Autumn Walleye and Sauger Bonanza on the Mississippi River Near Minneapolis

As of October 16, 2024, the fishing scene on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is looking promising, especially with the fall season in full swing. **Weather and Conditions:** The weather today is partly cloudy with a high of around 58 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 45 degrees. The water temperature is dropping, currently ranging from 46 to 47 degrees, which is ideal for fall fishing. **Sunrise and Sunset:** Sunrise was at 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at 6:15 PM, giving anglers a good window for both morning and evening fishing. **Fish Activity:** The Walleye and Sauger bite continues to be strong as the water temperatures drop. Yesterday, anglers reported catching Walleyes and Saugers, with some reaching up to 23 inches in length. The fish are putting on their fall weight, making them quite girthy. **Best Lures and Bait:** For Walleyes and Saugers, vertical jigging with Dubuque rigs and using baits like Berkley bonefish, curlybones, ripple shads, and rib worms have been effective. Hair jigs in white ice, purples, and chartreuse colors are also working well. Crankbaits, either on leadcore or longline trolling, are catching fish, especially in areas with less bait. Casting hair jigs and cranks near wing dams has also been successful. **Hot Spots:** One of the hot spots is near the wing dams, where the current flow is minimal due to the low water levels. Rock shorelines and wood structures are also producing good numbers of fish. Another good area is around the pool sections of the Mississippi River, particularly Pool 4, where large shad schools are abundant. **Additional Tips:** Panfishing for Bluegills, Crappies, and Perch remains good, filling in the gaps when the Walleyes quit biting. Small jigs with plastics or tipped with a chunk of crawler under a bobber or pitched depending on the conditions are recommended. Overall, the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is offering a great fall fishing experience, with plenty of opportunities to catch quality fish. Just remember to dress warmly and be prepared for the cooler weather. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.