Spring Pike Mississippi Backwaters

[bronzebackhunter]

I'm planning a trip to fish for pike after ice out on the mississippi along the mn/wi border. Any starting points would be appreciated. I'm looking at the wabasha area and south say robinson lake and truedale lake also maloney lake south of there. Does anyone know of contour maps for these? I'm looking for shallow bays were the pike would be spawning. Thanks!!

[bronzebackhunter]

I'm planning a trip to fish for pike after ice out on the mississippi along the mn/wi border. Any starting points would be appreciated. I'm looking at the wabasha area and south say robinson lake and truedale lake also maloney lake south of there. Does anyone know of contour maps for these? I'm looking for shallow bays were the pike would be spawning. Thanks!!

" God Does not subtract from your life the hours you spend fishing"

[Terps]

there are contour maps of the mighty Mississippi main channle but i have yet to see a contour map of the backwaters...would be nice to get my hands on one of those!

[bronzebackhunter]

Does anybody have an idea of what these bays consist of? I've heard that the contours of backwaters change each year due to flooding but are these bays 5' deep or are they 20? Just an idea of what they are like would be helpful I've never been there before.

" God Does not subtract from your life the hours you spend fishing"

[Aaron Carrell]

Well I don't know of any contour maps for the backwaters, but speaking from experience, those backwater areas seem to change yearly. I know that my favorite pike areas in the Trempeleau and Onalaska area were completely different this fall (as much as 2-3' in a few spots) vs 2 years ago. We had a killer year for pike in areas where I never would've touched, but when the structure comes in like that, they just seem to migrate to those areas. Not entirely sure that a map would do you much good, but good luck finding one.

[kyleharty]

I've got a Fishing Hot Spots map of Pool 4 that has maps of the backwaters with some very vague contours and some suggestions for spring pike spots. I just started fishing again last fall and don't generally have a boat so I can't comment on how good any of these spots are. Like people have said, the backwaters can vary greatly in layout and depth from year to year and season to season so be careful and good luck. There's plenty of nice pike in there if you can find them!

[Comit 2]

I too have a Fishing Hot Spots map of Pool 4 and I have tried for Ice out northern pike in the Bay City area. I can't say I ever had my timing right but come on that area just inside of Catherine Pass just looks right.

Plus the yearling Bald Eagles were loving the area.