What You'll Find on the Mississippi River

The Mississippi River runs 2,340 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, and the stretch that flows through and borders Wisconsin offers some of the most accessible freshwater fishing in the region. The river here is wide, slow-moving, and broken into distinct pools by a series of locks and dams built in the early 1900s. Each pool has its own character: some are narrow and current-driven, others sprawl across backwater areas thick with vegetation and islands.

The main species you'll encounter are walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, and northern pike. Walleye dominate the conversation here—the river is known for consistent walleye fishing, especially in spring and fall. The backwater areas hold largemouth bass and pike. Channel catfish and flathead catfish are present year-round and grow large in the main channel.

Wisconsin's portion of the Mississippi runs roughly 90 miles, from the Minnesota border south to the Illinois line. The river here is part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, which means access is managed but generous. You can fish from public boat landings, from the bank in many places, and from boats launched at established access points.

Key Takeaways

  • Walleye fishing peaks in spring (April through May) and fall (September through October), with summer and winter requiring different techniques and locations.
  • Public boat landings are scattered along the Wisconsin shore and are free or low-cost; the Wisconsin DNR website lists all official access points by pool.
  • You need a Wisconsin fishing license and a Mississippi River stamp if you fish from Wisconsin; the stamp costs a few dollars and is sold with your license.
  • The river is divided into nine pools on the Wisconsin stretch, each with different depths, current patterns, and fish concentrations—knowing which pool you're fishing changes your approach.
  • Backwater areas near islands and vegetation hold bass and pike but require shallow-draft boats or canoes; the main channel is accessible to larger boats but demands different tackle.

Seasons and What Fish Are Biting

Spring (April through May) is the prime walleye season. The fish move shallow to spawn and feed heavily before and after the spawn. Fish the edges of the main channel, the mouths of backwater areas, and current breaks near the dam tailraces. Jigs tipped with live minnows or crawlers work well. Water temperatures climb from the 40s to the low 60s, and the river can be high and turbid from snowmelt—walleye don't mind murky water and actually prefer it.

Summer (June through August) is tougher for walleye but excellent for bass and pike. Walleye move deeper into the main channel and become less predictable; you'll catch them at night or in low-light conditions. Largemouth bass thrive in the backwater vegetation, especially early morning and evening. Pike are scattered but can be caught on larger baits and lures. Catfish bite all day and all night. Water temperatures reach the high 70s and low 80s.

Fall (September through October) brings another walleye peak as the fish move shallow again to feed before winter. The action mirrors spring but often lasts longer. Bass fishing remains good in the backwaters. By late October, water temperatures drop into the 50s and then the 40s, and the river begins to slow.

Winter (November through March) is possible but requires ice-fishing knowledge and access to safe ice. Some anglers fish the open water near dam tailraces where current keeps ice from forming, but this is dangerous without local knowledge. Most recreational fishing stops, though catfish will bite through a hole in the ice if you're willing to sit in the cold.

Public Access Points and How to Reach Them

The Wisconsin DNR maintains a detailed list of public boat landings on the Mississippi River, organized by pool. The landings are free or charge a small daily fee (usually $5 to $10). Most have paved ramps, parking, and vault toilets. Some are staffed seasonally; others are unstaffed year-round.

The nine pools on the Wisconsin stretch are numbered from north to south: Pool 1 (at the Minnesota border, near Prescott) through Pool 9 (at the Illinois border, near Dubuque, Iowa). Each pool has at least one public landing. The largest towns with good access are Prescott, Maiden Rock, Wabasha (Minnesota side, but close), La Crosse, and Lansing (Iowa side, but close). If you're coming from Wisconsin, La Crosse is the hub—it has multiple landings, tackle shops, and restaurants.

Bank access is available in many places, especially along the Wisconsin shore where the refuge maintains public areas. The refuge website shows where you can walk in and fish from shore. Some areas require a short walk from a parking area; others are roadside. Bank fishing is best in spring and fall when the water is cooler and fish are shallower.

Regulations and Licenses You Need

You must have a Wisconsin fishing license to fish the Mississippi River from Wisconsin. The license is sold online through the Wisconsin DNR website, at sporting goods stores, and at some bait shops. A one-day license costs around $10; an annual license costs around $30 for residents and $50 for non-residents. Prices vary slightly by year.

In addition to the base license, you need a Mississippi River stamp. This is a small add-on that costs a few dollars and is sold with your license. It covers fishing in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Without it, you're technically in violation even if you have a valid state license.

Walleye, bass, and pike have specific size and bag limits that change by pool and sometimes by season. The Wisconsin DNR publishes a current regulation booklet each year; download it before you go or pick up a printed copy at a bait shop. Limits vary—for example, walleye might have a 15-inch minimum and a five-fish daily bag in one pool but a 17-inch minimum and three-fish bag in another. Catfish usually have no size limit and a generous bag limit. Check the current rules for the specific pool you plan to fish.

What Gear and Tackle to Bring

For walleye, a medium-action spinning rod (6 to 6.5 feet) with 6- to 8-pound monofilament or braided line is standard. Jigs in the 1/8- to 3/8-ounce range, tipped with live minnows or nightcrawlers, catch most fish. Crankbaits and live-bait rigs also work. In spring and fall, fish shallow (5 to 15 feet); in summer, go deeper (20 to 40 feet) or fish at night in shallower water.

For bass, a medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rod with 8- to 12-pound line works well. Soft plastics (creature baits, worms, crawfish imitations), topwater lures, and spinnerbaits all produce. The backwaters are weedy, so use lures that can handle vegetation or fish around it rather than through it.

For pike, use heavier tackle—a medium-heavy rod with 12- to 20-pound line and larger lures (3 to 5 inches). Pike will hit bass lures but prefer bigger meals.

Catfish can be caught on simple rod-and-reel setups or even hand lines. Use cut bait (shad, herring, or chicken liver), chicken guts, or commercial stink baits. Fish the bottom of the main channel with a three-way rig or a simple sinker and hook.

Boat Types and When You Need One

A boat is not required—you can fish from shore or wade in many places—but it opens up the river significantly. The backwater areas are best explored by boat because they're wide and the good fishing is often far from the bank.

A jon boat (14 to 16 feet with a small outboard or trolling motor) is ideal for the Mississippi. It's shallow-draft, stable, and affordable. A bass boat works but is overkill and burns more fuel. A canoe or kayak is excellent for the backwaters if you're comfortable paddling and don't mind slower travel. Avoid large cruising boats—the river has shallow areas and the locks require you to tie up and wait, which is tedious in a big boat.

If you don't own a boat, several marinas along the Wisconsin shore rent boats by the day. La Crosse has the most rental options. Expect to pay $100 to $200 per day for a small outboard or trolling-motor boat.

When to Go and What Weather Means

Spring (late April through May) and fall (September through October) are the best times. The weather is mild, the fish are active, and the crowds are manageable. Spring can be windy and the water is often high and cold; fall is usually calmer and more predictable.

Summer is hot and the walleye fishing is inconsistent, but if you're willing to fish early morning, late evening, or at night, you'll catch fish. The backwaters are beautiful and the bass fishing is reliable. Weekends are crowded.

Wind is a real factor on the Mississippi. The river is wide and open in many places, and wind can make it rough and unsafe for small boats. Check the forecast before you launch. A 15-knot wind is manageable; 20 knots and above is reason to stay ashore or fish from the bank.

Rain and overcast skies are actually good for fishing—walleye and bass bite better in low light. Thunderstorms are dangerous on the water; if you see one coming, head to shore or a protected area immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a boat to fish the Mississippi River?

No. You can fish from public boat landings, from the bank in many places, and from the refuge's public access areas. Bank fishing is best in spring and fall when fish are shallow. A boat lets you reach the backwater areas and deeper holes, but it's not required.

What's the difference between the pools?

Each pool is the stretch of river between two dams. They vary in depth, current, and fish behavior. Pool 1 (near Prescott) is narrow and current-driven; Pool 9 (near the Illinois border) is wider and slower. The Wisconsin DNR website describes each pool's characteristics. Knowing which pool you're fishing helps you choose the right technique and location.

Can I fish the Mississippi River from the Minnesota side?

Yes, but you'll need a Minnesota license instead of a Wisconsin license. The river is open to fishing from both shores. Some anglers fish from one side one day and the other side another day, depending on access and where the fish are biting.

What's the best time of day to fish for walleye?

Early morning (sunrise to mid-morning) and evening (late afternoon through sunset) are most productive. Walleye are also active at night, especially in summer. Midday fishing is possible but slower. Overcast days are better than sunny days because walleye prefer low light.

Are there any restrictions on where I can fish?

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge has some closed areas to protect nesting birds and habitat. The refuge website and the Wisconsin DNR regulation booklet show these areas. Most of the river is open to fishing, but check before you go to avoid a closed zone.