Hello all! I live about an hour from the missisippi river here in osceola wisconsin, I want to fish it this summer, any thought's on where to start, what tactic's etc? Just want to expand my opportunitie's if you will, thank's 8-)

Heck, you live right on the St. Croix. There's plenty of good bassin in your backyard. Get you self some felt bottom wading boots and some canvas waders or light, loose hunting pants and try wading. The boots are important. They will keep you upright. Old Nikes will not.

Get a few of these buzzbaits, a couple gold shiner spinnerbaits, a few X Raps and small lipless crankbaits, some watermelon and smoke tube jigs, and some white Zoom Super Flukes and put them in a fanny pack. Look for structure, something out of the ordinary. Tributaries, wingdams, islands, backwaters, bridges, boulder fields, shallow riffles and the deep pools behind them, etc.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_58847_100006000_100000000_100006000_100-6-0

The Mississippi nearest to you is dammed up for hydroelectricity and shipping and is much deeper than the St. Croix. You'll likely need a boat to cover any ground. The Miss gets shallower above Monticello, and fishing is terrific on the Little Falls to St. Cloud stretch, but thats a pretty long haul.

You don't have to travel to the Mississippi. Hit up the St. Croix and it's tribs. Wade slow with short steps, be careful until you find your feet. You'll find some hawgs that have never seen lures in some unlikely places if you're willing to get a little adventurous and do some hiking.

http://www.mnmississippiriver.com/