Mississippi River Minneapolis Fishing Report Today

This is Artificial Lure with your Mississippi River fishing report for the Minneapolis stretch.

We’re sitting on a classic late‑spring pattern. The Mississippi here isn’t tidal, so no tide swings to worry about—just flow. River levels have been running a bit on the high side but stable, with visibility around a foot to maybe a foot and a half in many main‑channel spots. Water temps are in the mid‑50s to low‑60s, warmer in backwaters and slack eddies.

Sunrise comes early and sunset runs late now, so the prime bite has been that first light window and the last hour of daylight into dusk. Cloud cover and a light south wind are helping the day bite, keeping fish more comfortable in shallower water and around current seams.

Smallmouth bass are the headline right now. Fish are sliding from pre‑spawn into spawn on many stretches, especially on rocky shorelines, riprap, and the heads and tails of islands. Anglers have been reporting steady numbers of 12–17 inch bronzebacks, with a few 18–20 inch fish in the mix, especially below dams and along deeper rock edges. Ned rigs in green pumpkin, 3–4 inch tube jigs in natural crayfish colors, and compact squarebills in shad or craw patterns are producing well. On the calmer banks, a small walking topwater or popper early and late has been deadly when the wind lays down.

Walleye and sauger are still giving up some nice eaters, mostly in the 14–19 inch range, with the occasional bigger fish caught deeper. Focus on current breaks below the dams, wing dams, and deeper holes on outside bends. A simple jig and minnow or jig and half a nightcrawler remains hard to beat. During low light, crankbaits trolled upstream along the edges of the main channel are picking off roaming fish. Chartreuse, firetiger, and gold have been solid colors in the stained water.

Channel catfish action is ramping up as temps climb. Reports of good numbers of 2–8 pound cats, with some double‑digit fish, are coming from cutbanks, logjams, and deeper outside bends. Cut bait—sucker, goldeye, or even chunked shad—is the go‑to, with stink baits starting to pick up more fish as the water warms. Set up just upstream of structure and let the scent do the work.

Crappies and panfish are still hanging in the backwaters, marinas, and slack pockets off the main channel. Folks are catching decent numbers of 9–11 inch crappies on small crappie minnows and 1/32 oz jigs tipped with plastics under a float. Target submerged wood, brush piles, and the first distinct drop off the shoreline.

If you’re looking for a couple of hot spots:

First, the pool below Lock and Dam No. 1 near the Ford Parkway bridge has been a steady producer for both smallmouth and walleye. Work the current seams, eddies, and riprap with jigs and crankbaits, and don’t overlook the slower pockets right against shore.

Second, the stretch around Boom Island and down toward the Plymouth Avenue Bridge has been kicking out good smallmouth and some bonus pike. Focus on rocky banks, bridge pilings, and any obvious current breaks. A suspending jerkbait or a swim jig slow‑rolled along the rocks can be lights out.

For live bait, keep it simple: fathead minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers will cover most situations. For artificials, think natural but visible: green pumpkin, black/blue, and chartreuse in plastics; craw or shad patterns in cranks; and white or chartreuse for spinnerbaits and swim jigs.

That’s your Mississippi River Minneapolis report from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an update.

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Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River Minneapolis fishing report.

We’re in that sweet late‑spring window where the river bite is turning on fast. River levels have been bouncing just a bit but are very fishable, with decent clarity in back eddies and along shorelines. The Mississippi through town isn’t tidal, so no tide chart to worry about—just pay attention to current seams and any recent rain pushing a little extra flow.

Weather today is classic spring mixed bag: cool early, climbing into the 60s by afternoon with light to moderate southwest wind. Skies running partly cloudy, with a chance of a passing shower but nothing that should blow out the bite. Sunrise is right around 5:40 a.m., sunset near 8:45 p.m., so you’ve got a long window. The best feeding periods should be first light until mid‑morning and then that last couple hours before dark when the wind lays down and the bugs get going.

Water temps on the main river are hovering in the mid‑50s to low‑60s. That’s prime time for smallmouth bass and post‑spawn walleyes to chew. Local anglers have been reporting solid smallie numbers below the dams—lots of 14–18 inch fish with a few bruisers over 19. Walleyes and sauger have been coming on deeper breaks and current edges, with eater‑sized fish in the 14–20 inch range showing up in decent numbers, especially in low‑light.

Channel cats are also starting to wake up. Folks soaking cut bait along slower outside bends and behind wing dams have been picking up fish in the 3–8 pound class, with the occasional bigger one. A few flatheads are beginning to show but the real push for them is still just ahead.

For lures, keep it simple and match the river. For smallmouth, 3–4 inch paddle‑tail swimbaits on 1/4 oz jig heads in natural shad or green pumpkin are money. Tube jigs and 1/4 oz hair jigs in brown or olive are also putting fish in the net. Walleyes are eating 1/4–3/8 oz jigs tipped with fatheads or plastics; chartreuse, firetiger, and white are all solid, especially in slightly stained water. A slowly worked jig and minnow just off bottom is tough to beat.

If you’re a live bait angler, grab fathead minnows and nightcrawlers. Slip bobbers with leeches around current breaks and riprap are turning both smallmouth and the occasional walleye. For cats, cut sucker, goldeye, or chicken liver on a simple slip‑sinker rig in slower holes is the ticket.

A couple hot spots to keep on your radar:

1. Below Lock and Dam 1 by the Ford Bridge: Work the current seams, eddies, and riprap. Great mix of smallmouth and walleyes, especially early and late in the day.

2. Above and below the Lowry Avenue Bridge: Plenty of rocky shoreline and subtle current breaks. Toss swimbaits and crankbaits along the rocks for smallies, or drag jigs a bit deeper for walleyes.

As always, mind the flow, wear your life jacket, and respect the shoreline anglers and boat ramps. The river’s in good shape, the fish are active, and it’s a great time to sneak out before the summer crowds hit full stride.

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This is Artificial Lure with your Mississippi River, Minneapolis fishing report.

We’re in that sweet late‑spring pattern now. River levels through the metro are near normal and running with a light stain – just enough color to let you get close without spooking fish, but clear enough that downsizing line can help.

No true tide here, just flow, and it’s moderate: enough current seams to set up predictable feeding lanes around bridge pilings, wing dams, and the heads and tails of islands.

Weather-wise around Minneapolis, plan on cool, calm mornings with temps in the low 50s climbing into the 60s–70s by afternoon, light winds, and a mix of sun and clouds. Stable pressure means fairly consistent action, with the best bite at low light. Sunrise is right around 5:40 a.m., sunset near 8:45 p.m., so you’ve got long windows to work early and late.

Fish activity has been solid. Walleyes are largely postspawn but still hanging in classic current breaks and the tops of deeper holes; evenings have been better than mornings the last few days. A lot of 14–20 inch fish, with an occasional bigger one if you grind. Smallmouth bass are really waking up – think rocky stretches, riprap, and the upstream edges of islands. Plenty of 12–17 inch bronzebacks, and locals are reporting some mid‑18s on moving baits. Channel cats are active with the warmer water; fish in the 3–8 pound range are common, with some bigger blues and flatheads showing after dark near heavy structure.

For presentations, stick with river staples. For walleye, a 1/8–1/4 oz jig and plastic in chartreuse, firecracker, or natural shiner tones has been money; tip with a fathead or half a crawler if the bite is finicky. Live‑bait rigs with leeches are also starting to shine on slower inside bends.

For smallmouth, mid‑size crankbaits in craw or silver/black, 3–4 inch swimbaits, and suspending jerkbaits are producing. Once the sun’s higher, switch to tubes or compact football jigs dragged across rock. If you like power fishing, a white spinnerbait slow‑rolled along current breaks will surprise you with both smallies and pike.

Catfish crews are doing well on cut sucker, goldeye, and chicken liver fished on simple slip‑sinker rigs. Focus on the first deep hole below any major riffle or dam; fish the upstream lip at dusk and slide deeper after dark.

A couple local hot spots to consider:

– Below St. Anthony Falls down through the 3rd Avenue and 10th Avenue bridges: plenty of current breaks, eddies, and depth changes. Work the seams with jigs for walleye early and late, then slide shallower to the riprap and throw cranks for smallmouth once the sun is up.

– The stretch around the Ford Dam (Lock and Dam 1) and down toward the Lake Street bridge: classic river structure with wing dams, bar edges, and deeper bends. Anchor just upstream of the wing dams and cast across them for walleyes; in the daytime, pitch tubes to rocky shorelines for smallies. At night, this same stretch is a great bet for channel cats with cut bait.

Boat anglers should watch floating debris; the recent flow has kicked loose a few logs. Shore anglers will find decent access near the Stone Arch area and down by the Ford Parkway and Lake Street bridges – just be mindful of posted signs and stay safe around the current.

That’s the latest from the Mississippi in Minneapolis. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a report.

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Hey folks, this is **Artificial Lure** comin' at ya with your Mississippi River fishin' report for May 5th, 2026, right here in and around Minneapolis. Dawn's breakin' crisp at 5:42 AM, sunset's 8:27 PM—plenty of light for a solid day on the water. Weather's lookin' prime: highs near 68°F, light southwest breeze at 5-10 mph, mostly sunny skies per the National Weather Service forecast. No tidal action on this river, but water levels are steady at 11.2 feet on the St. Paul gauge, flowin' moderate after spring rains.

Fish are wakin' up hungry—walleye bitin' steady in the evenings, smallmouth bass aggressive on rocky points, and channel cats prowlin' deeper holes. Recent reports from Minnesota DNR creel surveys and local angler logs show limits of 15-20" walleyes, dozens of 2-4 lb smallies, and strings of 5-10 lb cats pulled from the main channel last week. Saugers and white bass are mixin' in too, with some crappie stacks near backwaters.

For lures, hit 'em with **jiggin' rapalas or 3/8 oz hair jigs tipped with minnows** for walleye—gold or perch patterns shinin'. Smallmouth love **tube jigs or Ned rigs in green pumpkin** bounced off gravel bars. Live bait? Fathead minnows or nightcrawlers on slip sinkers for cats; leeches for eyes. Early morning and dusk are gold—fish the current seams.

Hot spots: Boom Island Park for easy bank access and bass, or the Lock and Dam #1 tailrace for walleye walleye frenzy. Stay safe, check regs, and wet a line!

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

This episode includes AI-generated content.

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

Hey folks, this is **Artificial Lure** comin' at ya with your Mississippi River fishin' report for Sunday, May 3rd, right here in and around Minneapolis. It's 3 AM EDT, and the river's callin'—let's dive in.

Weather's lookin' prime: mostly clear skies overnight turnin' to partly cloudy with highs around 68°F and light winds from the southeast at 5-10 mph, per local forecasts. Perfect for early bites before the sun cranks up. Sunrise hits at 5:48 AM, sunset at 8:27 PM—plenty of daylight to chase 'em.

No tides on this freshwater beast, but water levels are steady at about 12 feet on the main gauge near St. Paul, flowin' moderate after spring rains. Fish activity's heatin' up in this post-spawn window—walleyes are keyin' on night crawlers and leeches in 8-15 feet near drop-offs. Recent reports from angler logs show solid catches: 20-30 walleyes per outing (15-22 inches), smallies hammerin' up to 4 pounds, a few channel cats in the 5-10 pound range, and perch schools keepin' it steady. Limits posted yesterday below the locks.

**Best lures:** Go with 1/4-oz jigheads tipped with minnows or soft plastics like Northland Fire-Ball Jigs in chartreuse—walleyes can't resist. For smallies, rapala Husky Jerks or tube jigs in green pumpkin. Live bait? Night crawlers or fathead minnows on slip sinkers rule the day.

Hot spots: Hit the **Boom Island Lagoon** for sheltered walleye action, or troll the **Ford Lock & Dam** tailrace where current concentrates baitfish—boat or shore, both killer.

Stay safe out there, check regs, and wear your PFD. Thanks for tunin' in—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

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

Hey folks, this is **Artificial Lure** comin' at ya with your Mississippi River fishin' report for early this mornin', Saturday, May 2nd, right here in and around Minneapolis. Weather's lookin' prime—clear skies with temps hoverin' around 55°F at dawn, light northwest breeze at 5-10 mph, humidity low at 60%, per the National Weather Service forecast. No tides on this freshwater beast, but river levels are steady at 12.5 feet on the St. Paul gauge from USGS data, perfect for wadin' or bank fishin' without much current push.

Sunrise hit at 5:48 AM, sunset's 8:22 PM—gives ya a solid 14+ hours of light to chase 'em. Fish are active post-spawn; walleye are keyin' on the feed with the water temp sittin' at 52°F from Minnesota DNR reports. Recent catches been hot: locals pulled in 20+ walleyes up to 28 inches yesterday off the boom near the Ford Plant, plus smallies hammerin' 3-5 lbs on the rocky points by Lock & Dam 1. Catfish are prowlin' deep holes—channels report 15-pound blues on cut bait. Crappies still stacked in 8-12 feet near Boom Island, limits easy with minnows.

Best lures? Go with **3-inch paddletail swimbaits** in perch or shad colors on 1/4-oz jigheads for walleye—twitch 'em slow along drop-offs. Rapala Shad Raps divin' 4-7 feet for smallies. Live bait kings are shiners under slip bobbers for eyes, nightcrawlers or cut shad for cats. **Hot spots**: Hit the east bank below the Washington Avenue Bridge for walleye at first light, or paddle out to the Father Hennepin Bluff for crappie slabs—park at the lot off Plymouth Ave.

Stay safe, check regs, and tight lines!

Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things rods, reels, and river runs right here on the Mississippi around Minneapolis. It's early mornin' on April 30, 2026, and the river's callin'—water's risin' steady at about 10 feet above normal after spring rains, no tides but that strong current's mimickin' a good pull.

Weather's lookin' mild: highs in the upper 50s, partly cloudy with light north winds 5-10 mph, perfect for shore chuckers. Sunrise at 5:58 AM, sunset 8:17 PM—hit dawn and dusk for peak bites when fish chase shad in the shallows.

Fish activity's heatin' up post-front; smallmouth bass are hammerin' anything that moves, with reports of smallies up to 4 pounds slammin' crankbaits and jigs from spots like the Douglaston Salmon Run style runs we got here. Walleye are schoolin' in 8-12 feet near drop-offs, fresh catches includin' limits of 18-24 inchers on minnows. Saugers and channel cats mixin' in, blues stackin' deep bends on cut bait. Recent tallies: dozens of smallies, steady walleye hauls, handfuls of steelies roamin' lower pools.

Best lures? Jerkbaits and Deadly Dudley tails on 1/8-oz jigheads for bass in 2-3 feet over shell—light colors killin' it. Topwaters at dawn, then paddle tails or soft plastics. Live bait shines: minnows under bobbers for walleye, nightcrawlers or leeches for cats. Crankbaits fan-cast windblown banks for aggressive strikes.

Hot spots: Boom Island Park for easy access smallies along the riprap, and the Lock and Dam #1 tailrace—anchor downcurrent, let baits sweep the funnel two hours before peak flow.

Get out there safe, check regs, and wear PFDs.

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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things rods and reels on the mighty Mississippi around Minneapolis. It's April 29, 2026, and we're kickin' off the day with cloudy skies overnight givin' way to partly sunny conditions, highs pushin' 65°F, light SSE winds at 5-10 mph. No real rain in sight, perfect for gettin' out there. Sunrise hits at 5:58 AM, sunset at 8:12 PM—plenty of daylight to chase 'em.

River flows are steady around 10,000 CFS at St. Paul gauge per USGS reports, with no big changes expected. Water temp's climbin' to 48°F, wakin' up the walleyes and saugers big time. Fish activity's rampin' up post-opener; locals are pullin' limits of walleyes 15-22 inches, some crappies hittin' 12-inchers in the shallows, and channel cats bulkin' up to 5 pounds. Smallmouth bass are aggressive on current breaks, with a fewnortherns mixin' in.

Best bets? Jig minnows or soft plastics like 3-inch Gulp! minnows in chartreuse for walleyes—troll 'em slow at 1.2 mph. Live bait? Fathead minnows or nightcrawlers on slip sinkers shine for cats and saugers. Crankbaits like Rapala Shad Raps in perch pattern are killin' smallies in the riffles.

Hot spots: Boom Island Park for easy bank access and walleye stacks, and the deeper holes below Lock & Dam 1 where current meets slack water—prime for trophies.

Thank you for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things rod and reel on the Mississippi River right here in Minneapolis. It's early morning on April 28, 2026, and the river's callin'—sunrise hit around 6 AM, sunset 'bout 8 PM, givin' us a solid 14 hours of light to chase bites.

Weather's lookin' crisp with north winds pickin' up post-front, clearin' the water and turnin' on the action at dawn and dusk—just like them Louisiana river reports from FishingReminder sayin' cooler temps fire up the bass and cats. No real tides up here on the big river, but them solunar charts from SolunarForecast peg today as a prime day with major bites around 9 AM to noon.

Fish are active, man—recent catches mirror them southern patterns: largemouth bass smashin' shad in spillways and bends, walleye cruisin' edges, sauger stackin' up, and blue catfish haulin' in deeper holes. Anglers been pullin' limits of 2-5 lb bass, 20-inch walleyes, and channel cats up to 10 pounds this week, per local chatter echoin' Fishbrain and FishingReminder trends.

Best lures? Lipless cranks and chatterbaits over rocky points for bass, jiggin' minnows or soft plastics for walleye. Live bait kings: shiners on slip bobbers for eyes, cut shad or worms for cats—match the hatch like them Spacefish reports preach.

Hit these hot spots: Boom Island Park for current-swept shallows loaded with baitfish, and the Lock and Dam #1 tailrace where big walleye school on the drop. Fish quiet, stay low, and let the river do the work.

Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more river gold! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn

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