The Tight Line
A bartender’s guide to the honey holes, the hatch, and why “River Access” is the ultimate real estate flex.
🎒 The Tackle Box
CONTEXT SUMMARYWalleye, Smallies, and Monster Catfish.
“Smallmouth Capital.” $51M Dam project incoming.
Stocked Rainbow Trout. 2026 Season.
Master-planned Bass & Panfish.
The Bartender’s Insight: Most people look at the Mississippi and see a river. I look at it and see a property value multiplier. Being within 5 minutes of a boat launch is better than having a finished basement.
Hey, welcome in. Shake off the river mud—no, really, don’t worry about it. This floor has seen more Mississippi silt than a dredging barge.
I was just talking to a guy down at the end of the bar who’s been fishing the same spot in Anoka since 1978. He swears he saw a sturgeon the size of a surfboard near the Rum River confluence last Tuesday.
Whether he’s telling the truth or he’s had one too many IPAs, he’s hitting on a core truth about the North Metro: we are sitting on some of the most underrated freshwater fishing in the country.
Between the **Mississippi**, the **Rum**, and a handful of specialized lakes in Coon Rapids and Blaine, we have what I call the “Tight Line Lifestyle.” It’s the ability to finish your workday at 5:00, have your boat in the water at 5:15, and be fighting a 4-pound Smallmouth by 5:30.
As your Realtor, I want you to know that these spots aren’t just for fun—they are economic anchors. As your bartender, I’m going to tell you exactly where the honey holes are. Let’s get the lures ready.
Coon Rapids: The Tailwater Heavyweight
If you want to talk about “Big Water,” you have to talk about the **Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park**.
Specifically, the tailwaters below the dam. This is the heavyweight champion of North Metro fishing. Because the dam oxygenates the water and provides a barrier, the fish congregate here like regulars during Happy Hour.
The Species:
- Walleye: Especially in the spring and late fall. Focus on the deeper holes just downstream of the bridge.
- Smallmouth Bass: They love the rocky structure. Look for the eddies where the current breaks.
- Channel Catfish: If you want a fight, bring some cut bait and sit near the deep channels at dusk. 20-pounders are not uncommon here.
The Real Estate Connection: Port Riverwalk
The new Port Riverwalk redevelopment we’ve been talking about is less than a mile from these tailwaters. When the pedestrian bridge opens in 2026, residents will have direct, walking access to some of the best river fishing in the state. If you’re a fisherman, buying in the Port area isn’t just a home purchase—it’s a permanent VIP pass to the river.
Anoka: The Smallmouth Capital
The **Rum River** is a different beast entirely. It’s shallower, more intimate, and incredibly scenic. It’s officially a “Wild and Scenic River,” and it lives up to the name.
Anoka is the gateway to this system. The confluence where the Rum hits the Mississippi is a legendary spot.
🎣 Pro-Tip: The $51M Transformation
Keep an eye on the $51 Million Rum River Dam project in Anoka. While the “Whitewater Surfing” gets the headlines, the project includes massive improvements to fish passage and shoreline fishing access. They are creating “fishing piers” that are built into the new structure. In 2027, this will be the most modern urban fishing platform in the Midwest.
If you’re wading the Rum, focus on the stretches between Rum River Central Regional Park and downtown Anoka. Use light tackle, crayfish-patterned jigs, and prepare for a fight. These Smallmouth are pure muscle.
Coon Rapids’ Secret: Cenaiko Lake
Alright, lean in close for this one. Most people drive past **Bunker Hills Regional Park** every day and never realize there’s a trout pond hidden inside.
**Cenaiko Lake** is a 28-acre “designated trout lake.” The DNR stocks it every year with Rainbow and Brook Trout.
Why it’s a Real Estate Gem:
If you live in the neighborhoods bordering Bunker Hills (like the newer construction in Coon Rapids or Andover), you have access to a species that usually requires a 3-hour drive to the Driftless Area.
It’s shore-fishing friendly, has a great pier, and it’s electric-motor only, so it stays quiet. If you want to teach your kid to fly fish without leaving the zip code, this is the spot.
Blaine: Master-Planned Bass
In Blaine, fishing is built directly into the infrastructure.
Take Sunrise Lake in The Lakes development. This is a man-made system designed for recreation. It’s deep, it’s clean, and it is teeming with Largemouth Bass and Panfish.
The “Backyard” Value:
I’ve sold homes in The Lakes where the “dock rights” were the single biggest selling point. Being able to walk out your back door, hop on a pontoon, and catch dinner in 10 minutes is a luxury that used to be reserved for the “North Woods.” Now, it’s just life in Blaine.
Also, don’t sleep on **Lochness Park**. It’s a smaller pond, but it’s fantastic for shore-fishing with the family. It’s one of those spots where you’re guaranteed to catch something, which is all that matters when you have a 5-year-old on the line.
The “Tight Line” Arsenal
You can’t fish the North Metro without the right gear. And we happen to have one of the world’s most famous tackle shops right in our backyard.
- Thorne Bros Custom Rods (Blaine):
If you’re serious about fishing, you know Thorne Bros. People fly in from across the country to visit this place. They specialize in Muskie, Bass, and custom ice-fishing gear. They know every rock on the bottom of the Rum River. - Kendall’s Ace Hardware (Coon Rapids):
For the rest of us, Kendall’s has a surprisingly robust fishing section. They carry the “local favorites”—the specific jigs and plastics that work in our murky river water. - Alloy Brewing Company:
The unofficial “Post-Fishing” headquarters. If you had a good day on the river, come here to brag. If you had a bad day, come here to forget about it. They even have the Tipsy Steer kitchen to fry up a burger (since you probably practiced catch-and-release).
Last Call
The North Metro is defined by its water.
Whether it’s the power of the Mississippi at the Coon Rapids Dam, the scenic beauty of the Rum in Anoka, or the master-planned luxury of the lakes in Blaine, we are a “Water First” community.
As a Realtor, I can tell you that “proximity to water” is the most resilient value driver in Minnesota real estate. As a bartender, I can tell you that the Walleye are biting on the south side of the dam.
So, grab your rod, check your line, and I’ll see you at the landing.
Keep your lines tight and your expectations high.
Jacob Zwack
Realtor | The Minnesota Real Estate Team
The Riverfront Real Estate Expert.
RENE, C2EX, SRS, ABR designated.
“I find the homes where the fish are biting.”
Jacob Zwack is a licensed Realtor with The Minnesota Real Estate Team. All information presented is for educational purposes. Fishing success is subject to weather, season, and skill; sturgeon sightings are not guaranteed. Always follow MN DNR regulations and respect private property lines when fishing.
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