Smallmouth Bass fishing at Mississippi River (Monticello)

Come spring, look for smallmouth bass tight to the bank in 3 to 12 ft. 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 Riffle & run (mile 0.6): a rock pile around 7 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig is the honest summer answer here.

Walleye fishing at Mississippi River (Monticello)

Spring puts walleye in skinny water — 4 to 15 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 6 to 19 ft; cold water stacks them in 6 to 19 ft. Lowhead weir tailrace is the standout, a dam tailrace at roughly 16 ft, rated prime for summer walleye. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Mississippi River (Monticello)

Come spring, look for northern pike tight to the bank in 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 6 to 19 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 2.5): a current seam around 10 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage is the honest summer answer here.

Channel Catfish fishing at Mississippi River (Monticello)

When the water first warms, channel catfish slide up into 3 to 12 ft. Summer is a 6 to 19 ft game here, winter a 6 to 19 ft one. Start at Outside-bend hole (mile 4.4). It's a creek channel holding about 14 ft of water and rates prime come summer. The feeding windows run after dark and the evening.

Freshwater Drum fishing at Mississippi River (Monticello)

Spring freshwater drum on Mississippi River (Monticello) hold shallow, usually 5 to 19 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 5 to 19 ft in summer, 6 to 19 ft once it turns cold. The chart's best answer is Outside-bend hole (mile 4.4) — creek channel, 14 ft, prime for summer. Prime time lands in the evening. The summer box starts with a jig + crawler combo or a small crankbait (slow).

Common Carp fishing at Mississippi River (Monticello)

Early season common carp use the shallows, holding in 2 to 10 ft. Expect a summer slide to 3 to 15 ft, then a winter hold in 6 to 19 ft. Put Tailout eddy (mile 24.9) first on the milk run — an eddy pocket near 10 ft that grades prime for 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 (6 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 (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. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.

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.

What are the fishing regulations for Mississippi River (Monticello)?

Fishing on Mississippi River (Monticello) 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.