Fall Fishing on the Mississippi: Walleyes, Saugers, and Panfish Galore

As of October 12, 2024, the fishing scene on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is looking promising, 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. Since the Mississippi River is not a tidal river, water levels are more influenced by rainfall and human-controlled dams. Currently, the water levels are relatively low, but this can concentrate the fish in certain areas, making them easier to find. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise today is at 7:24 AM, and sunset will be at 6:23 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and evening fishing trips. ### Fish Activity The fish activity on the Mississippi River has been strong, particularly for walleye and sauger. As the water temperatures drop, these species are becoming more active. Panfishing for bluegills, crappies, and perch has also been excellent, with these fish filling in the gaps when the walleyes are not biting. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Caught Yesterday saw a good number of walleyes and saugers caught, with some walleyes reaching up to 23 inches in length. The panfish bite has been consistent, with bluegills, crappies, and perch being caught in decent numbers. ### Best Lures and Bait For walleyes and saugers, vertical jigging and using Dubuque rigs with baits like Berkley bonefish, curlybones, ripple shads, and rib worms have been effective. Crankbaits, especially on leadcore or longline trolling, have also been successful. For panfish, small jigs with plastics or tipped with a chunk of crawler work well, especially under a bobber or pitched into rock shorelines, wing dams, wood, and weed areas. ### Hot Spots Some hot spots to consider include the areas around Lake Pepin and the river sections near Wabasha and Red Wing. Look for areas with less baitfish activity, as the fish tend to be more aggressive in these spots. Wing dams and rock shorelines are also productive areas. Overall, the fall season is shaping up to be a great time for fishing on the Mississippi River, with plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of species. Make sure to book your trip soon, as the weather will start to get colder by mid to late November. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.