Hotspotoutdoors

Pretty much all I’ve been using are ringworms (mostly brown/chart or purple/chart).

I generally fish the Belle Plaine to Shakopee stretch.

Where do you launch for that area?

There’s a launch at:

35W
Shakopee
Chaska
Carver
Jordan
Belle Plaine

Are you guys going past dark? any tips on times for the bite?

also any bait on the hook or just plastics? Thanks

Just a quarter to half ounce jig with the plastic (no bait needed). The guy I was with last night caught a few on a Black and Blue Power Lizard

That ½ hour window before dark has been the hot time with earlier being better than later. I’ve never had really good luck after dark.

I’ve been posting detailed reports and pictures about once a week in the HSO Club forum.

I know right where you live. This weekend doesn't work for me, as I am going to be in Bloomington, Illinois playing a 2 game hockey series against Illinois State. I usually go out every Tues/Thurs afternoon, after my class is over at 3pm, but since daylight savings time this past weekend, there isn't much daylight left to fish. I don't have class on Fridays so any Friday besides this Friday (since I'm going to Illinois) I can fish, or any weekend (besides this weekend). Do you want to try to get out next Friday? Or maybe this Sunday? I think we get back from Illinois early Sunday morning, so I'd be willing to take you out in my boat on Sunday for the night bite if your free. Email me at jwmiller@stthomasDOTedu. Can't wait to fish with you

Do you normally launch at Hidden Falls? How far of a drive is it down river (via a 35hp Johnson) to the spot where the MN river comes in?

Dtro-would you ever be willing to take a guy out on the MN River? Never been out that way before! You could hop in my boat it that works out better!

I was walking the dog at sunset down at Hidden Falls and the Mississippi was up and flowing pretty good this last Sunday. Didn't see any trailers in the lot I thought I might see one of you guys down there.

If you ever see a little white Ford ranger with a red trailer, thats me!

I’ll keep it in mind JW. I don’t have much of a fishing schedule, it’s pretty much “up in the air” all the time. Plus the daylight savings really messes with my fall fishing. Darn near dark by the time I get out of work.

Miller check your st thomas email

got it! i hit ya back so check your mail

If you want bigger walleyes give plastics or hair jigs a try. Get away from the minnows. Lately our best luck has been on big plastics like K grubs. The fish seem to be keying in on the action of the big tail. Ringworms have been taking there share of fish to.

If all you are catching is small walleyes in a area you need to do something else. Either switch baits, move or both. With the higher water levels look shallower for larger walleyes. Less than 10'. Current will push these fish towards the shorelines where there are more current breaks. Try vertical jigging, pitching or dragging these areas. I would bet the rock wall at the dam would be a good place to start trying this. Other wise check out some of the rip rap shorelines away from the dam.

The walleye bite has slowed over the last week or so. My last trip out last weekend I only caught one but it was a nice fat 25"er. 3 weeks ago the fish where on fire and we where getting 25 to 50 a day with most running in the 18" to 22" range. A little small for what we like down there but still fun fish to catch.

Im very happy with not keeping walleyes from pool 2. That is what keeps the fishing pressure down and helps with keeping the fish so big. It is also great being able to fish year around for them down there. Im glad to see the DNR is spending some time looking at the pool this summer but I hope they never change the regs on it.

thanks for the info!! which rock wall are you talkin about? st paul side or minneaps side?

If you throw a line in there and catch something that is the one.

Just got my truck fixed, should be good to go tomarrow at the Ford dam. I am hoping for some of them big crappies. I have a S14 lund greenish camo color if you see me say hi. If anyone gets some of them crappies that don't want them I would be happy to take a few.

One thing to remember is if its big fish you are after the dam is not always your best bet, do some searching and it will eventually pay off!!