Late Spring Fishing Heats Up on the Minneapolis Mississippi

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming at you with the May 25, 2025, fishing report for the Mississippi River around Minneapolis. We’re sitting in prime late spring conditions after a relatively dry winter and spring, so river levels are running a bit lower than average. That’s made for some clearer water and stacked up fish in some classic spots, but do watch out for the unexpected sandbars and structure if you’re boating or wading. The weather today is comfortable, with the sun coming up at 5:34 AM and setting at 8:44 PM, giving you a long, bright window to chase bites. Expect temps to reach the upper 60s to low 70s, with a light breeze—just about perfect to be on the river. The walleye bite is absolutely hot right now. Anglers in the Minneapolis stretch, especially in Pool 2 (from Ford Dam to Hastings), have been reporting excellent numbers. Most are running under the catch-and-release requirement for walleye, sauger, and bass in Pool 2, but the action is nonstop, with multiple fish landed on most outings. Tailwater zones below the dams are especially productive—try jigging with chartreuse, white, or firetiger plastics tipped with a minnow or Gulp! Alive. Trolling crankbaits in deeper holes has also turned up some chunky sauger and bonus white bass as their action picks up in current seams[3][4][5]. Catfish are staging for heavy summer feeding—both channel and flatheads are eating well throughout the area. Cut bait and large live minnows are your best bet, especially in deeper holes and along riprap near the confluence of tributaries[5]. The panfish bite has been above average all spring. Bluegill and crappie are plentiful and showing good size thanks to light ice fishing this past winter. Target shallow backwater bays and slack water off the main channel using small jigs or slip bobbers with waxworms or small plastics. If you’re after pike, now’s the time as well. Low water has concentrated them in the backwaters and connected lakes—cast flashy spoons or spinnerbaits near weed edges and submerged timber. Lure-wise, walleye can’t resist bright jigs or small Rapalas. Catfish go for fresh cut bait, and panfish want tiny tubes or live bait under a float. Pike are crushing silver spoons and swimbaits. For hot spots, try below the Ford Dam and the deep channel bends just upstream of Minnehaha Creek for walleye and sauger. Boom Island and the north end of Nicollet Island are producing strong panfish and the occasional pike. Stay safe, keep it clean, and tight lines out there! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.