Mississippi River Minneapolis Fishing Report Today

Good morning anglers this is Artificial Lure with your local fishing report for Wednesday April 23 2025 covering the mighty Mississippi River around Minneapolis

Sunrise was at 612 AM and sunset will be at 808 PM today so you have a nice long spring day to get lines wet. The weather this morning is cool but should warm up quickly with partly cloudy skies and light winds. The river level is typical for April with a bit of extra flow from recent rains but water clarity is holding up well. Unlike coastal rivers there are no true tides on the Mississippi here but expect water to move throughout the day influenced by upstream snowmelt and dam releases.

Fish activity has ramped up with spring in full swing. The walleye bite in Pool 2 is really picking up now through the end of April. Good numbers of fish are being caught from shore especially between the Ford Dam and the confluence with the Minnesota River. This is prime time to connect with a big walleye and remember Pool 2 is catch-and-release only for walleyes and saugers so bring your camera for those trophy shots. Pools 3 and 4 downriver are also fishing well with mixed bags of walleyes and saugers pushing into shallower water to spawn. Up in Pool 4 near Red Wing and Lake Pepin anglers are reporting phenomenal size and quantity of walleyes on both jigs and live bait[3][4].

Smallmouth bass should be starting to stir with rising water temperatures especially in rocky areas and creek mouths. Some anglers are seeing the first few pike moving in to warm backwaters but the main pike run is still a week or two off.

The best lures right now for walleyes are bright-colored jigs tipped with minnows or plastics especially early and late in the day. Pulling crankbaits along current seams or working a jig and plastic right off the bottom is producing well. Live bait rigs with fatheads or nightcrawlers are also a safe bet if you want to keep it simple. For smallmouths start trying out tube jigs and suspending jerkbaits near riprap shorelines.

A couple of hot spots to try today include Hidden Falls Park for good shore access and a shot at big pre-spawn walleyes and the area just below the Ford Dam where the flow attracts active fish. Downriver the St Paul Airport stretch has good variety with easy access and lots of structure.

That’s the latest from Artificial Lure. Get out there and good luck chasing that next river giant.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning from the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Artificial Lure here with your daily fishing report for April 21, 2025.

The spring bite is picking up steam across the Mississippi in Minneapolis as water temperatures climb and daylight hours stretch longer. Today, sunrise hit at 6:17 am with sunset expected around 8:06 pm, giving us plenty of fishing time. No tides to worry about on this stretch of the river, but flows are steady and water clarity is good thanks to recent dry weather.

Walleye and sauger remain the stars of the show this week, especially near the dams and current seams. Anglers fishing from shore and boat are both reporting success, with some solid eater-sized fish and the occasional trophy coming to hand. The water temperature recently has hovered in the upper 30s to low 40s, but a warming trend has started to move fish into more active patterns. Reports from Pool 2 and Pool 4—two of the most popular stretches in this area—show catches of up to 8 walleyes in a single outing, with fish up to 24 inches making appearances. Saugers are mixed in, and the odd big crappie has been surprising some lucky anglers as well[1][2][4].

Jigs tipped with fathead minnows or plastic flukes in chartreuse, white, or oyster colors have been working best. Slow retrieves over riprap and rocky points are producing fish, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. Locals are also having luck with blade baits and hair jigs. If you prefer live bait, a simple rig with a nightcrawler or minnow on a slip sinker setup is hard to beat right now.

For those hoping to fill a stringer, focus your efforts below the Ford Dam and upstream of the Franklin Avenue Bridge. These spots have been producing consistent action thanks to changing current flows and baitfish movement. Pool 2 between the I-35W bridge and the confluence with the Minnesota River is another local favorite and is producing a mix of species as fish migrate upstream[2][4].

In summary, fishing is getting better by the day as the river continues to warm. Walleye and sauger are biting well, with a few bonus species showing up. Stick with jigs and minnows or plastics, and check those current seams and rocky shorelines for your best shot at success. Good luck out there and tight lines!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your April 20, 2025 fishing report for the Mississippi River around Minneapolis.

After recent rains, the river level has come up quite a bit, bringing a fair amount of debris downstream. The water temperature cooled off down to around 40 degrees last week but is steadily warming back toward 45 as we see more sunshine. With days getting longer, sunrise today was at 6:18 AM and sunset will be at 8:06 PM, giving you a good stretch of daylight to get after it.

Walleyes are spawning right now, especially with the river levels stabilizing and water warming. Most of the male walleyes are milting, which means they’re eager and likely to bite. There are plenty of fish holding tight to rocky-rubble bottoms and the slack water edges, typically where slow and fast currents meet. Focus on depths less than 12 feet, and don’t be surprised to find them even shallower, especially early or late in the day. With the spawn going hot and heavy, expect the action to stay good through this week, especially with the full moon coming soon, which tends to ramp up the night bite as well. Be extra cautious of floating logs or debris if you’re motoring upstream, as the high water can bring some nasty stuff just under the surface[1].

Recent catches in the area include good numbers of walleyes, many in the 20 to 24 inch range, with some reports of anglers landing up to 17 eyes in half a day of fishing, about half of them over 20 inches. There are also sauger and a few nice crappies moving in from downstream, so variety is on the menu[2][5].

Best baits right now are still plastics—try purple firecracker Moxie plastics or B-Fish-N Tackle B-3 blades for pitching and snap jigging, especially around current seams and riprap. For catfish, nightcrawlers, cut bait, or sucker minnows on a 1/0 octopus hook in the deeper holes and slower eddies are getting bit. Shore anglers are also having luck with nightcrawlers under a bobber for trout and channel cats in the right spots[1][4].

Your go-to hot spots include the Ford Dam tailwaters (also known as Lock and Dam No. 1), which are always reliable for walleyes and sauger right now, as well as below the Coon Rapids Dam. Both are holding fish where the current breaks and there’s some rocky structure. Don’t overlook the mouths of Minnehaha Creek and Bassett Creek for active fish in the slack water.

With stable river levels and rising temps, this week should see the bite pick up even more. Just be sure to dress for chilly mornings and keep a close eye on river debris.

Tight lines, be safe, and I hope to see you on the water!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Artificial Lure here with your April 19, 2025, Mississippi River Minneapolis fishing report.

Sunrise this morning came right around 6:15 AM and sunset will settle down at about 8:05 PM. No tides to worry about this far up river, but water levels have been bouncing a bit from recent spring rains. Expect the river just above action stage, carrying a bit of current and color from runoff. Water temps this week started near 40 but are warming, trending toward upper 40s by midweek. That’s classic early walleye action territory.

Fish are moving in shallower, with walleye and sauger activity firing up as the sun gets high and waters warm through the day. The walleye spawn is wrapping up, so those males are hungry and cruising at rocky spots along the current breaks, typically in 4 to 12 feet of water. Recent reports show anglers catching steady numbers of male walleyes, plus an occasional big post-spawn female, particularly at shore spots below dams and around riprap edges between the Ford Dam and the confluence with the Minnesota River. Pool 2 and Pool 4 are both producing, with Pool 2 shore fishing especially solid right now.

Best lures for this bite are purple or firecracker paddle-tail plastics pitched on a jig, like a B-Fish-N Moxie, or snap jigging blades in the current seams. Nightcrawlers under a float are starting to nab bonus sauger and an odd channel cat in slower pockets. If fishing from shore, try a crawler under a bobber about 5-10 feet down, especially as evening falls. Crankbaits and shad raps are heating up for both walleye and smallmouth as the water clears up.

In terms of catch, anglers are mostly reporting numbers of eater-sized male walleyes between 15 and 20 inches, a few larger females, good mixed-bag sauger, and reports of active perch and pike in side channels and backwaters when targeting with small cranks or live bait.

For hot spots, hit the current breaks along the Minneapolis side below the Ford Dam, and the stretch near Hidden Falls Regional Park. Upriver, try the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park edges, especially near those old rock piles that break up the flow.

This weekend, bring your patience—high water can mean more debris in the river, so keep an eye out for logs. But with warming water and hungry spring fish, it’s a great time to get out. Good luck and tight lines!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your sunrise update for the Mississippi River here in Minneapolis on Friday, April 18, 2025. It is shaping up to be another good day to get out on the water, so here is the latest scoop straight from the banks.

We kicked off the day with sunrise at 6:25 a.m. and can expect sunset around 8:04 p.m. Weather is mild for April—temps will creep from the low 40s into the 60s by afternoon, with a gentle south wind, partly cloudy skies, and no big storms on the radar. River levels are stable, thanks to a slow snowmelt and below-normal rains upstream; that means typical spring flows and good clarity in the pools and side channels for this time of year[6][9].

Fish activity is running high in these conditions. Walleye and sauger continue to headline the catch reports, especially near the dams and current seams. Shore fishing has been heating up since March and is staying strong now mid-April—anglers are pulling solid numbers from spots all the way from the Ford Dam down to the confluence. The momentum is carrying over from a strong March bite, with both eater-sized and larger walleyes showing up, plus nice perch mixed in for those working the slower, sandier stretches[1][2][5].

Smallmouth bass are starting to stir as the water warms, congregating around rocky stretches, wing dams, and eddies. The best lures for the day are bright chartreuse or gold blade spinnerbaits, soft plastics like tubes or craw imitations in green pumpkin, and 3–4 inch crankbaits with a stop-and-go retrieve. As always in the spring, a jig tipped with a fathead minnow or a leech is money for walleye and sauger. For perch, small jigs with a piece of worm or waxworm will do the trick[7][10].

Don’t overlook the catfish, either—cut bait or nightcrawlers fished on the bottom in deeper holes below the dams or at creek mouths can produce good channel cats, especially as the sun warms the water[4].

Hot spots this week include the area just below the Ford Dam for walleye and sauger, and the rock piles and wing dams within Pool 2 for an early smallmouth bite. The mouth of Minnehaha Creek and the deep runs near Hidden Falls Park are also turning up a mixed bag for shore casters[2][5][7].

Overall, the fish are active, the water is in great shape, and today’s mild weather should provide excellent conditions through the evening. Bring a good mix of jigs, plastics, and live bait, and don’t be surprised if you run into some heavy action. Tight lines, and see you on the river!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for Minneapolis, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The river’s still running high after recent spring rains and snowmelt, so flows are faster than usual. Water temps are warming up, pushing fish into shallower, slower spots, especially along shorelines and behind current breaks.

Weather for today is a cool start in the upper 30s at sunrise, which was at 6:28 a.m., warming up to the low 50s by afternoon with mostly cloudy skies and light winds. Sunset comes at 7:55 p.m. Expect a pretty stable barometer, but riverside conditions could get muddy if another round of rain passes through. No tides to worry about, but rising water has limited some bank access. Still, there’s good action if you pick your spots.

Walleye fishing is on fire right now. In recent days, local anglers have been catching strong numbers of walleyes and sauger, mostly in the 15 to 22-inch range, mainly below the dams and anywhere current breaks ease up. Live bait rigs with fathead minnows or nightcrawlers have performed best, but jigging with a ⅛ to ¼-ounce jig in chartreuse, white, or orange is pulling bites, too. Early morning and late evening are prime times as fish move up to feed[3][4].

Smallmouth bass are starting to turn on. Try soft plastics like tube jigs, Ned rigs, or small swimbaits bounced near riprap, wing dams, or rocky points. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits with a bit of flash are getting reaction strikes, especially when the water’s a little dingy[7][10]. If the river gets murky, upsize to something with more vibration and color, like a black and blue swim jig or a bladed jig. Pairing these with a craw trailer can make a big difference in stained water.

Catfish and perch are active, especially in deeper holes and off current seams. For catfish, cut bait or stink bait dropped below a slip sinker is the ticket. Perch are hitting on small minnows or worms under a float along slower shorelines.

A couple of hot spots right now: check out below Ford Dam (Lock and Dam No. 1) for walleyes and sauger, and the confluence with Minnehaha Creek. Pool 2, especially near the airport and up by Hidden Falls Regional Park, is another solid bet with both shore and boat access[4]. These areas are producing a good mix of species and have some protected current breaks.

As always, make sure you know the latest regulations and stay safe around those fast waters. Good luck out there—tight lines!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning anglers! Here’s your fishing report for the Mississippi River near Minneapolis on Monday, April 14, 2025. Conditions are shaping up to offer a productive day on the water, so let’s dive in.

The weather today features clear skies with a daytime high of 52°F, making it a perfect spring day to wet a line. Sunrise was at 6:38 AM, and sunset will be at 7:55 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to chase your favorite species. Recent snowmelt and rains have caused the water level to rise slightly, adding some current but also improving fish activity in specific areas. Water temperatures hover around 42-44°F.

Fish activity has been picking up with the spring season. Walleyes are transitioning into post-spawn behaviors, making them a prime target. Smallmouth bass are also starting to become more active as water temperatures slowly rise. For catfish enthusiasts, the Mississippi remains a premier spot for channel and flathead catfish.

**What’s being caught:**

Walleyes and saugers have been biting well in pools 2 and 4. Anglers have reported catches of eater-sized walleyes along with some trophies. A few smallmouth bass are being caught near rocky structures. Catfish action is consistent, especially on channel cats, with some flatheads reported around deeper snags.

**Best baits and lures:**

- Walleyes: Use ⅜-ounce jigs tipped with minnows or plastics in purple, black, or chartreuse. Blade baits like SteelShads, as well as vibrating jigs, work great in current breaks and deeper runs.

- Smallmouth Bass: Try soft plastics like tubes in green pumpkin or crawfish patterns near rocky areas.

- Catfish: Nightcrawlers, cut bait, or chicken liver fished on heavy rigs in deep holes or areas where slack water meets current are producing results.

**Hot spots:**

1. **Pool 2 (near Hidden Falls):** Target current seams and deeper runs for walleye using jigs or live bait rigs.

2. **Lock and Dam No. 1 (Ford Dam):** Fish the eddies below the dam for catfish and saugers.

3. **Pool 4 near Lake Pepin:** A favorite spot for walleyes and saugers, especially trolling crankbaits along breaklines.

Please use caution as the river is still carrying some debris from the recent rise in water levels. Keep an eye out for logs and other hazards.

Tight lines to everyone heading out today—don't forget your camera for those brag-worthy catches! Stay safe out there and enjoy the spring bite.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Today, April 12, 2025, fishing conditions on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis look promising for dedicated anglers, despite some challenges. Let’s dive into the details.

The weather for today expects mild temperatures with partly cloudy skies, providing favorable conditions for a day on the water. Sunrise was at 6:34 AM and sunset will be at 7:53 PM, giving plenty of daylight to make the most of the angling opportunities. Water levels remain slightly elevated due to recent snowmelt and rainfall upstream, but conditions are stabilizing, with temperatures hovering in the low-to-mid 40s. The phase of the full moon tonight may add a bit of excitement, as fish activity tends to increase during these times.

In recent days, anglers have reported success catching walleye, sauger, and bass in this stretch of the river. The walleye, in particular, are in their spawning phase and are stacking up near rocky areas with slower currents, typically in 4 to 12 feet of water. Male walleyes are active and eager to bite, while females are still preparing to spawn. Smallmouth bass are another highlight, preferring rocky structures and wing dams, where the current slows down, making these spots prime for targeting them.

For tackling these species, jigging techniques have been effective. Many anglers recommend jig heads tipped with soft plastics in colors like purple and blue or using spinnerbaits for their vibration and flash. For live bait enthusiasts, minnows and nightcrawlers continue to perform well. Snap jigging with blade baits or pitching soft plastics to eddies and shoreline structures has produced steady results.

Catfish are also worth noting, with channel catfish and flatheads being caught in deeper sections or near submerged logs. For catfish, using cut bait or live shad can yield great results.

The hotspots for today include Pool 2, particularly the areas around the Ford Dam and Hidden Falls, which are teeming with walleye and sauger. Another great location is Pool 3 near the confluence with the St. Croix River. Here, anglers can explore wing dams and backwater areas for a mix of species, including smallmouth bass. Be mindful of the water clarity and floating debris from recent weather changes when navigating these areas.

In summary, the Mississippi River near Minneapolis offers exciting opportunities for walleye, bass, and catfish today. Stick to rocky structures, eddies, and slack water near the currents, and use a mix of soft plastics, spinnerbaits, or live bait for the best chances of success. Tight lines!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Today on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, conditions are shaping up nicely for spring fishing. Here’s the latest report as of April 11, 2025:

The weather today is cool and mostly cloudy, with temperatures ranging from the upper 40s to low 50s. Winds are light, which offers good casting conditions. Sunrise was at 6:34 AM, and sunset will be at 7:51 PM, giving anglers plenty of daylight to fish comfortably.

The river level remains stable but slightly elevated due to upstream snowmelt, which has increased water flow and created some minor murkiness. This means fish are likely sheltering in slack water areas or along structure such as wing dams, eddies, and submerged vegetation.

Recent catches have been promising. Anglers are reporting good numbers of smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike. Smallmouth bass activity has been strong near rocky areas and wing dams, with fish ranging from 1 to 3 pounds. Walleye are showing up in deeper holes and current breaks, with catches between 16 to 22 inches. Northern pike are active along shallow grassy banks, with some larger fish exceeding 30 inches.

For lures, success has been noted with soft plastics like paddle tails or craw imitations in natural colors for smallmouth bass. Spinnerbaits and jerkbaits also remain top choices. For walleye, anglers are finding success with 3/8-ounce jigs tipped with minnows or plastics, particularly in chartreuse or purple colors. For northern pike, larger swim jigs or spoons in bright colors have been productive.

If you’re using live bait, minnows and nightcrawlers have been effective for walleye, while sucker minnows are recommended for targeting northern pike.

A couple of hot spots to try include the stretch near Lock and Dam No. 1 (Ford Dam) and the backwater areas near Minnehaha Creek. The rocky structures and eddies in these areas are ideal for bass and walleye, while the shallower, grassy sections closer to shore are great for northern pike.

Remember to stay safe and dress warmly, as river conditions can be unpredictable this time of year. Tight lines and good luck out there!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

April 9, 2025, brought a solid day for anglers on and around the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Here’s your daily fishing report from a local perspective.

The weather cooperated with milder temperatures reaching the low 60s. Morning and overnight brought light showers, but the afternoon brightened with intermittent sunshine and gentle southern winds at around 5-10 mph. The river level is on the rise, with water temperatures hovering near 44°F in most areas, though some backwaters with darker bottoms are touching 60°F. This temperature shift contributes to increasing fish activity as species like walleyes, perch, and pike enter their prime pre-spawning and spawning phases.

Sunrise today was at 6:36 a.m., and sunset will be at 7:51 p.m., offering an extended window for anglers to hit prime bite times around dawn and dusk. Early morning and evening proved especially productive.

Walleye and sauger are the stars of the show right now. Anglers are reporting good catches of these species in depths of 8 to 16 feet, particularly near rocky or gravelly areas. Female walleyes are beginning to soften, signaling that the spawn is imminent. Jigging with hair jigs, blade baits, or soft plastics like B-Fish-N Tackle Pulse-R paired with 3/16 or 5/16 jigheads has been effective. Purple color patterns are top performers.

Smallmouth bass are becoming active as well, with many moving to areas with consistent current and rocky structure, such as wing dams. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and soft plastics are working well, particularly in areas with moderate flows. Focus on eddies and calmer waters where bass can conserve energy between feeding frenzies.

Catfish enthusiasts found success too, particularly with channel cats congregating in deeper holes of side channels. Fresh cut bait and nightcrawlers have been the go-to options. Flathead catfish were found near submerged logs and structures. Live bait, like bluegills or bullheads, worked well for those targeting these brutes.

Crappie activity is on the rise, though it’s not yet in full swing. Anglers targeting oxbow lakes and offshoots of the main channel had the most luck, especially in clearer waters for black crappie.

Two hot spots emerged today. First, Pool 2 near the Ford Dam saw solid action for walleyes and sauger. The structure near the dam provides ideal conditions for these species. Second, the backwaters near Hidden Falls Regional Park are heating up for both panfish and predator species like pike.

For bait and lures, consider using:

- **Walleyes**: Purple plastic swimbaits, blade baits, or live minnows.

- **Smallmouth bass**: Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and soft plastics fished near rocky structures.

- **Catfish**: Fresh cut bait, nightcrawlers, or live bait.

- **Crappie**: Small jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastics in vibrant colors for murkier water.

With the river rising and fish activity increasing, now is a prime time to head out. Tight lines and good luck!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.