UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
The Upper Mississippi has been Minnesota's top smallmouth river for years, and it continues to deserve that title. Though the Miss is next to 3 million people and sees plenty of summertime pressure, the catch-and-release regulations sustain an amazing fishery.

The 47 miles of river from St. Cloud down to Dayton has hundreds of smallmouths over 17 inches, including a few in the 21-inch 5-pound range. While guiding, I fished this 47 miles of the Mississippi more times than I can count, but I never tire of its changing moods or powerful smallmouths. The 12 miles from Monticello to Elk River is the most popular section due to its easy access. But truthfully, the entire catch-and-release stretch is prime, and downstream of the Highway 101 bridge is some of the deepest water and biggest fish.

Crankbaits, both fat-bodied and thin-profiled, are the workhorse lures on the upper Miss, though fly-fishers also catch their share of lunkers. Just remember not to treat the Upper Mississippi like a lake. Boulders lurking just beneath the surface are common, so high-speed boating isn't advisable.

For a DNR map showing river accesses and other features, call 1-888-646-6367. For more Mississippi River info, check out the new video available on Smallmouth Angler's Web site at SmallmouthAngler.com

WHITE BEAR LAKE
This lake is basically in the Twin Cities, but it has what smallies like: a lot of rocky bars and humps scattered among its 2,400 acres. In reality, White Bear Lake doesn't have high numbers of smallmouths, but the ones that do swim in it are often hefty. Each year, a few 5-pound "footballs" are caught from this lake straddling the Washington/Ramsey county line.

Besides having all the hubbub of an urban lake, White Bear is also extremely clear, so bars and humps at least 20 feet deep are the best bet during midsummer days. But on rainy or windy days, willing fish can be found much shallower. These are also the times when recreational boaters stay ashore, giving you more unmolested water.

White Bear expert Ray Kerkow recommended using 6-pound-test fluorocarbon line with tube jigs and slider worms. He also said that on any given day, probably only a few spots will hold active fish, so keep moving to find them. And if you can't find any willing bronzebacks, targeting largemouths and muskies in weedbeds is a good alternative.

White Bear has four boat landings around the lake. For more information, call the DNR's St. Paul office at (651) 772-7950), and Joe's Sporting Goods at (651) 488-5511.