Spring Fishing on the Mississippi in Minneapolis: Smallmouth, Walleye, and Pike Biting Strong

Today on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, conditions are shaping up nicely for spring fishing. Here’s the latest report as of April 11, 2025: The weather today is cool and mostly cloudy, with temperatures ranging from the upper 40s to low 50s. Winds are light, which offers good casting conditions. Sunrise was at 6:34 AM, and sunset will be at 7:51 PM, giving anglers plenty of daylight to fish comfortably. The river level remains stable but slightly elevated due to upstream snowmelt, which has increased water flow and created some minor murkiness. This means fish are likely sheltering in slack water areas or along structure such as wing dams, eddies, and submerged vegetation. Recent catches have been promising. Anglers are reporting good numbers of smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike. Smallmouth bass activity has been strong near rocky areas and wing dams, with fish ranging from 1 to 3 pounds. Walleye are showing up in deeper holes and current breaks, with catches between 16 to 22 inches. Northern pike are active along shallow grassy banks, with some larger fish exceeding 30 inches. For lures, success has been noted with soft plastics like paddle tails or craw imitations in natural colors for smallmouth bass. Spinnerbaits and jerkbaits also remain top choices. For walleye, anglers are finding success with 3/8-ounce jigs tipped with minnows or plastics, particularly in chartreuse or purple colors. For northern pike, larger swim jigs or spoons in bright colors have been productive. If you’re using live bait, minnows and nightcrawlers have been effective for walleye, while sucker minnows are recommended for targeting northern pike. A couple of hot spots to try include the stretch near Lock and Dam No. 1 (Ford Dam) and the backwater areas near Minnehaha Creek. The rocky structures and eddies in these areas are ideal for bass and walleye, while the shallower, grassy sections closer to shore are great for northern pike. Remember to stay safe and dress warmly, as river conditions can be unpredictable this time of year. Tight lines and good luck out there! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.