Something quite unique that the backwaters of a large river system offer is that they can hold multiple species of panfish in a small area. The backwaters of the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin are no different. If you put in the time and effort, you can find yourself reeling in a variety of panfish for a delicious fish fry and have the opportunity at some real trophies.

Stay Mobile

The most effective method that we use to find and stay on fish is to be mobile. When we get to an area, we do not set up the shack or put tip-ups out right away. Instead, we drill several holes — a dozen or so — and start checking for fish and depths. One person will drill holes while the other follows behind with a flasher. We continue to do this until we locate an active school. Once fish are located, we will hole hop and jig aggressively. If a few fish are caught, we’ll then set up the ice shack. Fishing this way will allow us to pick up quickly and move to another backwater area without having to take down or gather up a bunch of gear.

While on these waters you have two options of fishing — stay mobile or park it and wait. Choosing to move around will give you the best opportunities to catch fish consistently. Since the water depths are typically shallow in these backwaters, we find that schools of panfish are moving frequently. Many times, you will mark multiple fish in one hole. The marks that are higher in the water column tend to be the most active and a lot of times are larger fish. After catching the active fish in that hole, you might end up fishing for an extended period to get the lower, and typically inactive marks to commit to your bait. By moving around and checking for the more active marks, you can shorten the time between hooksets.

Pack Light

To help stay mobile, it is wise to pack light while on these waters. One sled per person helps to keep the weight down and the walks a lot more enjoyable. Typical backwater fishing spots are walk-in only affairs. So, gear that you typically take out to a lake for a full day of fishing might not be necessary when you are continually on the move.

Safety First

Ice conditions on these backwaters are even more unpredictable than a lake. Safety is the number one priority when heading out, which is why we recommend bringing a spud bar and ice picks along every time. The ice might be 5 inches in one spot and less than 1 inch at another spot that is only 50 feet away — you just never know. Talking with local bait shops can be helpful to find out what the ice conditions are like in the area.

Tactics

If the ice is safe and you find an area where the fish are biting, do not be afraid to use multiple tactics. We have had success using a variety of tactics — jigging, tip-ups, bobber poles and tip-downs. When it comes to jigging, using a large presentation can weed out some of the smaller panfish. For example, spoons loaded with spikes have been a successful method at catching large perch and crappies. Other tackle that we’ve had backwater success with includes Hyper Rattles, Chubby Darters and the simple combo of tungsten and live bait or plastics. Tip-ups with large fatheads have been extremely successful, and some of our biggest perch have come from this method. One of our favorite setups consists of 30-pound braided main line attached to a swivel, with three feet of 10-pound fluorocarbon, sinker and a small treble hook. Sometimes, for a little extra attraction, we add two or three colored beads between the sinker and the treble hook.

With or Without the Crowd

When you head out to the Mississippi backwaters for the first time, you might see crowds of people set up in the same area. The question you may ask yourself is whether to stick with the crowd, or not. In all honesty, you never know. Some of our most successful days involved ditching the large groups of people and locating fish elsewhere. Get up early to get on the water and try to locate fish before other anglers start to hit the ice. The funny thing is, we have been the first people out numerous times and have had groups of people set up shacks directly next to us. This is where being mobile pays off. If other anglers begin to crowd you, and if the fish stop biting, you can pack up and move on to try the next area.

Stay Positive

There is an abundance of backwater areas along the Minnesota and Wisconsin border to fish, which can seem overwhelming. Make sure to do your research before heading out. The internet is a wonderful tool to use and talking with bait shops can also be helpful. The first few spots you try might not bring much success, but do not get discouraged. Trust me when I say this — if you use the “stay mobile method,” utilize a flasher and be open to attempt various tactics, you will find success. It is easy to get discouraged when the fish are not biting, or you are having trouble locating them. They’re out there, just keep moving and adapting.

The best part about fishing the Mississippi backwaters is the adventure that comes with each outing. You might find yourself tucked back in a pocket of water that is surrounded by trees and have the area all to yourself. Spots like that may hold some hefty panfish. Or, you might be near the railroad tracks and feel the vibrations from the train passing by with other people fishing all around you. Regardless of where you end up, enjoy the scenery and adventure. Once you find the hot bite, I guarantee that you’ll be hooked.