Input requested – Mississippi near Rochester

I’m hoping to take my 84 year old father and 16 year old son fishing tomorrow on the Mississippi near Rochester. Maybe launch near Kellogg, but we’re open. We’d like to catch fish, could be any species but we like smallmouth, white bass, etc.

I haven’t fished that river in that area in over 20 years. Can anyone offer any suggestions (or a PM) as to possible locations, depths, lures, bait, etc.? I don’t plan to fish, I just want to put these guys on some activity.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Backwater area near federal island and tepeota point is good for pike and bass. Look for deeper cuts along weed edges and cast spinners,spoons, or glide baits to the weeds.

I haven’t been down lately but I’m sure you can get some good action there. Weeds are in 2-5 ft and deeper cuts are 5-12 ft in that area. Good luck and don’t forget to bring a big net!

Launch from the public landing in Wabasha. Clean facilities and docks. Good docks. This will leave you open to backwater fishing, to the right and downstream, or for lake fishing upstream and to your left when you leave the marina area.

Pick up some fatheads and maybe leeches if you want walleyes and sauger. The panfish will be in the backwaters or areas of low flow in wood along the main channel.

Right now, from the Wabasha landing, the sky is the limit for fishing opportunites.

Good luck and let us know how well you do.

Thanks Tom and AJ… I’m wondering if the water is too high and dirty right now? Or okay if you fish in the backwaters?

Most fish are in the back waters right now. Saw people catching some white bass in the slow current areas of the main channel. Cat fish are biting in some of the deeper holes off a current breaks in the back waters. Good luck.

if you want to launch out of bass camp landing, go across the river to the rock pile, and cast inline spinners or floating rapalas, you will be up for about 200 pounds an hour in white bass…have fun. if it is too crowded at the pile, drip down a wing dam or two, and watch for the splashes.

Anyone know if plastics are working right now – what kinds, what weight, etc?