mississippi river Mississippi River North Fishing Reports

[mudslinger]

I think the "boys" were looking for the body of the guy that wandered into the river from Babcock this past winter. I remember hearing the sad story about the guy but I never heard that he has been found. Im sure the family would like some closure.

[river rat316]

Well he is a bit down river with this high water, he was probably around those big eddies on eitherside of the river up from Dayton until then

[DaveZman14q]

Are there any sections of the river that have good smallmouth fishing but are basically only accessible by canoe?

[river rat316]

Not really, everything is accessible by jetboat, even up north of Brainerd, the farther north ya go the less chances fo running into one though, I have fished out of a kayak on the river and jet boats aren't a problem, they leave very little wake, even at wot, my biggest problem was always the people that thought they had to creep buy you and leave you with 3 foot rollers in the process.

[RichieCunningham]

River Rat! Waz up!????

[Cads]

I would like to hear from everyone who enjoys fishing this portion of the river. I'm sure there are, and will be a lot of good stories out there.

I haven't fished the river this year myself, but I'll keep you posted in a couple of weeks.

I am curious to see how the brownies did over the cold winter.

Good Luck and Be Safe!

[Jakesbuds]

Haven't got out this year yet, but last year I caught quite a few quality Smallies out North of the Monticello launch by the hospital. You either need a River Pro or a 14ft er that you're willing to ping off the rocks lol, there are some seriously huge boulders in that stretch of river.

[Gordie]

I rea;;y enjoy the ostego to monti strecth did very well on smallys last year and also caught qutie a few channels didnt realy try for much else but I'm sure that if I did I would be able to find other spieces easy enough. havent been on the riv yet this year but hopefully soon.

[Cads]

I typically float from Monticello to Otsego (Kadler Landing) and Becker (Snuffy's) to Monticello in my inflatable pontoon. Either stretch will take me about 6 - 8 hours depending on the current and number of stops I make.

That pontoon is the best purchase I have made in a long time for river fishing. The thing is built to hit rocks and you can go where no other boat can go. I suggest you buy one if you fish this area.

Clearwater is also a great place to launch a stinky boat. I'll usually head south for the walleyes.

The(fly)fishing is excellent anywhere along here. If you don't have a fly rod bring a spinning rod. You are guaranteed to have a good time here.

[Jakesbuds]

Cads, what does a inflatable pontoon cost and where did you get it. I would love to check one of those out.

[Cads]

You can get them for under $800.00 I know Cabela's sells them too. Here is a link to the kind I own, but there are many other brands as well.

(Sorry no links allowed)

[Jakesbuds]

Which Model did you pick up?

[Cads]

I purchased the Guide Lite, however, when I purchase a new one I'll be getting the Guide Pro because it comes with a standing platform.

[jigginjim]

Has anyone run a boat up river from the ramp in monticello?

[kittycatcher16]

Anybody know if the channels are biting in the monticello area?? Havent been down there since earlier this year. Just wondering if anyone knows if the bite is good??

[Rick G]

I was on the river all weekend. Fri I was walking around the islands below the st cloud dam. Found lots of bass and northerns right where they should be for this time of year. Saw the local co's in there river pro checking anglers and they said they were having good luck handing out citations and they even had a few rods and gear they took from some people. Sat I was above the blanchard dam and worked the walleyes and catfish. Ther was a lot of boat traffic up river from the sand bar all the way to the Lindberg access. Found most of the active fish in 12-15 fow. Sun I took my ugly puke green amf crestliner up to just below the st. cloud dam and fished for cats and bass. The bass were real slow but the cats were going nuts. Once we found them we casted 1/4 oz. heads and a leech or crawlers. Caught too many fish to count and never had to wait more than 10 min for the next bite. All together it was a pretty good fourth of july weekend on the river for me.

[NELS-BELLS]

My son and I were out on Sunday afternoon to evening up near the Sartell county park access and had pretty good luck. We caught 18 Crappies, most between 10 - 11", with the largest being 12 1/4". We also caught 5 walleyes, largest was 16" and 8 smallies, largest was only about 14". All fish released. Most of the fish were near the edge of the weeds and only in about 3' of water. We stumbled onto the Crappies by accident. Jigs and 3" twister tails were the ticket for most with a few smallies caught on buzz baits.

Nels

[river rat316]

Sounds like a good time

[kittycatcher16]

Went out last night from 8:00p.m.-1:00a.m. catfishing in monticello. Fishing wasnt so good...Idk what the deal is but the last 4 times down there hasnt been good. Only managed to land one cat, about 3 lbs or so. Had a few other bites but missed them. Also got two turtles. Anyone else been fishing in monticello area for cats?? I would love to hear how you did?

[kittycatcher16]

Went out again tonight for cats...Wasnt good once again. Nothing but a few minor bites. Not sure what is going on with the cats lately...possibly spawn?? Who knows.

[Rick G]

Plenty of cats being caught with in a couple miles of the dam here in town. Size is kinda small but lots of action.

[Rick G]

I have been hitting the river from the hospital to the dam hard the last two weeks and have been having fair to good luck with walleyes, crappies and lots of smallies. The walleyes and smallies I have been finding have been from 13-17 fow and a few in 7-10 fow rocks seem to be holding more fish than sand. I have been using 1/8oz. jig and minnow or the 2.5in gulp. On the days when that has'nt worked so hot a crawler on a spinner rig worked at between .8-1.0 mph has been the ticket. The crappies I have been finding have come suspended a few feet off bottom over 10-17fow with some sort of current break near by. Small crappie jigs with a bobber or 2in twisters have worked good. pink/white or pink/yellow has done best for me.

[Juan Grande]

Nice report. We hit the mighty Miss tonight for a couple hours around Monti. Got a few decent smallies 15-17" on suckers with slip bobbers. Wish we could have stayed out longer.

[TunaCan]

Lots and lots of big fish on suckers and tubes. My best in six years was 20" and I got two in one day this past week. The bigger one measured 20 1/2" (a personal best). Caught 20 in two hours yesterday with 6 in the 18" range - one was under 15". Fishing rock edges adjacent to deeper water. Favorite time of year and not many people have been out.

[TunaCan]

Water temps in the low 40's. Fish were very sluggish - managed 5 smallmouth in two hours, but no big ones. All 14"-16". Caught a 22" walleye as a bonus.

[Rick G]

Tryed below the dam here in town this evening. Lots of tiny 8-11 in walleyes biting right now. Saw a two guys keepin theese tiny little fish and putting them in a paper bag. All I could do is shake my head in frustration. Heck if they caught there limit they might have enough meat for a fish sandwich.

[fishface]

The tiny walleyes are thick!

I'm catching alot of just about everything that swims in the river.

But,

It's all pretty small.

I am seeing some ok panfish.

Strangly enough.

flyfishing.

[TunaCan]

Caught 8 smallmouth yesterday afternoon in the Elk River area. Fish are biting, but need to work VERY slow. Biggest was 18". Caught a bonus 19 1/2" walleye. I never catch more than one. Does anyone catch multiple walleyes in the Elk River Otsego area? If so, are there certain patterns that work?

[Rivernut]

I have, but only 2-3. Fathead and 1/8 0z. fireball jig. I had one day that the only thing the 'eye's would hit were small sucker minnows on 1/4 fireball. CHARTREUSE. Key color for me. They love the current seams where ever there are rocks. Vertical jig, making sure you are just off the bottom. Hope this helps, good luck.

[big musk411]

"I have, but only 2-3" Come on Mike we caught 6-8 eyes when we went out! Have you been out lately to the spot I brought you to? I haven't been there since September. We had been caching more walleyes throughout the year this year. We actually caught some very nice fish from shore in February I think it may have to do with removing the dam on the Crow River and giving them more room to roam around.

I only caught 1 today, but it was a fatty! Inhaled a sucker minnow.

As Rivernut says, look for current seams with a steep drop from shore and current breaks near fast water. You will need live bait to catch walleyes this time of year. Keep it slow and the bites will be very light. I like to use strong line like Maxima so I can bend the hook on jigs rather than break them off.