Anglers' Update: Fishing the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, February 2025

Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, your go-to expert for all things fishing, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around the Mississippi River in Minneapolis as of February 12, 2025. First off, let's talk about the weather. Today, we're looking at partly cloudy skies with a high of around 38°F and a low of 24°F. This cooler weather is exactly what we need to get those fish active. Sunrise was at 7:04 AM, and sunset will be at 5:27 PM, giving us a good window for both morning and evening fishing. Since the Mississippi River is a freshwater system, there are no tidal changes to worry about. However, water levels can be influenced by rainfall and human-controlled dams. Currently, the water levels are slightly above normal but stabilizing, which is ideal for fishing. Fish activity has been strong, particularly for walleyes and saugers. These species are really active as the water temperatures drop, currently ranging from around 36 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Anglers have been catching a decent number of walleyes and saugers, with some reaching up to 23 inches in length. These fish are putting on their winter weight, making them quite girthy. Other species like smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish such as bluegills, crappies, and yellow perch are also active. For northern pike, medium to large bright glowing jigs tipped with minnows have been working well, especially on large mud flats in depths of 25 to 30 feet. For walleyes and saugers, jigs and soft plastics are your best bet. A sexy shad-colored ½-ounce vibrating jig or a 3/8-ounce black and blue swim jig with a craw trailer have been producing excellent results. If you're targeting panfish, small jigs tipped with waxworms or minnows are the way to go. Now, let's talk about some hot spots. One of the best areas to fish is near the wing dams on the south end of Pool 8. Here, you can throw a blueberry-colored Zoom Z Craw on a half-ounce swing head or a homemade ½-ounce vibrating jig in black and blue. Another great spot is the flooded backwater grass lines and trees, where a 3/8-ounce Zorro Booza Bug jig tipped with a Zoom Z Craw Jr. can be very effective. In summary, the Mississippi River in Minneapolis is offering some fantastic fishing opportunities right now. With the cooler weather and stabilizing water levels, it's a great time to get out there and catch some walleyes, saugers, and other species. Remember to use the right lures and bait, and don't hesitate to try out those wing dams and backwater areas. Happy fishing, and see you on the water This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.