Miss Elk River to St Cloud

I am new to the area but would like to try fishing the Miss for smalies between Elk River to St Cloud maybe up to Brainerd. My main question is can you run a 17′ v boat with a 70hp (Crestliner 1750 Fishhawk SC)or are many streches to shallow? I have not seen any maps of the river for this area only downstream from St. Paul. Are there any available?
Where are some good places to launch?
How is the smallie fishing downstream from Anoka toward Mnlps?
Thanks in advance.

There are not many places I would feel comfortable in your boat on the river sections you’ve mentioned. Aside from the impounded waters, I’d advise against trying to navigate the upper Miss with a prop, unless you really fell lucky. I fish that area often, if you’d like, send me a PM and I be happy to help if I can.

Eye Wish,

Kevin is right, these sections of river that you just named off are a little hairy if you do not know where you are going. You may even consider taking a ride in one of Kevin’s River Pro boats specifically made for running these waters worry free forever. This boat is on my wish list someday.
However, there are a few pools that are more than navigable for the most part in the St.Cloud area and north, (Wilson Park area, north of the Sartell dam, north of the Little falls dam. All these pools offer some of the best smallie fishing that I have ever experienced. Starting in August, I will be fishing these waters for the next 2 months.

Good Luck to you.

Eye Wish – there are a number of maps available for that section of river. Fishing Hotspots has a map for Monticello to St Cloud and another from Anoka to Monticello. Also the DNR publishes a “Canoe & Boating Guide” for the entire Mississippi. There are 14 different maps – Section 7 of 14 covers the St Cloud to Anoka stretch. They are really good maps that fold up compact and fit right in your pocket. You can get them from the DNR Information Center, 500 Lafayette Road, St Paul, MN 55155-4040. You can order them over the phone by calling 651-296-6157, I believe they are free. I would also recommend the Public Recreation Information Maps (PRIM). The Metro Area North and the Saint Cloud PRIM maps will show you all the boat launches and public access points of the upper Mississippi. The PRIM maps cost about $5. These maps should help you out.

its clearly NOT a big boat spot… Ive ran it many times when I had a small 14′ boat and a small motor… you really have to go slow in some spots… and in some spots.. you get out and pull the boat upriver… thats no kidding… its THAT shallow….

Where is the landing up by Little Falls?