One thing to consider when fishing the Mississippi River for walleye is that these walleye will tend to be smaller and harder to catch than those you commonly find in lakes. Most of the walleye found in rivers tend to be somewhere in the two to five lb, range. A ten pound walleye in a river is a great catch, but they can be found!
Keep in mind that walleye tend to disburse in areas of rapid current, and for this reason, tend to be more plentiful in backwater and cove areas where the current is slower and the water is not so deep.
When fishing the Mississippi river for walley, the most successful fishing usually takes place within a couple of miles of the locks and dams that are found from St. Paul to St. Louis on the Mississippi. One particularly good spot is found in Pierce county in Minnesota, in Red Wing. Early in the year when the waters are icy, this is one of the best, most abundant sources of walleye anywhere.
One good technique for bagging your limit of walleye on the Mississippi, especially in the spring, if you are fishing the lock and dam area is to fish near the large knob of cement that comes between the lock and dam. Just remember that snagging is illegal, and it is easy to accidentally snag a fish in these areas. Fish that are foul hooked should always be released. When you are fishing the bullnose, as this area of the lock and dam is called, you will have good results using a jig and minnow bait.
Fishing on the Mississippi in Wisconsin is variable, largely because there is the big influence of the weather upon fishing conditions. When the wind is coming out of the east, you might be better served to dock the boat and do something else until the wind starts to gentle down to a westernly flow and stops the hard northern blow. Fishing the Big Muddy for walleye can be an exercise in patience at times, because there are so many variables that come into play, but if you are a novice to walleye fishing on the Mighty Mississippi, one bit of advise that will never fail is to watch what the old timers are doing and follow suit. Experience says it all, and after getting the advise of a sage, you will find your own way and discover areas and techniques sure to make Mississippi river walleye fishing one of your favorite past times.
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