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Fishing Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing): what the data says
Hastings dam down to Lock & Dam 3. About 18 miles of channel, wing dams and backwaters feeding the head of Pool 4. The river tops out around 30 ft. Depth here is modeled from the true shoreline and max depth rather than surveyed; use it to plan, not to navigate. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing) maps at 3,529 acres behind 36.3 miles of shoreline. A development index of 4.4 means a maze of bays and points: far more casting targets than a round bowl of the same size. About 47% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft on the modeled chart — that's the weed-and-bait zone.
Walleye fishing at Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing)
Spring puts walleye in skinny water — 4 to 15 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 9 to 30 ft, wintering in 9 to 30 ft. Fall walleye concentrate at Channel bar / point (mile 13.8), a prime-rated point around 12 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Channel bar / point (mile 13.8) (12 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 9 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Channel bar / point (mile 13.8) (12 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 9 to 30 ft | dusk & night | Channel bar / point (mile 13.8) (12 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 9 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5) (23 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Sauger fishing at Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing)
In spring, sauger run shallow here, mostly 4 to 18 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 10 to 30 ft before dropping to 9 to 30 ft for winter. Summer sauger concentrate at Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5), a prime-rated creek channel around 23 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a bottom bouncer + crawler or a 3-way rig with stickbait most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 0.6) (17 ft) | 3/8 oz jig + ringworm, Hair jig + minnow |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5) (23 ft) | Bottom bouncer + crawler, 3-way rig with stickbait |
| Fall | 9 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5) (23 ft) | Jig + big minnow, Blade bait |
| Winter | 9 to 30 ft | dusk | Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5) (23 ft) | Heavy jigging spoon, Jig + minnow (vertical) |
White Bass fishing at Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing)
In spring, white bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 12 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 25 ft before dropping to 9 to 30 ft for winter. Fall white bass concentrate at Channel bar / point (mile 13.8), a prime-rated point around 12 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a slab spoon or a small topwater (schooling fish) most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Channel bar / point (mile 13.8) (12 ft) | Curly-tail jig (white), Small lipless crank |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 0.6) (17 ft) | Slab spoon, Small topwater (schooling fish) |
| Fall | 6 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Channel bar / point (mile 13.8) (12 ft) | Jigging spoon, Blade bait |
| Winter | 9 to 30 ft | midday | Current seam (mile 0.6) (17 ft) | Jigging spoon (deep), Blade bait |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing)
Come spring, look for smallmouth bass tight to the bank in 3 to 12 ft. Expect a summer slide to 10 to 30 ft, then a winter hold in 9 to 30 ft. Start at Channel bar / point (mile 13.8). It's a point holding about 12 ft of water and rates prime come fall. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Channel bar / point (mile 13.8) (12 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 0.6) (17 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Channel bar / point (mile 13.8) (12 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 9 to 30 ft | midday | Current seam (mile 0.6) (17 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Northern Pike fishing at Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing)
Come spring, look for northern pike tight to the bank in 2 to 8 ft. Expect a summer slide to 8 to 20 ft, then a winter hold in 5 to 15 ft. Start at Channel bar / point (mile 13.8). It's a point holding about 12 ft of water and rates prime come fall. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | open water | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Channel bar / point (mile 13.8) (12 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Channel bar / point (mile 13.8) (12 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Channel bar / point (mile 13.8) (12 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Channel Catfish fishing at Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing)
When the water first warms, channel catfish slide up into 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 9 to 30 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5): a creek channel around 23 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4) (17 ft) | |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft | night & dusk | Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5) (23 ft) | |
| Fall | 10 to 30 ft | dusk | Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5) (23 ft) | |
| Winter | 9 to 30 ft | midday | Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5) (23 ft) |
Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing) also holds flathead catfish (8 to 30 ft in summer), freshwater drum (8 to 30 ft in summer), crappie (10 to 25 ft in summer), bluegill (4 to 15 ft in summer), common carp (3 to 15 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Notable structure
- Main-channel hole (mile 8.1): creek channel, around 24 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5): creek channel, around 23 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 15.7): creek channel, around 23 ft
- Current seam (mile 0.6): current seam, around 17 ft
- Slackwater eddy (mile 4.4): eddy pocket, around 17 ft
- Current seam (mile 6.3): current seam, around 17 ft
- Current seam (mile 10.0): current seam, around 17 ft
- Slackwater eddy (mile 11.9): eddy pocket, around 17 ft
- Channel bar / point (mile 13.8): point, around 12 ft
Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing) fishing regulations
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing) specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Common questions
How deep is Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing)?
Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing) is about 30 ft (9 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing)?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, sauger, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, common carp on Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing).
Where is the best fishing spot on Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing)?
Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5) is the top-rated area: a creek channel in about 23 ft of water that rates prime for sauger in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing)?
For walleye, the summer bite is best in the evening and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
What are the fishing regulations for Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing)?
Fishing on Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing) is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Nearby waters
Vermillion River - Clear 3 mi, MN · U.S. Lock & Dam #3 3 mi, MN · Mississippi River - Goose 6 mi, MN · Rebecca 8 mi, MN · Gantenbein Lake 9 mi, WI · Unnamed 12 mi, MN · Mississippi River - Spring 13 mi, MN · Mississippi River Pool 4 (Red Wing) 13 mi · Kinnickinnic Pond, Upper 13 mi, WI · St. Croix River 15 mi, MN · St. Croix River 16 mi, WI · Lake Byllesby 16 mi, MN
See how Mississippi River Pool 3 (Hastings to Red Wing) stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Minnesota · best walleye lakes in Minnesota · best white bass lakes in Minnesota · best sauger lakes in Minnesota
Browse all Minnesota fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.