Mississippi River Fishing Report: Mild Weather, Active Fish, and Prime Casting Conditions

Good morning from the banks of the Mississippi River here in Minneapolis. Artificial Lure reporting in with your Saturday, May 3, 2025, fishing report. Sunrise came in bright at 5:56 AM, and we are looking at a sunset around 8:27 PM, giving us a long window for some serious casting and catching. The weather’s mild, sitting in the mid-50s early and rising into the upper 60s by afternoon. Winds are light out of the southeast, skies partly cloudy, and there’s no sign of rain, so it’s prime time for a day afloat or on the bank. Tides are a non-factor on the Mississippi River up here, but recent dry conditions have kept water levels a bit low. This makes navigation a touch trickier but draws fish into known holes and along deeper current seams. Remember, the official walleye opener is still a week away, but catch and release is in play for walleyes and bass in Pool 2, from the Ford Dam downstream to Hastings Dam. As far as fish activity, it’s looking good. Channel cats are biting well, especially near deeper holes and current edges. Some anglers are reporting cats running in the four to six pound range, with a few bigger ones mixed in. Cut bait and stink baits are top choices for catfishing right now. Panfish activity has picked up around the backwaters and marinas, with bluegills and crappies hitting small jigs or waxworms under floats. If you’re out for walleyes on catch-and-release, try plastics like paddle tails or ringworms in chartreuse or white, worked slow along current breaks near the dam and deeper runs. Saugers have been active on similar baits. For the panfish crowd, a tiny tube jig or a crappie minnow under a slip bobber is bringing in nice slabs, especially in the North Minneapolis backwaters and Lilydale Pool. The hot spots I’d recommend today are Boom Island Park for shore and kayak anglers targeting panfish and catfish, and the area just below the Ford Dam for a shot at multiple species, including walleye, sauger, white bass, and channel cats. These spots have been producing steadily for shore anglers and boaters alike. So pack your favorite medium setup, a supply of plastics, crawlers, and cut bait, and get on the water. The fish are active, the weather’s fine, and the river is ready to show off. Tight lines and good luck out there from your pal, Artificial Lure. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.