River Fishing

[Brnnoser6983]

So, I just learned this year that parts of the Mississippi river here in Minnesota fall under international boarder fishing guide lines. Lot of rules made simple is that I can C&R year round in some pools.

But I have never river fished, and was debating going this week. What can you suggest? I don't want to take my boat out, well because I don't trust it 100%. So what are your tips, how do I look for a good spot?

[papajoe222]

This time of year I'd concentrate on the oxbows and large areas of slack water. I don't know how much water in that category you'll be able to fish from shore though.  If you can't locate slack water, the next best would be to target smallies in the current breaks in front of and behind bridge pilings and LARGE boulders.Both of those will produce bigger areas of slack water than rocks and felled trees.  Many anglers ignore the upstream side of obstructions and miss out on some of the more aggressive fish. Just remember that those areas tend to collect the debris that is pushed down stream and adjust your lure selection accordingly.

[fishinphilly]

i tend to concentrate on the spots where you see fast moving water slowing down or slack water usually off to the side

 

goodluck

[Scott F]

So the Minnesota-Wisconsin border is now an international border? The Mississippi River up where it is the border between the states (not countries) is pretty wide is it not? The general rules about small river fishing don't always apply on such large rivers. Current still plays a major role, but if you are in the main channel, aside from watching out for barges, you still have to find the current breaks. These are often wing dams. Can be tricky if you don't know where they are or how to approach them. Some are shallow enough they'll take out your lower unit, some are deeper. Holding near them takes good boat control where the current is strong. Might be best to hire a guide to cut down the learning curve and keep you safe.

[Brnnoser6983]

With the river being low, and the ice melt I'm not taking the boat out, so only shore.

As far as international I might be wrong on the term, but I can fish pool two (if you know the mn & wi area) which is Hastings area. The season there is continuous.

I just know I'm not into bobber fishing for crappie, and I am dying to fish. But I know there is a lot more to rivers such as eddies and slack current. And a whole bunch of other terms I am not 100% about.