October Mississippi River Fishing Report

Good morning from the riverbanks—Artificial Lure here with your October 12, 2025, Mississippi River fishing report straight out of Minneapolis. We woke up this morning to the kind of fall day that gets anglers moving early. Sunrise came in at 7:21 a.m. and we’re looking at sunset tonight at 6:40 p.m., so you’ve got a solid window for both that early bite and a late run before dusk. Weather is about as classic mid-October as it gets: crisp, with a light morning breeze around 8 mph, temps bouncing from the mid-40s at dawn and climbing to near 70 by late afternoon. Clouds are high and thin, perfect cover for both anglers and fish. No tides to report since, as usual, the Mississippi here is upriver from any tidal influence, but recent steady levels and clear flow mean stability, and that’s what we like for this time of year. Let’s get down to the fish: Walleye and sauger are staging below the locks and dams—Pool 2’s tailwaters and the Ford Dam area are seeing solid catches. River walleyes are biting best from late morning into afternoon as the sun warms the shallows. Jigs tipped with fathead minnows are getting it done—chartreuse and orange seem to be the hot colors this week, paired with a 3" twister tail or ringworm-style soft plastic for flash and action. Bring some leeches and shiners as backup; Terry Tuma from Outdoor News notes these are consistent producers during the fall bite. Smallmouth bass are aggressive right now, especially around rocky riprap stretches and current seams. The mayfly hatch we had late last week slowed things, but now those bass are keying in on crankbaits, tubes, and Ned rigs bounced off the bottom. For better numbers, work the eddies near Pike Island and north towards the Camden Bridge. Ned rigs with green pumpkin or brown have put many bronzebacks on the board this weekend. If you’re chasing panfish—crappies and perch—work any deeper holes off channel edges or the mouths of backwater cuts. Small jigs tipped with waxies or minnow pieces are the ticket, and lightweight floats help you keep in contact. Northern pike are starting to seek out dying weed beds near the mouths of Minnehaha Creek and Boom Island channel. Large spoons and white spinnerbaits flash nice in this clearer water, so don’t be afraid to upsize your offering. Here’s a quick note on recent catches: Thoughtful locals reported limits of eater-size walleyes from the Ford Dam stretch, plus healthy smallies up to 18 inches throughout the downtown reach. Late-season channel cats are still around in slow water; a few folks found them using cut bait after sunset just downriver from the Lowry Avenue Bridge. Hot spots to hit today: - **Ford Dam (Lock & Dam No. 1):** Great for both walleye and sauger—work the current seams and rocky shore. - **Boom Island Park Backwaters:** Steady panfish action, plus pike roaming as the weeds die back. Remember, as the water cools, fish metabolism slows, so downsize those presentations and fish a touch slower—patience pays This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.