Promising Fall Fishing on the Mississippi Near Minneapolis - Walleyes, Saugers, and Panfish Abound

As of September 28, 2024, the fishing scene on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is looking promising, especially with the fall season in full swing. ### Weather and Tidal Report The weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 68 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 50 degrees. Sunrise is at 7:04 AM, and sunset will be at 6:54 PM. Since the Mississippi River is not a tidal river, water levels are more influenced by rainfall and human management rather than tides. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw a mix of fish activity, particularly with the cooling water temperatures. Walleye and Sauger fishing have been strong as the water temps start to drop. Anglers reported catching walleyes and saugers in various depths, with the best catches coming from areas with less bait concentration. The fish have been putting on their fall weight, making them quite girthy. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Caught Walleyes and saugers were the main catches, with some fish reaching up to 23 inches in length. Panfish such as bluegills, crappies, and perch were also plentiful, filling in the gaps when the walleye bite slowed down. Large shad schools are present everywhere, which can sometimes make the fish less aggressive, but finding areas with less bait has proven effective. ### Best Lures and Bait For walleyes and saugers, vertical jigging with live bait jigs tipped with fatheads or golden shiners has been productive. Crankbaits, either on leadcore or longline trolling, have also been successful. Hair jigs and curly tail grubs in colors like white ice, purples, and chartreuse are good choices. For panfish, small jigs with plastics or tipped with a chunk of crawler under a bobber have worked well. ### Hot Spots One of the hot spots is around the wing dams and rock shorelines, where the structure provides good habitat for walleyes and saugers. Another area is near the wood and weed beds, which are ideal for panfish. The stretch of the river around Lake Pepin is also highly recommended, as it offers a mix of deep and shallow waters that attract a variety of fish species. Overall, the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is offering some great fall fishing opportunities. With the right lures and bait, and by targeting the right spots, anglers can expect a rewarding day on the water. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.