Mississinewa River

The Mississinewa River is a tributary of the Wabash River in eastern Indiana and a small portion of western Ohio in the United States. It is about 100 mi (160 km) long. Via the Wabash and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the Mississippi River watershed.

After rising near the Indiana state border in northwestern Darke County, Ohio the Mississinewa flows for the remainder of its course in Indiana. It initially flows westward in a heavily straightened and channelized course through northern Randolph and Delaware Counties; it turns northwestward in Delaware County and flows through Grant, Wabash and Miami Counties. It joins the Wabash River from the south in Miami County, about 2 mi (3 km) east of Peru.

Along its course the Mississinewa flows past the towns of Ridgeville, Albany, Eaton, Matthews, Jonesboro, Gas City and Marion.

Great smallmouth bass fishing!

The corridor of the river is predominately lined with sycamore and cottonwood trees.

Beneath the muddy stain of the Mississinewa River are enough smallmouth bass to satisfy your late-season need for these feisty bronze-colored battlers.

In the fall, bronzebacks take their second run of the year to the dam at Mississinewa Reservoir. They can be caught up and down the stretch of shoreline near Marion, where shore access is good.

Tracy Livingston of Riverside Sports in Marion said the best way to get them on the line is to come equipped with a variety of baits.

Livingston recommended bass minnows and small chubs worked under a bobber on the live bait side, depending on how aggressive the fish are. The list of artificial baits that will get the attention of Mississinewa smallmouths is long. Pre-rigged Anise worms in purple and white or purple with the fire tail are also local favorites. Crayfish-imitating crankbaits are popular, as are Roadrunner spinners. And 4-inch tube jigs in watermelon shouldn't be overlooked, Livingston said.

"It all depends on the water clarity," said Livingston, who recommended natural colors when the water is dirtier, brighter baits when clarity is good.

"The rain fluctuates the water clarity so much," Livingston said. "I always start out with a darker bait."

When it rains, the Mississinewa can get pretty muddy. Even when the water is at its clearest, it's not very transparent. Still, smallmouth bass, often thought of as clean-water fish, are plenty abundant in this waterway. There are also plenty of white bass and crappies that are likely to snatch up the same offerings.

Most anglers will wade the river, working their baits along the channel breakline, which is often about 5 feet from the shore. Anglers do best to work the eddies and drift their baits through the ripples.