When fishing in a river, you’ll likely find plenty of fish in strong currents, merging currents, stumps and vegetation, islands, rock piles, and eddies. You can use numerous fishing techniques, including upstream casting, river jigging, feeder fishing, bottom bouncing, whip fishing, and fly fishing. When fishing in a river, carry a quality fishing pole designed for your targeted species. Attract your target using the best baits, such as the nightcrawler. If you’re targeting a predatory fish, you can choose shiners. Some lures you can use when river fishing include the jighead crankbait lures and spoons. Lastly, invest in good polarized glasses to protect your eyes from UV rays and give you a clear view when fishing on moving water.
If you’re tired of saltwater fishing, you can try river fishing. Fishing in a river is fun as you don’t need excessive gear. If you want to venture into river fishing, we have provided essential tips and techniques to make your fishing trip successful.
River Fishing Tips
River fishing is different compared to fishing in still waters. You have to take into consideration that fish will seek refuge from strong river currents or predators. Here are some places where you are most likely to reel in more fish!
Stumps and Vegetation
Always look for stumps, vegetation, and even sunken trees in rivers. Areas underneath these are good spots that will hold fish since they provide shade and protection from wildlife like birds. Fishes often seek refuge from strong currents.
Merging Currents
You should focus on areas where the currents in the streams change, especially when you’re on a boat. These areas might be merging currents, feeder springs, or drop-offs where food sources can gather. It makes the perfect spot where fish are caught and easily spotted!
Calm Areas or Eddies
Always keep an eye out for backwaters, even when you’re on a boat. These calmer areas in the river are perfect spots to set up traps and baits since fish are easily caught. These areas are also perfect if you want to find fish.
Islands or Rock Piles
Areas near islands or rock piles are also great spots to catch fish since these are calm areas. Fish often rest either facing upstream or downstream by these areas. Here’s a tip: a smart cast in the right spot will likely land you a catch!
River Fishing Techniques to Catch Fish
Now that you finally know where to find more fish, here are some tips about the best methods for catching fish in lakes. From float fishing to whip fishing, we’re here to help you! Who knows, you might get your first game fish with the right gear and these fishing tips.
Read Also: Top 8 Freshwater Game Fishes
Upstream Casting
If fishing river fish like rainbow trout or brown trout is what you want, always remember to cast upstream using in-line spinners. These fish will always be swimming downstream. You should cast upstream since the river will create a natural presentation.
River Jigging
Many anglers consider jigs as the best lure for river fishing when you’re at the mouth of a river or in areas where there are slower currents. You can use ¼ to ⅛ ounce jigs most of the time, but if you’re looking for fish in stronger currents, you can use up to 1 ounce.
Ledgering and Feeder Fishing
Ledger fishing is a popular type of fishing that involves casting a weighted bait when fishing river fish. Many anglers usually include a feeding device to this rig, which helps entice fresh bait.
Bottom Bouncing
Bottom bouncing is one of the most common river fishing tips. In this one, you use a Carolina Rig to bottom bounce live bait and lure in fish. It can also be a good technique if you plan to catch smallmouth bass around drop-offs in the river bottom or ledges near deeper channels.
Whip Fishing
This type of fishing requires you to use a whip instead of a pole. Whips are smaller than poles and are usually telescoping, meaning they are easier to carry and set up. Whip fishing is great for beginners when they are looking for fish in narrow rivers and streams.
Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is an angling method where you use a lightweight lure for catching fish. Essentially, you are tricking fish into thinking the artificial flies on your hook are lures. For this to be successful, make sure you’re equipped with the best hooks for river fishing. Fly fishing is one of the best ways to catch fish, especially in rivers.
River Fishing Essentials
Finally, you have decided it is time to go river fishing! Now, here’s everything you need to bring with you and a few more tips. From gear to lure, you can have access to these down at your local fishing tackle shop.
Quality Fishing Pole
Before you can even fish, you need your fishing pole. Many different fishing poles cater to different fishing styles but keep it simple if you’re starting. The best fishing poles are those that work for your style, after all. And don’t forget to get a quality fishing line to go with your fishing pole.
Good Bait
Most anglers, if not all, prefer to use live bait to hook in fish. The most effective live bait out there is the nightcrawler, as virtually any fish will eat this bait. You can also opt for live shiners when you want to lure and hook in predatory fish. Essentially, you need to decide which bait you’d use depending on your target fish.
Lures
Jigheads, spoons, plugs, or crankbait are the most common and productive lures to use when river fishing. When it comes to lure fishing, jigging is one of the most engaging ways to do it!
Polarized Glasses
An angler’s best asset when fishing, aside from his gear, is his eyes. Not only will polarized fishing glasses protect your eyes from harsh rays. But these will also filter certain lighting and give you a clearer view of fish just below the surface of the lake or river.
Where to Go River Fishing?
Many rivers in the U.S. offer plenty of opportunities for anglers to have great travel experiences. These rivers also offer anglers the chance to enjoy fishing no matter the weather, during summer, or when it is cold. If you want to start fishing, here are some of the best spots to go river fishing in the country:
Bighorn River
This area is known for heavy hatches that house many types of the biggest fish, especially trout and carp. However, you have to be cautious since the currents in this river are swifter than they appear. Try to fish by the mouth or the shore; you’ll have an easier time to lure fish of good size.
Colorado River
This is a great place to fish in when you want to bait rainbow trout. Other fish you can catch here include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel fish, striped bass, and bluegill. The flowing water will also make great currents that can gather food sources for fish.
Missouri River
Looking for a new spot? This river is most overlooked because of its fast currents and channelized riverbanks. But the Missouri River is the best area for fishing both channel and flathead catfish. The constant flowing water in this can also make good merging currents for fish to gather.
Common Species of Fish You Can Hook in Rivers
Are you finally convinced about trying out fishing in rivers? If you are, you should know just what game fish you are trying to hook. There are lots of fish species you can reel in those rivers. That includes bluegills, perch, salmon, largemouth bass, trout, shiner, and walleye.
Fishing tip: If you want to catch some trout, check out our trout fishing tips for rivers.
You still have to consider where you are fishing and in which season. These are some of the factors that determine just what good fish you might catch in the river.
Founder & Angler 
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