Photo Credit: Southern Flats Louisiana Fly Fishing (Baton Rouge, LA)

Fishing on the Great River Road

From giant catfish to crappies, from fishing barges in Wisconsin to fly fishing in Baton Rouge, find your perfect spot for fishing (or camping) when you’re road tripping the Great River Road!  Don’t forget to pack the poles!

  ~Minnesota~

Channel Catfish (St. Cloud, MN)

First introduced in the 1970’s, channel catfish have become abundant in the Mississippi from the Coon Rapids Dam to St. Cloud. 

Smallmouth Bass (Anoka, MN) 

Smallmouth bass in the Mississippi River grow to 10 inches by age four and to 16 inches by age 7, however, fish as old as 15 have been caught.

 ~Wisconsin~

Clements Fishing Barge (Genoa, WI) 

Located in the heart of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge, on this barge you may catch Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, Perch, Largemouth and more.

The Great Alma Fishing Float (Alma, WI)

The family will enjoy a day on the Great Alma Fishing Float.  There is a good variety of freshwater fish to be caught, plus the float has some pretty tasty pizza and deli sandwiches for you while you fish.

~Iowa~

Rugged River Outdoors (Pleasant Valley, IA)

Fish with a pro that will take you fishing and teach you instructional techniques along the way, the fishing trips are geared towards a learning perspective.  It’s not your average guide trip.

Credit Island Park (Davenport, IA) 

You can choose to fish in the island’s lake, or you can fish right off the shore of the Mississippi River. You can expect to see a variety of fish from the famous Mississippi catfish to bass, perch and many more.

~Illinois~

Savanna Marina (Savanna, IL)

Located on the Mississippi River the marina offers four launch ramps, campsites, boat slips and a concession building with clean restrooms and showers, gas, pump-out, bait and more.

Pool 21 (Meyer to Quincy, IL)

Pool 21 between Meyer and Quincy, IL offers fishing spots including Bear Creek, Corner Slough, Long Island, Quincy Bay and Willow Slough. Pool 21 also features multiple launch sites and camping areas

 ~Missouri~

Gateway Blues Cat Fishing Guide (St. Louis, MO)

Gateway Blues Catfishing is a safe affordable family oriented US Coast Guard Certified fully insured guide service operating in the St Louis area offering catch, photo, and release fishing outings.

Mississippi River Observation Deck (New Madrid, MO) 

The Mississippi River Walk and Observation Deck offer panoramic views of the Mississippi River. Cast off a few lines or enjoy a leisurely 1/5 mile walk from the Riverside Park to the Observation Deck.

~Kentucky~

Kick’n Bass Guide Service (Benton, KY) 

Full service fishing (a bit off the road), providing pro rods & reels, boats and motors and sonar equipment to make your trip safe and comfortable, they even have a wheelchair accessible pontoon for use.

Columbus-Belmont State Park (Columbus, KY) 

Fish and stay at Columbus-Belmont, part of the Kentucky Great River Road, where you’ll find exciting festivals and events in river communities bordering the Mississippi River as well as ample fishing!

~Tennessee~

Mudcat Fishing (Memphis, TN)

Five different kinds of catfish call this area home including flatheads, blues, yellows, spoonbills, channels, and bullheads. You may find them in the 60-80 pound range, but 20 to 30-pounders are more fun to catch! 

Cat’n Aroun’ Guide Service (Memphis, TN-Tunica MS) 

Lead by Capt. David Magness, fishing tours will cover miles of the Mississippi River, participants should expect to see wildlife and plenty of trophy Blue Catfish that inhabit the Mississippi River.

~ARKANSAS~

River Access (Marion, AR) 

Visiting in the fall brings large blue catfish, some reported as large as 100 pounds, hanging out near drop-offs, stream bends, and toppled trees, for a chance to capture one, heavy tackle and rods are encouraged.

Mississippi River (Middle)

Crappie fishing is a draw during the spring in tributaries, sloughs, and islands of the Mississippi River. Hit up wing dams or shoreline for walleye and sauger or try your hand at the shovelnose sturgeon.

~Mississippi~

Thibodeaux’s Hook and Cook Fishing Guide Service (Vicksburg, MS)

Specializing in white perch fishing, and offering trolling, spider, and single pole fishing. Bait is included in your trip along with filleting of the daily catch, accommodations available nearby.

Mississippi Gulf Coast

The Gulf Coast offers novice or seasoned pros everything from charters, pier fishing, deep-sea, inshore, or wading in a bit to enjoy ample opportunity to bag the big fish on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

~Louisiana~

Southern Flats Louisiana Fly Fishing (Baton Rouge, LA) 

Experience all Louisiana Fly Fishing has to offer as you hunt Redfish and other species with Captain Bailey Short in the Louisiana Gulf Coast marshes.

Bourgeois Fishing Charters (Barataria, LA) 

Providing fishing on the bayous of South Louisiana. Located just 30 minutes south of New Orleans. Licensed and insured captains, make for a fun and safe excursion!