coon rapids dam??

[Walleyeman101]

this next week im gonna be in coon rapids, i have some time to do some fishing and was wondering if the coon rapids dam is worth a shot for some catfish? i know that there is some construction going on there but was wondering if it would be worth a try? any advice appreciated... thanks

[UPOW]

Fished the dam a couple times this year only one cat.

[Shack]

IMO it is worth it. At least for channels but possibly for the elusive flathead. If you are fishing under the Coon Rapids dam you, in theory, have a chance at tangling with a flathead.

If fishing for just channels all you need is cut sucker but flats will bite on this also.

If you want to target flatheads then, be prepared for a slow night but do not discouraged, use large live baits like bullheads or suckers. Suckers may not stay alive as long as bullheads but if you bridle rig them, medium or large, they stay alive for hours.

[mainbutter]

I have caught a grand total of TWO channel cats at the CRD. I've lost confidence in that spot in recent years.

That said, what worked for me was cut bait on a hook.

[Shack]

LOL just got a report today from around the "area" that bullheads and walleyes are mixing well right now. NO one in the area that was fishing with other baits got walleyes but bullheads were on fire for the eyes.

[Nhamm]

Was out today at the dam shooting for time to kill with some stinkbait, worms, and cutbait. Not one bite. Worms will get you all the bait you want as in 6-9" bullies. Got to say I have fished the dam at least 30x this year and I have yet to see anyone pull in a cat. SMB, walleyes, northerns, all had a really good spring there but have since vacated the area for at least a few weeks now. Not to say you can't catch a SMB or northern here and there but nothing of what it was. I have heard those same "reports" from people walking around the parks on the walleyes and flatties, but these are the same people when you bring in a SMB they ask what that is...... Half the people I meet and talk with on the river are great people and I enjoy my time speaking with them bc they have some good stories to tell, but in the end they don't know what the heck they are talking about.

On a side note though it does spark my interest though to go get some of those bullies and wait around until about 11 at night and let it swim around for a 10# eye or 30# flat. But good luck any other time bc that shoreline is full of people all day long. They were smashing on the carp today with oatmeal.

[CarpO0101]

I heard a lot of storys too of people catching big cats there but not seen any . well a question for fellow fishermans ..

It seems the park closes by 10 and you see rangers calling you out ..I fish from the coon rapid regional park - the trail is closed these days..

been reading lot of posts and seems the night fishing is best if you targetting cats .. so with this please suggest a good place for shore fishing where we can try a night stop fishing. Coon Rapid as it closes 10 - I did see hidden falls also closes 10 .. so where in here i can do night fishing from shore ... pls advice...

thanks in advance...

[Nhamm]

Last year I can't tell you how many times in fished until 1am no problems in the local parks. This year so far different story. Haven't been out as much granted, but three times now I have been told to leave by city cops. Funny the park police will drive right by me when I am just getting out of the vehicle at 1030pm, but the city cops get all [PoorWordUsage] and say need to pack it up. All in all you can fish anywhere past 10pm the worst that has been done to me is leaving. Now if you start to be a repeat offender they might start issuing tickets. Its insane we pay for these parks yet can't use them at our will.

[jigginjim]

May need to ask park "who has more control on fishing later in the evenings"? I would like to catch catfish after dark, or maybe launch boat at 7:00pm and not be in until 10:30/11:00 pm. The police over ride park rangers?

[CarpO0101]

going there tomorrow , will check with the park and what they to say.. dont understand why there's a timing restriction to a natural resource

my question - any other shore access where u can fish missi late nights ?

[dilleyo]

When I fish on Pool 2, there are always people fishing down at the access off of Hardman and 494 when we get back in between 12-3am. Plenty of shore fishing spots down that way too.

[polarsusd81]

Part of the deal at the Coon Rapids Dam right now may be the construction. They probably want to limit the afterhours users due to all the construction equipment stored on the island and the riff raff that could ensue if they let the wrong person stay past dark. I can tell you it would be pretty darn easy to hop that fence in the dark.

My son was down there yesterday with his mom and caught his first channel on a bobber, feather jig, and berkley crappie nibblet. Just a little guy about 12" long, but it was his first one.

[mrklean]

when the water drops its a great place to find lures to

[Nhamm]

going there tomorrow , will check with the park and what they to say.. dont understand why there's a timing restriction to a natural resource

my question - any other shore access where u can fish missi late nights ?

Did you get an answer at all to your inquiry?? I myself have been told to leave 3 different parks at night now within the last few weeks and seems that most shore spots will have to wait till the water recedes and I can just park it on a street and walk down and out of cop view. Very annoying. I was told by the officer that it is a state wide curfew on all parks that close by 10pm. Last year no issues with this, it seems they are on some type of vendetta this year so far to get us night anglers.