Bayport King powerplant reports

[Stick500]

EDIT; I changed title to Reports since my question has been answered

Since it seems to be so nice this weekend, I'm thinking about heading to the Excel King powerplant warm water discharge in Bayport on the St. Croix.

I recall reading on past threads that the access is kinda difficult. From looking at Google maps it looks like one might have to walk from 10th Ave. or Point Road. Does anyone have any tips on parking and exactly where the access gates or fences are located?

I plan on taking some corn and worms to try and catch some carp or sheepies. Might toss a twistertail too for any stray pike, eyes or smallies.

[Stick500]

UPDATE: I went out there today and the access part I was worried about was actually pretty easy to figure out. There is a parking lot for fishermen just before and to the left of the entrance gate to the powerplant. You then have a pretty easy 5 or 6 minute hike to the dam. There is no parking or access from the Point Road area.

What I wasn't worried about was that the canal would have open water today- WRONG!!

It was all froze up and there were a few other fishermen there scratching their heads wondering how we miscalculated this one. They told me that the plant has to be running and belching smoke to generate the warm water that will open it back up. They told me the carp were hitting great there about 2 weeks ago.

They suggested I could hit the Bass Ponds by the MOA on the way back home since that stays open in the winter from some discharge. Hoping to catch a pike or find some carp there, but nothing. Looks like it could be a hot carp spot at other times of the year though.

[GeluNumber1]

How thick was the ice?

[Stick500]

didn't look too closely at the ice

it still had an open spot right around the dam

wonder how I could find out when it opens up again?

perhaps someone at the plant can tell me when the warm water has been flowing out for awhile

I still want to go there this winter

[StillwaterAaron]

Stack has been going every day so it should be open now.

[Stick500]

Wooohhoooo! Thanks for the report Aaron!

I might be able to give it another shot this weekend.

[StillwaterAaron]

I can see the stack form my house and I knew someone else that was stunned it was frozen over. I have not checked but the stack has run every day in December. It was just an odd early season. Typically it stays open year round.

[GeluNumber1]

Went to the plant today. Water was completely open. No one there but me and a bunch of ducks and geese. Didn't even get a bite.

[Stick500]

Gelu were you after gamefish or carp, or did you try both?

[GeluNumber1]

I tried both -- one rod with worm on the bottom, and one rod with a jig and minnow. Ended up going over to wisconsin and catching some perch.

[Stick500]

well now that I can actually take my gloves off and tie a hook I'm thinking about giving this spot another try

does anyone have any reports on the bite form there?

[minky]

I work near there so l may have to stop down there and give it a try!

It would be fun to get some open water fishing in.

[StillwaterAaron]

Stack is going good today! Anyone venturing out?

[DonBo]

Stack is going good today! Anyone venturing out?

[uninc4709]

I'm going to be attempting to fish this spot this Saturday for a few hours before noon. Going to bring my musky rod and my spinning rod to see if anything (preferably large) will take a cat set up, and see if I cant get some action on my spinner.

Anyone been there in a while? I have never been there but I lived in Mahtomedi until I moved to Fargo. Since I cant ice fish I may as well try to catch something!

PM me if youd like to meet up.

[uninc4709]

After reading reports of people catching musky there in February and March I'm going to toss some musky candy out just to throw... and maybe get lucky too!

[StillwaterAaron]

Might want to rethink Muskie fishing.

If you are looking for a good fight there are a lot of carp and many times they are very willing to bite. It is tougher to catch carp, redhorse and other bottom dwellers now that the sunfish population has gotten so large in there. You will likely see lots of shad out there and that is why the skis are there but the warden knows that also.

[uninc4709]

the season is open until March 2, refer to page 73 I believe in the regulations. I also double checked with the DNR via a phone call.

Is there a reason the Warden would disallow throwing for musky?

[Stick500]

anxious to hear if there are any weekend reports from you guys

my primary reel has been in for repair and should be done this weekend- want to get out on one of those 30 degree days next week!!!

wonder if sheepshead ever hit this early in a warm water discharge?

[uninc4709]

There are definitely Muskies (large) in the channel and outter edge. The water is very warm so the ones that are in there are pretty active. I'd suggest lugging a duckboat out so you can have a chance for somes 8's. Otherwise the shoreline is not ideal for getting them to bite as it gets shallow.

Just remember to Catch N' Release!!

[expl]

Maybe put on some waders,they would get you out a bit deeper without dragging a boat down there.Just an idea.

[uninc4709]

while the currents not that strong, I would not choose to stand in it with waders while throwing. Its pretty decent sized stone bottom so it isnt the best for balance. just drag a duck boat. no different than draggin an ice house this time of year.

[GeluNumber1]

A friend of mine has had action throwing bucktails and jerkbaits in there. Last time he was there, he had two muskies follow and lost a nice pike.

Has anyone caught any rough fish recently out of there? I want to get a couple of sheepshead, maybe some carp or buffalo this weekend. Will probably use some waxies and eurolarvae for bait.

[Stick500]

well I couldn't resist going out on this beautiful Weds.

the stack was smokin', the warm water was flowin' and the banks were rimmed with schools of shad, but alas, no fish impaled themselves on my hooks

why every game fish in the St. Croix wasn't there basking in the warm water and slugging down shad, I don't know

also tried some crawlers on the bottom but no carp or sheepshead either- some little fish (bullheads or sunnies I imagine) were nibbling but they apparently weren't big enuf to swallow a whole crawler

oh well, it was nice to do some casting on a springlike day- also saw first robins of the year!!

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

Saw a pic on my FB of someone with a big muskie on a bucktail spinner from 2/19/2014.

My buddy went to fly fish it yesterday. Nothing took.