Late Season Fishing on the Mississippi: Catch Walleyes, Saugers, and Panfish in Minneapolis

As of December 13, 2024, the fishing scene on the Mississippi River in the Minneapolis area is wrapping up for the season, but there are still some opportunities for those eager to get out on the water. ### Weather and Water Conditions The weather is cold, with temperatures in the mid-20s to low 30s Fahrenheit, which is typical for this time of year. The river levels are low, and with the navigation season having ended on December 1, the water is quieter than usual[5]. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is around 7:30 AM, and sunset is approximately 4:30 PM, giving you a relatively short window for daylight fishing. ### Fish Activity Despite the cold, fish are still active, particularly in areas with some current and structure. Walleye and Sauger are the primary targets this time of year. They tend to congregate around wing dams, rock shorelines, and small flats near the dam areas. Panfish like Bluegills and Crappies are also active, especially in backwater channel areas and small river flats[1]. ### Fish Caught Yesterday, anglers reported catching a few Walleyes and Saugers using vertical jigging and dragging jigs. Panfish were also plentiful, with Bluegills and Crappies biting on small jigs tipped with plastics or a chunk of crawler[1]. ### Best Lures and Bait For Walleye and Sauger, plastics like Berkley's curly bones, bonefish, and ribworms have been effective. Crankbaits on leadcore or longline trolling can also produce good results. For panfish, small jigs with plastics or tipped with a piece of crawler are recommended. Hair jigs and crankbaits have been better than live bait for Walleyes in these conditions[1]. ### Hot Spots - **Wing Dams**: These structures in the river sections of Pool 3 and 4 are great for catching Walleyes, Bass, and Bluegills. - **Small River Flats and Backwater Channel Areas**: These spots are ideal for panfish and can yield good catches of Walleyes and Saugers as well[1]. Given the cold weather and low river levels, it's crucial to dress warmly and be prepared for the conditions. The fish are spread out due to the little current flow, so patience and a good understanding of the river's structure are key to a successful day of fishing. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.