Fishing on the river

[gunning]

The last few years I have been going down to pool 4 to fish Walleyes in the spring before the opener. I haven’t been able to talk my friends that I go with to do some bass fishing yet, most of them aren't bass guys. I have come to realize river fishing is a different animal and there definitely is a learning curve.

I know down on the Mississippi there are is ton of backwater areas away form the main channel that look like they would hold bass and I assume back there it would just be like fishing a lake for the most part. I feel pretty confident I could find fish if I had to in the backwaters. However If had to fish out near the main channel let say for smallmouth I might get out of my comfort zone.

So I was wondering if some of you guys that have experience fishing rivers wanted to share some ideas, tips or tricks you use when you fish out on the river? What do you look for, do you tend to stick to the backwaters or do you like to get out into the main channel. What are some of the tactics, presentations you like to use?

[Comit 2]

There is no Millfoil on the river and some of these fisherman wouldn't know what to do. Plus who would see them. Just kidding.

I think March-early April may be a little early for shallow Bass this far north.

Of all the post I have ever read on this form this one sound like a Q for a REAL PRO BASS FISHERMAN. I would say go for it. The Bass may not be as big as some in the local lakes but you will be fishing the same type water as the Tour. Just have deep water nearby.

[riverrat63]

river fishing is fun, wing dams would proble be the first thing i fish on the river u cach smallmouth and some times largmouth on them depends how much weeds are on them, tubs topwater crankbaits and senkos all work on them, backwaters usaly hold the most largmouth i usauly throw jigs and frogs early when the weeds are just comeing up swim jigs work good, but a big thing on the river is bait, any time u see minnows and shad start just blowing out of the water the bass with be chasing them in big schools of fish i throw a crankbait or top water, river fishing is fun there are so many dif thing s to try out there its proble the best fishing around.

[Burchoid]

You can catch all the smallmouth and largemouth you can shake a stick at by throwing cranks near downtown st paul off the riprap... toss up in the culverts and outlets too. Expect a good mix of walleyes and bass.

[ikeslayer]

fishing the river is a different animal - but like any lake a time of homework and learning curve for the new animal and you will be fine. I would say get yourself a dnr navigation map - this will first and foremost keep your lower unit attached to your boat and keep you from taking a cold swim this spring. After that it really depends on time of year, how much current, and if you are after brown fish or green fish - sometimes you find them mixed but many times of the year they are in their own specific haunts. I personally enjoy chasing both - however when you get a school of smallies going they get big and reallllly stupid. Become a student of the river - if you understand current and the way it places fish you will be in good shape - like river rat said finding bait is a bonus - but when you can't find it you can still catch them. i feel like river fish can be a little more predictable and suseptable than lake fish. So as far as tips - learn what current does to fish - learn the seasonal movements of bass as well as what the bait does seasonally.

spots - yeah right good luck getting this out of any fisherman let alone a river rat i think these guys would give you their mother before a location!!!!!!!!!!! but i know what you mean - yes traditionally back waters or slow moving water in the spring for largies - In fact if you can find deep water that has no current and is sun baked in the spring Oh la la. I don't do much in the main channel in the spring of the year never really even dabbled and maybe i am missing something but the push for the fish will be food and spawn. as far as lures or presentation - fish your strengths - sure fish can be selective but throw what you are comfortable with - you can get them to eat it or at least give you some hints on what to change.

I have said too much

laters - ike

[TonkaBass]

I too am early in the learning process with the rivski down there, but I did fish the main channel a good bit last year as work had me located where it was the only place to fish, so I towed my boat south with me.

I caught some good bags of smallies often as other fishermen would drive right past me. I looked for areas that I thought the fish would stage this time of the year (April and may). I found A LOT of dead water, then all the sudden I would bang out 5-10 nice ones (3-4 pounders) on a little spot. There was a time where I had them pegged down pretty decent for a lake fisherman. Main thing is to cover water and stay alert, dont overlook small details that could be the golden ticket. I used many baits to catch them, but some top producers were jerkbaits, Northlands jerkshad, and Crawfish imitators. A wise man once told me that when Crawdads shed their skin, they become a dark green color. This is when they are the most soft and easy for bass to eat. He also mentioned they shed often in early spring. So I used a green pumpkin color and, not sure if this was the reason or not, they ate it really well for me.

Also stay away from super hard currents, the rivski can get ripping pretty good with the rising waters from melt-off and rainfall, only thing it will get you is stressed out. Do however look for areas with some current, a complete lack of current generally wont be a good spot. Good luck and try not to break anything...

[Cecil]

Keep in mind that fish in or closer to the main channel are more apt to move then fish in backwaters as well.

[TonkaBass]

Very good point! It's a real here one day gone the next sometimes! But sometimes you can make a good guess where they swam to...

[Cecil]

Yep, they are there for a reason.

[champion198elite]

fishing the river is a different animal - but like any lake a time of homework and learning curve for the new animal and you will be fine. I would say get yourself a dnr navigation map - this will first and foremost keep your lower unit attached to your boat and keep you from taking a cold swim this spring. After that it really depends on time of year, how much current, and if you are after brown fish or green fish - sometimes you find them mixed but many times of the year they are in their own specific haunts. I personally enjoy chasing both - however when you get a school of smallies going they get big and reallllly stupid. Become a student of the river - if you understand current and the way it places fish you will be in good shape - like river rat said finding bait is a bonus - but when you can't find it you can still catch them. i feel like river fish can be a little more predictable and suseptable than lake fish. So as far as tips - learn what current does to fish - learn the seasonal movements of bass as well as what the bait does seasonally.

spots - yeah right good luck getting this out of any fisherman let alone a river rat i think these guys would give you their mother before a location!!!!!!!!!!! but i know what you mean - yes traditionally back waters or slow moving water in the spring for largies - In fact if you can find deep water that has no current and is sun baked in the spring Oh la la. I don't do much in the main channel in the spring of the year never really even dabbled and maybe i am missing something but the push for the fish will be food and spawn. as far as lures or presentation - fish your strengths - sure fish can be selective but throw what you are comfortable with - you can get them to eat it or at least give you some hints on what to change.

I have said too much

laters - ike

Please tell me more !!!

[Cecil]

Tell me more too!! Is the area they call Wilcox any good?

[champion198elite]

No. Its a fun run though(if ya have the ba**'s)j/k

[Cecil]

Ok, thats kind of what I thought. Pretty barren water...

[champion198elite]

It can be ok, that area gets hit pretty hard cause it warms up pretty fast.