Mississippi River Minneapolis Fishing Report Today

Good morning, folks! This is Artificial Lure with your December 2nd fishing report for the Twin Cities area.

Let me be straight with you – the Mississippi River around Minneapolis is in its winter transition phase right now, and conditions are tight. We're looking at early December temperatures that are pushing toward freeze-up, so if you're heading out, bundle up and be smart about it.

**Current Conditions**

Water temps are dropping fast, and that means fish are moving toward deeper structures and slower-moving water. The river's current is picking up with winter runoff, so focus on protected areas along the banks and around bridge pilings where fish can conserve energy.

**What's Working**

For lures, you'll want to think vertical. Jigs are absolutely your best friend right now – particularly swim jigs and flipping jigs in darker colors like brown and green pumpkin. Think 3/8 to 1/2-ounce models that you can work slowly along the bottom. Spinnerbaits with single or double willows in silver and white are also putting fish in the boat when worked near woody cover. Don't overlook crankbaits either – deep-diving models can reach down to where winter bass are holding.

Bait-wise, live shiners and crawdads remain excellent choices, but honestly, the plastic presentations are outfishing live bait this time of year on the Mississippi stretch near the Twin Cities.

**Recent Activity**

The Minneapolis area lakes have been quiet, but not dead. Water testing crews recently confirmed freshwater jellyfish in Taft Lake near MSP Airport – a rare find that actually indicates the ecosystem's doing its thing. For bass and pike specifically, reports from competitive anglers show that dock structures and shallow brush piles still hold fish during the warming hours of midday.

**Hot Spots**

Focus on the backwater areas around Ford Dam and Stone Arch Bridge – these spots have structure and slower current. The shoreline vegetation around the Chain of Lakes is also worth exploring if they haven't iced over yet.

**Final Thoughts**

Get out early if you can, stay safe on the ice, and remember – lighter lines aren't the issue in winter; it's your presentation that matters. Fish are aggressive when they do bite, so 20-pound fluorocarbon is your baseline.

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Well, folks, it's Artificial Lure here with your fishing report for December 1st, 2025 on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis.

Today's conditions are looking pretty solid for getting out on the water. The sun rises at 6:52 AM and sets at 7:41 PM, giving us a decent day length of about 12 hours and 49 minutes. We're in a waxing crescent moon phase at 15%, which should keep fish moderately active through the day.

For the best fishing windows, your major bite times are hitting early morning from 2:51 to 4:51 AM and then again in the afternoon from 3:21 to 5:21 PM. If you can't make those, don't sleep on the minor times at 7:48 to 8:48 AM. The day's rating is showing as average, so conditions are workable.

Now, for what's been working out here on the Mississippi, the lure game is key. Premium choices include vertical presentation minnows with holographic finishes that really pop in our darker winter waters. Crankbaits in shad patterns are solid producers, and don't overlook worms rigged on shaky heads or drop-shot rigs. Swimbaits in natural colors like blue gizzard have been pulling some quality fish from offshore structures.

As for live bait, minnows and shiners are your bread and butter right now. Keep them fresh and lively—the fish respond to that panicked baitfish action.

For hot spots, check out the ledges and deeper structures near Fort Snelling State Park where the Minnesota River feeds into the Mississippi. You'll find schools hanging around there. Also, don't miss the deeper holes in the channel between downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul—some solid walleye and northern pike territory this time of year.

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# Mississippi River Minneapolis Fishing Report - Sunday, November 30, 2025

Well folks, it's your boy Artificial Lure coming to you on this chilly Sunday morning from the Twin Cities. We're looking at what's shaping up to be a pretty gnarly day on the water if you're brave enough to venture out.

Let's talk weather first—and you really gotta pay attention here. A major winter storm system is moving through Southeast Minnesota right now, and we're expecting heavy snow with accumulations between 2 to 4 inches, with wind gusts cranking up to 35 mph. Temperatures are dropping fast, and honestly, travel conditions are getting sketchy. If you're thinking about heading out, be real careful.

On the bright side, sunrise was around 7:27 this morning and we're looking at sunset hitting around 4:39 PM, so you've got a pretty short window to work with. The river's going to be cold—we're talking below freezing tonight with wind chills dropping into the negatives.

Now, here's the fishing intel. Late fall on the Mississippi around Minneapolis is all about bass and walleye, and the recent reports show anglers are having solid success targeting specific structures. From tournaments on the river, pros have been crushing it on sand drops and grass lines. The bite's been strongest early and late in the day, so get out there at first light if you can.

For lures, you're gonna want to stock your tackle box with ChatterBaits—especially in white and chartreuse—paired with soft plastic trailers. Weightless shad patterns in white pearl are absolutely money right now on the grass flats. Frogs are also producing when fish push into the shallow vegetation. Topwater swimmers and small shads are working too, especially in 2.5 to 3-inch sizes.

The best bait? Fresh shad is your go-to. The river's loaded with baitfish right now, and everything's keying on those shad patterns, both live and artificial.

For hot spots, focus on Pool 8 if you can access it safely—it's been the top producer. Also check out the Black River section where you've got eelgrass loaded with shad. Sand flats with grass and plenty of current breaks are fire right now. Target areas where you can see structure changes—those drops and cut banks are holding quality fish.

One more thing—if you're thinking about ice fishing setup, some local lakes are starting to freeze over, so monitor conditions carefully.

Stay safe out there today with this storm rolling through. Get your gear sorted, bundle up, and make the most of those daylight hours.

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# Artificial Lure's Mississippi River Fishing Report

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure coming to you live on this Saturday morning, November 29th, 2025, with your fishing report for the Minneapolis area and the Mississippi River.

Let me start with what Mother Nature's got in store for us today. We're looking at partly sunny skies with a high near 73 degrees. There's a slight chance of showers between noon and one, then showers and thunderstorms developing after 1 PM. Winds will be calm this morning, then pick up from the south at 5 to 7 miles per hour this afternoon. Overall, a 30 percent chance of precipitation, so bring a rain jacket just to be safe.

Now, here's the real story—the Mississippi River at Winona is flowing at 39,400 cubic feet per second with a gauge height of 6.14 feet. That's about 62 percent of normal, and we're running about 3.67 percent lower than yesterday. For context, flood stage at this location sits between 13 and 18 feet, so we're well below any concerns. The streamflow average over the past ten days has been holding steady around 46,310 cfs.

As for fish activity, the water temps are still running cool, which means the bass and walleye are going to be a bit sluggish but definitely feedable. According to Major League Fishing experts, when water temperatures dip into the low 50s like we're seeing this time of year, you'll want to focus on slower presentations near the bottom.

Here's what's been working: A half-ounce Strike King Red Eye Shad in shades of red or crawfish colors is a solid choice for these conditions. Fish it near the bottom with short hops or drags rather than burning it through the water column. If you've got clear water—and the Mississippi near Minneapolis tends to be reasonably clear—a suspending jerkbait like the Strike King KVD Deep 300 will get you strikes. Use Crystal Shad colors for maximum visibility. Don't overlook a good structure jig either, especially if you find muddy patches. Green pumpkin works great in clearer sections.

I'd recommend focusing on two hot spots: First, the area around Lock and Dam Number 5, where the current breaks and structure concentrate both baitfish and predators. Second, check out the deeper holes and channel ledges along the main river navigation channel—walleye especially hold tight to these transition zones in late fall.

Thanks for tuning in to the report, folks. Don't forget to subscribe for daily updates on river conditions and fish activity. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.

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# Mississippi River Minneapolis Fishing Report - November 28, 2025

Well folks, this is Artificial Lure coming to you live with your Friday morning fishing report for the Mississippi River right here in Minneapolis.

**The Conditions**

We're looking at a cold one out there today. Sunrise was at 6:52 AM and we'll see sunset at 7:41 PM. It's going to be still cold with highs only reaching the low 20s, but here's the thing – we've got light winds early shifting to southeast at 5-10 mph by afternoon, and that's actually pretty decent for getting out on the water.

Now here's where it gets interesting. There's a system moving in tonight and Saturday that's going to bring some snow to the area, so if you're thinking about heading out this weekend, I'd suggest doing it sooner rather than later.

**Moon and Tide Activity**

The moon is in a waxing crescent phase at about 15% illumination. For tide times, we're looking at a high at 3:03 AM and another high at 3:53 PM with lows at 10:09 AM and 10:13 PM. This gives us some decent windows to work with throughout the day.

**What's Been Biting**

The word from local anglers is that walleyes have been absolutely outstanding lately – November's been a hot month for them out here. Light tackle and live bait have been producing solid numbers. We're also seeing good reports on speckled trout and snook, with anglers using artificial lures like topwater and jigs getting the job done.

**Recommended Hotspots**

Head down toward the lock and dam structures – always a solid bet. The backwaters near the main channel breaks are holding fish right now too. Both spots give you good current breaks to work.

**Gear Up Right**

Bring your light tackle setup. Live bait rigs are your friend today, but don't sleep on artificial lures – bottom fishing presentations and jigs are producing. Mix it up out there.

Get out there early, stay warm, and make it a great day on the water, folks. Thanks for tuning in and don't forget to subscribe.

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# Mississippi River Minneapolis Fishing Report – Thursday, November 27th

Hey folks, Artificial Lure here with today's fishing report for the Twin Cities.

We're looking at a cold one this Thanksgiving morning along the Mississippi. Sunrise hit at 7:24 AM and we're wrapping up daylight by 4:40 PM, so get out there early if you're planning to wet a line. Water temps are hovering in that low-to-mid 50s range, which means the fish have settled into their deeper winter patterns.

**The Action**

Walleye fishing has been solid on the Mississippi and our deeper metro lakes. Target the 18 to 30-foot breaks—you'll want to focus on 10 to 18-foot structure on Pool 1 and the main channel. Those jigs tipped with fatheads are working like a charm, and don't sleep on a Jigging Rap on inside turns. This time of year, smallmouth bass are pushing hard into current seams and midriver rubble, so swing Ned rigs and 3 to 4-inch swimbaits just off bottom.

The muskie reports have been improving too—watch for those bait clouds hanging over 12 to 20 feet. Northern pike are still prowling the remaining green weeds, and burning spinnerbaits over the tops will get their attention.

**Where to Go**

Head to **Saint Anthony Falls and Boom Island** near downtown—you're looking at some quality structure and current breaks. If you want to push a little further, **Lake Harriet and Lake Nokomis** have been consistent for walleye action, especially around windward edges and inside weedlines.

**Best Bet**

With the late-fall turnover wrapping up, prioritize areas with even slightly clearer water. Fresh fatheads or live bait will trigger more commitment in that short strike window. Dawn and dusk remain your money times, and overcast days have been delivering steady bites.

Get after it today, and thanks for tuning in. Don't forget to subscribe for more reports. This has been a Quiet Please production—for more, check out quietplease.ai.

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It’s Artificial Lure checking in with your Mississippi River, Minneapolis fishing report for Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Here’s what you need to know to make your time on the water count today.

We’re coming off a powerful winter front—up to 6 inches of snow fell overnight with northwest winds gusting up to 45 miles per hour. The air is biting, with the mercury stuck between 20 and 28 degrees through the day, and the wind chill making it feel even colder. Bundle up and keep an eye out for blowing snow drifts on the banks. According to St. Cloud State University, this December-like cold will stick around through Saturday.

The sun rose at 7:24 AM and will set at 4:35 PM. If you’re planning your outing, target low-light periods—first light and evening—as they’re the hottest bite windows with fish stacked up after last night’s turnover. The moon’s in a waxing gibbous phase, and FishingReminder points out major activity from about 6:52 to 8:52 AM and again from 7:03 to 9:03 PM, so there’s reason to set your lines early and stick around into dusk.

The Mississippi’s holding at about 43 degrees, running high and a touch stained from recent runoff, per USGS flow data. Fish are feeling that late fall chill—expect them on classic wintering structure: deep holes with moderate current, channel swings, and inside bends.

Here’s what’s being caught: walleye action is strong along Pool 1 and near the downtown locks. Local anglers report steady catches of 16–22", with the occasional kicker pushing 25". Fathead-minnow-tipped jigs in 1/8 to 1/4 oz are the standard, but don’t overlook a Jigging Rap if you find a pod hugging the bottom. Up toward Nicollet Island and St. Anthony Falls, smallmouth bass have moved to current seams and chunk rock. Drag a ned rig or hop a compact swimbait just off bottom—3" paddle tails in shad or perch colors are money this time of year.

Northern pike are prowling what’s left of green weeds—especially at Boom Island and the mouths of side creeks. Burn a spinnerbait or slow-roll a glider just outside the weeds for your best shot. Crappies are stacking on mid-depth basins and bridge pilings near Bassett Creek. Light tackle—think 1/16 oz hair jigs or small plastics under a slip float—is best, and don’t be shy about adding a crappie minnow to up your odds in the cold.

Hot spots for today: you’ll want to check out the **St. Anthony Falls Upper and Lower Lock and Dam** areas for both walleye and smallie bites—structure and current meet here, concentrating bait. For a mixed-bag option, **Boom Island** offers deeper holes, lingering weedbeds, and good shoreline access for both pike and panfish.

Because water clarity varies, prioritize clearer stretches after snowmelt and add a touch of scent or a lively fathead minnow if the fish are short-striking. On windy days, fish the windward side—baitfish stack there, and so do predators.

Top lures? Stick with **jigs tipped with minnows** or plastics for walleye and smallmouth, bucktail spinners a

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Artificial Lure here with your fresh-off-the-water fishing report for the Mississippi River around Minneapolis, Tuesday, November 25th, 2025. Welcome to late fall in the North Country—plenty to talk about!

We’re waking up to a true Minnesota transition: a major winter storm is on deck, with forecasters including DTN PF and AOL Weather both warning of 3–7 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 35 mph moving into the metro from Tuesday through Wednesday. Water temps on the river and metro lakes have cooled to the low-to-mid 50s, and there’s a definite chill in the air. Expect brisk northwest winds and a stiff chop on the water, so dress accordingly and mind slippery shoreline rocks.

Today’s sunrise arrived at 7:18 AM, with sunset slipping in at 4:37 PM. Major solunar bite windows for the area are prime just after dawn, 6:52–8:52 AM, and right before dark, 7:03–9:03 PM, according to FishingReminder. That dusk slot could be the ticket if you’re sneaking out after work.

Tidal influences are mild this far up the mighty Mississippi, but as per FishingReminder, low water is persisting despite some recent rain—the river is still running lower than normal, but it’s ticking up after last week’s showers. Expect one high at 3:03 AM (2.85 ft), low at 10:09 AM (0.49 ft), another high at 3:53 PM (2.62 ft), and low at 10:13 PM (0.49 ft).

Now, let’s talk fish! Minneapolis metro anglers are reporting solid late-November walleye action on the Mississippi, especially Pool 1. Work 10–18 foot breaks, inside river turns, and any channel edge where bait is stacking after turnover. Walleyes are smacking 1/8–1/4 oz jigs tipped with fathead minnows, and Jigging Raps are putting plenty of fish in the net.

Smallmouth bass are hugging the mid-river rubble and current seams—ned rigs and 3–4” swimbaits bounced right on bottom are the go-to. After turnover, slightly clearer water and scent-enhanced plastics or live bait can really help close the deal on the more finicky bites. Muskie action is heating up on the deeper metro lakes, but you might catch a river giant on a slow-rolled bucktail if you’re lucky. Northern pike are scattered around remaining green weed patches—burn spinnerbaits fast and cover water.

Early ice-up isn’t here yet, but crappies are starting their seasonal slide to mid-depth basins. Find those with side imaging and hover small hair jigs or plastics under a float.

Best baits: For walleye, fathead minnows are dynamite, but tougher bites call for adding scent or a piece of worm. For bass and pike, artificials dominate—ned rigs, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and bucktails. If going for crappie, stick to hair jigs or a crappie minnow below a slip bobber.

For true hotspots:

- Saint Anthony Falls Upper Lock and Dam is a classic for walleyes and smallies—try the seams and slackwater near the walls.

- Nicollet Island and Boom Island are producing steady action and offer both easy access and multi-species opportunities.

If you want to try a lake, hit Lake Harriet or

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Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River Minneapolis fishing report for Monday, November 24th, 2025. It’s late fall and the river’s showing her seasonal colors: chilly mornings, glassy water, and fish making their final moves before winter.

Let’s talk weather first. According to the local FishingReminder service, sunrise hit at 7:22 AM and we’ll see sunset just after 4:42 PM. Temps range from a brisk 40°F to a mild 69°F, not bad for November, with overcast skies expected—a real plus for keeping walleye and smallmouth active through the daylight hours. No tidal action here on the river, but that late fall water turnover means bait is stacking up tight against wind-blown points and those channel edges.

Solunar tables say best bite times are around dawn and dusk, specifically 6:52 to 8:52 AM and 7:03 to 9:03 PM. If you can hit those windows this week, you’re set. Fish seem most committed early before the boat traffic and throughout the evening as temps drop.

Now, onto the fish. Recent river action reports steady walleye bites on Pool 1 and all through the main Minneapolis stretch. Target 10–18 feet breaks using small jigs, 1/8–1/4 oz, tipped with fathead minnows or try a Jigging Rap for aggressive fish on the inside turns. Smallmouth bass are pushing toward midriver rubble and current seams—swing ned rigs or 3–4 inch swimbaits just off the bottom for best results.

Folks still picking muskie from the deeper lakes in the metro: watch for bait clouds hovering between 12–20 feet and go slow with glide baits or big rubber baits. Northern pike are cruising in whatever green weeds remain; burning a spinnerbait across weed tops has picked up some quality fish lately.

Crappie action’s shifted to mid-depth basins—find them with side imaging and drop small hair jigs or plastic under a float. There’s talk on the local chatter of multi-species limits: the odd white bass mixed in with big panfish, and even a couple chunky catfish pulled from below the dam late last week.

Best baits today:

- Fathead minnows on light jigheads for walleye.

- Ned rigs, small swimbaits, or tubes for smallmouth.

- Glide baits or slow-rolled bucktails for muskie.

- Spinnerbaits for northern pike.

- Small plastics, hair jigs under floats for crappie.

If artificial is your thing, go natural colors in clear water and add some scent or live bait when the clarity drops—those short strike windows mean you want every edge.

Hot spots:

- Saint Anthony Falls Upper and Lower Lock and Dam: Both pumping out big walleyes and bass right by the seams and just above the rocky drop-offs.

- Boom Island: Working well for bass, crappie, and the occasional northern.

- Nicollet Island: Smaller crowd, but good numbers of smallmouth, especially near the rubble and pilings.

- Pool 1 near the Ford Dam: Known for quality walleyes when the water’s moving.

Remember, if you’re venturing out, bring some extra warm gear, keep an eye on boat traffic near the locks, and double check your ice gear for t

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Artificial Lure here with your November 21st fishing report from the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Gray skies are overhead after Thursday’s heavy rainfall, with showers tapering but leaving behind slick banks and rising humidity. Sunrise today was around 7:17 AM, sunset is set for 4:44 PM—the days are short, anglers, but bite windows remain solid during dawn, dusk, and just before the rain fronts move in. Temps will linger in the upper 40s this morning, dropping steadily in the afternoon as colder air sweeps in ahead of next week’s forecast deep freeze. The river itself is running a bit low, about 48% of normal near Winona based on the last USGS report, but urban stretches in Minneapolis remain ice-free and fishable, though water clarity is variable after the blow.

Yesterday’s rain has flushed bait into mid-channel breaks and washed out some shoreline structure. Walleye are the star of the show — local anglers have been scoring solid numbers in Pool 1 and below the Saint Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam. Jigging Raps and 1/8 to 1/4 oz hair jigs tipped with fathead minnows have been the ticket, especially where wind pushes bait onto inside turns or first drops. For smallmouth bass, focus efforts near Nicollet Island and Boom Island where current seams meet rubble. Ned rigs and 3–4” swimbaits, grayed-out or shad colored, have turned active fish just off bottom.

Muskie tales are circulating from local lakes, but river muskie chasers are working deeper bends and eddies below the locks—twitching glide baits and slow-rolled rubber when bait clouds show up on sonar. Northern pike remain prowling the last green weed beds; powderhorn plastics, spinnerbaits burned across the tops, have scored aggressive hits. Crappie fishing is picking up in mid-depth basins—Bassett Creek and Powderhorn Lake saw “basket fills” using small hair jigs under floats. Look for side-imaging marks near basin transitions, especially where the water is slightly clearer.

Top baits:

- **Walleye:** Fathead-minnow tipped jigs, Jigging Rap

- **Smallmouth:** Ned rig, 3–4” paddle tail swimbaits

- **Muskie:** White or perch-pattern glide bait, black and gold rubber tail

- **Northern pike:** Chartreuse spinnerbait, white paddle tail

- **Crappie:** 1/16 oz hair jig, small twister tail, tipped with minnow or crappie nibble

Best action today is expected between 6:52–8:52 AM and 7:03–9:03 PM, matching up nicely with the major solunar bite periods. The first quarter moon phase means fish are more active at these twilight windows despite quickly cooling water.

Bite report: The river above Saint Anthony Falls has given up full stringers of walleye (average 16–22”), a handful of beefy smallmouth, and a few bonus northern pike for anglers willing to patiently work the channel edges. Crappies are moving deeper, but some slabs have shown under the bridges at dusk. Chat around town says Lake Harriet and Lake Nokomis are still delivering decent mixed bags if you’re looking to mix it up.

Hot s

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