish there really isn't any depth. I think three to four feet is the deepest I reach. But, the deeper the better. Rocks don't seem to be as big a deal in the winter but they are hard to get completly away from. I exclusivly fly fish. Hair works. I have a feeling I would do better on plastic, but I like the flyrod and my own flies at the moment. Haven't caught that many 20" but plenty over 16".
I'm kind of a numbers nut.

Fishface, could you send me an email so that I can ask you a question about fly fishing in general, not about locations. I fish the river often with spinning tackle and would like to start fly fishing it, but my experience is only with trout and trout waters. If you don't mind, please reply to:

duckhunter0434 at yahoo dot com

I am thinking of taking a friend and his wife ice fishing around Monticello on the River in a few weeks. . However, I have never fished that stretch of water during the hard water period. He lives in Milaca so it is close to him.

What are ice conditions like? Where can I get access? and what might I expect to catch? He and his wife are mostly into panfish? However, I am sure they would not mind a walleye or a bonus pike. Do they fish this stretch of river and if so where in Monticello? Is there a biat shop in town you can recommend? Any info would be greatly appreciated?

This couple have never ice fished before and I would like to introduce them to one of the greatest sports I know of!

Thanks;

Uncle Kes

No fishable Ice I know of on the river untill you get down towards Elk river back waters, river ice is pretty scary if you ask me. Lots of good safe fishable lakes in the area though. Guess that's where I'd be looking for panfish. Sarah, by Rockford, Bebee, Charlet, Dean, Buffalo, Pelican (kinda fished out), Maple, Mary, Clearwater, and, many more. Up towards Millaca you might have luck on Green, Blue, Spectical, or head over to Rush, Lots of good panfish potential. Good luck out there. Be safe.

There is no fishable ice anywhere in this stretch, don't do it period, if you want to ice fish the river go up past St Cloud. The river fishing everyone is discussing is open water around the nuke plant area. The river south of St Cloud is to unpredictable, shallow fast and south of Monti is a no go for ice.

If you are looking for a place on the river that is 100% safe you wont find it till north of the Royalton dam. Above the St. Cloud there are a few places where people fish but I wouldnt put a lot of trust in river ice. Just too many bad things can happen when you mix river current and ice fishing.

I echo the others' comments. If you need more corrobation, just check out the St Cloud Times today--there's a story about a fellow who fell in by Heims Mill. Had to hang onto the ice until the rescue squad got there.

I see guys out all the time around Sartell, and I'm sure the ice above the dam is mostly safe. Not sure where to fish, though....

Saw a guy out ice fishing below the SCSU dam Sunday. Seems a little sketchy to me.

Yeah you couldn't catch me any where from Little Falls to the cities ice fishing the river. Even in the spots that look alright, the ice can change over night

Guy the other day at Gander told me there was ice on the river south of Monti. I don't believe that, but thought I would check. I thought I might hit the river for a little smallie action this weekend with a slight warmup expected.

Let me know if anyone has been out (doubtful with the temps), but you never know. I've fished it in Feb on warm days with some success, but never in Jan. Below 30 gets a tad cold for me.