There are lots of rivers criss-crossing the Midwest. They come in many sizes, and most of them are home to a variety of fish. During the summer months these rivers can be your best bet for catching fish. Here is why they can be so good, and also a couple of ideas for catching more fish from rivers.

Rivers are productive for fishing for several reasons. Fish in rivers are constantly dealing with current. Swimming against the current, and even exerting energy just to hold their position in the current means that the fish are, essentially, exercising twenty four hours a day every day. They must eat frequently to maintain their energy levels. Fish that are eating aggressively and frequently sometimes aren’t as cautious and are more likely to eat an angler’s presentation.

River fish seem to be less affected by weather than their cousins that live in lakes. If a weather front goes through and shuts the lake fish off, the river fish will still usually bite.

Since river fish will frequently bite better in the summer than lake fish, they should be easier to catch, right? Yes, they should be, but there are some things we need to keep in mind for the most success.

First, remember that although river fish eat more often, they usually go for smaller meals. Therefore, smaller baits will usually be better in rivers.

Baits that resemble crawfish or minnows in color will be good in rivers, but if the fish are hungry almost any color will work.

River fish instinctively know that their meals are coming from upstream. Injured minnows, crawdads, or bugs will be floating downstream, so hungry fish will be facing upstream watching for their next meal. Present your bait so it is washing downstream into the fish’s face.

Day-in and day-out, the favorite lure for many river anglers is a three inch Power Grub rigged on an eighth ounce Mimic Minnow Jig head. This head style slices through the current and has a plastic holder that keeps the Grub in place. The action of the Power Grub is hard to beat for river fish. Start with a white Grub.

Swim your jig around rocks and logs that are in current areas. The fish will usually be right at the edge of the current. Areas that are out of the current generally aren’t much good this time of year, although they might be productive in the spring.

Fish will lurk near objects that break the current. When a meal washes in with the current, the fish will grab it and return to its position on the edge of the current. It will return to that position unless the meal it ate is your bait. Then it will, hopefully, be drawn to your position, where you can unhook it and return it to the water.

For more fish-catching information, visit fishingthemidwest.com