The Mississippi River is a favorite destination of many Midwest anglers. From the Twin Cities all the way down to Bellevue Iowa, the “Father of Waters” provides fishermen with angling opportunities for a wide variety of species of fish. In early June of 2007, we visited the Wabasha/Kellogg area of Minnesota. We hadn’t been to Wabasha for several years and felt a return trip was due. We were right: Wabasha is a great area for fishing, and it also offers several attractions that will be of interest during a break in the fishing.

Our fishing partner on this trip to the Wabasha/Kellogg area was John Stears. We could have fished for walleyes or sauger, pike, panfish, catfish or white bass, but John is a basshead, so we fished for bass. Great choice: The largemouth were cooperative, and the smallmouth were willing to bite also. And, as usually happens on the river, we caught some incidental pike and white bass. We got bit within our first five casts, and from then on the bites came frequently.

There are plenty of fishing patterns near Wabasha. You can throw to vegetation, wing-dams, lay-downs, cut-banks and brushpiles in the backwaters, or to rip-rap shorelines. Every now and then a school of bass will start attacking shad on the surface away from structure of any sort. You just never know when you’ll get bit around here, but you should know that your next bite usually won’t be too far away.

We threw rubber legged jigs, Northland Jungle Jigs are an excellent choice, and the White Shad color was by far the best. We added a four inch Power Grub to the jig and worked it around and through all sorts of cover. We got bit often doing this.

Another pattern incorporated a Reed-Runner spinnerbait. We worked the spinnerbait around the cover we were throwing the jig into. Usually the spinnerbait caught the active fish on the outside of the cover, the jig caught the ones that were dug in farther and not quite as aggressive. This is an excellent one-two punch.

Now, about the other features around Wabasha. The National Eagle Center opened recently. It’s on the bank of the river right below the bridge. There are live eagles and displays inside, and in the cold weather months you’re able to see dozens of eagles in their natural environment just outside the center. The National Eagle Center is a must-stop spot.

Youngsters and adults will enjoy visiting the Lark Toy Company and the Arrowhead Bluffs Museum. The Lark Toy Company has an indoor carousel, an antique toy display, 2,500 square feet of children’s books, an 18 hole mini-golf course, and lots and lots of unique wooden toys, games and puzzles, magic kits, just about anyone will find something at the Lark Toy Company that will interest them.

The Arrowhead Bluffs Museum is home to the most exclusive Winchester collection in the Midwest. There are hundreds of artifacts, most of which were found locally. You’ll see dozens of trophy animal mounts and lots of other items that will appeal to pretty much anyone. Pretty neat place!