Shore spots for Flats

[EBass]

I caught more small channel cats yesterday then ever before on the Crow. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share a shore spot for Flatheads on the Minnesota or Mississippi?

My buddy caught one on my rod last year on Pool 2 by the Minnehaha creek. It was small but cool looking. It hit a nightcrawler. Is the best bait live suckers?

Any help would be great.

Thanks,
EBass

[DARK30]

Where do you live? The Minnesota around Chaska or Carver is close if your fishing the Crow alot.

WET NETS!

------------------
cast,cast,cast,cast......

[EBass]

Dark30,
I live in Hopkins. Can you give general areas to try?

[Fisher Dave]

I can give you a few spots also.

Minnesota River:

Chaska .. (north side of river)the creek inlet just upstream of the boat launch, and the rocks near the 41 bridge. On the south side of the river there is a sand bar just downstream from the 41 bridge, and under the bridge can both be productive. You can park at the Chaska boat ramp for the north side locaions. For the south shoreline cross the 41 bridge and look for a gravel driveway on the left.

Carver .. (north side)park at the fire station and walk over the dyke.. follow the river upstream to a small creek. The south side you can carefully cross the railroad bridge and fish the deep hole on the downstream side of the bridge.

Black Dog ... Both culverts coming from the lake are worth trying, and also under the 35W bridge... You dont need to cast far from shore.

Pike Island .. Minnesota/Missis confluence can be good. There is another confluence just upstream on the Minnesota river, or just downstream from the state park boat launch (fort snelling) that has a deep hole directly in front of it.

Mississippi River:

Ford Dam(lock) .. just above the Ford Dam at the lock can be decent flathead and channel fishing. Where Minnehaha parkway runs into the river parkway there is a lot on the south side.. follow the short road out the back of the lot to the lock observation area. Park at the bottom of the hill and fish next to your vehicle(at chain link fence). Keep this area very clean if you use it. If you see other fishermens trash, pick it up. If people leave a mess they will cut everyone off.

46th street bridge ... directly across from the lock fishing spot on the St paul side of the river. Park at the top of the bridge (st paul side) and look for the trail going down on the north side of the bridge near railing.

Air Force base .... Take 494 to 5 east .. post road exit (fort snelling state park exit). When you take a right at the top of the ramp (assuming your coming from the west) you will have to take another quick right (left goes to state park) and follow that road down about 1/4 mile. Look for an inlet on your left side shortly after an old, grown over fence gate saying something about air force property.

Lilydale(across from downtown St Paul) ... The entire area is good. The spot I like most you park at the boat ramp lot in the back. Look for a trail heading out the back of the lot. Follow the trail a couple blocks to an area between 2 tiny *points* (old submerged wing dams).. There is a 40' very close to shore and they do feed along the shore day or night.

Here's a few spots that can get you started.

Good Luck

[Fisher Dave]

False

But your odds are usually much better with very lively bait. I have caught a fair share of flats on fresh cut bait (never rancid) and a few on crawlers by accident ... I wouldn't categorize them as a high energy bait.

There are no gaurantee's on any of the spots, but they all will produce flats at one time or another. Put in your time and it will pay off.

[Dennis Steele]

Dave has got you covered with some good spots to try.The Chaska spot south of the river is a good one.I have pulled some nice flats from that shore.In that same area also fish upstream from the bridge where the bank gets too steep to walk along it.Just below the surface is a small ledge or flat with rocks and boulders strewn all over.There is slow or slack water there depending on the river level and the flats come up on top to feed there at night.You don't have to cast too far its right at the waters edge,Just be quiet and you should have some luck.

------------------
Minnesota River Guided Fishing
"fishhead"
[email protected]
www.mnriverguidedfishing.com

[EBass]

Holy Moly Fisher Dave,

WOW, this is a lot more than I expected. That's what makes this HSOforum da bomb!

I'm going to print this out and get it in my truck.

Thanks a MILLION. I'll give it a shot this weekend.

Flats only hit live bait? True or False

[EBass]

On that Chaska spot is it a far walk from where you park? What I'm getting at is carrying minnows. I want to travel light as possible. So I should bring crawlers and hope for a sucker to use at cut bait.

I can't wait till I get a boat. Then I will have a bait well. Speaking of a boat.

Dennis, can I create a post asking if anyone has a jon boat for sale? I don't have rights to create a post on the forsale forum.

Thanks,
EBass aka Eric

[Dennis Steele]

All the MN river spots that Dave mentioned are an easy walk.Most are less than 20 yrds from your vehicle.No problem carrying bait down.I do it fequently and I am pretty lazy!

There is a forum allready set up for items wanted.Its ingeniously called "Items Wanted":)You will get more expsure posting it there.

[Fisher Dave]

As Dennis said .. the Minnesota river spots are all pretty easy to walk to ... as long as we havent had 5" of rain the day before.

All of the Mississippi spots are within reason for walking also. You wont have to bring climbing gear or anything of that sort, although there is somewhat of a hill at a couple spots.

Earlier in the season in my experiences flats tend to let us get away with *less desireable* baits. Come summer they want that bait kicking good 99% of the time ... I'm too lazy to carry 5 gallon buckets full of bait very far.

[DARK30]

Finding good spots to fish is an ongoing thing. I find new ones every year. Sure there are the old proven spots that will (most of the time)not let you down but I like to check out new possibilities. I have a sweet little Jon boat but I find myself fishing from the bank or in my waders most of the time.

Some spots will be easy and others will take a little effort. I will carry bait to a good spot though.

WET NETS!

------------------
cast,cast,cast,cast......

[EBass]

Dennis, I didn't even know there was a Items Wanted forum. Cool and thanks.

I am somewhat lazy too. I tugged around a 5 gal bucket with minnows @ Hidden Falls and it sucked.

If it's a short distance then I guess it doesn't matter. I'll just have go to these spots and see for myself.

Thanks again and again,
EBass