How many species of fish live in the Mississippi River, in the United States?

The Upper Mississippi River is home to over 119 species of fish — more species than are found in any of Wisconsin’s inland lakes. Favorite sport fish include walleye, sauger, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, northern pike, bluegill and crappies. On the Mississippi River, you don’t necessarily need a boat to catch them! The species list also includes riverine species such as catfish, blue sucker, shorthead redhorse and bigmouth buffalo that are typical of large rivers in Wisconsin as well as some ancient fish such as paddlefish, lake sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon.

Management of the Mississippi River’s natural resources often is accomplished through interagency cooperation, especially since there are often overlapping and shared responsibilities and authorities for fish and wildlife resources. While much of the Mississippi River that borders Wisconsin is part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Wisconsin retained title to, custody and protection of the fishery in the river and adjacent waters.

Although the Mississippi River can be intimidating for anglers, its mix of backwater lakes, running sloughs, tailwaters and main channel habitats offer spectacular fishing opportunities.

For more detailed information on fishing on the Mississippi River including maps, safety tips for boating and river habitats for fish see the Fishing and Boating on the Mississippi River guide, also available at the Wisconsin DNR – La Crosse Service Center.

Special rules, regulations and agreements apply when fishing the Upper Mississippi River. Reciprocity agreements between Wisconsin and the states of Iowa and Minnesota allow a person to fish the boundary waters on the Mississippi River providing they have a valid fishing license from one of the adjacent states.

The boundary waters area is defined by the railroad tracks that parallel both sides of the river. However, residents must possess a resident license when fishing in their own state’s boundary waters. Regulations between Wisconsin and the other states differ so anglers must obey the regulations in the state they are fishing.

Credit : Wisconsin DNR 

Picture Credit : Google

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