Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 28, 2025. It's a chilly morning in Minneapolis, with temperatures hovering around 40°F and partly cloudy skies. The sun's gonna rise at 6:53 AM and set at 7:39 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to wet our lines.

Now, let's talk about the river conditions. The Mississippi is running a bit high and fast due to recent snowmelt and rain. The water temperature is around 45°F, which is starting to wake up our fishy friends. There's no tidal report for the Mississippi since it's not affected by ocean tides, but keep an eye on those water levels as they can change quickly this time of year.

Walleye fishing has been picking up lately, especially near the lock and dam areas. Anglers have been having luck with jigs tipped with minnows or plastics in the deeper holes. Some nice-sized walleyes in the 18-24 inch range have been caught in the past week.

Smallmouth bass are also starting to become more active. They're hanging around rocky areas and current breaks. Throw some crankbaits or soft plastics their way, and you might just hook into a chunky bronzeback.

For you catfish enthusiasts, channel cats are biting well on cut bait or stinkbaits in the slower, deeper pools. A few flatheads have been reported, but they're still a bit sluggish with the cooler water temps.

As for lures, I'd recommend having a variety of jigs, crankbaits, and soft plastics in your tackle box. Bright colors like chartreuse and orange have been working well in the slightly stained water. Don't forget some live bait options like minnows or nightcrawlers – they're always a solid choice this time of year.

If you're looking for some hot spots, try fishing near the Stone Arch Bridge or the area around Boom Island Park. The structure in these areas tends to hold fish, especially as they start moving into shallower water.

Remember, folks, the ice is off the river, but be cautious of floating debris and swift currents. Wear your life jackets and stay safe out there. Tight lines, everyone!

Howdy, folks! This is Artificial Lure, your friendly neighborhood fishing expert, coming at you with the latest scoop on the Mississippi River fishing scene around Minneapolis. It's Wednesday, March 26, 2025, and let me tell you, things are starting to heat up out there!

First off, let's talk weather. We're looking at a partly cloudy day with temperatures climbing to the mid-50s. The sun's gonna peek out from behind those clouds around 6:55 AM and bid us farewell at 7:38 PM. Now, I gotta warn ya, there's a chance of some thunderstorms rolling in later this evening, so keep an eye on those skies and be ready to head for shore if things start looking dicey.

As for the river itself, we're seeing some decent flow rates. The water level at St. Paul is sitting around 3.8 feet, which is pretty typical for this time of year. The walleye and sauger are starting to get frisky with the spring spawn approaching. Water temps are hovering in the low 40s, which means those fish are gonna be hanging out in the deeper holes and along current seams.

Now, let's talk catches. I've been hearing some good reports coming in from Pool 2 and Pool 3. Anglers have been pulling in some nice-sized walleyes, with a few pushing the 25-inch mark. Sauger numbers have been solid too, with most folks catching their limits without too much trouble. We've also seen a uptick in smallmouth bass activity, especially on warmer afternoons.

For you catfish enthusiasts, the channel cats are starting to wake up from their winter slumber. A few anglers have reported some decent catches using cut bait in the deeper holes.

When it comes to lures, you can't go wrong with a jig and minnow combo right now. I've had good luck with 1/4 oz jigs in chartreuse or orange. For those of you who prefer artificial baits, try slow-rolling a 2.8" Keitech swimbait in the "Sight Flash" color. Blade baits like the Damiki Vault have also been producing well in the current seams.

If you're looking for some hot spots, I'd recommend trying the area just below the Ford Dam or the stretch near Grey Cloud Island. The Pig's Eye Lake area has also been producing some nice catches.

Remember, folks, the bite can be a bit finicky this time of year, so patience is key. Don't be afraid to switch up your presentation if you're not getting any action.

That's all for now, anglers. This is Artificial Lure signing off. Tight lines and stay safe out there!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 24, 2025. It's a chilly morning in Minneapolis, with temperatures hovering around 40°F and partly cloudy skies. The sun rose at 7:06 AM and will set at 7:31 PM, giving us plenty of daylight for fishing.

Now, let's talk about the river conditions. The Mississippi is running a bit high and fast due to recent snowmelt and rain. The water temperature is around 45°F, which is starting to wake up our fishy friends. There's no tidal report for the Mississippi since it's not affected by ocean tides, but keep an eye on those water levels as they can change quickly this time of year.

Walleye fishing has been picking up lately, especially near the lock and dam areas. Anglers have been having luck with jigs tipped with minnows or plastics in the deeper holes. Some nice-sized walleyes in the 18-24 inch range have been caught in the past week.

Smallmouth bass are also starting to become more active. They're hanging around rocky areas and current breaks. Throw some crankbaits or soft plastics their way, and you might just hook into a chunky bronzeback.

For you catfish enthusiasts, channel cats are biting well on cut bait or stinkbaits in the slower, deeper pools. A few flatheads have been reported, but they're still a bit sluggish with the cooler water temps.

As for lures, I'd recommend having a variety of jigs, crankbaits, and soft plastics in your tackle box. Bright colors like chartreuse and orange have been working well in the slightly stained water. Don't forget some live bait options like minnows or nightcrawlers – they're always a solid choice this time of year.

If you're looking for some hot spots, try fishing near the Stone Arch Bridge or the area around Boom Island Park. The structure in these areas tends to hold fish, especially as they start moving into shallower water.

Remember, folks, the ice is off the river, but be cautious of floating debris and swift currents. Wear your life jackets and stay safe out there. Tight lines, everyone!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 23, 2025.

Let me tell ya, the weather's been a bit unpredictable lately, but that ain't stoppin' the fish from bitin'. We're lookin' at partly cloudy skies today with temps in the mid-50s. Sunrise was at 7:02 AM, and sunset's gonna be at 7:28 PM, givin' us plenty of daylight to wet our lines.

Now, onto the good stuff - the fish! Walleye and sauger have been active lately, especially in the deeper pools and around wing dams. Folks have been havin' luck with jigs tipped with minnows or plastic tails. Don't forget about those jumbo perch, either - they've been hittin' pretty good on small jigs with waxworms.

For you catfish enthusiasts, channel cats are starting to get more active as the water warms up. Cut bait or nightcrawlers have been working well. Some anglers have even been landing a few flatheads using live bait like suckers or bullheads.

If you're after some bass action, both smallmouth and largemouth have been biting. Crankbaits and soft plastics are your best bet for these fighters. And let's not forget about the northern pike - they're always ready to give you a good fight this time of year.

As for hot spots, I'd recommend checkin' out the area around the Stone Arch Bridge or headin' down to Pool 2 near Grey Cloud Island. Both spots have been producing some nice catches lately.

For lures, you can't go wrong with a 1/4 oz jig head in chartreuse or white, paired with a 3-inch curly tail grub. If you're after those walleyes, try a Rapala Shad Rap in blue and silver. For live bait, fathead minnows and nightcrawlers are always a safe bet.

Remember, folks, the river level's been pretty stable, but always keep an eye on it. And don't forget your life jacket - safety first!

That's all for now, anglers. This is Artificial Lure signin' off. Tight lines and good fishin' to ya all!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 22, 2025.

The weather's looking decent today with partly cloudy skies and highs in the upper 50s. We've got a light breeze from the southeast at 5-10 mph. Sunrise was at 7:12 AM and sunset will be at 7:28 PM, giving us a nice long day on the water.

Water levels are running a bit high but starting to stabilize after all that snowmelt. Current's still swift in the main channel, so be careful out there. Water temp is sitting around 46 degrees.

Fishing's really starting to pick up as we head into spring. Walleye action has been hot, especially near the lock and dam areas. Anglers have been having luck with jigs tipped with minnows or plastics in chartreuse and orange. Some nice 20-inchers have been coming in.

Smallmouth bass are getting more active too. Try working crankbaits or jerkbaits along rocky shorelines and current breaks. A few bruisers over 4 pounds were caught this week.

Catfish have been biting well, particularly in the backwaters and side channels. Cut bait or stinkbaits are your best bet. One lucky angler landed a 15-pound flathead yesterday.

For you panfish enthusiasts, crappies are starting to move into the shallows. Small jigs under a bobber have been productive. Bluegills are biting on worms in the backwater areas.

Some hot spots to check out: the tailwaters below Lock and Dam 1 have been producing nice walleyes. For smallmouth, try the rocky areas around Picnic Island. Catfish have been active near the mouth of Minnehaha Creek.

Overall, fishing is really heating up as we head into spring. Get out there and wet a line! This is Artificial Lure, signing off. Tight lines, everyone!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 21, 2025.

We're looking at a chilly start to the day with temps around 38°F at sunrise, which is at 7:11 AM. It'll warm up to the mid-50s by afternoon, with partly cloudy skies and light winds. Sunset's at 7:27 PM, giving us a nice long day on the water.

Now, there ain't no tides to worry about on our stretch of the Mighty Miss, but water levels have been pretty steady lately. The river's running a bit high and fast with all the spring melt, so be careful out there.

Fish activity has been picking up as the water warms. We've been seeing some nice walleye and sauger catches, especially in deeper pools and along current seams. A few early season smallmouth bass are starting to show up too.

For walleye, try jigging with minnows or plastics in 15-25 feet of water. Crankbaits in shad patterns have also been productive. Smallies are hitting on tube jigs and small swimbaits worked slowly along rocky areas.

Best lures right now are jigs in the 3/8 to 1/2 oz range, lipless crankbaits, and suspending jerkbaits. For live bait, fathead minnows and nightcrawlers are your best bet.

As for hot spots, check out the area around Pig's Eye Island or try the deep holes near the Ford Dam. The confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers has also been producing some nice fish.

Remember, the walleye and sauger season is catch-and-release only until May, so handle those fish with care. Tight lines, everyone!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 19, 2025. Spring is in the air, and the fish are starting to wake up from their winter slumber.

First off, let's talk weather. We're looking at partly cloudy skies today with highs around 52°F and lows dipping to 38°F overnight. Winds are light from the southeast at 5-10 mph. Sunrise is at 7:15 AM and sunset at 7:22 PM, so we've got plenty of daylight to work with.

Water temps are hovering around 45-48°F, which means the walleye and sauger are really starting to get active. We've been seeing some nice catches coming in from the tailwaters below the locks and dams. Jig and minnow combos have been the ticket, with chartreuse and orange being hot colors.

Speaking of walleye, the spring run is just kicking off. Anglers have been having good luck trolling crankbaits like Rapala Shad Raps or Flicker Shads in the main channel. If you're shore fishing, try casting jigs tipped with soft plastics or live bait near current breaks.

Bass fishing has been picking up too. Smallmouth are starting to move into shallower water, especially on sunny days. Throw suspending jerkbaits or small swimbaits around rocky points and you might just hook into a chunky bronzeback.

For you catfish enthusiasts, channel cats are biting well on cut bait or stinkbaits fished in deeper holes. We've even heard reports of a few flatheads being caught by anglers using live bait in snaggy areas.

As for hot spots, I'd recommend trying the area around Boom Island Park or the stretch near the Stone Arch Bridge. The river structure there holds a lot of fish this time of year.

Remember, folks, the bite can be a bit finicky with these transitional temperatures, so don't be afraid to slow down your presentation and experiment with different retrieves.

That's all for now, anglers. Get out there and tight lines to ya!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 17, 2025. It's a chilly morning in Minneapolis, with temperatures hovering around 38°F and partly cloudy skies. The sun rose at 7:22 AM and will set at 7:24 PM, giving us plenty of daylight for fishing.

Now, let's talk about the river conditions. The Mississippi is running a bit high and fast due to recent snowmelt and rain. The water temperature is around 42°F, which is starting to wake up our fishy friends. There's no tidal report for the Mississippi since it's not affected by ocean tides, but keep an eye on those water levels as they can change quickly this time of year.

Walleye fishing has been picking up lately, especially near the lock and dam areas. Anglers have been having luck with jigs tipped with minnows or plastics in the deeper holes. Some nice-sized walleyes in the 18-24 inch range have been caught in the past week.

Smallmouth bass are also starting to become more active. They're hanging around rocky areas and current breaks. Throw some crankbaits or soft plastics their way, and you might just hook into a chunky bronzeback.

For you catfish enthusiasts, channel cats are biting well on cut bait or stinkbaits in the slower, deeper pools. A few flatheads have been reported, but they're still a bit sluggish with the cooler water temps.

As for lures, I'd recommend having a variety of jigs, crankbaits, and soft plastics in your tackle box. Bright colors like chartreuse and orange have been working well in the slightly stained water. Don't forget some live bait options like minnows or nightcrawlers – they're always a solid choice this time of year.

If you're looking for some hot spots, try fishing near the Stone Arch Bridge or the area around Boom Island Park. The structure in these areas tends to hold fish, especially as they start moving into shallower water.

Remember, folks, the ice is off the river, but be cautious of floating debris and swift currents. Wear your life jackets and stay safe out there. Tight lines, everyone!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 16, 2025.

The weather's looking decent today in Minneapolis, with partly cloudy skies and highs around 45°F. Sunrise was at 7:23 AM and sunset will be at 7:18 PM. No tides to worry about on our mighty river, but water levels are running a bit high after some recent rains.

Fish activity has been picking up as we transition into spring. Walleye and sauger are still the main targets, with some nice catches reported below the dams. A few early season crappies are starting to show up in the backwaters too.

Last week, anglers were having good luck with walleye in the 15-20 inch range, along with some bonus sauger. Most folks are using jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastics. For crappies, small jigs under a bobber have been the ticket.

As for lures, I'd recommend having some jigs in the 1/8 to 3/8 oz range, along with some crankbaits like Rapala Shad Raps or Flicker Shads. Don't forget some live bait - fathead minnows and nightcrawlers are always good options this time of year.

For hot spots, I'd suggest trying below the Ford Dam or around the pilings of the Stone Arch Bridge. The mouth of Minnehaha Creek has been producing some nice walleye too.

Remember to bundle up and be safe out there. The water's still mighty cold if you take an unexpected swim. Tight lines, everyone!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 15, 2025. Let me tell you, the fishing is really starting to heat up around Minneapolis as we head into spring.

First off, we've got a beautiful day ahead of us. Sunrise was at 7:23 AM and sunset will be at 7:18 PM. Temps are looking to hit the mid-50s with partly cloudy skies and light winds out of the southwest. Water temps are hovering around 45 degrees.

Now for the good stuff - the fish are biting! We're seeing a nice uptick in walleye and sauger activity as they start their pre-spawn feeding frenzy. Anglers have been having luck jigging with minnows or plastics in 15-20 feet of water, especially around current breaks and wing dams. Some real nice eaters in the 15-18 inch range being caught.

Bass fishing is also picking up, with smallmouth starting to move into shallower water. Crankbaits and jerkbaits have been producing well, especially in rocky areas. A few largemouth are being caught on spinnerbaits around wood cover too.

For bait, can't go wrong with minnows right now. Fathead minnows for walleye and shiners for bass. As for lures, I'd recommend having some jigs, crankbaits, and soft plastics on hand. Chartreuse and white have been hot colors.

A couple hot spots to check out - the area below Lock and Dam 1 has been producing some nice walleye, and the rocky shorelines around Nicollet Island are holding some good smallmouth.

Remember to grab your 2025 fishing license if you haven't already. Tight lines everyone, and I'll catch you next time!