Mississippi River Walleye Fishing Report

By dustin_stewart 0

The walleye bite has remained very good for my boat . During my last two trips on the river, my boat has seen some changes in locations and presentations. Water clarity is the #1 factor to pay close attention to right now as it differs from one area of the river to the next depending on what tributary you are fishing around. The water clarity has dictated what presentation I will focus on. I have found plastics to be best early in the day (I have not fished late in the day) when targeting areas with very clean water or fishing areas with reduced visibility in the water clarity during mid day. Targeting sandy areas with very clean water the good ol’ jig and minnow has been the bait of choice mid day for my boat.

On the last couple outings I have used two different presentations to put walleyes in the boat. Casting jigs to shallow rock or sand with reduced flow, or dragging jigs in the 12‘-17’ depths. Both have been successful to put walleye in the boat. Deeper than 17’ and the catch is predominately sauger mid day. The larger numbers have come from dragging ringworms or dragging a jig/minnow but my bigger walleye have came from casting to that shallow rock or sand. While fishing riprap, ringworms have been best. While targeting sand in areas with very clean water, the jig and minnow has been best during the mid day to turn some of those walleye that would otherwise snub a plastic offering.

Best ring worm color for my boat has been pro-blue on a black precision head. Ideally, if you are lucky enough to hit the water on a day with light winds, 1/8oz jigs have been best for casting in less than 12’of water. Any deeper than 12’, I have been casting 3/16oz or 1/4oz jigs. Best jig head colors for bait have been black, chartreuse, or orange/chartreuse.

The water is steadily on the rise. Be on the look out for current breaks and shoreline eddies to make a showing as the flow of the mighty river intensifies over the next month. With the increase in water volume we will start to see more stained water, this is very good for the mid day bite. Right now early and late in the day have been best for sheer numbers of fish.

That’s all for now I’ll see you on the river!

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dustin_stewart

When not at work I'm busy playing fishing guide on pools 3 and 4 of the Mississippi River.I will fish Lake Pepin but the bite has to be really good on the lake to get me off of moving water.

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  3. As usual, beautiful fish Dustin. That charteuse tail on firecracker body ringworm has got to be the most deadly of all ringworms. i’m a huge fan. Great report and awesome pics

  9. Good job buddy.
    I have been seeing the water clarity diminish daily up here depending on where you are. The Mn river is starting to dump out the mud as it does every year and everything south of there will see the effects.

    Good to see you out on the water Dustin, its been a long winter for me and I glad spring is starting to come little by little.

  10. Thanks for the info Dusty! I’ll be out there starting Monday afternoon…same old black/tan C-liner!!

    How about those narly bucktails you tie…any luck!

  11. You can keep that muddy MN river water up on your end. I’ll take the stained water but no thanks on the muddy .

    Good to see you are getting out as well, it has been very long winter, I for one am very happy it’s almost over and Srping is here. You need to get down here and fish. Better yet, I need to get up there after that last report you guys had. You got a PM

  20. Great report Dustin and congrats on the fish! Please keep us informed on the water clarity along with the rising conditions.

  21. nice eye’s I was down there last night the 22nd. My brother boated his overall best walleye 10lb pitching sand with a 1/8 oz and minnow. I read your report and had to go give it a wack “thanks for the report”.

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