Muskies in Pool 4

[rugbymn]

Are there any muskies in Pool 4 near Red Wing? Sorry if it's a stupid question, but I've never heard of anyone talking about them in there.

[EBass]

There's gotta be some, but a fishable population?

[TomWehler]

None, never, don't go there.

[rugbymn]

None, never, don't go there.

That's what I thought. I guess I'll just stick to targeting trophy sheephead.

[Riverratpete]

about 6 years ago a buddie of mine caught a Muskie on the sconie side of the Red Wing dam in the spring while we were taking a break eating lunch. Think I have the pic floating around somewhere still..funny..surprised the heck out of us.

[brad coin]

well I would try the backwaters area by the Vermillion river where it enters up by Hastings,,,heard rumors and asked a DNR person and their response was that they didnt know but if there was going to be a spot in that area that would probably be it.,,,I do know of somebody who caught a true 30lb pike there.

[jiggin' fool]

In '06, two of them were introduced to my boat while fishing Pepin. A 36" fatty on a #7 Shad-Rap trolling for walleyes and a baby about 16" caught by my buddy working a leech on a Lindy-rig. Now, having said that, and being a musky die-hard myself, would I fish Pool 4 for muskies?????? No Way!!! Being in my 50's and having fished the river all my life, these are the only 2 I have ever seen. As hard as they are too catch, I am not going to make it even harder by fishing for them in a body of water that has such a low population. Speaking with the DNR, they believe that a few muskies move into the river each spring, migrating out of the Chippewa River between Lake City and Wabasha. Certainly not enough fish for me to spend time chasing them!!! The proverbial needle in the hay-stack!!!

[Shawn Kellett]

The DNR will flush muskie fry into the sippi in St.Paul. From there they can go anywhere. I doubt that there's a fishable population, but I'd be surprised if there there never was one down there.