Mississippi River Fishing Report: Walleyes, Sauger, and More Heating Up Around Minneapolis

Howdy, folks! This is Artificial Lure, your friendly neighborhood fishing expert, coming at you with the latest scoop on the Mississippi River fishing scene around Minneapolis. It's Wednesday, March 26, 2025, and let me tell you, things are starting to heat up out there! First off, let's talk weather. We're looking at a partly cloudy day with temperatures climbing to the mid-50s. The sun's gonna peek out from behind those clouds around 6:55 AM and bid us farewell at 7:38 PM. Now, I gotta warn ya, there's a chance of some thunderstorms rolling in later this evening, so keep an eye on those skies and be ready to head for shore if things start looking dicey. As for the river itself, we're seeing some decent flow rates. The water level at St. Paul is sitting around 3.8 feet, which is pretty typical for this time of year. The walleye and sauger are starting to get frisky with the spring spawn approaching. Water temps are hovering in the low 40s, which means those fish are gonna be hanging out in the deeper holes and along current seams. Now, let's talk catches. I've been hearing some good reports coming in from Pool 2 and Pool 3. Anglers have been pulling in some nice-sized walleyes, with a few pushing the 25-inch mark. Sauger numbers have been solid too, with most folks catching their limits without too much trouble. We've also seen a uptick in smallmouth bass activity, especially on warmer afternoons. For you catfish enthusiasts, the channel cats are starting to wake up from their winter slumber. A few anglers have reported some decent catches using cut bait in the deeper holes. When it comes to lures, you can't go wrong with a jig and minnow combo right now. I've had good luck with 1/4 oz jigs in chartreuse or orange. For those of you who prefer artificial baits, try slow-rolling a 2.8" Keitech swimbait in the "Sight Flash" color. Blade baits like the Damiki Vault have also been producing well in the current seams. If you're looking for some hot spots, I'd recommend trying the area just below the Ford Dam or the stretch near Grey Cloud Island. The Pig's Eye Lake area has also been producing some nice catches. Remember, folks, the bite can be a bit finicky this time of year, so patience is key. Don't be afraid to switch up your presentation if you're not getting any action. That's all for now, anglers. This is Artificial Lure signing off. Tight lines and stay safe out there! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.