MN River vs. Mississippi

[wooduck26]

I was wondering for the guys who fish both rivers, are the Flatheads on average, bigger in the Miss?

What would be considered a "Big" fish for the MN River vs. The Miss?

[DARK30]

A Mudeye over 40 pounds is big in any river. Don't forget the St. Criox River either. I would prefer the Minnesota for shore fishing convenience. The Miss would be a much better option for someone with a nicer boat and a straight prop.

I put the nab on a nice little 25# dragster last night just as Jupiter began to show. I love the Minnesota River.....much more peaceful and quiet. Well, except for those loud screaming clickers.

[hanson]

We had a really good discussion about this last summer. I could probably dig it up in the archives if I have time later.

I personally think the Mississippi has larger flatheads, and more of them. Pool 2 has some brutes swimming around in it but then so does P3, P4, etc, etc. Pool 4 has got tons of flathead fishing potential. Guys that have figured out the Mississippi have amazing success. Hi Briank!

I don't want to say the Minnesota is "easier" to fish but its a natural river (smaller too) and fish tend to hold and relate to natural structures. I think this is why you see lots of people having success on the Minnesota. The Mississippi is HUGE, and intimidating as well. I scratch my head and wonder where to start.

[sparcebag]

Has anyone tried below lock & dam 3? Had a uncle who trot lined when I was young,back then they seemed HUGE.Prairie Island Res.

[Shack]

If I was to figure, the Minnesota river seems to have a hotter bite in Spring and early summer. I learned about this info by reading between the line of this forum. I also figure (like Hanson stated) the MN is cleaner and more of a natural river, with direct access to Mississippi. So you have a great chance on MN still for a very large flat.

I do personally believe, the next state record will be caught out of pool 2 or 3 (Flathead) if it is ever caught.

In early to late July, we have made plans for a "state record" run to pool 2 and 3. It will consist of a mid day start and go until sunrise (Sat. into Sun.). I have been doing some research on the equipment we will need for this trip and started a list. It consists of my fishing partners and I buying some new polls and reel and the largest pound test PP I can order. I also have been looking into Large hooks (ocean style), but I work at fabcation shop and custom made 3" stainless steal hook has been a topic of mine during our lunch hour. It will resemble an Octi when done and a slight break to create barb. Bait will consist of very large red horse and reg. sucker, caught from the fresh waters of the Rum. Very large shad and as close to 7" inch bully will also be on the table also.

The rest of my summer "catfishing" from now on will only include Mississippi. They are starting to bite pretty good down there now and summer is in full swing.

[Farmboy1]

I normally fish pool 4. Hansen said it correct, it is a big water, with a lot of places to try. Most of the Infisherman flathead videos have been filmed on pools 3 and 4 there showing some of the potential. I have fished the area shown in Big Cat Safari (P3) as well as the Dam shown in a couple other of their videos (P4).

But with that said, there is a learning curve on these waters that I think is a little longer then on smaller rivers for the simple reason being there is more water, more structure, more different habitats, etc. Fish can and will range and cover more areas to follow baitfish.

I have two years of time on P4 aggressively fishing flatheads, and do not feel like I have touched any amount of areas that I need to check out. I think if I continue my fishing habits and quantity of time on the water, I may have a handle on it in a few years. And as Hansen kinda said, the guys who have it figured out (Briank) are a valuable resource to help. I also know there are a few loyal catfisherman who fish the lower half of P4 near Wabasha and do very well, and I mean VERY WELL. The problem is you will never hear what they are using, and more importantly where they are fishing. I have spent entire days running back channels in this area trying to mark areas to fish. To try them all might take me about 10 years. I wish I knew someone to get me in this area to more aggressively fish it and share some knowledge with me.

Sorry for the long post, but I have spent a few too many nights in the boat alone waiting for the clicker to respond to my prayers, and had a lot to time to think about it

[hanson]

The interesting thing about Briank is he has adapted to catching flats and cats in general on the Mississippi through the summer, and responding to their different movements.

I know where he is fishing right now, and it is sooooooo money it isn't even funny. My phone hasn't rung yet this year.

But once that bite dies off, he has shown that he can adjust and still put fish in the boat in different areas. You can't learn that ovenight.

[Farmboy1]

Quote:

---

But once that bite dies off, he has shown that he can adjust and still put fish in the boat in different areas. You can't learn that ovenight.

---

I think this is what we are all striving for, to know the fish and the water well enough to adapt to changing conditions. I hope to know this sometime in my lifetime.

I know Brian told me once that he spent about 3 years with 5-6 nights a week on the water before he felt he could consistently put fish in the boat. That shows the learning curve of the big waters.

I have said it before, and will say it again. Every fisherman I have fished with taught me something. They are better at something then I am, and if I can pick up that piece of knowledge and add it to my arsenal, I am a better fisherman. I have not taken many out lately since work has made me a hermit, but I hope that will change.

I try to do as much reading as I can about the fish, their habits, locations depending on seasons, etc. as well as talk to as many cat guys as I can to pick up whatever scraps of info I can. Any info is good info, and I will interpet it later.

And sorry Hanson (with an O, not an E)for the mispelled name .

[dps]

The Mississippi river vs the MN river... there is no real comparison. As hanson said, the MN river is an easier river to fish, much smaller, a good population of flatheads, and an endless supply of traditional flathead structure and spawning areas. Overall, there is a much higher population of flatheads on average per acre, and they are easy to locate.

The Mississippi river on the other hand, as others have stated has some huge fish in it, and good numbers of fish... but muc harder to locate. It is a very intimidating river to those who dont know it, or know the system of locating flats in larger waters. The lower half of pool 2 to mid pool 4 is very similar water... its huge, lots of backwaters, wing dams, industrial structures, dredged channels and lots of timber and shallows out of the main channel. There are very limited amount of water inlets unlike the MN river where they are seemingly everywhere in some areas. Upper pool 2 is a whole different animal than anyplace. The river is mostly rock, only a couple feeder streams(including mn river), no real timber to speak of, a uniform river channel... there really isnt a whole lot of change from the ford dam until the lilydale area where there is extensive deep water and very significant rock structures. The only thing to key on is man-made structure which very few flathead fishermen have adapted to. The majority of the fish use the same structures, or their are very high concentrations of fish in some areas, and very few in others.

A greatly overlooked, and hard to access area for flats is pool 1... nobody has fgured out that pool yet partialy because of difficulty to access above the ford dam, and several miles to run including locks to fish the area from any access you can park at late at night.

The trick to fishing large river systems is to find an area that is producing some fish, and refining the search in that area to find where and what the fish are keying on. There may be SEVERAL good spots within a 100 yard stretch of a single shoreline. The flats have a lot of room to hunt, this also means the bait has a lot of room to run. It might take a few nights of fishing to find a flat to bite your line in a key area, but once you fnd them, often that spot will produce good numbers of fish for a month or more.

Most of the best larger river fishermen have a few key areas that produce 90% of their catch, or more. When the fih are not frequenting these key areas, they are very difficult to locate... but you will find them if you put your time in.

I know there are severa record class fish swimming in the Missssippi river, even right in the twin cities area. The MN river one would be naive to think there arent a few in there too. I wouldnt doublt with the growing popularity of catfishing, the record may be broken a few times in the next decade.

Just keep in mind guys.. sometimes the best spot is right in front of you. Too ften 100's of spots are quickly overlooked as we fire up the motor and make a long run for what we think is the perfect spot.

"Fisher" Dave Scott

[DTro]

nice to see ya back here dps

[dps]

Quote:

---

nice to see ya back here dps

---

"There goes the neighborhood"

[Larry FlatCaster]

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

nice to see ya back here dps

---

"There goes the neighborhood"

---

Its been gone for sometime.... don't worry we won't hold it against you.