Mississippi River Minneapolis Fishing Report Today

Artificial Lure checking in with this morning’s Mississippi River fishing report for all you Twin Cities anglers. The sun poked up today at 7:33 a.m. and we’re looking at sunset just after 6:24 p.m. It’s a classic late-October morning in Minneapolis — temps starting cool in the low 40s, likely warming to the low 60s. Clouds are hanging in, but rain is holding off ’til at least tomorrow, according to WCCO’s meteorologist Katie Steiner. So you’ve still got a comfortable window for some solid river action before the weather turns[16].

Tide won’t factor in up here, but water levels remain on the low side. That means watch those launches and rocky shorelines — more props than ever are getting dings this fall, as local boat shops will tell you. The river’s pinch is also funneling fish into deeper runs and pools, so target those channel edges[3].

Fish activity this week is picking up, with water cooling out of the 60s into the mid-50s. The fall bite is officially on. According to area guides and recent trip reports, folks have been putting excellent numbers of walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish in the net. Several shore anglers along Boom Island and the mouth of Minnehaha Creek reported catching eater-sized walleyes and some three-to-four-pound smallmouth overnight this weekend[9]. Catfishers working the flats below the Ford Dam are showing off 10 to 15-pounders, mostly on cut sucker and stink bait. Sunfish and crappie have been slower but are starting to school up tightly around rip-rap and bridge pilings as water temps drop.

Peak fishing times today according to the Solunar Forecast are running from 12:02 to 2:02 p.m., with a minor pre-dawn bite around 5:48 to 6:48 a.m. If you missed the early window, mid-afternoon should still be hopping, especially with warmer clouds sticking around[5].

For lure selection, local wisdom leans hard into bright chartreuse or fire tiger jig plastics and deep-diving crankbaits. This low water and cool clarity make anything with a little flash and rattle stand out. Jig and minnow combos are deadly for walleye on current breaks — especially around the mouth of Bassett Creek and right below the Stone Arch Bridge. Smallmouth have crushed shallow-running square bills in craw patterns, and anglers float-tripping from the U of M to downtown are reporting solid topwater blow-ups at first light on walk-the-dog style baits.

Live bait is still king in colder temps: fathead minnows on a slip float for crappie and sucker chunks for those cats. Local bait shops are well-stocked, so always check the fresh minnow bins before you launch.

For hot spots this week, the east bank down from the University of Minnesota is lighting up, with deep eddy pockets holding everything from smallies to giant redhorse. Hidden Falls Park is another tried-and-true spot — lots of easy shore access, decent current seams, and a nice mix of depths. Early risers are reporting bonus northern pike on swimbaits in the slack water along the lily ed

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Artificial Lure reporting live for the Mississippi River, Minneapolis, on this chilly Sunday morning, October 19, 2025. The sun poked up at 7:33 am and will dip back down at 6:22 pm, giving us nearly 11 hours of daylight—enough to make the most of a classic fall bite according to solunarforecast.com.

Weather-wise, yesterday saw temps in the mid-60s and overnight things dropped into that crisp 30s and 40s range. Today is shaping up to be perfect autumn fishing—cool and stable, with just a touch of breeze, making the morning and late afternoon prime time for casting lines, says CBS Minnesota’s latest weekend forecast.

Mississippi River flow is typical for mid-October, no recent rain-outs or flooding in this Minneapolis stretch. Water clarity remains decent, especially in the main channel. No tidal influences here—Minnesota’s not coastal—so the bite is driven by sunlight and water temps cooling off day by day.

Fish activity’s been steady this week. Local anglers pulled in a mixed bag: solid numbers of smallmouth bass, a few chunky walleyes, and the occasional northern pike. Catfish are still being picked up near the deep holes and eddies, mostly channel cats up to 8 pounds. Anglers out of Boom Island and just below the falls by the Stone Arch Bridge reported the bass were smashing craw-colored jigs and crankbaits late in the afternoon while walleyes were hitting on jigs tipped with fathead minnows at dusk, according to conversations at the landing and area bait shops.

Hot spots to check today:

- The riprap and tailwaters below the Ford Dam—always a fall classic for mixed species.

- Hidden Falls Regional Park, which has decent bank access and steady catfish action, especially for those soaking cut bait.

Best bite periods, as mapped out by the solunar tables, are around 4:23 pm to 6:23 pm for majors, and a minor uptick from 8:29 am to 9:29 am. If you can only sneak away a few hours, shoot for those windows.

Bait and lures:

- For bass, stick with medium-diving crankbaits in firetiger or craw patterns, or go with three-inch tube jigs on an 1/8 ounce head.

- Walleye anglers should keep things simple: chartreuse or orange jigs paired with live fatheads or half-crawlers.

- Pike are showing a preference for large spinners (think #5 Mepps or similar) and white paddletail swimbaits.

- For catfish, cut sucker or fresh shrimp fished on the bottom will get the nod.

Boat launches and banks have not been crowded—no major events or closures today—so there’s plenty of room to find your own pocket of water.

No tropical weather issues heading our way, per Tennessee Valley Weather, so waters will stay calm.

Thanks a ton for tuning in to today’s on-the-water update. For daily tips and river reports from yours truly, make sure you subscribe so you never miss a bite. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for Minneapolis, Saturday, October 18th, 2025. Here’s what you can expect as you plan your day on the water.

Sunrise hit at 7:28 a.m. and sunset will be around 6:23 p.m. today, giving you solid daylight hours to work the river. Weather’s typical October fare: partly cloudy skies, a high reaching about 60°F, and a light northwest breeze. It’s perfect jacket weather—crisp but not bitter, with riverbanks crackling underfoot and scattered golden leaves on the water.

The river itself is running low for the third straight year, driven by a combination of drought and limited rainfall. According to local coverage, barge traffic’s getting squeezed, but for us anglers, lower, clearer water means predators are bunched up in classic fall holding spots—current breaks, backside of islands, and deeper pools below major riffles.

Fish activity is picking up after the recent rains broke up a long dry spell. According to solunar forecasts for Minneapolis, the best fishing periods today are lining up early—a minor activity spike from about 7:20 a.m. to 8:20 a.m., then a longer major bite window from 3:50 p.m. to nearly 6 p.m. With a waning crescent moon and cool temps overnight, expect fish to stay low until sunlight warms the water a touch.

Recent catches have been classic for October on the Upper Mississippi: walleye are feeding heavily, a few pushing past 22 inches, with steady reports at Boom Island and around the mouth of Minnehaha Creek. Smallmouth bass action has been hot, especially on rocky points near the Stone Arch Bridge and at the confluence of the Rum River, with anglers catching multiple fish per outing—several in the 17-20 inch class. Channel catfish are consistent for bank anglers fishing cut bait after dusk south of Lake Street Bridge, while jumbo perch and an occasional northern pike are being landed from shore at the Hidden Falls area and below Ford Dam.

For lures, nothing’s beating bright chartreuse or firetiger crankbaits for walleye and smallies right now, especially those with a tight wobble. Jig-and-plastic combos in pumpkinseed or smoke color are working well, bounced slow along current seams. If you’re after pike, toss a big silver spoon or a spinnerbait near snags and submerged timber. Live bait anglers are getting results on fathead minnows or nightcrawlers drifted below a slip float, particularly in slower water. Catfish are hitting on cut sucker and chicken liver.

If you’re looking for hot spots, give East River Flats Park a hard look—especially early and late in the day. The rip-rap and drop-offs hold everything from walleye to smallmouth, and it’s easy to access. Another favorite is Hidden Falls—great for families, with deep pools that attract a mixed bag this time of year.

There’s still a peacetime emergency downstream for high water, but around Minneapolis, flooding isn’t a major concern today—just take extra care on slippery banks and don’t crowd the low, expos

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Hey there, fish fanatics! Artificial Lure coming at you live from the banks of the mighty Mississippi, right here in Minneapolis. Let’s get right to the good stuff—real, on-the-water intel for October 17th, 2025.

**Weather & Water Conditions**

We’re smack in the heart of fall, and the nights have finally started cooling down, dropping surface temps on the metro lakes into the low-to-mid 50s. According to FishingReminder, turnover is mostly done, but clarity can vary, especially after a windy day—bring a variety of lures and be ready to adjust. There’s a light breeze in the forecast, which should put just enough chop on the water to keep walleye prowling the shallows at dawn and dusk. No tides to speak of—we’re freshwater here, folks—so wind and light drive our action. Sunrise today hits at 7:34 AM, sunset at 6:27 PM, so plan your trips for first and last light for the best odds.

**What’s Biting**

Walleye are showing up strong on Lake Harriet, Nokomis, and Pool 1 of the Mississippi—look for ‘em on those classic 10–18 foot breaks, especially on the inside turns. Jigs in the 1/8–1/4 oz range, tipped with fatheads or finesse minnows, are getting bit. If you want to trigger the big girls, try a Jigging Rap—nothing slams like that erratic action. Smallmouth bass are pushing into current seams and hugging midriver rubble piles; a ned rig or a 3–4" swimbait bounced just off the bottom is money. Muskie are starting to make some noise—look for bait clouds suspended over deeper holes (12–20 feet), and work glide baits, big rubber, or slow-rolled bucktails through those schools. Northern pike are playing hide-and-seek in the last green weeds—burn spinnerbaits over the tops, and you’ll get crushed. Crappies? They’ve slid to mid-depth basins. Find them on your electronics and drop a small hair jig or plastic under a slip float. Remember, after turnover, the clearest water (even if it’s just a little clearer) holds the most active fish—add some scent or live bait to seal the deal if the bite is slow.

**Baits & Lures Working Now**

- **Walleye:** 1/8–1/4 oz jigs with fatheads or minnows, Jigging Rap, vertical jigging with frozen shiners

- **Smallmouth:** Ned rigs, 3–4" swimbaits, craw tubes

- **Muskie:** Glide baits, big rubber, bucktails

- **Northern:** Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits

- **Crappie:** Small hair jigs, plastics under slip floats

**Hot Spots to Hit**

- **Lake Harriet & Nokomis:** Reliable for walleye right now, especially around the edges and first breaks.

- **Pool 1 of the Mississippi:** Find smallmouth on current seams and rubble; walleye stack on the inside turns.

- **Windward Points & Channel Edges:** After a blow, bait stacks up here—so do the predators. Fish them hard.

**Recent Catch Reports**

From the FishingReminder crew, anglers are putting walleye in the boat consistently, along with bonus smallmouth and the occasional surprise muskie. Pike are plentiful for those willing to work the weeds, and crappie action is steady i

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Artificial Lure here with your Wednesday, October 15th fishing report, live from the heart of the Mississippi River around Minneapolis.

Sunrise rolled in at 7:24 a.m., bringing a misty autumn chill to the banks. Expect a high near 54°F today, with brisk west winds topping 15 mph — that’ll put a chop on the water and help fire up the bite. A weak cold front is still lingering; water temps are riding in the mid-60s but dropping fast. Sunset sets at 6:30 tonight, so it’s a noticeably shorter day for chasing those fall fish.

There’s no meaningful tidal swing up here on this stretch of the river, but solunar forecasts from SolunarForecast.com call for a solid “Better” rating today. Minor feeding windows hit around 6:26 to 7:26 a.m. and again from 9:38 to 10:38 p.m., with the major bite peaking from 1:26 to 3:26 p.m.—so plan to be in a good spot about lunchtime.

You’ll find walleye, smallmouth bass, sauger, catfish, crappie, and an occasional northern pike bending rods this week. Outdoor News ran a headline on a recent 22-inch walleye caught just upriver from downtown – that’s a good sign the fall run’s coming on strong. Reports from river regulars mention good numbers, with mixed bags coming off the wing dams, deep holes below the dams, and eddies at creek mouths.

Walleye are the main draw, clustering in 12 to 20 feet of water along deeper runs and current seams. Best approach: vertical jigging with a 1/4-ounce jig tipped with a fathead or rainbow minnow. If you can get your hands on frozen emerald shiners at the local bait shop, those are hammering the keepers right now — they’re matching the river forage perfectly, according to Lake of the Woods guides, and it’s just as true in the Mississippi system.

Lure selection: chartreuse/gold, orange, and glow white jigs are putting fish in the net. If you’re casting artificials, go with paddle-tail swimbaits or soft jerkbaits in natural shad or perch patterns. Bass anglers should downsize and work Ned rigs or tubes along riprap and rock piles. Crappie are beginning their annual push into shallower backwaters and creek mouths; small crappie jigs tipped with a wax worm are a deadly combo.

Live bait edges out plastics today, given the water temp dips, but crankbaits can still work around afternoon when the water warms a hair on sunny stretches.

For hot spots, head below the Ford Dam (Lock & Dam #1) — this area’s famous for late-season mixed bags, especially if you target the deeper outside bends below the dam. Another reliable stretch is right off Boom Island Park down to the Plymouth Avenue Bridge — plenty of rocky structure, current breaks, and baitfish. Don’t overlook the mouth of Minnehaha Creek for a shot at bonus catfish and some slab crappie in the wood.

River level’s low near downtown St. Paul (fourth lowest ever, per CBS Minnesota), so some back channels might be tough to access by boat but perfect for shoreline casting. The low, clear conditions mean approach quietly — lighter line and longer

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Good morning from the riverbanks—Artificial Lure here with your October 12, 2025, Mississippi River fishing report straight out of Minneapolis.

We woke up this morning to the kind of fall day that gets anglers moving early. Sunrise came in at 7:21 a.m. and we’re looking at sunset tonight at 6:40 p.m., so you’ve got a solid window for both that early bite and a late run before dusk. Weather is about as classic mid-October as it gets: crisp, with a light morning breeze around 8 mph, temps bouncing from the mid-40s at dawn and climbing to near 70 by late afternoon. Clouds are high and thin, perfect cover for both anglers and fish.

No tides to report since, as usual, the Mississippi here is upriver from any tidal influence, but recent steady levels and clear flow mean stability, and that’s what we like for this time of year.

Let’s get down to the fish: Walleye and sauger are staging below the locks and dams—Pool 2’s tailwaters and the Ford Dam area are seeing solid catches. River walleyes are biting best from late morning into afternoon as the sun warms the shallows. Jigs tipped with fathead minnows are getting it done—chartreuse and orange seem to be the hot colors this week, paired with a 3" twister tail or ringworm-style soft plastic for flash and action. Bring some leeches and shiners as backup; Terry Tuma from Outdoor News notes these are consistent producers during the fall bite.

Smallmouth bass are aggressive right now, especially around rocky riprap stretches and current seams. The mayfly hatch we had late last week slowed things, but now those bass are keying in on crankbaits, tubes, and Ned rigs bounced off the bottom. For better numbers, work the eddies near Pike Island and north towards the Camden Bridge. Ned rigs with green pumpkin or brown have put many bronzebacks on the board this weekend.

If you’re chasing panfish—crappies and perch—work any deeper holes off channel edges or the mouths of backwater cuts. Small jigs tipped with waxies or minnow pieces are the ticket, and lightweight floats help you keep in contact.

Northern pike are starting to seek out dying weed beds near the mouths of Minnehaha Creek and Boom Island channel. Large spoons and white spinnerbaits flash nice in this clearer water, so don’t be afraid to upsize your offering.

Here’s a quick note on recent catches: Thoughtful locals reported limits of eater-size walleyes from the Ford Dam stretch, plus healthy smallies up to 18 inches throughout the downtown reach. Late-season channel cats are still around in slow water; a few folks found them using cut bait after sunset just downriver from the Lowry Avenue Bridge.

Hot spots to hit today:

- **Ford Dam (Lock & Dam No. 1):** Great for both walleye and sauger—work the current seams and rocky shore.

- **Boom Island Park Backwaters:** Steady panfish action, plus pike roaming as the weeds die back.

Remember, as the water cools, fish metabolism slows, so downsize those presentations and fish a touch slower—patience pays

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Mississippi River anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Saturday, October 11th, 2025 fishing report straight from Minneapolis.

The Twin Cities is enjoying classic fall weather: early-morning temps dipping just above freezing before climbing to an afternoon high in the upper 60s, all under sunny skies. Sunrise hit at 7:22 a.m. today, and sunset will come at 6:38 p.m. We’ve had a stretch of dry, pleasant days, and that’s ignited fantastic fall color in the trees and brisk movement of both bait and sport fish, according to KAXE’s phenology update. So bundle up early, but expect layers to come off by noon.

Water levels on the Mississippi are steady but have recovered from the near-historic lows of September. CBS Minnesota notes that local flooding concerns have receded since last week's crest, making shore and bank access safer—though keep an eye out for persistent soft mud and the occasional debris pile left from high water.

Fish activity is strong with cooling water temperatures kicking up the metabolism of our resident species. Recent reports from the Mississippi River Minneapolis Daily Fishing Report show catfish, walleye, and both largemouth and smallmouth bass active through dawn and dusk, with northern pike and decent numbers of crappie coming off deeper eddies and slackwater pockets. A few muskie have been sighted too, though the bite is mostly hit-or-miss.

Best action has come on moderate-sized jigs tipped with plastics, especially paddle tails in white, chartreuse, and gold. If you’re targeting walleye, try a firetiger or perch-pattern crankbait, or bounce a jig-and-minnow along the current breaks. Many anglers leaning into live bait have done well—fathead minnows and cut sucker for catfish, nightcrawlers for a solid mixed bag. For bass, a 3–4 inch green pumpkin tube or a spinnerbait slow-rolled through structure will draw strikes. Topwater action is fading but you might still coax a smallie up during evening warmth.

Recent catches in the area have included channel cats averaging 2 to 6 pounds, walleye mostly in the 15–22 inch bracket, and bass with both numbers and good size—plenty of 1.5 to 3 pounders, a handful over four. Crappie are starting to pile up tight to submerged wood, especially near creek mouths.

Two hot spots worth your time:

- **Boom Island to the Plymouth Avenue Bridge**—Shore anglers are reporting steady bass and pike on swim jigs and chatterbaits along the weed edges. Plenty of accessible rock and current seams.

- **Below the Ford Dam (Lock & Dam No. 1)**—Classic fall walleye run territory, especially in the early morning. Drift a jig-and-minnow or work a Deep Diver along the edges; some reports hint at bonus sauger mixed in.

Word to the wise: after sunrise, move deeper as fish transition off shallow rocks and move to deeper pools and current shadows. By mid-morning, focus on vertical presentation—jigging or slowly-drifting soft plastics near the bottom.

No tidal swings here, but river flow and clarity sho

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This is Artificial Lure, checking in riverside with a quick Minneapolis fishing report for October 10, 2025.

We’re waking to crisp, classic fall weather—temps are starting out near 40°F and climbing to the low 60s by afternoon, with mostly clear skies and only a light breeze. Sunrise hit at 6:51am, sunset’s at 7:25pm—so you’ve got a generous window to wet a line. Peak fish activity is right around now: the major bite started at 7:19am and will run strong to 9:19am, then things should heat up again this evening between 7:39 and 9:39pm. On a third-quarter moon and clear skies, conditions are set for steady action all day according to FishingReminder and the solunar tables.

The Mississippi through downtown has seen solid fall walleye movement this week, especially around inside and outside weed edges and adjacent rock structure. According to TargetWalleye, now is prime time—walleyes are pushing shallower, keying in on the last patches of green weeds and cruising the breaklines. Fish are also feeding hard ahead of the winter slowdown.

The best recent catches have come early and late in the day from the Pool 1 section around Saint Anthony Falls, Boom Island, and down by the Lower Lock and Dam. Walleye up to 26 inches have been reported, sometimes 60–70 fish mornings for groups working these deeper ledges with the right presentation, as tournament crews described just last weekend. Along with walleye, sauger, the occasional big smallmouth, and even flathead catfish are showing up; there are scattered reports of pike and a bonus white bass or two near creek mouths.

When it comes to tactics, you can’t beat classic river choices. Crankbaits like the Rapala DT10 in fire tiger, hot mustard, or red crawdad are producing before the sun gets too high. Try casting parallel to rocky breaks or right along the weed edge. As the day sets in and the bite gets picky, switch to jig-and-plastic combos—chartreuse or motor oil paddle tails on 1/4 oz Deep-V style jigs are delivering bites. Live baiters have done well this week with willow cats (if you can get them) and fathead minnows drifted slowly just along the current seams.

If you’re after sheer numbers or targeting a big eye, right now is the time. Anglers like Brian Brosdahl say search for the "last green weeds" close to current, and you’re bound to find predators stacking up. On river edges where you find a little bit of stained water mixing with clearer flow, toss a blade bait or vertical jig a heavy minnow for bonus action.

Hot spots this week:

- **Saint Anthony Falls and Lower Lock and Dam:** Consistent walleye, good current breaks.

- **Boom Island back channels:** Weed edges and rock lines holding mixed bags.

- Both areas have ample public access, but remember river flow and barge traffic can change the bite—so keep safety top of mind, especially after recent reports of challenging conditions near the Xcel Energy plant.

With water levels steady and overnight lows dipping into the 30s, we’re primed for s

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Artificial Lure here, checking in with the October 8 fishing report for the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.

We’re coming off a stretch of unseasonably warm weather, water temps holding in the low-to-mid 60s even as the air dips to the mid-40s overnight according to the Lake of the Woods MN Fishing Report. Sunrise cut through at 7:17 AM today, with sunset set for 6:38 PM. Winds are light out of the west this morning, making for comfortable, stable casting, and no rain in the early forecast.

Fishing times are prime at dawn and dusk, with best bites on overcast days. Today’s conditions are setting up a solid morning action window, especially for walleye and smallmouth bass. There’s no true tide here, but river flows run steady, so look for “current breaks” for fish stacking up.

Local DNR Conservation Officer reports, pulled on October 7, say angling is notably active with many anglers hitting the banks. Lots of sunfish are being seen in the livewells, and while waterfowl hunters had a slower weekend, fishermen kept at it. River crews are still seeing mixed bags—walleye, jumbo perch, sauger, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and some fall crappies. The big story after Sunday’s cold front has been the panfish: moving toward familiar early fall flats and weed edges, but acting sluggish.

Recent fish amounts have mostly featured decent numbers of eating-size northern pike and quick limits of walleyes from sharp breaks near deeper holes. Jumbo perch are mixing in, especially at spots with varied structure. For crappie, check out shallow weed beds in 5–7 feet of water—schools have thinned in typical spots but are popping up in fresh growth areas. And don’t overlook the sauger, which are beginning to show up more frequently around sand flats and channel edges.

For lures and bait:

- Walleyes are hitting vertical jigs tipped with frozen emerald shiner, glow white, green, gold, orange, or chartreuse.

- Pike are biting plentifully on spinner rigs—think gold, firetiger, pink, and orange blades. Use steel leaders for toothy critters.

- Smallmouth bass and sunfish are biting on tubes, jigs, and plastics, especially at slow-flow spots.

- Crappies prefer small jigs or live minnows drifted along shelves and weed beds.

When the bite is tough or fish are fussy, live bait like worms or minnows is still king, especially for jumbo perch according to expert Minnesota guide Brian Brosdahl. For artificial action, go with chartreuse or gold jigs for visibility.

Hot spots today:

- Pool 1 of the Mississippi River from below St. Anthony Falls to Ford Dam remains hot for walleye and smallies, especially in 10–18 feet.

- The confluence near Minnehaha Creek is producing mixed bags—try the outside bends and eddies for perch and walleye.

A brief safety note: Recent news in Wright County reminds us to use caution—there was a fatal incident with a capsized boat near Monticello. Tight lines, but stay alert and wear those life jackets.

That’s the midweek river update from your l

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Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River, Minneapolis, fishing report for Sunday, October 5th, 2025. We started the morning with a calm 51°F rolling in by sunrise at 6:51 AM, with another stellar fall day in the upper Midwest. Expect the high to push towards 67°F by mid-afternoon before dipping fast after sunset, which tonight hits at 7:25 PM. Skies are mostly clear, giving us one more golden autumn weekend along the river.

There’s no tidal influence this far upriver, so water movement is driven by dams and recent rainfall. Flows have settled over the past week, clarity is decent, and levels slightly above average for early October. That bodes well for both shore and small-boat anglers targeting the famous Mississippi fall bite.

Solunar activity is solid today: The morning’s major bite hit right around sunrise, from 7:19 to 9:19 AM, with another window opening up at dusk, from 7:39 to 9:39 PM. If you’re fishing mid-day, try to work the minor window from 3:33 to 5:33 PM. As always this season, dawn and dusk are prime—especially with cooler temps bringing predator fish up onto the flats and closer to shallows according to FishingReminder.

Word from last night and yesterday’s crews is encouraging. Walleye action has picked up on Pool 1, with catches in the 16 to 24-inch range, mostly coming on jig-and-minnow rigs or hair jigs tipped with plastics. Bright chartreuse and orange are hot. Several anglers reported a mixed bag, including feisty smallmouth bass up to 18 inches and some bonus crappie and perch pulled from backwater pockets, especially around Boom Island and Nicollet Island. The famous Mississippi river channel cats are still biting, especially after dark, mainly on cut sucker and stink bait, according to Outdoor News.

The best artificial lures this week have been mid-sized crankbaits (like Shad Raps), swimbaits in natural shad or perch patterns, and classic black-blue or green pumpkin jigs. Live bait fans are getting strong results on fathead minnows and nightcrawlers, particularly when drifted near wing dams and quiet eddies behind the islands.

Top hotspots to try today:

- **Saint Anthony Falls Upper Lock & Dam:** Consistent walleye, bass, and the odd pike. The turbulent water here pulls in hungry predators at first and last light.

- **Boom Island Channel:** Great for mixed species, especially smallmouth if you’re tossing crankbaits into the current seams.

- **Nicollet Island:** Underrated for fall crappie and perch, especially on small plastics or live minnows under a float.

No monster reports the past 24 hours, but plenty of keeper walleye and a few mid-20 inch football smallmouth have been logged. Catfish numbers are good, but many are average in size—mainly two to five pounders, with a few ten pounders caught on fresh cut bait near deep holes.

Water’s cooling fast, so fish are moving out of skinny water midday and hunting aggressively along drop-offs, riprap, and wood structure near shore. Focus on those ambush points,

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