Spring Bite Heats Up on the Mississippi in Minneapolis

Good morning from the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Artificial Lure here with your daily fishing report for April 21, 2025. The spring bite is picking up steam across the Mississippi in Minneapolis as water temperatures climb and daylight hours stretch longer. Today, sunrise hit at 6:17 am with sunset expected around 8:06 pm, giving us plenty of fishing time. No tides to worry about on this stretch of the river, but flows are steady and water clarity is good thanks to recent dry weather. Walleye and sauger remain the stars of the show this week, especially near the dams and current seams. Anglers fishing from shore and boat are both reporting success, with some solid eater-sized fish and the occasional trophy coming to hand. The water temperature recently has hovered in the upper 30s to low 40s, but a warming trend has started to move fish into more active patterns. Reports from Pool 2 and Pool 4—two of the most popular stretches in this area—show catches of up to 8 walleyes in a single outing, with fish up to 24 inches making appearances. Saugers are mixed in, and the odd big crappie has been surprising some lucky anglers as well[1][2][4]. Jigs tipped with fathead minnows or plastic flukes in chartreuse, white, or oyster colors have been working best. Slow retrieves over riprap and rocky points are producing fish, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. Locals are also having luck with blade baits and hair jigs. If you prefer live bait, a simple rig with a nightcrawler or minnow on a slip sinker setup is hard to beat right now. For those hoping to fill a stringer, focus your efforts below the Ford Dam and upstream of the Franklin Avenue Bridge. These spots have been producing consistent action thanks to changing current flows and baitfish movement. Pool 2 between the I-35W bridge and the confluence with the Minnesota River is another local favorite and is producing a mix of species as fish migrate upstream[2][4]. In summary, fishing is getting better by the day as the river continues to warm. Walleye and sauger are biting well, with a few bonus species showing up. Stick with jigs and minnows or plastics, and check those current seams and rocky shorelines for your best shot at success. Good luck out there and tight lines! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.