Mississippi River Minneapolis Fishing Update June 21, 2025

Artificial Lure here with your June 21, 2025, fishing report for the Mississippi River in and around Minneapolis. Sunrise got us started at 5:25 AM this morning, and you’ll have daylight right up until sunset at 8:52 PM. Today’s weather is fishing-perfect: temps in the upper 70s to low 80s, with a light variable breeze keeping things comfortable. Skies are mostly clear following a short run of scattered storms earlier in the week, so water clarity is solid – but do watch out for lingering debris in side channels, especially as water levels hover around moderate after recent runoff. Fish activity is lively all across Pool 2, which covers the stretch from the Ford Dam down to Hastings Dam. This section is open year-round for catch and release on walleye, sauger, and both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Walleye bite has been strong during the low-light periods – early morning and just before sunset are your best bets, with several anglers this week reporting high numbers strictly working deep drop-offs and mid-river humps using jig-and-minnow combos or trolling crankbaits along edges. Most of the walleyes have been under 18 inches, but plenty of action to keep rods bent. The fishrapper.com Brainerd report backs up that jigs and crankbaits are the go-to for Minnesota walleye right now. For bass, you’ll want to target rocky shorelines and scattered boulders. Smallmouths are aggressive in June, and crankbaits in craw or shad patterns, as well as Ned rigs, are taking fish. Largemouth are popping in the backwater sloughs; try spinnerbaits or wacky rigs pitched close to submerged timber. Catfish action is hot and heavy, with both channel and flathead cats feeding strong after dark and during cloudy spells. You’ll find channels holding in deeper slow-current holes – they’re hammering cut bait, chicken liver, and shrimp. Flatheads are sitting under logjams; bring live suckers or bullheads for a real chance at a monster. Fishingbooker.com reminds us that all three catfish species—channel, flathead, and blue—are present in the Mississippi, and big ones are always a possibility in this area. Multi-species anglers have also reported solid catches of white bass in the last week, especially on small jigs and spinners cast into current seams on sand flats. Crappie numbers are good in the backwaters, mostly on small minnows under a slip bobber. For hotspots, don’t overlook the Ford Dam tailwaters and the mouth of Minnehaha Creek—both prime for walleye and bass right now. Boom Island Park is seeing a mixed bag bite, with cats and white bass providing steady action. Best baits: jig-and-minnow for walleye, crankbaits for bass, cut bait or nightcrawlers for channel catfish, and live bait for flatheads. Plastics and spinners are taking bonus white bass and crappie. Thanks for tuning in to the report! Be sure to subscribe for more local tips and daily river updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more, check out quietplease.ai. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.