Hey there, river rats! Artificial Lure here with your Sunday morning fishing report for June 1st, 2025. It's a beauty out on the Mississippi around Minneapolis today!

## River Conditions & Weather

The water levels are looking pretty moderate this morning after last year's record flooding. We're seeing some abnormally dry conditions across central Minnesota, which means watch for those navigational hazards, especially in the shallower areas. Launch your boat carefully, folks!

Sunrise was at 5:28 AM, and we're expecting sunset around 8:49 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to reel in some beauties. Perfect June weather to be out on the water!

## What's Biting

Pool 2 of the Mississippi (that's Ford Dam to Hastings Dam) has been absolutely on fire lately! The fishing season here is open year-round, and anglers have been reporting excellent catch-and-release action for walleye and sauger. The middle of the open water runs about 14 feet deep with nice drop-offs on either shoreline.

White bass have been hitting hard, and both channel and flathead catfish are active. If you're looking for something different, don't forget that muskellunge season officially opens next Saturday, June 7th.

## Hot Spots

If you're launching today, I'd recommend two prime locations:

First, hit Pool 2 near the dam where it's more shallow and flat. The structure there has been holding some nice walleye and smallmouth bass.

Second, don't overlook where the St. Croix meets the Mississippi at the confluence with Pool 3. This spot has been producing solid fishing for lake sturgeon, flathead catfish, and smallmouth bass. Some real prehistoric giants coming out of there!

## Best Lures & Techniques

Leave those live baits at home today! For walleye, I'm seeing great results with soft plastics on ¼ to ½ ounce jigheads. Work them slow along the drop-offs.

For smallmouth, try topwater early morning, then switch to crankbaits as the day heats up. Those bass have been aggressive!

Catfish anglers should go with cut bait or stink bait in the deeper holes. The flatheads have been particularly active in the backwater areas connected to Pool 2.

If you're after those monster sturgeon, heavy tackle is a must. These giants can stretch over 70 inches - the state record caught in the St. Croix back in 2019 measured a whopping 78 inches with a 29.25-inch girth!

Remember, for walleye and bass in Pool 2, it's catch and release only, so bring those cameras but leave the filet knives at home.

That's all for today's report! Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to subscribe for more weekly fishing insights from your local expert. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.