Mississippi River Fishing Report: Fall Bite Heating Up

Artificial Lure here serving up your Mississippi River, Minneapolis fishing report for Sunday, September 14th, 2025. Sunrise was at 6:48 AM, with sunset rolling in about 7:27 PM, giving you a nice, full day to wet a line. Let’s get right to what you need to know out on the water. Weather’s shaping up like a classic early fall morning—temps starting off crisp in the upper 50s, warming up to the mid-70s by afternoon with a gentle breeze out of the northwest. We’re looking at clear skies and just a wisp of fog burning off the river at daybreak. No significant rain in the forecast so water clarity should be good, especially up by the pools and wing dams. Tides aren’t a factor up here on this stretch of the river, so focus your attention on water flow, current seams, and those eddies off the main channel. After last week’s steady weather, fish are holding tight to structure and seams, chasing an easy meal as water temps slowly start to drop. Reports from local anglers and guides say the bite has been steady the last few days. Smallmouth bass are providing plenty of action, with most fish running 12 to 17 inches but a few 19- and 20-inchers showing up, especially if you’re working rocky banks and deep current breaks. Good numbers of walleye are still being pulled in near the lock and dam areas—target depths of 8 to 15 feet using jig-and-minnow combos early in the morning, then switch to crankbaits or crawler harnesses as the sun gets higher. Channel catfish are very active in the evenings, especially near the mouth of Minnehaha Creek and below the Ford Dam. Local legend says dip baits and cut sucker are pulling ‘em in, with several cats over 10 pounds landed just this week. And don’t overlook the white bass schooling up at the mouths of the tributaries; small spinners and twister tails are working wonders. Recent catches on YouTube’s Minnesota Cabin Life show folks landing solid smallmouth, walleye, and a few respectable northern pike—one angler even reeled in a surprise muskie near Boom Island. Artificial baits are hot, but Outdoor News reports stonecats—those small, lively native catfish—are drawing big strikes from river bass, both live on the hook or imitated with a chunky brown streamer on the end of your fly rod. For lures, stick to medium-diving crankbaits in natural shad or crawfish patterns, 3”-4” soft plastic swimbaits, and classic chartreuse or white spinnerbaits. If you’re targeting river smallies, nothing beats a tube jig or a 1/4 oz jig with a curly tail grub, bounced right past the rocks. Don’t forget live bait—crawlers and fathead minnows are always a solid bet. Hot spots this weekend? Hit the stretch from the 35W Bridge down to Hidden Falls Park—lots of boulders and current breaks, perfect for both smallmouth and walleye. The confluence with Minnehaha Creek is another prime location, especially for late evening channel cats and occasional pike cruising along the weed edges. Remember, safety first out there: water levels are ave This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.