Late Summer Bites on the Mississippi: Walleyes, Smallies, and More

Good morning, Twin Cities anglers—Artificial Lure here with your Saturday, August 30th report straight from the banks of the Mississippi in Minneapolis. Early fall is in the air after this week’s cold front; water temps are sliding back into the upper 60s, and the bite is shifting right along with the season according to Outdoor News’ statewide update on August 27th. Today’s forecast shows a cool, clear morning with highs up near 76 and a light northwest wind—pretty much ideal for a late summer outing. Sunrise was at 6:30 AM, and sunset will dip behind the skyline at 7:56 PM, so there’s a full spool of daylight to work with out there. Now, the Mississippi doesn’t have a tidal cycle up here in Minneapolis, but water levels are holding steady, neither rising nor muddy, so visibility’s decent and current seams are prime feeding lanes. Anglers this week continue to do well with walleyes and smallmouth bass. Reports hint that walleyes are holding over the deeper runs and mud basins, especially 31–34 feet of water near the deeper holes. A few folks drifting crawler harnesses or pulling crankbaits behind bottom bouncers are putting limits in the boat, though you'll get bonus sauger and even the odd catfish in the mix—nice multi-species action while the bite’s still active. Smallmouth bass are staging under the bridges and along rocky stretches. CNC Outdoors’ recent video from mid-August, fishing the Minneapolis pools, shows a couple of beefy smallies and a 5.5-pounder coming off dock pilings on drop-shot rigs and finesse jigs. Can’t go wrong with a tube jig or Ned rig, especially in green pumpkin or dark melon—plus, topwater lures like a Whopper Plopper will draw explosive strikes at first and last light. Crappie action is about ready to heat up, so keep an eye on the backwater sloughs and above the falls—slip bobbers tipped with a hair jig or fathead minnow are a local secret. Catfishing at dusk is healthy too—cut sucker or chicken livers have put flatheads over 30 inches on the stringer, especially near the confluence with Minnehaha Creek. Today’s “hot spots”: - Just below the Ford Dam—the deep hole and main channel ledge produce consistent walleye and sauger. - Boom Island area for smallmouths and bonus channel cats. - The backwater channels near North Mississippi Regional Park for panfish and bonus pike. Best baits: - For *walleyes*, try jig-and-minnow, crawler harnesses, or shad-style crankbaits. - *Smallmouth* are nailing Ned rigs, finesse tubes, or even small swimbaits. - *Crappies* prefer a chartreuse hair jig or small crappie minnow under a slip float. - Catfish love cut bait; keep it fresh, and target outside bends right after sunset. Live bait’s a classic here, but don’t hesitate to throw artificial—artificial lures like soft plastics and shallow divers are putting fish in the boat day after day. That’s the pulse on the Mississippi for this last Saturday in August. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for daily tips and riv This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.