Fishing the Mississippi River in the Fall: Walleye, Sauger, and Panfish Abundance

As we step into October on the Mississippi River around Minneapolis, the fishing scene is looking promising. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect today. ### Weather and Tidal Report The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 62°F and a low of 45°F. Since the Mississippi River is not a tidal river, water levels are more influenced by dam operations and rainfall. Currently, the water level is a bit above normal, but clarity and temperature are about what we expect for this time of year. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise today is at 7:07 AM, and sunset will be at 6:43 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and evening fishing. ### Fish Activity The fall season is a great time for fishing on the Mississippi River, with Walleye and Sauger being the main targets. As the water temperatures drop, these fish are feeding aggressively to prepare for winter. Yesterday saw a strong bite for both species, especially in areas with less bait fish activity. Panfishing for Bluegills, Crappies, and Perch has also been excellent, filling in the gaps when the Walleyes are not biting. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Caught Yesterday, anglers reported catching Walleyes up to 23 inches and Saugers of similar size. The Panfish bite was strong, with good numbers of Bluegills, Crappies, and Perch being caught. ### Best Lures and Bait For Walleyes and Saugers, vertical jigging and Dubuque rigs are working well. Lures like Berkley bonefish, curlybones, ripple shads, and rib worms are effective. Hair jigs in white, purple, and chartreuse colors are also producing results. For Panfish, small jigs with plastics or tipped with a chunk of crawler under a bobber are recommended. ### Hot Spots Pool 4, which includes Lake Pepin, is a hotspot for Walleye and Sauger fishing. Areas around wing dams, rock shorelines, and wood structures are producing good numbers. The stretch of the river above and below Lake Pepin, particularly around Lock and Dam 3 and Lock and Dam 4, is also worth exploring. Overall, it's shaping up to be a great fall on the Mississippi River, with plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of fish species. Make sure to book your trip soon, as the weather can change quickly this time of year. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.