Autumn Bass Blitz on the Minneapolis Mississippi

Artificial Lure here with your October 26, 2025, Mississippi River fishing report for the Minneapolis stretch, bright and early. Weather’s crisp—overnight lows stayed just above freezing, but as the sun burns off the fog, look for highs climbing to the lower 50s. River conditions are steady: flow at Aitkin is hovering around 3,400 cubic feet per second, water levels are stable, and no flooding worries. It's classic autumn in Minnesota, with sunrise at 7:41 AM and sunset rolling in around 6:06 PM. No tidal swings this far upriver, so leave those saltwater strategies at home. Fish activity is keeping things interesting. After chilly nights and light morning fog, the bite's been strongest mid-morning through the early afternoon. Solunar tables peg major activity from roughly noon to 2 PM, with a minor window just before sunrise—so set up early or hit hard at midday. Recent catches have leaned heavy into **smallmouth bass** and **largemouth bass**. Reports from the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship say anglers are targeting wintering holes and edge basin irregularities—think drop-offs from 4 to 16 feet. Nick Trim landed three chunky smallmouth in one run plus a steady largemouth to finish his bag. Most locals this week report bass in the 2–3.5 lb range, with a few folks calling in bigger bruisers closer to downtown. **Freshwater drum**, **walleye**, and the occasional **pike** can also be found near deeper holes and merging current seams. Best lures right now: nothing beats a 1/2-ounce jig, worked slow and near bottom contours. Cast Again Tackle’s Hammer Jig has been the winner for dragging along those deeper banks where bass are holed up. For finesse, ned rigs remain outstanding, especially when bass aren’t as aggressive after big temperature drops. Surface bites are hit-or-miss, but on sunny stretches, **chatterbaits** and wacky-rigged stick baits are pulling bites from bass that push shallow to warm up. Don’t skimp on the classic Senko, and if you’re shore-bound, toss a ned rig or chatterbait and work it across dying vegetation—these fall weeds hold bait and attract hungry fish. Live bait is mostly a backup plan; large, lively minnows or fathead chubs are reliable if the artificial bite slows down, especially for walleye and drum near the dams or tributary mouths. But locals are mostly sticking with artificials, with blade baits and deep-diving crankbaits putting fish in the net after a cold snap. Hot spots: - **Boom Island Park**: Structure, deep water close to shallows, strong recent bass and drum catches. - **Ford Dam (Lock and Dam No. 1)**: Classic spot, mixing up species. Bass stack up below the spill, walleye hold near the outflows. - **Hidden Falls Regional Park**: Great for shore casting, especially with finesse rigs after 10 AM. If you’re headed out later this week, these conditions look solid—water temps are dropping, keeping bass on the feed before winter. Bundle up, bring a spare dry set, and always wear that life jacket as water te This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.