Wading the River

[JBMasterAngler]

First weekend of june I was thinking about hitting up the clearwater access on the mississippi...is that a good place to throw on the flip flops and walk up and downstream for smallies and walleyes? Any good catfish holes nearby?

[Sartell Angler]

you'll get some but the fishing is better for smallies closer to st. cloud (beaver islands) or further south towards monticello.

don't discount the smaller rivers in the area either as many of them hold some stellar smallmouth fishing.

SA/wdw

[oldguide]

Wading the "Ole" Miss is my favorite past time!!! However it gets better later in the year. Be careful if you go out. The current is up and the water is cool. Lots of good smallmouth spots around Sauk Rapids, Sartell, St. Cloud and if you're willing to drive a bit the stretch above and below Belle Prairie Park north of Little Falls can be waded effectively. Take your time and work the riffles and slicks. I find that late June through August are the best months for smallmouth. If you want to join and old man and have some fun contact me at [email protected]. That goes for anyone reading this post. I fish just about every day during the summer and usually on lakes and rivers within the St. Cloud area. Take care and be careful.

[JBMasterAngler]

I like throwing on the sandles and walking around for smallies, I do it all the time on the snake and upper st. croix rivers. Where can I access the river in the beaver islands area?

[riversmallmouth35]

The river is a great place for smallmouth up in Sauk Rapids and down to ST. Cloud. Most of the smallmouth I get are really good size. In Sauk Rapids barely anyone fishes the river because they dont think there are many fish in it.I have also caught many nice catfish down by the beaver islands.

good luck

[riverwalker]

When in doubt. I always go to the sauk river by hennens furniture. the water is high now but you will get some nice walleye and northern, the smallie action is awesome, but not open yet. I park right next to the bridge and either walkwest towards the VA right where the currents are and fish downstream into the pools, or if i feel up to a walk i head east towards saint cloud. it is sketchy now with the water up and currents, but soon this will be one of my favorite places to go for a quick fish. if ya see a red ford ranger there, just give a yell..the smallies range from 14-22" normally. maybe not the best place now, but give it a month and after bass opener it is always a productive place for me

[bturck]

JB: there is an access south of National Hockey Center parking lot on the west side of the river. It would be east of the city garage, its marked on 5th Ave South. Water appears fast and fairly high right now. Late last fall you could walk all over out there from island to island and sand bar to sand bar. Some good smallies in the area. Good luck. Bill

[JBMasterAngler]

Thanks for the info. I've been known to cover lot's of water by foot, so when the water goes down a bit the beaver islands could be a dream come true for me.

[Captain B.R.K]

Excellent read and thanks to everyone for submitting some tips on wade fishing. This is a great option later in the summer, especially with the talk of gas prices going up,up, up

[JBMasterAngler]

Not a bad way to keep yourself cool when it's 98 degrees and muggy also.