Large warm water rivers supply a more diverse selection of angling opportunities than any other freshwater ecosystem. An angler can find schools of sand bass in the morning, toothy northern pike at midday, hard fighting largemouth bass at sunset and fish for flathead catfish in the evening. Most river fish congregate along current edges or breaks where slow and fast water mix. They rest in still water then dash into fast water to catch food that comes by. Because river fish do not have as much time to look at a bait or lure, they are customarily easier to hook than fish in lakes. But like every other sort of fishing the challenging part is to identify areas that hold fish. In major rivers, wide turns, points, fallen timber, bridge abutments, large rocks and islands all produce structure that create sections of still water that often contain game fish. With a little bit of experience anglers can begin to learn to find these locations. Large rivers can hold so many species of fish because their environment is so varied. A major river can be regarded as have 5 different kinds of habitat, 4 of which contain prime holding areas for different kinds of fish.
1) Main Channel
The main channel is distinguished by rapid moving water and a bottom of fine sand or silt with very little vegetation or other structure for fish. This is the location to avoid when fishing even though it holds the biggest volume of water. Main channels rarely support large numbers of game fish. The current is too fast for most fish and the channel lacks food and cover.
2) Channel Borders
Channel borders separate the main river body from shore. They may have man-made current redirectors or wingdams made from rocks that force the current midstream and away from the shore. The channel border often draws walleye, white bass, smallmouth bass and catfish. Wingdams, downed trees, riprap, bends and points are the main areas that provide cover for fish along channel borders. This an area that can be easily fished from the shore if you don't have access to a boat.
3) Side Channels
Often called cuts, side channels connect the primary channel with backwater lakes and sloughs. Their sand and silt bottoms are usually choked with timber and other fish holding structure. Water movement is slow to moderate. Side Channels are ideal for catfish, crappies, bluegills and bass which will hide among the limbs
4) Backwater Sloughs
At normal water levels, backwater sloughs have little to zero water movement. They have muck bottoms, dense growth of aquatic plants and shallow water. Backwater sloughs hold pike, black bass, bluegills and crappies. During times of high water the current speeds up and the sloughs will attract most of the species that are on the river and are among the best areas to catch fish. The shallow water enables fishing with waders, if you don't own to a boat.
5) Backwater Lakes
Backwater lakes are much deeper that sloughs and foliage is basically confined to their shorelines. Like sloughs, they have muck bottoms and little or no current. Backwater lakes appeal to several species but are best for crappies, bass and pike. Like sloughs, they draw more fish when the water level is high.
1) Main Channel
The main channel is distinguished by rapid moving water and a bottom of fine sand or silt with very little vegetation or other structure for fish. This is the location to avoid when fishing even though it holds the biggest volume of water. Main channels rarely support large numbers of game fish. The current is too fast for most fish and the channel lacks food and cover.
2) Channel Borders
Channel borders separate the main river body from shore. They may have man-made current redirectors or wingdams made from rocks that force the current midstream and away from the shore. The channel border often draws walleye, white bass, smallmouth bass and catfish. Wingdams, downed trees, riprap, bends and points are the main areas that provide cover for fish along channel borders. This an area that can be easily fished from the shore if you don't have access to a boat.
3) Side Channels
Often called cuts, side channels connect the primary channel with backwater lakes and sloughs. Their sand and silt bottoms are usually choked with timber and other fish holding structure. Water movement is slow to moderate. Side Channels are ideal for catfish, crappies, bluegills and bass which will hide among the limbs
4) Backwater Sloughs
At normal water levels, backwater sloughs have little to zero water movement. They have muck bottoms, dense growth of aquatic plants and shallow water. Backwater sloughs hold pike, black bass, bluegills and crappies. During times of high water the current speeds up and the sloughs will attract most of the species that are on the river and are among the best areas to catch fish. The shallow water enables fishing with waders, if you don't own to a boat.
5) Backwater Lakes
Backwater lakes are much deeper that sloughs and foliage is basically confined to their shorelines. Like sloughs, they have muck bottoms and little or no current. Backwater lakes appeal to several species but are best for crappies, bass and pike. Like sloughs, they draw more fish when the water level is high.
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