The Mississippi River is one of the largest waterways in the United States, with fish species of all shapes and sizes sharing its floodplain. This naturally diverse environment is home to a wide array of fish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, walleye, muskellunge, northern pike, and many others. With the river supporting an abundance of fish, recreational anglers often find themselves reeling in multiple types of fish in the same day.
The most popular and sought after species of fish in the Mississippi River are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and Catfish. Largemouth bass typically inhabit warm and shallow waters, but can be found in a wide variety of habitats. Smallmouth bass also inhabit warm waters, but prefer a bit more structure than largemouth bass. Catfish, on the other hand, prefer to occupy large bodies of water with Mud and show bottom areas, but unusual habitats aren’t out of the question.
Though not as popular as the three previously named fish, several other species are known to inhabit the Mississippi River, including yellow perch, and muskellunge. Yellow perch have quite large populations in the river and inhabit deep and slow-moving waters. Muskellunge, however, are more rarely encountered and prefer quiet waters, with plenty of cover like rocks, debris and vegetation.
For many fishing enthusiasts, the Mississippi River is a paradise providing a wide variety of excellent fishing opportunities. With the many different species of fish inhabiting the river, there is a variety of different methods of angling that can be used to maximize success. One of the most popular methods is trolling from a boat, as this allows the angler to cover the most water by using artificial or live bait.
For shore fishermen, a good way to increase the chances of catching fish is to target the rocky structure or structure found in the deeper pools. Rock structure is often a great place for fish to hide, so when targeting rock structure anglers should use worms, leeches, artificial lures, or crankbaits. Fishing in deeper pools can also be rewarding if the right lures or bait are used. Anglers in deep pools should use jigs, soft plastics, crankbaits, or spoons.
Fishing in the Mississippi River can be an enjoyable experience, with the wide variety of fish species and the multiple methods of angling that can be used to increase the chances of success. Anglers can plan a trip to the middle of the Mississippi River to target largemouth bass or the numerous tar bleeds that run near the river’s edge. Whatever species or technique chosen, the Mississippi River has something special that every angler can find enjoyable.
Crucian Carp and White Amur Fish
Crucian carp and white amur are two of the more rare species of fish that inhabit the Mississippi River. Crucian carp have been recorded to occur mainly in historical records, but are not as common as other species. White Amur fish are also seldom caught and considered to be a rare species. To increase the chances of catching either one, the angler should use live bait such as crayfish or worms. These two species of fish provide an angler with an exciting challenge and a unique reward.
Open Water Tactics
Anglers fishing in the open waters of the Mississippi River should be aware that many of the species found will be in shallow water. Largemouth bass, in particular, can be found in the shallows looking for food and protection from predators. This makes them ideal targets for topwater lures such as poppers, frogs and buzz baits. Anglers looking for other species such as catfish,Gar, and freshwater drum can also increase their chances of success by targeting shallow water areas.
Currents and Ridges as Fishing Hot Spots
The highest concentration of fish in the Mississippi River will be located in areas with swift current and ridges. Currents provide the most oxygen and nutrients, while ridges act as a shelter from predators. Anglers should focus on fishing in the areas with swift currents and seek the deeper pools located in these areas. In these areas fish will be more concentrated and the chances of catching fish increase drastically.
River Temperature Affecting Fish Behavior
The temperature of the river can have a major impact on the behavior of the fish found in the Mississippi River. In cold water, fish will move slower and become less active, while in warm water, fish will become more active and move faster. Anglers should pay attention to the river temperature and try to fish when the water is warmer, as this will provide the fish with more food and oxygen. Also, anglers should keep an eye on the weather conditions and try to fish in the morning since this is the time of day when fish are most active.
