The weather was just too nice to stay home yesterday, so I decided to run over to the Mississippi River Backwaters near Wabasha/Kellogg. The water temp had dropped to a chilly 43 degrees and the fish were not aggressive, but they were catchable.
I used a mini-mite jig tipped with a waxie set under a float at 2 ft. The weed edges were the best place to locate your offering. The bites were subtle and paying close attention to the float was a must. Most bites were just a twitch of the bobber and that was all. I quickly learned that the little twitch meant a fish had inhaled the bait and it was time to set the hook!
I was impressed with the size of the fish! The bluegills were all over 8 inches with a few over 9 inches. I also got into several perch with the largest at 10 inches. They were really fun to catch on my 9 ft. UL St. Croix custom rod and Okuma Metaloid 15 reel.
The backwaters should remain a good consistent bite right up to ice time, and then produce some fantastic action at first ice. I’m already looking forward to ice time! Hope you get out to enjoy some of the excellent fishing to be had this fall!
Thanks for the report and pics Mike. Sounds like a nice day on the water.
Thanks, Bill
Any crappies? I heard that there are pounders there in Lake Peppin. Saw one guy filleting one of them at the Lake Peppin ramp.
There have been crappies caught from the rock fishing piers at Lake City. Some days are good and others are not so good it seems. Mini-Mites with a waxie or a minnow on a jig or hook will catch them.
Thanks, Bill
Crappie Fishing At Lake City
No, I did not get any crappies. They sure have been getting some nice ones in Lake Pepin though! The area I was fishing does not produce many crappies at this time of the year.
Good Fishing,
Mike
Nice report Mike!
There’s still so much good fishing before ice time 
You’re not getting anxious for the hard water are ya
I have to agree the colder temps get the hard water blood pumping
dave
Now lets see, were is that spot again
?
Always enjoy your reports Mike.
Thanks