Mississippi River/Monticello

[erikwells]

Doe's anyone fish the Mississippi by Monticello? Is it better North or South? I have been fishing the Mississippi North of Elk River with a little bit of success. However I cannot boat very far due to the shallow water. Maybe Monticello might be better. I love the variety the river offers and intend to learn to fish it in my 14 foot lund with a 9.9. Any help getting a rookie started would be appreciated. Thanks

[PISCATOR]

I put in at Monticello about a week ago at the landing south (downstream)of the Hwy. 25 bridge with a 17 foot with a 70 HP. I was able to motor up to the bridge and probably couled have gone farther. Plenty of water (11 to 14 feet) across from the landing. It gets shallower as you approach the bridge. This should be good spot for smallies, but I did not get any. I moved to the other side of the islands and worked my way up through about 2 feet of water. I think I may have damaged a few rocks on my way. I picked up about 8 smallies inside the islands on jigs and twisters and fuzzy grubs. My buddy got one cat on a crawler.

I also got one small smallie on a Big O in the deeper water. I peppered the deeper shoreline with jigs and was amazed that I did not get any hits.

With a 14 foot and a 9.9 you should be able to fish a long ways up and downstream from this landing. The landing area is very shallow. Again, please let me know how you do.

[erikwells]

Piscator, thanks for some insight. It appears I might be better off trying the monticello part of the river as opposed to the Elk River portion. I am going to try really hard to give it a run and will be sure to let you know how I do.

[Tonka Boy]

Erikwells,

A friend of mine used to fish the Monticello area daily. He showed me a park just before you get to the powerplant. We would walk the shorelines and catch smallies all day long. Once in a while we'd catch them as big as 5 lbs. If you had a small jon boat or something you'd probably do even better. I once heard that stretch is considered "the smallmouth capital of the world".

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Tonka Boy

[Guest]

That stretch of water can be very productive you might even can catch a walleye there now and then. I have been under the bridge many times, but be very careful the channel is very narrow there. Still the bigger fish tend to be near deeper water so in my opinion if you are looking for a wall hanger head south, way south, especially south of the Champlain Bridge.

[metro 1]

I live just west of Monticello and the river in town is the only area I'll fish. the park is motissippi park with a great landing. I have had two 75 + fish days in the stretch from the Montissippi park to Ellison park in town . try the park in town about 50 yds.up stream and 50 ft out.don't know why but the smallies and the cats love this spot. metro

[erikwells]

Metro 1, thanks for your response. My brother and I are going to give it a run Sunday morning. We will put in at the bridge and head north with some jigs, crawlers and some fatheads. We are going to put out about 8:00 am and fish most of the day. I have a red 14ft lund with a bowmount trolling motor and a 9.9 evinrud. Be sure to say hi if your out there Sunday. I will let you know how I do.

[metro 1]

Mr. erikwells how was your trip on the mississippi? metro

[erikwells]

Metro1,I remember when I used to be a man and could fish almost whenever I wanted to. Them were the days. I didn't make it to the Mississippi I did however sneak out to the Crow for about an hour last Tuesday. I caught 2 walleyes about 16 inches, 1 northern about 20 inches, 2 smallies about 1 1/2 pounds, two carp about 5 lbs and several small catfish. I just used a crawler and a lindy. I had a ball in that hour and a half. I am still determined to get my boat out on the Mississippi in Monticello. I am really excited to give this a try. I haven't done a lot of river fishing but the little I have done recently has been a lot of fun. You never know what you might hook up with. Have you been out?

[metro 1]

Yes I was out last Sunday musky fishing on Sugar Lake . I had five fallows but no hook ups, I guess that's a good day .I haven't fished musky much so its fun to do something different. My fishing partner was in the musky's inc. tournament a few weeks ago and had some fish on and in the net but couldn't land them by himself so I volunteered to go with him next year in early Sept. so I'll have to practice allot (darn) . It sounds like you had some fun on the Crow, the rivers are addicting and you always get something .Good luck and keep at it ,Metro

[Guest]

Comin' into the thread late, but Mr. Wells, where on the Crow?
I'm outta Big Lake, and have become addicted to the rivers, myself. I intend to become very aquainted with the Elk and Crow. I'd like to work the Mississippi, but I've just got a 2 horse and I'd be a-scar't. Ever been to the Orona Spillway?

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RobertC

[erikwells]

Robertc, I have been fishing the Crow at the Bernings mill bridge. My success has been less than spectacular. It is on my way home from work, I work in Eden Pairie but live by Elk River. I stop on my way home from time to time. The Mississippi in Elk River I have fished a couple of time this year. I fished then river from the 101 bridge going north and west. I have caught some smallies and small cats. The Mississippi in Monticello I have caught smallies as well. I am preferrably a walleye guy and have been trying to pick up the eyes. I did fish the Rum River from shore this weekend and did'nt get a nibble. The water was really high. I have been able to wade to a small island in the past but was frankly afraid due to the speed of the water. I also went to Isanti Rum and tried for a few minutes there as well. No luck. There are some very savvy river fisherman on this site that can probably help you much more than me if you hadn't gathered that from my posts. Best of luck.