Mississippi River Fishing Report: Walleyes Sizzling, Smallies Biting in Minneapolis

Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for Minneapolis, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The river’s still running high after recent spring rains and snowmelt, so flows are faster than usual. Water temps are warming up, pushing fish into shallower, slower spots, especially along shorelines and behind current breaks. Weather for today is a cool start in the upper 30s at sunrise, which was at 6:28 a.m., warming up to the low 50s by afternoon with mostly cloudy skies and light winds. Sunset comes at 7:55 p.m. Expect a pretty stable barometer, but riverside conditions could get muddy if another round of rain passes through. No tides to worry about, but rising water has limited some bank access. Still, there’s good action if you pick your spots. Walleye fishing is on fire right now. In recent days, local anglers have been catching strong numbers of walleyes and sauger, mostly in the 15 to 22-inch range, mainly below the dams and anywhere current breaks ease up. Live bait rigs with fathead minnows or nightcrawlers have performed best, but jigging with a ⅛ to ¼-ounce jig in chartreuse, white, or orange is pulling bites, too. Early morning and late evening are prime times as fish move up to feed[3][4]. Smallmouth bass are starting to turn on. Try soft plastics like tube jigs, Ned rigs, or small swimbaits bounced near riprap, wing dams, or rocky points. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits with a bit of flash are getting reaction strikes, especially when the water’s a little dingy[7][10]. If the river gets murky, upsize to something with more vibration and color, like a black and blue swim jig or a bladed jig. Pairing these with a craw trailer can make a big difference in stained water. Catfish and perch are active, especially in deeper holes and off current seams. For catfish, cut bait or stink bait dropped below a slip sinker is the ticket. Perch are hitting on small minnows or worms under a float along slower shorelines. A couple of hot spots right now: check out below Ford Dam (Lock and Dam No. 1) for walleyes and sauger, and the confluence with Minnehaha Creek. Pool 2, especially near the airport and up by Hidden Falls Regional Park, is another solid bet with both shore and boat access[4]. These areas are producing a good mix of species and have some protected current breaks. As always, make sure you know the latest regulations and stay safe around those fast waters. Good luck out there—tight lines! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.