Mississippi River Fishing Report Minneapolis May 2025

Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for Minneapolis, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. We are off to a beautiful spring morning on the river, with mild temperatures and stable conditions that are just about perfect for getting a line wet. Sunrise hit at 5:54 AM this morning, and sunset will be around 8:24 PM, giving us a solid window for action. River levels are still running a bit lower than usual after a dry winter and spring, so keep an eye out for rocks and snags if you are boating or wading. There’s no tidal movement here, but water flows are steady, offering classic springtime conditions for our local fish. Pool 2, stretching from the Ford Dam down to Hastings, is the hot ticket. The walleye and sauger bite has been strong – especially just below the dams and around current breaks. Remember, Pool 2 is catch-and-release only for walleye, sauger, and bass, but the quality and numbers make it well worth your effort. Anglers are reporting steady catches with jigs tipped with minnows or plastics, and crankbaits have also been producing, especially in the evenings and early mornings[5]. Channel and flathead catfish are making a good showing all through the local pools, and their activity will only ramp up as those water temps inch higher. Cut bait and stink bait are both solid choices, with some nice fish coming from deeper current seams. Panfish—bluegills, crappies, and white bass—are out in force this week. Look for them along the slower backwaters and side channels. Small jigs and crappie minnows are tough to beat right now. Northern pike are also being caught in the backwater lakes and sloughs, where the lower water has concentrated them nicely[5]. Spinnerbaits and flashy spoons are my picks for aggressive spring pike. Best bait this week: for walleyes and sauger, go with a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce jighead with a fathead minnow. For panfish, try a tiny tube or hair jig under a float, or a crappie minnow on a plain hook. If you are looking for hot spots, consider the Ford Dam tailwaters, the stretch below the 3rd Avenue Bridge, and the backwater bays near Minnehaha Creek. These areas are all seeing good numbers, and the action should stay strong with this weather pattern[5][1]. Fishing is on fire right now, so grab your gear and enjoy what the river has to offer. Tight lines and good luck out there! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.