Ice Fishing the Metro: Walleyes, Perch and More on the Mississippi

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 February 20th mornin', and we're talkin' ice fishin' season in full swing—plenty of safe ice reported across the metro area per Outdoor News' latest Minnesota statewide report from Feb 11. Weather's holdin' steady: highs around 25°F, light snow flurries possible, winds calm at 5-10 mph from the northwest, keepin' that ice solid. Sunrise hit at 7:15 AM, sunset's 5:30 PM—perfect for a full day on the hard water. Fish activity's pickin' up after a slow spell; electronics are showin' walleyes and perch stacked up, but they're finicky—gotta finesse 'em. Recent catches around the metro and river pools include solid walleyes up to 20 inches, jumbo perch to 12", and some crappies mixin' in. Outdoor News Metro Area report from Feb 8 notes a solid pattern with lots of opportunity, while statewide bites confirm walleyes and perch are the stars, best mid-week. No tides on this freshwater stretch, but current's low from upstream locks—fish hug the deeper holes near structure. Best lures? Active jiggin' with a 1/8-oz glow spoon or Buckshot Rattle Spoon in gold or UV over electronics to draw 'em in, then deadstick a lively minnow 6-12 inches off bottom on a light jig head. Lake of the Woods tips from Feb 9 translate perfect here. Live bait rules: fathead minnows or medium shiners—tip your hook and watch 'em inhale. Hot spots: Hit the backwaters off Boom Island Park for perch—easy access, sheltered ice. Or slide out to the main channel holes near the Lock and Dam #1 at St. Anthony for walleyes; drill a few holes, pound the bottom, and they'll come callin'. Bundle up, check ice thickness (18+ inches reported), and respect the cold. Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more river updates! 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.