(KNSI) \u2013 The Mississippi River between Little Falls and St. Cloud harbors one of Minnesota\u2019s best-kept fishing secrets.<\/p>\n
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources calls this stretch a fish menagerie in the heart of central Minnesota. \u201cHonestly, we have a great diversity of species you can catch,\u201d says DNR Area Fisheries Manager Eric Altena, who describes this section as a hidden gem. \u201cI mean, if you throw a nightcrawler out anywhere in the Mississippi, you\u2019ve got a chance to catch probably about 16 different varieties.\u201d<\/p>\n
The catch includes smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, muskie, crappie, bluegill, and rock bass. While the river supports 35 total types overall, not all are game fish that anglers can keep. Still, the diversity offers something for every angler\u2019s preference.<\/p>\n
This abundance is matched by equally impressive water access. The St. Cloud metro provides exceptional shore fishing opportunities, making the river accessible even to those without boats. \u201cRight around the St. Cloud Metro is pretty amazing for riverbank access, right adjacent to the shore,\u201d Altena explains. \u201cThere\u2019s parks in Sauk Rapids, there\u2019s parks in St. Cloud. It makes for a great chance to wet your line, even if you don\u2019t have a boat or kayak.\u201d<\/p>\n
For success, Altena recommends focusing on the river\u2019s structure and current patterns. Higher water levels push fish toward shore, creating better prospects for bank anglers. The key is identifying productive locations along the shoreline.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook for the eddies, or the pools, of water forming in the river where water isn\u2019t moving as fast,\u201d Altena advises. These calmer areas provide fish with shelter from strong currents while allowing them to intercept food drifting downstream. Such spots prove particularly effective because fish can conserve energy while still feeding actively.<\/p>\n
With 35 total varieties, excellent shore access throughout the metro, and productive angling right from the bank, this stretch of the Mississippi truly earns its \u201cundiscovered treasure\u201d reputation.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
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