Late Fall Fishing on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis

This is Artificial Lure with your November 11th, 2025, Mississippi River fishing report right from the heart of Minneapolis. Let's talk weather—after a cold snap over the weekend, we've got improving conditions rolling in. Minnesota Public Radio News says we had one last day of chilly air on Monday, but now we're looking at temps climbing above normal for the rest of this week. Next Weather on CBS Minneapolis reports a warm air mass is on the way, promising comfortable days ahead for anglers, though early mornings are still brisk. Bundle up for dawn launches—temps are in the high 20s at sunrise, but warming fast. Sunrise today hit at 7:11 AM, with sunset wrapping things up at 4:48 PM. Water levels remain low along the Mississippi, and that's not changing soon. DTN Progressive Farmer notes navigation's still restricted, but fish are stacking tight to drop-offs, deeper holes, and classic current seams—especially where feeder creeks push in, thanks to the ongoing dry spell. Now, tides aren’t a player here—Mississippi in Minneapolis is strict river flow, not tidal. But with conditions stable and river current steady, light jigs and finesse tactics are working best. Fish activity’s still solid. Late fall’s putting walleye and sauger on the move downstream, schooling up at mouths and deeper bends. Reports from local guides highlight limits on eater-sized walleyes the past week, with sauger mixed in and bonus smallmouth—especially near the Ford Dam and down by Minnehaha Creek confluence. Walleyes up to 24 inches have come in, though 15–18 inchers are most common right now. Crappies and perch are biting in slackwater zones behind islands and wing dams. The fall bite for these is peaking, and those cooler overnights are keeping them aggressive through midday. Largemouth bass can still be found near rocky banks and deadfalls, but numbers are dropping as the water cools, mixing in with smallies. On the lure front, stick to tried-and-true fall offerings: - For walleye and sauger, go with a ¼ ounce jig—chartreuse or bright orange—tipped with a fathead minnow. Plastic paddletails like a 3-inch Big Bite Baits Pro Swimmer are also producing, especially where shad schools are present. - Where current is light, slip float rigs with live minnows will put more panfish in your bucket. - Bass anglers should slow down with finesse jigs or soft plastics worked tight to cover. Major League Fishing and OutdoorsFIRST both highlight the swim jig as a sleeper pick for late autumn smallmouth—try white or green pumpkin with a subtle paddletail trailer, hopped through shallow rocky runs near dam faces. Couple of hot spots: - **Below Lock and Dam No. 1 (Ford Dam)**: Classic for fall walleye, and the deeper pools here are holding big numbers. - **Hidden Falls Park and upstream towards Minnehaha Creek**: Spawning shad keep predatory fish close, so cast along drop-offs at dawn. - **Boom Island/W. River Parkway backwaters**: Crappie and perch school here in late fall. No This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.