new to minnesota

i just moved here to minnesota.i dont have a boat yet i need to know a good spot near cottage grove to catch some nice pan fish.anyadvice would be good

Sorry rbol34,

I lived out there in Lakeland for a couple years when my son was born. Not much fishing going on at that point.

I did fish with the Griz on the river there (good pan fish after the walleyes slow down for a bit in the spring). Other than that, I'd take the little guy along to a weekly coop grocery run in Stillwater, and in the spring, put him in the kid backpack and fish the high water for some walleyes and randoms behind the building. I'd catch them, and since he was front-facing, would get excited as I handed the fish up and back before returning them to the river.

There are some interesting puddles in that neck of the woods. Enjoy.

I can't claim any experience in that area, but there is lots of fishable water around you.

Both the Mississippi and the St Croix rivers have lots of fish of all kinds. One recent afternoon trip we made down to the Mississippi in Minneapolis yielded carp, channel catfish, crappies, smallmouth bass, pike, walleye, and sunnies, all in one spot. While it doesn't usually happen that way, it does demonstrate the local variety available. There is also always a chance for a flathead in both rivers.

Contact the Cottage Grove Parks and Rec department and/or the Washington County park board for public fishing waters, fishing docks, etc. Both of them have websites and you can get a passible idea from the MN DNR Lakefinder about specific waters which is also online. Some rather small waters can hold nice panfish provided they don't freeze out in the winter, which the Lakefinder can often inform you about. You can find all of them easily with either Google or Yahoo. You may or may not need park permits to drive in and park in some of those places. Most not.

If you check the Parks and Rec departments of surrounding communities and counties you will find additional possibilities. Both Minneapolis and St Paul have extensive park systems with lots of water fishable on foot, if you are willing to drive a bit. I don't have a boat either, and I seldom fish outside the park systems.

Good luck.

Run down to Hastings and go to the marina offices found there. Ask if you can walk the docks for a few fish. Lots of those places won't mind as long as you don't make a mess and don't disturb any boats in the slips. There's plenty of shore fishing along the river too. Down the line a ways at Red Wing you'll find all sorts of fishing to be had at Baypoint Marina and the surrounding shorelines.