This river, which flows southeast until it reaches Mankato and then flows North to Minneapolis, has been mentioned by the likes of In-Fisherman as one of the best flathead rivers in Minnesota. The Minnesota river has been my primary choice for chasing big flats. The biggest reasons I chose the Minnesota river was that it was close to my home, my boat was relatively small, and the numbers of flats were impressive. This river, shown in red on the map, has many prime areas to fish. The biggest problem lies in where to land your boat. If you would ask me where the best fishing would be I would tell you, without hesitation, the stretch of river between Leseur and Belle-Plain. This area provides you with more structure than you can cover. Navigation on these parts calls for caution during low water. The depths upstream from Belle-Plain can immediately change from 30 feet to 2 feet. I have not ventured north of Belle-Plain on the Minnesota, it is in my plans for 1999, but the fishing reports are pretty impressive. The Mankato area provides a couple of feeder creeks that out produce any other area during pre-spawn. Further west, around the New Ulm, gives a much different look. This stretch is straighter and the depth more consistent then the Belle-Plain area, but provides large flats non the less.
Mississippi click here for map
Minneapolis to Anoka
Minneapolis to Hastings
This large river would best fit individuals that have fished big rivers before. I have not fished the mighty Miss personally, but know of individuals that have. The Mississippi is made up of a series of locks and dams and anybody that has not traveled through a lock before should know that they don’t give you the best feeling from inside a small boat. The Mississippi can offer a different option if the flats are not cooperating. Smallmouth and Walleyes can give you some excitement or even a breather if the flats are beating you up. Check the fishandgame.com for better updates on how the mighty Miss is producing.
St. CroixThe St. Croix is also well known for its catfish. This river, also recognized in an older issue of the In-fisherman, runs along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. Stillwater, a town along the banks of the St. Croix, celebrates "catfish days" every summer with a catfish tourney to start things off. This river is pretty much a mystery to me also. Check with area bait shops to get info on where the hot spots are.
Most catfisherman have heard of the Red river. The best fishing is in Canada. However, don’t underestimate the stretch further south. This river runs the border between Minnesota and North Dakota. The flood of 1997 messed the fishing up for a year but things appear to be returning to normal.
Others
If your from Minnesota or visiting from another state and want to fish for some cats and can not access one of the above mentioned rivers, don’t worry. Minnesota provides many smaller rivers that produce cats. They may not hold flats but they will likely hold an abundant number of channels. I have friends that have caught channels in excess of 15 pounds on some of the smallest rivers. The Le-suer river, just south of Mankato is one of them. So don’t be afraid to try rivers that have not receive a lot of attention.
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