Ice Fishing the Big Muddy: Walleye, Sauger, and Pike Bites on the Mississippi in Minneapolis

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things fishin' on the Mississippi River right here in Minneapolis. It's a crisp winter mornin' on January 24, 2026, and we're talkin' ice fishin' season in full swing. Solunar tables from solunarforecast.com show today's an average day for bites—major times hit 3:52 AM to 5:52 AM and 4:23 PM to 6:23 PM, with minors from 12:06 AM-1:06 AM and 8:29 AM-9:29 AM. Sun's up at 6:51 AM, down at 7:42 PM, givin' us nearly 13 hours of light. Moon's a 24% waxin' crescent, risin' at 8:59 AM—fish should be feedin' steady 'round those peaks. No tides on this stretch of the Big Muddy, but current's runnin' moderate under the ice. Weather's bitin' cold, mid-20s with northwest winds gustin' 20-30 mph per recent NWS advisories—bundle up, or you'll end up like those duck hunters who swamped near Weaver Bottoms last fall, as reported in the Star Tribune. Stay safe out there; ice is 12-18 inches thick in most spots per local DNR chatter. Fish activity's pickin' up after a slow spell. Outdoornews.com notes walleye and sauger schools movin' shallow in 10-20 feet near structure, with perch bitin' good too—folks pullin' limits of 8-12 inchers daily. Recent catches include a few slot walleye (15-20 inches) jigged on the main channel edges, plus northern pike up to 28 inches crashin' tip-ups. Catfish are sluggish but showin' in deeper holes. Best lures? Tip-up with dead shiners or suckers for pike and walleye—set 'em 6-8 feet off bottom. For jiggin', try 1/8 oz glow spoons or Buckshot Rattles in gold or UV. Bait-wise, large minnows or crawlers on a Lindy rig can't be beat; hit bait shops early. Hot spots: Boom Island Park for easy access and sauger stacks, or the Fremont Bridge tailrace where current funnels baitfish—drill a spread of holes and wait 'em out. Thanks for tunin' in, y'all—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.