Excellent Fall Fishing on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis

As of October 26, 2024, the Mississippi River around Minneapolis is offering some excellent fishing opportunities, especially with the fall season in full swing. ### Weather and Tidal Report The weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 58 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 45 degrees. Sunrise was at 7:43 AM, and sunset will be at 5:57 PM. The water level on the Mississippi River is currently stable, with a water temperature of about 71 degrees, which is ideal for fall fishing. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw a consistent bite for walleye and sauger. The fish are actively feeding as they prepare for the winter, and the cooler water temperatures are making them more aggressive. Schools of shad are surfacing, which is a common fall phenomenon, indicating that the fish are chasing baitfish. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Caught Anglers reported catching a good number of walleyes and saugers, with some fish reaching up to 23 inches in length. The walleye bite has been strong, especially in areas with mid-depth structures and near wing dams. Panfish, including bluegills and crappies, are also plentiful and can be caught in backwater areas and along weedlines. ### Best Lures and Bait For walleyes and saugers, dragging jigs with crawlers or leeches has been highly effective. Bottom bouncers and crankbaits, especially those on leadcore or longline trolling, are also producing good results. For panfish, small jigs with plastics or tipped with a chunk of crawler are working well. Casting hair jigs and crankbaits near rock shorelines and wing dams is also recommended. ### Hot Spots One of the hot spots is around the wing dams in Pool 3 near Hastings. These areas tend to concentrate fish, especially walleyes and saugers. Another good spot is the backwater areas and weedlines in Pool 4, which are filled with panfish. The main river sections near Wabasha and Lake Pepin are also worth exploring, as they have large schools of baitfish that attract the larger species. Overall, the Mississippi River around Minneapolis is in great shape for fall fishing, with plenty of active fish and clear water conditions. Make sure to use your electronics to locate the schools of baitfish and position your baits accordingly for the best results. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.