Just wonder if anybody has fished the pools on the Sunrise yet this year and if the panfish are biting. Are the crappies hitting how about the rough fish. Wouldn't mind a few suckers and maybe even a bullhead or two for dinner.
Tunrevir~

I have always wondered about that being soooo close..........

Shore fishing work or need a small boat?

My normal spring ritual usually finds me fishing the Sunrise, but not this year (broken ankle). My experience has been that when we have weather like this the fishing is spotty at best. If it warms up some, but not too much too quickly, I would suspect the fishing should pick up. I drive down and check things out and there hasn't been much going on, even the northern run at the dams was weak this year (I don't fish for them, just like to watch them try and swim up the dam-Some of the bigger ones make it!). A canoe is the best bet for getting out on the pools, as there is no motorized vehicles allowed on the water-even electric trolling motors are outlawed. Shore fishing is by far the best option.

Some of the pools on the sunrise were pretty good,but some were not! It all depends on your luck and days. I was fishing one of the pool and caught few good size crappies(10-13 inches) and few jumbo size perch. Went back the next day and got skunked.

John, may have bumped into you down there over the years. Sorry to hear about the ankle, hope things heal up quickly and you can get back out and enjoy your avocation.
Tunrevir~

Tun-
my guess is that we probably have met before, probably a couple of times. I like to talk to folks when I'm fishing or at a launch or pretty much anywhere. I was hoping to make it out to the FL clean up this year and help out and meet a few folks from here, but I was out of town for the event. I am sure we'll meet sometime, we have the same haunts!

I have not fished the pools in about 25 years. I have forgotten how to get to them. As I recall, years ago, a friend and I went east from North Branch but that is about all I remember? What road would you take and is there a boat landing or is it still mostly shore fishing.

I remember fishing below the bridge at Sunrise, Minnesota across from this old general store back in those days, but I suspect a lot of changes have been made over the years and I suspect the General Store is not there anymore.

Uncle Kes, there are a few main areas that are fished. The stacy dam area which is just east of Stacy off of 61, there is also the dam up off 14 between Chisago and North branch and there are some more access points between North branch and Taylors falls. Run up highway 8 and ask about the dam at Frankies and they'll point you in the right direction. I believe it is 77 east to the stopsign and continue on 14 east till you see the power lines and I believe it is the House of Prayer church or somethin right under the power lines take a left follow the dirt road back about 3/4ths of a mile. The dirt road runs right along the powerline. To get to the stacy dam you can run straight up 35 take the Stacy exit and head east. When you hit the stop sign just continue to head east and you'll see the pool on your right. There isn't really a boat launch to speak of but a conoe or small boat would be easy enough to launch. I have typically fished it from shore.
Tunrevir~

Keep in mind that in WMA's that you can't have motorized (gas or electric) outboards. There is a launch at both pools, but they are crummy at best. Canoe would be the best way to go.

Good info John, I haven't been there yet this year to fish but I'm hoping to bring the kids up one day soon and do a shoreline picnic and fishing extravaganza.
Tunrevir~