Excellent Angling Opportunities on a Lowering Mississippi River

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure checking in with your Mississippi River fishing report for Sunday, May 4, 2025, straight from the Twin Cities. We have come off a mild winter and a dry early spring, so water levels on the Mississippi around Minneapolis are running a bit lower than usual. This means you might notice more exposed structure and a few navigational hazards so watch your footing and your propeller when cruising shallow stretches. Weather today is mild and comfortable, with a gentle breeze most of the day and temperatures rising into the low 60s by afternoon. Sunrise came in at 5:57 AM and sunset will be around 8:23 PM. Tides do not apply to this stretch of the river, but expect steady current, especially near the dams and confluences. Fishing these last few days has been nothing short of hot, especially on pools 2, 4, and above. Pool 2, which runs from Ford Dam to Hastings Dam, is seeing especially good action with walleye and sauger locked into their spring patterns. Remember, Pool 2 is catch-and-release only for walleye, sauger, and bass but the steady bites are well worth the trip. Catfish anglers are also reporting a banner start to the year, with solid numbers of channel and flathead cats throughout the main river and side channels. White bass and panfish, particularly bluegill and crappie, are piling up in the backwaters and creeks, getting ready to spawn and feeding aggressively. Lures and baits that have been getting the job done include jigs tipped with minnows or plastics for walleye and sauger, particularly in the tailwaters and along current seams. For catfish, cut sucker bait, chicken liver, or stink baits fished on the bottom in deeper holes are bringing in both numbers and size. Pike are getting concentrated in the shallow backwaters thanks to lower water, and flashy spoons or large soft plastics are putting trophy fish in the net. Hot spots to check today include the confluence of Minnehaha Creek for panfish, the tailwater below Ford Dam for gamefish action, and the deep bends near Hidden Falls Park for catfish and the occasional oversized pike. The locks and dam areas, when accessible, are always worth a cast, especially in these lower water conditions. In summary, fish are active, river conditions are prime, and now is the time to hit the water. Best of luck out there and remember to play it safe around those low water obstacles. Tight lines from Artificial Lure. [2][3][1] This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.