Upper Mississippi (St Cloud, Mn) Smallies

[Vic Hicks]

I've never been to this area, but will be there in June.  I will have my kayaks and want to do a little SMB fishing while camping.  Can anyone suggest a nice campground that I can also launch my Yak from??  And is mid June a good time to go??

 

Thanks

[gim]

Yo Vic. I can’t comment on a campground but I can tell you that the smallmouth fishing from St Cloud down to Elk River is some of the best river bassin’ in the area. The fishing that time of year will be highly dependent on how much rain we’ve received. Higher, murkier water is the enemy and lower, clearing water is your friend.

 

There is an access just below the dam next to the University. I rode my mountain bike past it many times in college.

[Vic Hicks]

Thanks for the reply.

 

What is the best time to fish this part of the Miss?  On this mid June trip we will be on our way to fish in Ely.  Just thought we would stop here for a few days.  But we could schedule a trip for later if the fishing is better at another time.....

[gim]

I have found river fishing to be the best in July or August when the water levels are lower and generally clearer, and the water is warmer.  I'm not saying that you will have poor fishing in June but June is generally the wettest month in terms of rainfall here and it makes the water murkier and the fishing tougher.  Last year June would have been perfectly fine because it was very dry.  I don't personally fish that area of the Mississippi but I have fished a smaller river an hour east regularly every season for the past 15 years and the warmest, muggiest, sunniest day in July or August is often the best time to be out there.  Basically when the lake fishing slows down, the river fishing is at its best.  Look for current breaks, shoreline cover (logs, overhanging trees, etc), and shade.  Lure selection is mostly irrelevant - just get the lure in the right spot and they'll hit it.  For this reason I generally use a topwater or shallow floating crank bait of some kind.  The primary forage will be crayfish so a dark-colored lure resembling one is a good starting point.  Here are a couple of 20 inch river smallies from 2019.