Mississippi River Walleye fishing has everything an avid freshwater angler needs – both quantity and quality of fish, countless spots to explore, and year-round accessibility. The Upper Mississippi is a sportfishing paradise and Walleye chasers from all over the country are happy to cast their line in these murky waters.
What to Expect
It’s hardly a surprise that fishing in Minnesota is all about the Walleye, both because it’s such a tasty fish and a fierce fighter. These fun-to-catch fellas have been the state’s fish for more than 50 years, and there’s no better place to target them than the Upper Mississippi River.
Walleye love to move around a lot, especially during their spring spawning season. This is when they’re particularly abundant and can grow to up to 30 inches long. You can find them in shallow waters where the bottom is muddy and there’s lots of submerged foliage. You’ll often find Sauger in the vicinity, too.
As the temperatures rise in the summer, Walleye will disperse, and at that time, the best places to look for them are current breaks and around dams. A good rule of thumb is to fish a spot for Walleye for about 20 minutes, and if you don’t get a bite, move on to the next one. They move in schools, so when you do hear that reel scream, chances are you’ll catch a fair few in a matter of minutes.
If you want to experience some of the best of Walleye fishing in fall, the river bends and deeper waters of Iowa are a great place to start. To be most productive, fish at the time of day when visibility is reduced – sunrise, sunset, evening hours, and cloudy days are your best bet. In the winter, ice fishing for Walleye is an option, and an excellent chance to try out something new.
One of the spots you simply shouldn’t miss out on if you’re looking for a superb Walleye catch-and-release fishery is Pool 2 in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. This is where you come to catch trophy-size Walleye and Sauger, and admire the nature of Minnesota, while you’re at it.
How to Prepare
If Mississippi River Walleye fishing sounds appealing to you, then the best way to go around it is to book a fishing charter and leave everything in the capable hands of your captain. Take care of your fishing license, drinks, food, and warm clothes if you’re coming in late fall.
After that, all you have to do is jump aboard and discover just how bountiful the Walleye bite is on the mighty Mississippi!
