Mississippi River Fishing Report: Walleye, Sauger, Catfish & More Biting

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 23, 2025. Let me tell ya, the weather's been a bit unpredictable lately, but that ain't stoppin' the fish from bitin'. We're lookin' at partly cloudy skies today with temps in the mid-50s. Sunrise was at 7:02 AM, and sunset's gonna be at 7:28 PM, givin' us plenty of daylight to wet our lines. Now, onto the good stuff - the fish! Walleye and sauger have been active lately, especially in the deeper pools and around wing dams. Folks have been havin' luck with jigs tipped with minnows or plastic tails. Don't forget about those jumbo perch, either - they've been hittin' pretty good on small jigs with waxworms. For you catfish enthusiasts, channel cats are starting to get more active as the water warms up. Cut bait or nightcrawlers have been working well. Some anglers have even been landing a few flatheads using live bait like suckers or bullheads. If you're after some bass action, both smallmouth and largemouth have been biting. Crankbaits and soft plastics are your best bet for these fighters. And let's not forget about the northern pike - they're always ready to give you a good fight this time of year. As for hot spots, I'd recommend checkin' out the area around the Stone Arch Bridge or headin' down to Pool 2 near Grey Cloud Island. Both spots have been producing some nice catches lately. For lures, you can't go wrong with a 1/4 oz jig head in chartreuse or white, paired with a 3-inch curly tail grub. If you're after those walleyes, try a Rapala Shad Rap in blue and silver. For live bait, fathead minnows and nightcrawlers are always a safe bet. Remember, folks, the river level's been pretty stable, but always keep an eye on it. And don't forget your life jacket - safety first! That's all for now, anglers. This is Artificial Lure signin' off. Tight lines and good fishin' to ya all! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.