Rivers with SMBs

Did pretty well for SMbs at a lake now I want to catch them on a river. BTW someone on this sit accused me of switching lakes too much, boy was he right, do not think I have been on the same body of water 2x this year. Anyway I went to the Rum for SMBs and was not too impressed probably because I was way down in Anoka, so maybe I should put in further north or try another river-people do well on the Mississippi, croix, would like to try the Vermilion at some point too, very pretty river that I think does not get much attention (for a reason?) Would like to throw around a twister or spinner and get a mixed bag (still waiting for that Walter)Trying a new lake for largies tomorrow, report shows size AND #s.
Thanks

This is no secret so I don’t mind sharing but the Mississippi River from downtown monticello up past the power plant is where I go for river smallies. It’s great from shore or a boat. Or the St Croix.

Thanks 14

I’ll be on P2 tomorrow – this is usually the time of year I target them. I’ll let you know if I come across any.

Cool Matt, sounds like fun.

Cannon river in cannon falls can be good. Pretty small, fast, and fun in a kayak. Loaded with smallies and plenty of Walters to boot.

Charlie W wrote:

Cannon river in cannon falls can be good. Pretty small, fast, and fun in a kayak. Loaded with smallies and plenty of Walters to boot.

What’s the size structure like Charlie? Never fished the Cannon before.

In no particular order;

Root
Kettle
St Criox
Mississippi
Cloquet
Rum
Big Fork
Little Fork
Zumbro
Ottertail
Rainy
Canon
Snake
St Louis
Sauk

Let me know when your done with these, I got more:)
Ron

Crow Wing

mahtofire14 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Charlie W wrote:</div>
Cannon river in cannon falls can be good. Pretty small, fast, and fun in a kayak. Loaded with smallies and plenty of Walters to boot.

What’s the size structure like Charlie? Never fished the Cannon before.

All sizes with the majority in the 12-15” range. But I have gotten plenty of 18-20”ers which keeps me going back.

It’s a kayak sized river. Very fast. Lots of riffles and holes. Pretty easy to find fishy spots.

Flambeau

Not only are we blessed with having so many lakes here, but we obviously have a lot of miles of fishable river too. In my opinion, rivers are under fished here. The smallmouth bass fishing is especially high quality. Just keep an eye on the flow rates.

They are on a tear in P2 right now. The smallies are chasing bait shallow. I didn’t really target them today because I’m a snobby walleye guy but picked a couple up just opportunistically casting when I saw them chasing. Now would be the time to get after them with a fly rod.

Matt Moen wrote:

They are on a tear in P2 right now. Now would be the time to get after them with a fly rod.

Hey Rootski

sliderfishn wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Matt Moen wrote:</div>
They are on a tear in P2 right now. Now would be the time to get after them with a fly rod.

Hey Rootski

Where Matt? I usually fish down around the 494 access and Smallies are very inconsistent. Some years you can find them, and then maybe a whole season will go by.

SR

Seems to me pool 2 smallies fish a little different than smaller rivers. Noticed guys throwing more jigs, drop shots, lipped crankbaits for them on 2. The small rivers I fish its more top water and focusing on river banks. Guessing maybe the biggest difference is the shad in pool 2 as a food source and the amount of frogs on shorelines in the smaller rivers as a main food source there.

I sure want to go chance sime river smallmouth this weekend but not looking forward to the heat.

Chippewa River is absolutely stacked with them and it’s almost completely undeveloped shorelines from the Miss up to Eau Claire.

Mike W wrote:

the amount of frogs on shorelines in the smaller rivers as a main food source there.

I have found the main source of food in the small to mid size rivers that I fish to be crayfish. There are literally hundreds of them on the bottom at times. I’m sure a bass would also obviously eat a frog given the opportunity but I don’t see them in the massive numbers like I do with crayfish.

So are you fishing more bottom lures for smallies there? Since we see them feeding on frogs we throw a ton of top waters. Ill catch smallies drifting jigs off the banks but some trips they dont want anything to do with them.

Steve Root wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>sliderfishn wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Matt Moen wrote:</div>
They are on a tear in P2 right now. Now would be the time to get after them with a fly rod.

Hey Rootski

Where Matt? I usually fish down around the 494 access and Smallies are very inconsistent. Some years you can find them, and then maybe a whole season will go by.

SR

I’ve never caught one south of the confluence. I don’t think they like that muddy water as much. They were on the shorelines in the cleaner water yesterday. Basically pike island up to the dam.

I just watch for them busting baits and spot lock and throw paddle tails at them.

My guess would be if a guy locked up above the ford dam they’d be thick since that gets no pressure.

Charlie-2 Cannon questions: Could I do a float trip with a Jon boat? (push pole and good footware would be good too) What about the Cannon on the other side of Bylsby? My G3 can draft in 1.5fow, is that stretch any good?
Thanks

tim hurley wrote:

Charlie-2 Cannon questions: Could I do a float trip with a Jon boat? (push pole and good footware would be good too) What about the Cannon on the other side of Bylsby? My G3 can draft in 1.5fow, is that stretch any good?
Thanks

Downstream of byllesby is all
I have fished. I do know people catch lots of variety above the lake as well, including smallies.

I suppose a float trip in a jon is doable but I would opt for a kayak or canoe (if 2 people) for maneuverability. Again, I cannot give advice on a small boat above the lake.

Mike W wrote:

So are you fishing more bottom lures for smallies there? Since we see them feeding on frogs we throw a ton of top waters. Ill catch smallies drifting jigs off the banks but some trips they dont want anything to do with them.

I primarily fish a shallow crayfish colored crank bait or a tube. So yes they both represent a crayfish.

I have caught them on pool 2 on topwater. Mostly whopper ploppers and walk the dog baits find the rocks and with slack current near them and get it as close to shore as possible. They are smaller then what I’m used to on the upper Mississippi and streams/small rivers flowing into it.
There’s some very small rivers/creeks that flow into the sippi that very big smallies will stack in, and be willing to hit topwater like a peacock bass would.

Read a DNR report that showed good numbers on the Mississippi from Elk River north-Anyone fish that stretch? Thanks.

tim hurley wrote:

Read a DNR report that showed good numbers on the Mississippi from Elk River north-Anyone fish that stretch? Thanks.

Thats likely the #1 stretch in central Minnesota.

Yep, those numbers are correct.

Cool, think I can put put up that stretch with my 16′ G3 boat? I can draft in about 1.5′. (report showed Walters too, shhhhh)
Thanks

tim hurley wrote:

Cool, think I can put put up that stretch with my 16′ G3 boat? I can draft in about 1.5′. (report showed Walters too, shhhhh)
Thanks

I would be very leery of it at the moment. The central portion of the state has been very dry and river levels are not as high as normal, even after some rain. The Mississippi River in Brainerd is the lowest I’ve seen since 2012.

Thanks G (raining as I write this!)