Quote Originally Posted by CTom View Post
Try the Lake City, Minnesota area on the Mississippi River [Lake Pepin].
Several things to consider here.

While the Minneapolis area has a ton of water, there are darned few places to stay and enjoy it. Most of the water will be residential, privately owned. Still, stay in Minneapolis if that is where you are visiting, but take the hour and a half drive south along Hiway 61 to Lake City and fish there.

September will have a huge amount to offer fishing wise in this area. Walleyes can be gotten from shore or from a boat right in downtown Lake City by fishing off the breakwaters or by working from a boat right near them. Crappies will be available to you by fishing off the same breakwater, from a boat like the walleyes, or by walking the docks and slips at the sailboat marina. Perch may or may not be willing to hit where the walleyes are likely to be, but they are everywhere in the river.

Somewhat closer to the Twin Cities is Red Wing and it too offers a lot from shore or from a boat. The [Baypoint] marina there will have the docks cleared of boats and panfish and crappies can be taken easily from them. There is a levee wall along the river where one can catch walleyes. The down side is current. Lots and lots of current.

If it were me, knowing what I know about the two spots, I'd be heading the extra 13 miles to Lake City. The fishing there will be way more relaxed since you won't be battling a strong current and the fact that at that time of year you'll find the walleye/sauger easier to catch along that breakwater and then the crappies will be way larger off the docks and breakwater than what you'll find in Red Wing. Actually the crappies found in Lake City in late September will be larger than any crappies you will find in the Twin Cities.....at least with any ease.

You don't mention what your accomodation thing is and whether you are there for fun or work or family. But if you are going to be there long enough to have some free days and are staying somewhere in the Twin Cities, by all means make the trip to Lake City. The cost of the trip down there will be cheaper than a rental boat if you are not pulling one and the fishing will outshine anything found in the metro area.