U.S. Lock & Dam #2 Pool

How big is U.S. Lock & Dam #2 Pool?

What kind of fish can you catch in U.S. Lock & Dam #2 Pool?

Are there boat launches on U.S. Lock & Dam #2 Pool?

Are there places to eat and drink near U.S. Lock & Dam #2 Pool?

What are the fishing regulations for U.S. Lock & Dam #2 Pool?

There are specific fishing regulations U.S. Lock & Dam #2 Pool that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in U.S. Lock & Dam #2 Pool?

Gill nets and trap nets can be used effectively in too few places in Pool 2 of the Mississippi River. Standardized electrofishing stations were established to be used in future electrofishing surveys and represent the many different habitat types present and are spread throughout the entire 32 river miles. In addition, fall electrofishing was employed in targeted areas to gather walleye, sauger, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass to evaluate the catch-and-release regulation on those four species. Channel catfish were later collected at the same time to supplement information for aging as few catfish were caught in the standard summer electrofishing assessment.
Twenty-eight different fish species, one hybrid (hybrid sunfish), and one variant (mirror carp) were sampled in Pool 2 during the standard electrofishing survey. Emerald shiners were also observed, but no effort was made to enumerate them as they, and many other minnow species, are typically small enough to pass through the mesh of the dip nets used for electrofishing. The top three species collected during summer sampling were common carp, freshwater drum, and shorthead redhorse, and was almost 43 percent of the entire sample.
The walleye population appeared to be an older population, likely due to the catch-and-release regulation. Few small walleye were sampled, although walleye grow very fast in Pool 2. The average length for a 3-year-old walleye was 19.6 inches long. Sixty-one percent of the walleye sampled were at least 15-inches long, and just over 21 percent were at least 25-inches long.
Very few sauger were sampled as they were likely in deeper water than what the electrofishing boat was able to sample. Most of the sauger sampled were 1-year-old and less than 10-inches long.
A typical size structure was evident for both largemouth and smallmouth bass in that smaller fish were the most abundant, and as size increased, numbers decreased. Pool 2 is not ideal habitat for largemouth and smallmouth bass as the water clarity dramatically decreases after the Minnesota River confluence. Decent bass are present, but the numbers present are relatively low as bass are largely sight predators and are at a disadvantage.
Channel and flathead catfish were sampled in low numbers, though other methods may better assess the catfish population present. A broad range of sizes were sampled for both, though no trophy catfish were sampled.
A fair number of white bass were sampled by electrofishing. Individuals ranged from just under eight-inches long to almost 17-inches long. White bass ages were from 2 to 6-years-old however, recent work on Lake Pepin has shown that white bass may be living much longer than previously thought and aging with scales may be inaccurate, so further work is needed to assess the white bass age structure. Based on size structure, white bass could contribute a fair amount to an anglers catch on Pool 2 and be a quality recreational resource that would also be harvestable.
Other game fish sampled in low abundance were bluegill, black crappie, white crappie, and northern pike. Again, conditions are not optimal in Pool 2 for these other game fish as water clarity in most of Pool 2 is poor, which puts these sight feeding game fish at a disadvantage.

What is the average air temp for U.S. Lock & Dam #2 Pool?