Bass on river near Winona?

[Slyster]

Thinking of camping a few times this summer with the kiddies... near Winnona.. at Merrick State Park on the WI side. Anyone fished this area for bass? Looks pretty cool on the maps with all the backwaters and such. Is it true with a MN license you can fish both sides of the river?

[Crank It Up Pro]

Slyster, The fishing is awesome all around that area for largemouth and smallmouth, make sure you you get good maps of the river can get turned around really easily. As far as the fishing both sides I believe main river is o.k. but I know in tournaments you could not go under any bridge road or railroad on the WI. side so you might want to look into that alittle more. If you have never locked through in a boat you must take the kiddies it's really neat and educational.

[RossT]

A Minnesota license will work on both sides of the river. The "track to track" rule does apply though. What this means, is if you cross underneath a RR bridge on either side, you will need that states respective fishing license. However, 99% of the water you will want and be able to fish, are within the tracks.

As mentioned before, get a good map for navigation and be prepared to idle for a long time before you begin to learn the river. Maps can be downloaded off the net or the MN and WI DNR offers, or used to offer free maps of the river.

You will be hard pressed to find an acurate depth-contour map because the river flucuates so often with sandbar changes, flow, and stage that a map will not be accurate for more than a day. I would also recommend locking through one of the locks and dams, it really is cool the first few times you do it. With the maps from the DNR or Army Corps of Engineers are instructions in how to lock through.

Good Luck!

[Slyster]

Sounds excellent so far! What lures do you recommend for river fishing for bass? Mostly cranks?

[bass-o-matic]

Fish what you would on any other body of water. Just vary your lure/presentation with the structure you are fishing. Cranks, spinnerbaits, worms, jigs, tubes, topwater, frogs; they all work at one time or another. Personally, if you are fishing the main channel areas, I've always found colors that resemble minnows rather than crawfish tend to work better. Not that crawfish colors don't have their time and place, but just a general rule of thumb due to the large amounts of shad in the river. Have fun and good luck! Let us know how you do!!!

[RossT]

Depends on the time of year that you will be down there. But on those pools I've had success using Firetiger Mann's B 1-minus cranks, White buzzbaits, white spinnerbaits, Outkast swim jigs, and pumpkin/chart. spidergrubs. But don't overlook black/blue Outkast jigs pitched into vegetation.

Have fun, the sights are amazing.

[RandyFish]

Any suggestions for early-season, say mid to late April, as far as areas and techniques?

I would assume that the warmer backwaters would be the places to start?

I would like to relieve some spring fever by fishing out of Wabasha area in mid-April.

Thanks

[CrappieJohn]

Go to the south of Wabasha when you leave the harbor. About three miles or so you'll pass a large bay and come to a point with houses up on the high bank. This is Tipiota Point. Along the rip rap and turbulent shoreling one will find some smally action. The large bay that you pass will have lots of largee,outh cover. Straight across the channel from the concrete daymark found near that point will be the entry into Indian Slough where you'll find all kinds of fingers and points where some serious bass can be found. Be careful of stump fields as you enter that area along with a couple wing dams.

Having a map of this area is a good idea to located water hazards like the wing dams, but I wouldn't put a whole lot of faith in the water depths....this river is alive and ever-changing.