Mississippi River Fishing Report: Walleye, Sauger, and Smallmouth Action on the Mighty Miss

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 21, 2025. We're looking at a chilly start to the day with temps around 38°F at sunrise, which is at 7:11 AM. It'll warm up to the mid-50s by afternoon, with partly cloudy skies and light winds. Sunset's at 7:27 PM, giving us a nice long day on the water. Now, there ain't no tides to worry about on our stretch of the Mighty Miss, but water levels have been pretty steady lately. The river's running a bit high and fast with all the spring melt, so be careful out there. Fish activity has been picking up as the water warms. We've been seeing some nice walleye and sauger catches, especially in deeper pools and along current seams. A few early season smallmouth bass are starting to show up too. For walleye, try jigging with minnows or plastics in 15-25 feet of water. Crankbaits in shad patterns have also been productive. Smallies are hitting on tube jigs and small swimbaits worked slowly along rocky areas. Best lures right now are jigs in the 3/8 to 1/2 oz range, lipless crankbaits, and suspending jerkbaits. For live bait, fathead minnows and nightcrawlers are your best bet. As for hot spots, check out the area around Pig's Eye Island or try the deep holes near the Ford Dam. The confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers has also been producing some nice fish. Remember, the walleye and sauger season is catch-and-release only until May, so handle those fish with care. Tight lines, everyone! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.