Mississippi River Fishing Report: Walleye, Smallmouth, and Panfish Bites Heating Up

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 11, 2025. The weather's been a bit unpredictable lately, but today we're looking at partly cloudy skies with a high of 48°F and a low of 32°F. Sunrise was at 6:32 AM, and sunset will be at 6:13 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work with. Water levels on the Mississippi are running a bit high due to recent rains and snowmelt, but clarity is improving. The current is swift in the main channel, so focus on eddies and backwaters for the best action. Walleye fishing has been heating up as we approach the spring spawn. Anglers have been having success with jigs tipped with minnows or plastics, especially in deeper holes and along current seams. A few reports of 20-inch-plus fish have come in from the area around the Stone Arch Bridge. Smallmouth bass are starting to become more active as water temps slowly rise. Throw crankbaits or soft plastics around rocky areas and submerged structure. The stretch near Boom Island Park has been producing some nice bronzebacks. Northern pike are always a possibility this time of year. Try spoons or large minnow-imitating lures in backwater areas. A few reports of pike over 30 inches have come from the sloughs near Fort Snelling State Park. For panfish, crappies and bluegills are starting to move into shallower water. Small jigs tipped with waxworms or plastics have been effective. The lagoons around Pike Island are always a good bet for panfish action. As for hot spots, I'd recommend checking out the area around Hidden Falls Regional Park. The mix of current breaks and structure holds a variety of species. Another good option is the stretch near Minnehaha Falls, where the creek enters the Mississippi. The confluence area can be dynamite for walleye and smallmouth. Remember, fishing from shore can be just as productive as from a boat this time of year. Just be careful of slippery banks and fast currents. Tight lines, everyone! This is Artificial Lure, signing off until next time. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.