MNKFA River Floats – 2026 Season
These floats are perfect for amateur anglers looking to dip their paddle into river fishing. We keep things laid back and welcoming, and our seasoned members will have you catching Mississippi smallies before you know it.
Many of our experienced anglers actually started with their first-ever river float right here on the Mississippi—and they always come back for more.
Shore Lunch Tradition
Midday, we pull off for a potluck shore lunch. Brats and all the fixings are the usual spread, but everyone’s welcome to bring their own favorites to share.
Gear Notes
- Bring your own kayak (required).
- A couple of veterans run pedal drives, but we recommend leaving them at home—rocks and shallow spots are common, even when the river runs high.
Questions?
Reach out to Brian Madden on Facebook if you’ve got specific questions or want tips before your first float.
Tentative Outing Dates – 2026
(Dates subject to change. Check this page and the MNKFA Facebook group for updates and sign-up as outings get closer.)
- May 30, 2026 – Spring opener float
- June 20, 2026 – Early summer float
- August 1, 2026 – Mid-summer float
- August 29, 2026 – Late summer float
- September 26, 2026 – Fall float
- October 10, 2026 – Fall float finale
✅ Quick Recap
- Great for beginners, guided by experienced anglers
- Mississippi River floats with plenty of smallmouth bass action
- Potluck shore lunch (brats are tradition!)
- BYO kayak, avoid pedal drives
- Stay tuned on MNKFA Facebook for updates
Clear Waters Outfitting, (CWO), is an MNKFA sponsor and has everything for kayak fishing and specializes in smallmouth bass fishing the Mississippi.
Kayak fishing the Mississippi River is a unique, exciting, and beautiful experience.
If you’ve never experienced fishing the Mississippi River by Clearwater, Minnesota, this is your chance to be part of a special get together. You’ll be surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the river and its banks, but you’ll also have the comaraderie and companionship of other kayak anglers on the water. As you paddle along, you’ll have a good chance of catching your personal best smallmouth bass—and memories of great kayak fishing will last a lifetime! This stretch of the Mississippi River is one of the top 10 smallmouth fisheries in the United States.
