Autumn Anglers: Chasing Big Fish on the Mighty Mississippi in Minneapolis

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