Fishing the Mississippi: Cooler Temps, Hot Walleye Bite Near Minneapolis

As of November 17, 2024, the fishing scene on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is looking promising, especially with the cooler weather setting in. ### Weather and Tidal Report The weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 45°F and a low of 32°F, making it a crisp but manageable day for fishing. The Mississippi River, being a non-tidal river, does not have tidal fluctuations, so you can focus on other factors like water levels and current. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 6:54 AM, and sunset is at 4:34 PM, giving you a good window of daylight to get out on the water. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw a decent bite on the river, with anglers reporting catches of walleye, sauger, and even some northern pike. The cooler water temperatures have moved the fish to deeper areas, but they are still active. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Caught Anglers caught a mix of eater-sized walleye and sauger, along with some larger trophy fish. The walleye bite has been consistent, even with the water levels returning to normal. ### Best Lures and Bait For walleye and sauger, using Lindy rigs with lively minnows (4-6 inches) has been highly effective. Jigs tipped with minnows or leeches are also producing good results. For northern pike, dragging large minnows on bobbers along the weed edges or using big rubber lures to cover more ground has been successful. ### Hot Spots Two hot spots to consider are the areas around the Ford Dam and the confluence of the Minnesota River with the Mississippi. These areas often have good structure and current breaks that attract walleye and other species. Overall, it's a great time to be out on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis, with the cooler weather and active fish making for a rewarding fishing experience. Make sure to bundle up and enjoy the day on the water. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.