Frozen Fishing on the Mississippi River, Minneapolis

It’s Artificial Lure checking in with your Mississippi River, Minneapolis fishing report for Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Here’s what you need to know to make your time on the water count today. We’re coming off a powerful winter front—up to 6 inches of snow fell overnight with northwest winds gusting up to 45 miles per hour. The air is biting, with the mercury stuck between 20 and 28 degrees through the day, and the wind chill making it feel even colder. Bundle up and keep an eye out for blowing snow drifts on the banks. According to St. Cloud State University, this December-like cold will stick around through Saturday. The sun rose at 7:24 AM and will set at 4:35 PM. If you’re planning your outing, target low-light periods—first light and evening—as they’re the hottest bite windows with fish stacked up after last night’s turnover. The moon’s in a waxing gibbous phase, and FishingReminder points out major activity from about 6:52 to 8:52 AM and again from 7:03 to 9:03 PM, so there’s reason to set your lines early and stick around into dusk. The Mississippi’s holding at about 43 degrees, running high and a touch stained from recent runoff, per USGS flow data. Fish are feeling that late fall chill—expect them on classic wintering structure: deep holes with moderate current, channel swings, and inside bends. Here’s what’s being caught: walleye action is strong along Pool 1 and near the downtown locks. Local anglers report steady catches of 16–22", with the occasional kicker pushing 25". Fathead-minnow-tipped jigs in 1/8 to 1/4 oz are the standard, but don’t overlook a Jigging Rap if you find a pod hugging the bottom. Up toward Nicollet Island and St. Anthony Falls, smallmouth bass have moved to current seams and chunk rock. Drag a ned rig or hop a compact swimbait just off bottom—3" paddle tails in shad or perch colors are money this time of year. Northern pike are prowling what’s left of green weeds—especially at Boom Island and the mouths of side creeks. Burn a spinnerbait or slow-roll a glider just outside the weeds for your best shot. Crappies are stacking on mid-depth basins and bridge pilings near Bassett Creek. Light tackle—think 1/16 oz hair jigs or small plastics under a slip float—is best, and don’t be shy about adding a crappie minnow to up your odds in the cold. Hot spots for today: you’ll want to check out the **St. Anthony Falls Upper and Lower Lock and Dam** areas for both walleye and smallie bites—structure and current meet here, concentrating bait. For a mixed-bag option, **Boom Island** offers deeper holes, lingering weedbeds, and good shoreline access for both pike and panfish. Because water clarity varies, prioritize clearer stretches after snowmelt and add a touch of scent or a lively fathead minnow if the fish are short-striking. On windy days, fish the windward side—baitfish stack there, and so do predators. Top lures? Stick with **jigs tipped with minnows** or plastics for walleye and smallmouth, bucktail spinners a This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.