Dubuque rig walleye. Two weighted jigs wont work like you want it to for walleye. To make a Dubuque rig tie a 1/2 or 5/8th ounce H20 jig rigged with AuthentX plastic like a Moxi off a foot-long dropper to a three-way swivel. Other modifications to the Wolf River rig included adding color and flotation. Known as the “Key City” to Irish and German immigrants who saw it as a gateway to the west, Dubuque is Iowa’s oldest city. Here is a collection of fishing videos where we feature the Dubuque rig. Bell sinkers, pyramids, cylindrical weights -- nearly anything other than traditional slipsinker versions. Subscribe HERE for more The versatile, double-barreled Dubuque Rig targets river walleye and sauger in the lowest portions of the water column. Boost your early season walleye catch with this proven technique. This rig offers all the advantages and none of the drawbacks; it holds bait in place just off bottom, whether you're casting, hovering, anchored, or trolling. Vertical jigging and Dubuque rigs are still working rather well. Wolf River rigs are also popular on many of the waters where Burns guides. My understanding is that you can not fish two of these rigs per person. Dubuque-style rigs with two lures, such as a heavy jig and lighter jighead or floater setup. When fishing a stacker rig the same principles as fishing a 3-way apply, weight in contact with the bottom will give the baits more erratic movements than if the weight is held above the bottom. These rankings are informed by Tripadvisor data—we consider traveler reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location. that is correct, but if you have a wisconsin license then you can have three poles so one dubuque rig and another pole with one bait. Apr 6, 2022 · Dubuque is the anchor for the Tri-State Area and a blossoming visitor attraction mixing natural wonder with a captivating history. Today Ryan and I were on pool 4 of the Mississippi River. Mar 30, 2016 · It’s a rig designed to be slowly pulled upstream — especially when the water’s running high, fast and dirty — and it’s all centered around one of those 3-way swivels you never thought you’d use. From local history to vibrant public art to rich culinary tradition, there’s something for everyone in this town along the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Several of these finely tuned river walleye rigs have become time-tested and trophy-walleye-approved setups that Midwestern guides and professional anglers consistently use to put trophy-caliber fish in the boat. That way when you get snagged it only breaks of your jig, not the entire set up. I believe a Dubuque rig counts as two “lines”. As the sun starts to drop toward the treeline, it’s time to put the Dubuque rigs away and head to shallower water, from the shore out to depths of 6 to 8 feet. A Dubuque rig offers two different presentations: one that fishes on the bottom and a second that floats just off bottom. Feb 10, 2026 · What you need at your fingertips! Read on May 22, 2022 · Located on the eastern edge of the state, Dubuque, Iowa has lots of different ways to explore. On days that walleyes seem finicky, the Dubuque rig and control rigging the face on the wing dam may make all the difference. Follow its Mississippi River roots as you explore attractions like the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Eagle Point Park and Fenelon Place Elevator. If you live in the Hawkeye State, there's no reason to leave to catch walleye. Shop: https://shop. Jul 21, 2005 · One thing that I’ve learned about Dubuque rigs at least for MN residents, is that you can only use one rod with it on it and it is only legal on the border waters. Joel Nelson breaks down the Dubuque Rig and explains where and why he likes to utilize it in river systems for spring walleye and sauger. Dubuque Ia Posts: 154 April 2, 2010 at 9:09 pm #860176 Hello Eyecrazy, Dubuque rigging is basically using a 3 way with a short dropper with a jig, and a little bit longer dropper with a bead and a hook or whatever you prefer. A Dubuque Rig is a 3-way rig with a jig for the drop weight instead of a sinker. 1. That said, here are my four favorite spring walleye rods – sticks I will rig up with the aforementioned presentations for early-season walleye fishing on rivers and lakes. The traditional Dubuque rig is meant for current & river fishing. Berkley bonefish, curlybones, ripple shads and rib worms are my go to baits. Book these experiences for a closer look at the region. It can be extremely effective in rivers. Make sure you use a smaller pound test line on the jig. Master the Dubuque rig for spring walleyes with tips on setup, best baits, and how to fish it in rivers. Joel Nelson breaks down the Dubuque Rig and explains where and why he likes to utilize it for spring walleye fishing in river systems. I use jigs from 1-1/2 ounce to 3/8 ounce for my drop jigs depending on the current. When the water hits the face of the wing dam, a back current makes a perfect spot for a walleye to rest and feed – this area should receive the majority of your attention. We used minnows, plastics, Dubuque rigs, and blades. A dubuque rig is a 3 way rig but with a jig head as a dropper instead of a walking or casting sinker. Eyehunter Fishon1 Eastern Iowa The Dubuque Rig A Dubuque Rig is a three-way rig comprised of a dropper jig on a 6- to 10-inch lead to a three-way swivel, and then a 3- to 4-foot 8-pound monofilament leader with much lighter jig, plain hook, or walleye fly off the back, the last eye attached to the main line. I rig the bait on a #1 Gamakatsu Walleye Wide Gap hook, and use a pair of regular swivels—as opposed to a standard three-way—so I can feed the fish line on the take, just like I would with a livebait rig. Spending your fishing time in spots where the fish are! In the high flows and dirty water of spring and fall, the Dubuque Rig is a proven river walleye producer. The current City of Dubuque was named after Julien Dubuque, who settled at the southern end of a large flat plain adjacent to the Mississippi River. Substitute a heavy jig for the sinker to double your chances, simultaneously presenting a lure on and slightly above bottom (Dubuque Rig). Switch back and forth between these tactics without rerigging. Dubuque, Iowa is overflowing with things to do. but not a weighted jig. Also, get the latest news and events on walleye fishing across the US and Canada. Learn how to use the Dubuque Rig, a trolling rig with two jigs and two baits, to catch walleyes in high-flow and dirty water conditions. Modified Dubuque Rig Walleye In my mind a Drop shot is sunk with a weight & a Dubuque Rig is sunk with a heavy jig. . Watch a video tutorial by Joel Nelson and shop for Northland Fishing Tackle products. Replace the bell sinker with a jig and bait/plastic and you have a dubuque rig/. Find out the best rods, reels, lines, baits and locations for this versatile rig. The long sonar pulses, coupled with a wide range of transmitted sonar frequencies, provide for excellent target separation and size discrimination. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. He says these rigs help anglers present baits to walleyes in very snaggy waters full of timber and other potential hang-ups. Below are three top rigs to consider using in your own spring river fishing. Receive a print or digital version of annual or seasonal travel guide featuring, maps, events and all the best place to explore in the Dubuque area. A Double-Barreled Approach for Spring River Walleyes Dubuque rigging Dubuque rigging is a fantastic technique for covering water, whether the current is weak or strong. Very productive way to fish, Definetly try it! DUBUQUE RIG — with Joel Nelson! One of the best river techniques for dragging upstream during the spring and early summer for walleye and sauger! 👌🎣 #TeamNorthlandTackle Find the full length video below for more in-depth tips and details on the Dubuque Rig! Today Scott joined me in the boat for a fun December morning on the Mississippi RIver. White ice, purples and chartreuse have been good colors. Dubuque Rig River Walleyes — Joel Nelson breaks down the Dubuque Rig and explains where and why he likes to utilize it for spring walleyes! Jul 21, 2005 · One thing that I’ve learned about Dubuque rigs at least for MN residents, is that you can only use one rod with it on it and it is only legal on the border waters. Over decades, Dubuque rigs have been modified in countless ways to catch spring walleyes across the country. Dubuque Rig River Walleyes — Spring River Walleye Tactic (Multi-Jig Rig): Joel Nelson breaks down the Dubuque Rig and explains where and why he likes to utilize it for spring walleye fishing in river systems. You can use a floating jig head, a floating lindy rig, or just a plain hook on the other end. Mar 14, 2024 · Chartered in 1837, Dubuque is Iowa's oldest city. The city was officially chartered in 1833, located in unorganized territory of the United States. The Dubuque Rig is a specialized three-way swivel setup designed specifically for river walleye fishing. more In this blog post, we’ll break down exactly what the Dubuque rig is, why it works so well in the spring, how to rig it, and the best strategies for fishing it to consistently put more walleyes in the boat. Some hair jigs are working also. Only legal in MN on border waters where it is legal to fish two lines. ” Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association. From what I understand, you typically pull upstream at less Lets say a certain guy wanted to work a current seam right now on Pool 4 and wanted to use a Dubuque Rig. For more information on t Dubuque rigging is perfect for probing depths of 12-25+ feet, where walleyes and saugers will often be found during the daylight hours. With a perfect blend of history, recreation and attractions, Dubuque makes for an excellent family getaway. n DUBUQUE RIG — with Joel Nelson! One of the best river techniques for dragging upstream during the spring and early summer for walleye and sauger! 👌🎣 #TeamNorthlandTackle Find the full length video on our YouTube channel for more in-depth tips and details on the Dubuque Rig! The Walleye fishing has been slow as I assume they are still out in the basin of Lake Pepin. The Dubuque Rig is hands-down one of the best rigs for catching walleyes on Pool 4 of the Mississippi River by Red Wing, Minnesota. Color was introduced in the form of a bright-orange, pink, or chartreuse glow bead placed in front of the hook. Although I will pull Dubuque Rigs and stickbaits early season on rivers, I don’t do it nearly as much as I cast or jig. Looking to fall back to dubuque rigging on the Mississippi River this up coming weekend. Tie one on the next time you head The Dubuque Rig is a specialized three-way swivel setup designed specifically for river walleye fishing. Today Kyle and I are out on Pool 4 of the Mississippi River fishing for walleye and sauger. It allows you to present two different baits at once, covering both the bottom and the water column just above it. Jump aboard an authentic paddlewheeler, meet critters at a river museum, travel Dubuque and so much more. Tour the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, the largest of its kind in the country, to learn everything about the mighty river. You will just get tangle after tangle. Livebait Rigs -- Standard river setup: a lip-hooked minnow, known in some circles as the Wolf River Rig. I fish DBQ Rigs quite a bit and I catch many fish on the drop jig. Note: when fishing a dubuque rig the two different baits/hooks count as “two lines” so only one rod may be fished at a time when using a dubuque rig. We spent pretty much all of our time pulling Dubuque Rigs along a current seam and in a low flow a Three-way rigs, for example, are a fine option for probing the tips and various contours in search of fish. Dubuque Rig (AKA Denver Rig): A Dubuque rig is the same principle as a 3-way rig but the bell sinker is replaced with a jig. This is summed up by the interesting downtown area with its grand mid-19th century architecture, old funicular scaling the bluff and a scenic walk along the riverfront. A Dubuque Rig is the same rig as a regular 3-way Rig (EXCEPT)on the dropper end there is a Big enough jig to make contact on the bottom,now you have 2 options for the fish to take instead of just 1 with a sinker. DUBUQUE RIG — with Joel Nelson! One of the best river techniques for dragging upstream during the spring and early summer for walleye and sauger! 👌🎣 #TeamNorthlandTackle Find the full length video below for more in-depth tips and details on the Dubuque Rig! Dubuque Rig: Spring River Walleye Tactic (Multi-Jig Rig) 👌🎣 #TeamNorthlandTackle Joel Nelson breaks down the Dubuque Rig and explains where and why he Dubuque rigs put big numbers of fish in the boat, but if trophies are your goal, he suggests pitching oval- or roundhead jigs tipped with plastic. We started out using Dubuque Rigs and then switched over to the Miller Rig. Along with wing dams, Olson adds that back channels can be dynamite for October walleyes. "Pitching plastics to current seams in 3 to 15 feet of water is the way to go for big prespawn females," he says. Feb 2, 2026 · "Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best. What would be a good size dropper jig? One of the best ways to catch wintertime walleyes on this stretch of the river is the Dubuque Rig. Learn how to use the Dubuque Rig, a multi-jig rig, for spring walleye fishing in river systems. It rests upon scenic bluffs, overlooking the Mississippi River with its abundance of natural resources. Read this to find the best walleye fishing lakes and rivers in Iowa. How to fish Pool 4 for early spring walleyes Mississippi River, Pool 4 – Walleye Factory Minnesota’s early May fishing opener is a date most avid walleye anglers have circled on the calendar, but long before May is the pre-opener down on Pool 4 of the Mississippi River. Mar 30, 2016 · Learn how to use the Dubuque rig, a 3-way swivel setup with two jigs and baits, to catch walleye in high-flow conditions. With the lower current now you can get by with as light as a 1/2 ounce drop jig. National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. cu07, ixrs, ozko6s, gawp5, 76pvb, phol1, zm82z, 8y4ocj, nrff3, 5wqkug,