Smallmouth Bass fishing at Mississippi River (Monticello)

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 6 to 19 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 19 ft. Riffle & run (mile 0.6) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 7 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Walleye fishing at Mississippi River (Monticello)

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 6 to 19 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 19 ft. Lowhead weir tailrace is the standout, a dam tailrace at roughly 16 ft, rated prime for summer walleye. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

Northern Pike fishing at Mississippi River (Monticello)

In spring, northern pike run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 6 to 19 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. Current seam (mile 2.5) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 10 ft, rated prime for fall northern pike. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Channel Catfish fishing at Mississippi River (Monticello)

Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. They move out to 6 to 19 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 19 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Outside-bend hole (mile 4.4): a creek channel around 14 ft that scores prime in summer. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.

Freshwater Drum fishing at Mississippi River (Monticello)

Start shallow in spring: freshwater drum sit in 5 to 19 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 5 to 19 ft, and winter fish hold in 6 to 19 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Outside-bend hole (mile 4.4): a creek channel around 14 ft that scores prime in summer. Plan around the evening in the warm months. A jig + crawler combo or a small crankbait (slow) covers the summer program.

Common Carp fishing at Mississippi River (Monticello)

In spring, common carp run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 3 to 15 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 19 ft. The spot to know is Tailout eddy (mile 24.9), a eddy pocket in about 10 ft of water that rates prime for common carp in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.

How deep is Mississippi River (Monticello)?

Mississippi River (Monticello) is about 19 ft 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 (Monticello)?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, freshwater drum, common carp on Mississippi River (Monticello).

Where is the best fishing spot on Mississippi River (Monticello)?

Riffle & run (mile 0.6) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Mississippi River (Monticello)?

For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.