Mississippi River Minneapolis Fishing Report Today

Artificial Lure here, bringing you the latest from the Mighty Mississippi as it winds through Minneapolis on this chilly Sunday, November 9, 2025. Bundle up, folks—the river has a bite in the air, and maybe the fish do too.

Let’s kick things off with today’s weather: Minneapolis woke to a fully clouded sky, brisk northwest winds rattling the banks, and highs only topping out near 38 degrees. Lows will dip to 29 tonight, making for cold hands but steady walleye cheeks. Sunrise came at 7:01 AM and you’ll have daylight until 4:51 PM. The river’s mood matches the sky: gritty, gray, and laced with late-fall energy, perfect for anglers who don’t mind cold fingers and a bit of sleet in the beard. No tides to worry about this far north—here, river flow is the big player, and levels remain quite low according to WCCO and local spotters, so watch out for those stubborn sandbars and exposed snags.

Now, fish activity: The Farmers’ Almanac rates today as a “Best Evening” for fishing—expect the bite to improve into dusk. November on the Mississippi means cool water and sluggish fish, so patience is key. Reports from Mississippi River Minneapolis Fishing Report say current clarity is pretty good despite low flow, but bank fishing might be tricky with shifting sandbars and scattered debris. As for catches, the usual late-fall suspects are in town: walleye, sauger, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and the odd hungry muskie. Some shore anglers have pulled up nice walleyes in the 14–22 inch range just below the dams this past week, mostly during the evening window, with a few chunky smallmouths hanging tight to woody structure where deeper runs meet current breaks.

Let’s talk tactics and tackle. Live fathead minnows and nightcrawlers on jig heads remain the best bait for reliably tempting walleyes and sauger. For lures, downsized is the name of the game—think 3/16 to 1/4 oz chartreuse or firetiger jigs, or try a hair jig with a splash of orange or pink. If you’re working deeper holes near bridge pilings, blade baits like the Johnson Thinfisher or a Rapala Rippin’ Rap in silver/blue fished slow will get smacked when nothing else will. For smallies that are still biting, opt for soft plastic craws or tubes, and twitch them over rock piles. Northern pike may hit a flashy spoon or a white spinnerbait near weed edges or backwater sloughs.

A couple of proven hot spots for this time of year:

- The mouth of Minnehaha Creek, just upstream of the 40th Street pedestrian bridge. Fish gravitate here for a last crack at a meal before winter.

- Below the Ford Dam (Lock & Dam No. 1), where current seams and dropped water levels concentrate walleye, sauger, and even some big catfish.

- Mississippi Point Park up in Champlin has a reliable shore bite, especially late in the day and after a fresh push of baitfish.

A quick reminder—Pool 2, stretching from Ford Dam down to Hastings, is catch-and-release only for all bass, walleye, and northern pike. Most folks respect it, and the a

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Artificial Lure here with your Saturday, November 8th fishing report for the Mississippi River in and around Minneapolis.

Sunrise came at 6:56 AM this morning and we'll see sunset at 4:52 PM, giving us a solid eight hours to wet a line. The early November chill is in full swing—overnight lows dipped to the mid-30s, and today's high will hover near 54°F. Last night’s NEXT Weather forecast from CBS Minnesota warned about a clipper system brushing the region with scattered clouds, but snow is more likely to miss us and land northward[10]. So expect cool, gray skies and light winds—near perfect for river fishing. Water temps are dropping steadily, sitting in the mid-40s, and falling leaves mean clarity improves but also give us floating debris to watch out for.

There’s no true tidal activity on this inland stretch of the Mississippi, but water levels remain steady and clear after recent dry spells. The river is running normal for early November, ideal for targeting late fall transitions.

Best fishing times today per SolunarForecast.com are the minor window at dawn from 6:26 to 7:26 AM, and the major bite from 1:26 to 3:26 PM this afternoon. Fish are showing a typical late fall feeding pattern: less topwater commotion, more hugging structure, and moving deeper. If you’re chasing numbers, expect the action to peak at midday. The day rating for angling is “Better”—not red hot, but enough activity to keep your rod bent[7].

Recent catches in our stretch have been textbook autumn: excellent walleye and smallmouth action, along with channel and flathead catfish, northern pike, and the occasional muskie. Local reports this week note walleye in the 15 to 24-inch range—best numbers from the Ford Dam area to Minnehaha Falls. Smallies continue biting well on rocky edges and bridge pilings, most fish averaging 12 to 16 inches. Catfish remain consistent, especially on deeper holes below dams.

Top Lures and Baits:

- Jigging is king right now. Blade baits, Rippin Raps, jigging spoons, and classic hair jigs are all putting up numbers—BBC Boards folks are loading their boats with these and Huddleston-style soft swimbaits[2].

- For bass, Shad Raps, jerkbaits, and drop-shot plastics stand out. Rippin Raps and Shad Raps in natural shad or perch colors can’t be beat. Go slow on the retrieve and tip with minnow or crawler bits if the bite’s tough.

- Catfish are hitting best on cut bait—sucker and chub chunks have been most productive—or on stinkbait for the channel cats.

- Pike and muskie anglers should stick to flashy spinnerbaits or jointed crankbaits, working slack water near creek mouths or dying weedlines.

Hot Spots:

- **Ford Dam tailwaters:** classic November walleye and catfish zone, especially midday, work deeper jigging presentations near seams and eddies.

- **Below Minnehaha Creek mouth:** smallmouth bass and the odd northern pike are cruising rocky drop-offs and submerged timber.

- **Boom Island Park shoreline and pylons:** reliable for mixed bag action—tr

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This is Artificial Lure with your November 7th fishing report for the Mississippi River in and around Minneapolis. Today’s sunrise was at 6:58 AM and sunset hits at 4:53 PM, making for a crisp 10-hour fishing window. Temps will start out brisk in the mid-30s and warm up to the low 50s by afternoon, with partly cloudy skies overhead—perfect for angling, as the fish tend to be more active without direct, hot sunlight baking the water. Winds are expected to stay light from the west at 5-10 mph, so there’s no red flag on water safety this morning.

Tides up here on the Mississippi aren’t a factor, but water levels are near seasonal averages after last week’s spotty showers. Water clarity is decent, but cooler nights mean fish are starting to slide deep or tuck into eddies and slack water.

Based on solunar data for Minneapolis, the **major feeding window is midday: 12:43 to 2:43 PM, with a minor spike around dawn—so if you’re working a morning bite, get out early and be flexible**. Fishbrain logs show strong bites just before and after sunrise and again late in the afternoon this week.

For catches, the locals have been hauling in impressive numbers. Over 30,000 largemouth bass have been logged on Fishbrain within city limits this fall. Some real brutes came out near Boom Island and down by the University area docks, with bucketmouths over 4 lbs not uncommon. Northern pike activity is on an uptick too, with over 10,000 catches reported this season. A few over 36 inches came in below the North Loop and near the mouth of Minnehaha Creek. Panfish anglers are still putting up numbers for bluegill and crappie, especially around backwater sloughs.

**Best lures right now:**

- Medium-diving crankbaits in silver/blue or firetiger for bass and pike.

- Jig-and-paddle tail combos (3–4 inch) in white or chartreuse for river smallmouth and walleyes.

- Live bait—fathead minnows or nightcrawlers—are out-fishing artificials for bottom dwellers and picky sauger.

- For crappies and bluegills: Small hair jigs tipped with a waxworm or soft plastic in pink or white.

Seasonal patterns matter—work **rocky current seams and deep pools during the midday lull, and target shallower woody cover at first and last light**. Top recommendations are ChatterBaits around submerged wood (especially just upstream from the Stone Arch Bridge), and 1/8 oz jigheads with 3-inch shad bodies for that deeper channel bite.

For a little extra edge, local anglers favor adding a dab of Pro Cure bait scent—several on the BBC Boards say it helps hang onto a few extra strikes, especially in these colder waters.

A couple of hot spots to circle on your phone:

- **Boom Island Park landing:** Reliable for multi-species action, especially bass and rough fish on the outer edges of the channel.

- **Below the Ford Dam:** Consistently productive for walleye and pike, especially pitching jigs along the current breaks just downstream.

Keep an eye on access: The Mississippi River Northwoods Trail is closed as

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Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River Minneapolis fishing report for Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Weather’s the big talk this morning: the Twin Cities are waking up in the low 40s, but hang onto your hats because by this weekend, we’re primed for a burst of chilly air. Temperatures will dip down into the 30s—maybe our coldest stretch so far, according to WCCO’s meteorologists. The arctic snap is rolling in on gusty northwest winds, and more clouds will creep in as Thursday wears on. Expect sunrise today at 6:56 AM and sunset at 4:54 PM.

The river itself is running low—so low in spots that the St. Paul gauge is clocking its fourth-lowest reading on record, as reported by CBS Minnesota. Water clarity’s decent, but expect some stubborn sandbars and tricky bank fishing conditions. No tidal changes here in Minneapolis, just river flow, but falling water will have fish pushing to deep holes and structure.

Let’s talk activity: despite dropping temps, fish are active nipping before the cold hits. Anglers putting in work this week have reported channel cats, blue cats, and a good push of eater-sized flatheads below the St. Anthony Falls area. Smallmouth bass action has picked up along rip-rap and at confluence zones where feeder streams dump in a little warmer water. Last weekend, several 3-pound smallies and a handful of 20-inch walleyes were reported by locals near Boom Island Park and below the Franklin Avenue Bridge.

For bait and lures, it’s classic cold-water fare. Locals say the best results have come on:

- **Live fathead minnows**—tough to beat for walleyes and those bigger smallies.

- **Cut sucker**—working great for catfish, drifting just above deep holes.

- **Jig heads with soft plastics**—3” white/purple or dark green paddle-tails tight to structure.

- For artificial fans, **slow-rolled crankbaits** (silver/black or craw colors) and blade baits have been pulling bonus fish, especially on overcast mornings.

- Finesse tactics like a dark **Ned rig** or a simple twister tail grub will tempt neutral bass and the odd walleye.

Word from Captain Experiences and local shops: the hot bait this fall for bigger cats has been fresh cutbait, while for bass, downsizing presentations as the water chills is key. For those after pike—yes, they’re here—try flashy spoons or jerkbaits retrieved slow, especially in the slack water behind islands.

Hot spots to try today:

- **Boom Island Park**—the current seams hold smallmouth and an occasional walleye.

- **Hidden Falls Park**—plenty of structure, deeper holes, and reliable action for cats and panfish.

- **Near the Ford Dam Pool**—steady for mixed bag fishing.

Caution: some bank access remains muddy, and the early morning bite is best with the clear and chilly sky. Remember that Pool 2 remains catch-and-release for walleye and sauger.

Thanks for tuning in to your local river report, folks. Remember to subscribe for more updates, tackle tips, and news on what's biting where.

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Artificial Lure checking in for your November 5th Mississippi River report around Minneapolis. The sun rose this morning at 6:57 and will set at 4:56 p.m. It’s a crisp, classic fall day—temperatures in the Minneapolis area are expected to run in the mid-50s, with mostly clear skies and just a hint of northwest breeze, pretty textbook for early November. The forecast from NEXT Weather Twin Cities called for a cool, dry and stable pattern that should hold most of the morning through late afternoon.

There’s no classic tidal activity to note on this stretch of river since we’re way inland, but water levels are front and center right now. Recent reports from local news outlets warn of the river cresting at higher stages this week, and stretches near downtown and St. Paul sitting at their fourth-lowest in quite some time. There’s been isolated flooding, so expect murky water, higher than usual flows, debris, and shifting currents in some channels.

Despite the swings in water level, action’s still decent. According to the latest Mississippi River November Fishing Report, fish are on the move with mixed bag bites. Folks are reporting good numbers of walleyes, especially with that cooling water drawing them out of their summer haunts and towards deeper holes. Expect a lot of "eater"-sized walleyes showing up, plus the occasional bonus sauger. Pool 2, between the Ford Dam and Hastings, has produced some solid fish this week, but anglers should heed the Minnesota Department of Health’s advisories about eating too many due to lingering PFAS concerns.

Smallmouth bass aren’t quite as aggressive as they were in September, but they’re still taking soft plastics and jerkbaits if you bounce your presentation slow and deep near rocks and current seams. Some good channel cats are being picked up, mostly on cut bait and the occasional live sucker minnow. White bass are spotty, but crappie schools are just starting to show themselves at creek mouths and backwaters.

Best times for fishing today, based on solunar tables, are between 1:05 to 3:26 p.m. for the major peak, with a minor burst around sunup, 6:26 to 7:26 a.m. If you want to maximize your bite window, plan your casts around those periods.

Top lures for today: For walleye, stick with classic jig and minnow combos—chartreuse, gold, and bright orange stand out especially well in the stained water. Plastics on a jighead are working great by the locks and deeper eddy drops. Blade baits and lipless cranks can trigger the active ones—just let them hit bottom and rip them up in short bursts.

Bass guys, go for natural or smoke colored Ned rigs, or a suspending jerkbait like a Smithwick Rogue or Megabass Vision 110. Try the pumpkinseed or green-pumpkin Senkos for a wacky rig if they’re tucked in slow. Catfish will key in on cut sucker, frozen shad, or even shrimp. Crappie are responding to small tube jigs or a plain hook tipped with a fathead, especially in quieter side channels.

A couple late-season hot spots to

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Hey y’all, this is Artificial Lure with your Tuesday morning fishing report for the mighty Mississippi River here in Minneapolis. November’s rolling in mild—NOAA predicts above average temps, keeping the river feeling like late fall instead of deep freeze. That warm-up’s holding onto sunrise at 7:47 AM and sunset at 5:53 PM, so you’ve still got decent daylight to squeeze in some casts before those short winter hours lock us down.

This morning kicked off chilly at about 43°F, but we’re headed to a high near 56°F with a light breeze, so you don’t have to dust off those hardcore ice suits just yet. According to the CBS Minnesota noon weather update, it’s a good day for layers, not heavy gear.

For water movement, check Fishingreminder for tidal swings—high tide hit around 3:53 PM, low at 10:13 PM, but local river anglers know we read current, not tide. Still, with moderate flow and steady banks, the fish are on the move, especially during peak solunar windows: best action calls between 2:12 PM and 4:12 PM today and a solid minor flurry from 6:51 AM to 7:51 AM. Set your watch for those bites.

Now, to the action: November in the Twin Cities means species variety. Just last week, bank fishers reported chunky channel cats, non-stop carp, plus a mix of smallies, walleyes, and random northern pike coming up around the bridges and spillways. That’s confirmed by local guides and Big River Bank Fishing trips—catfish and sturgeon anchor the numbers, but smallmouth bass are surprisingly scrappy right now, and those pike are prowling shallow weed edges. Walleye reports say numbers are down a tick, but the sizes are up; several 22- to 25-inch slabs pulled out below St. Anthony Falls and up near Boom Island.

If you’re talking baits and lures, steelhead—yep, steelshad blade baits—are turning heads for multi-species action in fall, especially when the water’s cooling but not iced over. Go with classic 3-inch white or chrome blade baits, or toss a chartreuse twister-tail jig if smallmouth is your aim. For catfish, nothing beats cut bait or a big chunk of nightcrawler plopped right in the current seam. Walleyes are hitting best on ¼-ounce jig heads with fathead minnows or plastic paddle tails; look for shiner imitations in gold or green pumpkin. And don’t sleep on Rapala X-Raps in clown or perch pattern—slow rolled through deeper holes, that’s producing some surprise bites.

Hot spots for November:

- The Upper Landing area just east of the University of Minnesota campus is primed for mixed bag catches, especially around sunset.

- Boom Island Park and the railroad trestle up by the Plymouth Ave Bridge are seeing consistent action—shore anglers tossing live bait at dusk are catching stout channel cats and the odd walleye.

Remember, the best bite right now is mid-afternoon to early evening, but don’t miss that early morning minor window for pike and bass chasing shad. The river’s not too crowded yet, so you can get after it without elbowing for space.

Thanks for tu

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Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River Minneapolis area fishing report for Monday, November 3rd, 2025.

We’re waking up to chilly, late-fall conditions. Temps are in the mid 50s, with sunshine breaking through and gusty winds pushing across the water—classic early November Delta weather in the Twin Cities, says Lisa Meadows at NEXT Weather. Local lakes and river sections are running low, close to historical lows in spots according to CBS Minnesota, but fish are responding to the autumn turnover.

Sunrise hit at 7:50 am, and sunset will be at 5:58 pm. The best bite windows are at dawn and dusk, with an extra bump during overcast stretches, so plan your outings early or in the late afternoon.

This is the cloudiest stretch of the year up here, and those winds have been whipping courtesy of notorious “Witch” storms that sweep the Midwest every November. The river isn’t tidal, but water levels are dropping and clarity can be spotty—so target any slightly clearer water, especially near channel swings and windward points.

Fish activity is excellent, and the double punch of cooling water (around 55°F) and shortened days have Metro walleyes and bass firing. Pool 1 of the Mississippi, just above downtown, is producing steady walleye action—focus on 10–18 ft breaks with 1/8–1/4 oz jigs tipped with fatheads or try a vertical Jigging Rap near inside turns. Gold and chartreuse jig heads have been hot. Crappie schools are sliding into the mid-depth basins, and side imaging can help you locate those pods for a drift with small hair jigs tipped with minnows.

Smallmouth bass are pushing onto current seams and midriver boulder stretches. Ned rigs and compact 3–4" swimbaits bounced just off the bottom have boated some chunky bronzebacks the last two days. Muskie activity is up on the deeper metro lakes just off the river; deeper breaks in the 12–20 ft zone around bait clouds are where you’ll want to run glide baits, rubber shads, or slow-rolled bucktails.

Northern pike are still prowling the last green weededges—burn oversized spinnerbaits across those sections in early afternoon, especially if the wind kicks up a light chop.

Recent catches show most boats mixing limits of walleye—plenty in the 16–22 inch range, with a few pushing past 25. Crappie numbers are solid, with fish up to 12 inches showing on electronics. Bass are in the 16–19 inch class, with the odd muskie in the low 40s being photo’d and released this week. Pike and jumbo perch are holding close to rocky points and river mouths.

Best baits and lures right now:

- **Walleye**: 1/8-1/4 oz jigs with fathead minnows, vertical Jigging Raps, gold and chartreuse colors.

- **Smallmouth Bass**: Ned rigs, 3–4" paddletail swimbaits, green pumpkin or purple hues.

- **Muskie**: Large glide baits, rubber shads, slow-rolled bucktails.

- **Crappie**: Small hair jigs or plastic tubes, tip with a minnow under a slip float.

- **Northern Pike**: Oversized spinnerbaits, large jerkbaits.

Local tip: With the r

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Season’s Greetings, fellow anglers—it’s Artificial Lure here, bringing you the straight dope on what’s biting in and around the Mississippi River up here in Minneapolis as we roll into November. Let’s get right to it—no fluff, just the fish.

Right now, we’re deep into late fall, and the river’s a whole different beast after the turnover. The metro lakes are cooling off, with temps sitting in the low-to-mid 50s, and the Mississippi’s still got some life—especially in Pool 1, just downstream of the Ford Dam. The bite’s best at dawn and dusk, with overcast days offering a steady drumbeat of action. Don’t bother sleeping in—early risers always hit the honey holes first.

The river’s running a little different this week—water levels are up, highest in a decade, according to CBS Minnesota—so expect some flooding along the banks and maybe a tricky launch here and there. Safety first, folks. Those of you chasing walleye, you’re in luck: they’re stacked up on 10–18 foot breaks right now, especially on inside turns and near channel edges. Fatheads on a 1/8–1/4 oz jig are money, and don’t overlook a well-timed Jigging Rap for those deeper pockets.

Smallmouth bass aren’t slowing down either—they’re pushing into current seams and rocky mid-river rubble. Swing a Ned rig just off bottom, or try a 3–4” swimbait for bigger fish. If you’re after crappies, they’ve slid out to the mid-depth basins—find ‘em with your side imaging and hover a small hair jig or plastic under a float.

Over on the lakes—Harriet, Nokomis—walleye are still showing, and the pike are prowling what’s left of the green weeds. Burn a spinnerbait right over the tops, and watch for muskies lurking on deeper structure, especially those bait clouds holding at 12–20 feet. Glide baits, rubber, and slow-rolled bucktails are turning heads right now.

Now, let’s talk lures and bait. For walleye, jigs tipped with fatheads are the go-to, and plastics in natural colors will get the job done when the minnows run low. Bass anglers, throw Ned rigs, drop shots, and jerkbaits—this time of year, they’re not picky. Pike and muskie? Big flashy stuff—spinnerbaits, bucktails, and anything that makes a commotion.

For hot spots, Pool 1 on the Mississippi is always a safe bet, especially right now with walleye stacked on the breaks. Lake Nokomis and Harriet are holding fish too, especially on windward edges and first breaks near any lingering coontail. Wind is your friend—look for a light chop to bring fish up shallow and prime those inside weedlines.

Weather’s looking cool and a bit cloudy today, with temps in the upper 30s overnight and maybe hitting 50s this afternoon. Sunrise was around 6:50 AM and sunset’s set for 4:40 PM. No real tidal influence here, but the water’s high and rising—keep an eye on those forecasts if you’re heading out this week.

Fish reports from the local scene have been steady, with good catches of walleye, smallmouth, and crappie. Northern pike and muskie action’s picking up, and the occ

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Hey folks, it’s Artificial Lure here with your Saturday fishing report for the mighty Mississippi River around Minneapolis, November 1, 2025.

It’s a stunning fall morning, with sunrise at 7:47 AM and sunset coming at 6:03 PM. The weather has been cooperating—warmer than most Novembers should be, with expected highs reaching the mid-60s. According to Next Weather and AOL’s November outlook, it's sunny, dry, and mild, with just a light breeze coming out of the south. No precipitation or cold fronts expected through the day, so it’s a great time to get out on the water and enjoy those last open-water casts before winter sneaks in. River levels, according to DTN Ag Weather, have edged a little higher recently, giving boaters easier access to favorite stretches.

Fish activity on the Mississippi in Minneapolis is in its late-fall transition. Water temperatures are in the low 50s, a pattern confirmed by Lake of the Woods reports and regional fishing diaries. This means **walleye** and **sauger** are feeding heavy before the freeze. The bite’s been best in deeper holes and around structure, especially near rocky points and drop-offs. Anglers targeting 15 to 30 feet of water have caught consistent numbers of keeper walleyes, plenty of saugers, and some surprise jumbo perch. Arrowhead Outdoors reports that large minnows, especially 4–6 inch fatheads or shiners, fished on 3/8 ounce jigs or lindy rigs, are getting the most hits. Vertical jigging gold or chartreuse jigs tipped with frozen emerald shiners is hot—stick to these colors for best luck.

Pike are staging around mouth areas and rocky points looking for prey as the cisco and whitefish start moving in. Big sucker minnows under bobbers, or casting large minnow baits around these transition spots, have produced several mid-to-large pike this week.

Crappies and panfish are settling into their cold-water pattern. They’re on deep flats and basin areas, often hugging the bottom at 20–30 feet. Try small jigs with fathead minnows or even waxworms and let yourself drift. Crappie anglers are still finding enough for a solid meal, though you may need to check multiple spots—steep shoreline corners and deep weed edges have been holding scatter schools.

Bass action is winding down, but there are still a few largemouth hanging tight to laydowns and submerged timber—bring straight braid and a medium-heavy rod if you want to pull them out of those snags.

Best lures right now:

- Gold, chartreuse, and firetiger jigs tipped with shiners or fatheads for walleye/sauger

- Large crankbaits in shiner or perch patterns, especially deep-divers, for trolling along deeper flats

- Large minnow baits or sucker minnows below a bobber for pike

- Small plastics and marabou jigs for crappie, with live bait for added appeal

Bait choices:

- Fathead minnows, shiners, and sucker minnows are the ticket

- Emerald shiner slabs, if you can find ‘em

- Waxworms, especially for late-season panfish

For hot spots, check out:

- The stretch b

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Artificial Lure here with your Friday, October 31st fishing report for the mighty Mississippi River through Minneapolis. If you're up before sunrise, you're right on cue—the sun came up at 7:49 AM and we’ll have daylight until 6:05 PM. The weather is that classic late-October: mid-40s this morning, maybe nudging 50 by afternoon. Expect some light rain, so bring the rain gear—NEXT Weather on CBS Minnesota notes we might get on-and-off showers most of the day. The recent rains and river cresting earlier this week have kept water levels above normal, but the bulk of the flooding is south of Minneapolis, so local ramps and banks are accessible if a little muddy.

Now, onto tidal action—well, tides aren’t a thing here, but fluctuating water levels still matter. With the river running high from all that upstream runoff, water clarity is down, so fish are hanging in slower, deeper runs and tighter to structure.

Fish activity is on a fall upswing. That cooler water’s got walleyes feeding up ahead of winter, with most caught after first light through mid-morning, and again late in the afternoon. Walleye action has been strongest near deep holes by the dam downtown, under the Plymouth Avenue Bridge, and around the mouth of Minnehaha Creek. Local reports this week say jig-and-minnow is hands-down the best approach—a 1/4-ounce jig with a fathead or shiner will get you bit. Orange or chartreuse jigs stand out in this stained water.

Smallmouth bass slowed some as temps dipped, but patience pays—hit rocky banks and bridge pilings with 3- to 4-inch soft plastic swimbaits or a natural-colored tube on a 1/8-ounce head. Channel catfish have been a real surprise—just two weeks back, Outdoor News shared that Abel Wandrey released an 8.5-pounder right out of the downtown stretch. Cut sucker or goldeye on a heavy slip sinker rig and you’ll have a shot.

For panfish—crappies are fair, moving into winter patterns and more scattered, but check the backwater slack near Boom Island and above the Lowry Bridge. Fish 18–25 feet down with a small jig tipped with minnow or a piece of nightcrawler. Northern pike reports are steady from slower-moving side channels and the mouths of tributaries, hitting large spoons or a suspended sucker.

Best baits this weekend: Large fathead minnows, shiners, or cut bait for multispecies appeal. For artificials, try paddle-tail swimbaits (white or natural), jigging raps, bright-colored jigs, and meaty soft plastics for bass. Nightcrawlers and red worms will pick up odds and ends if you’re soaking bait off the bank.

Some hot spots to try: the deep basin and riprap edges below the Stone Arch Bridge, the current breaks at Boom Island Park, and Pike Island where the Minnesota pours in. Both bank and boat anglers are picking up good numbers at these spots, especially at dawn or dusk.

A quick note: due to flooding upstream, always use caution and check bank stability and current speeds before wading or anchoring.

Thanks for tuning in to your loca

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