On a warm summer day, you stand on the shore of a lake and cast your fishing line. As the hook and bobber plunk into the water, you watch the tiny waves ripple outward in a perfect circle, eventually dissolving in the glassy water. You soak in the warm sun and gentle breeze, checking your line occasionally. A great blue heron floats by overhead, and a raft of mallards quack in chorus as they paddle out into the lake.
Suddenly, your bobber tremors, causing your stomach to jump with excitement — a nibble! It bobbles again and then is tugged under quickly. The chase is on! You pull your line up and reel as fast you can, hoping for the catch of the day.
Fishing is a great way to connect with nature, the outdoors, family and friends. If you are new to the sport, we have several locations in Three Rivers where you can test the waters — no boat required! With the help of one of our Outdoor Recreation Specialists and experienced angler, Nick Sacco, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite spots to fish on land and what kind of fish you might catch while you’re there.
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
Where: Brooklyn Park
Type of fishing: Pier, shore and bridge
Why it’s unique: It’s on the Mississippi River! “You don’t know what you’re going to catch, and that’s kind of exciting!” said Nick. The park offers several locations for fishing. New, accessible paved trails lead to the river and turf trails go along the river. Two bridges along the creek allow for fishing in a floodplain pond. There’s also an accessible platform by the dam that you can fish from.
What you might catch: catfish, bullhead, common carp, channel catfish, river redhorse, quillback, walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, dogfish
The Landing
Where: Shakopee
Type of fishing: Shore
Why it’s unique: The Landing is located on the Minnesota River. “There are steep banks where you can fish deep water right from the edge and other sand flats and bars where you can cast a line and be in only 2 feet of water,” said Nick. A turf trail brings you to the shores of the river. When you need a break, take a walk through the historic village to learn about what life was like in the 1800s.
What you can catch: freshwater drum, freshwater shortnose gar, American shad, catfish, bullhead, common carp, channel catfish, river redhorse, quillback, walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, dogfish
Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
Where: Rockford
Type of fishing: Pier and shore
Why it’s unique: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve offers two options for fishing: the canoe landing on the Crow River or the piers on Lake Rebecca. Fewer people fish the Crow River than the Minnesota or Mississippi, so chances are you’ll be alone. Just remember to reel your lines in as paddlers come upstream or downstream. Lake Rebecca is also quiet and has two dedicated piers as well as a lagoon that’s good for early-season fishing.
What you can catch: According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 41 types of fish have been caught from the Crow River, including channel catfish, black bullhead, white sucker, river redhorse, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and walleye. From Lake Rebecca, you may reel in various crappie, bluegill and sunfish species as well as muskellunge.
Twin Lakes Boat Access
Where: Robbinsdale
Type of fishing: Pier
Why it’s unique: “The highlight of Twin Lakes Boat Access is the beautiful new fishing pier,” said Nick. It’s located a half mile north of the boat access on the bike trail. It has holders for your fishing rod and cut outs for people who use mobility devices.
What you can catch: perch, sunfish, bullhead, bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass
Silverwood Park
Where: St. Anthony
Type of fishing: Pier, shore and bridge
Why it’s unique: Silverwood has several great options for fishing Silver Lake, including from a pier or an island. Especially when fishing from the bridge to the island, check to make sure no one is around you before casting. “When you’re done fishing, you can get a coffee at Silverwood Café or check out some art in the visitor center,” says Nick.
What you can catch: sunfish, bluegill, crappie, perch, largemouth bass, carp and more
FISHING IN THREE RIVERS
Learn more about fishing in Three Rivers or check out upcoming programs to learn how to get started.
Now that you know our favorite spots, throw in a line and see what you reel in! What will be your catch of the day?
About the Author
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