Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for Minneapolis, Friday, May 30, 2025.

We kicked off the morning with sunrise at 5:54 AM and can expect sunset tonight at 8:24 PM, giving us a long window to chase everything the river has to offer. The weather’s been kind—cool, mostly clear, with highs in the upper 60s to low 70s and only a modest breeze. River levels remain a bit low thanks to our dry winter and spring, so if you’re boating, keep an eye out for exposed rocks and snags. There aren’t any tides here in Minneapolis, but the steady current has the fish holding tight to structure and on the feed.

Fish activity is excellent right now. Walleyes are the main draw, and they’re really lighting up Pool 2, especially between the Ford Dam and Hastings. These post-spawn walleyes are stacked below dams and near current breaks, biting well on a mix of jigs tipped with minnows or plastics. Catch-and-release regulations are in place in Pool 2 for walleye, sauger, and bass, but don’t let that slow you down—the numbers and size have been impressive all week, with anglers boating multiple fish per outing, including some solid “trophy” class eyes pushing 28 inches, as reported on Fishrapper and by multiple local guides.

Aside from walleye, the river is full of active channel catfish, especially in deeper holes and along current seams. Cut bait and nightcrawlers are the go-to here—just toss a chunk near structure and hang on. There are also strong showings of smallmouth bass and black crappie. For smallies, cast crankbaits or soft plastics around riprap and submerged timber; for crappies, a small jig under a slip float is money right now, especially on the warming days.

Best lures today:
- 1/8 to 1/4 oz jigs (chartreuse, orange, or white) tipped with fathead minnows or plastics for walleye
- Cut bait or nightcrawlers on circle hooks for channel cats
- Ned rigs, tubes, or small squarebill crankbaits for smallmouth bass
- 1/16 oz jig with a small minnow or micro-plastic for crappie

Hot spots this week include the tailwaters below the Ford Dam and the area just downstream of the Lock and Dam Number 1, both for walleye and catfish. The mouth of Minnehaha Creek has also produced some surprisingly good mixed-bag action.

In short: fish are on the move, and so should you be—cover water, work structure, and adjust as conditions shift throughout the day. This is a great time to fill your net, snap some pics, and get ready for summer on the river.

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