Minnesota Mississippi River fishing above the Iowa line
Minnesota’s role on this site is the western bank through Pool 7, Pool 8 and the upper half of Pool 9 — Dresbach, Brownsville water, Houston County opposite Genoa. Once the Iowa line crosses Pool 9, Minnesota exits the far-bank story. Start from theriver overview for this stretch pillar, then use this page for the Minnesota-specific framing.
Prices and age rules for Minnesota Department of Natural Resources products stay in thewhich state card to buy.
Where does Minnesota still touch our corridor?
| Pool | Minnesota bank? | Landmark |
|---|---|---|
| Pool 7 | Yes — La Crescent / Dresbach / Winona County bank | Lock and Dam 7 |
| Pool 8 | Yes — Houston County opposite Genoa / La Crosse | Four-fish walleye table on WI side |
| Upper Pool 9 | Yes — until the Iowa line near New Albin | Still NR 21 on the Wisconsin table |
| Lower Pool 9 / Pool 10 | No Minnesota far bank | Iowa replaces Minnesota |
How does Minnesota–Wisconsin reciprocity work here?
Boundary waters are defined by the railroad tracks paralleling both banks. A valid license from an adjoining state covers that defined water, with the resident-in-own-water exception that trips people. Free weekends under Wisconsin’s waiver language still waive the license only — not bags, sizes or closed areas.
Which pool pages matter from the Minnesota bank?
Pool 7 fishing on Lake Onalaska for Lock and Dam 7 and the Dresbach drop.Pool 8 fishing near Genoa for the Genoa opposite bank and the Root River colour story.Pool 9 fishing near Lansing until you reach the Iowa line — after that, open the Iowa state guide instead.
Where are Minnesota license prices?
In the license finder, sourced from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This page will not restate fee schedules. Buy through the agency purchase flow the finder links after you settle residency and trip length.
Questions Minnesota anglers ask
Does Minnesota water continue through Pool 10?
Not on our published corridor. Minnesota’s far-bank role ends in upper Pool 9 near the Iowa line around river mile 673.8. Pool 10 is Wisconsin–Iowa water.
Can a Minnesota resident fish Genoa on a Wisconsin short-term card?
Reciprocity and resident-in-own-water rules interact. Do not guess from a forum post — run the license finder with Minnesota residency and the pool you will actually fish.
Are Minnesota bag limits on this page?
No. We cite Wisconsin chapter tables on pool and regulations pages because those are the sourced datasets we maintain. When you stand on the Minnesota bank, follow Minnesota DNR rules for that water.
Sources
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
A $5 surcharge is already included in the nonresident figures. Trout and salmon stamp validation is a separate $10 and is not required for Mississippi River pools.
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Fishing Wisconsin, Mississippi River
Reciprocity agreements let an angler fish the boundary waters on a valid license from either adjoining state, but residents must hold a resident license when fishing their own state’s boundary waters, and anglers must obey the rules of the state they are fishing in.
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter NR 21, Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters
Read from NR 21.04, sport fishing seasons and limits, in the version inserted into the administrative code on 1 July 2026. Entries listed for "Pools 3 to 9" are shown here as they apply to Pools 8 and 9.