Spring Smallies and Walleyes Heat Up the Mississippi - Sunday March 22 Report

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things fishing on the Mississippi River right here in Minneapolis. It's Sunday morning, March 22, 2026, and we're lookin' at a prime day to wet a line. Sunrise hit at 6:52 AM, sunset's 7:41 PM, givin' us nearly 13 hours of daylight—perfect for those long casts. First quarter moon at 61% visibility means solid fish activity, with major bites from 6:52-8:52 AM, 7:03-9:03 PM, and minors at 2:24-4:24 PM plus 11:21 PM-1:21 AM, per FishingReminder. No tides on the river, but water's steady in the low 50s after recent turnover—cool nights got baitfish stackin' on wind-blown points and channel edges. Weather's mild, expectin' partly cloudy skies with light winds, keepin' bites steady dawn to dusk, especially on overcast stretches. River's hot for heavy smallmouth bass and walleyes—anglers report limits from Pool 1, hittin' deeper holes below dams, current seams, and rocky breaks. Smallies pushin' midriver rubble, walleyes on 10-18 ft turns. Recent catches include fat walleyes up to 28 inches, smallmouth in the 4-5 lb class, plus northerns and crappies slidin' into basins. Outdoor News notes good drifts up and down the course, with steelhead mixin' in. Best lures? Jig-and-minnow combos or Jigging Raps for walleyes—1/8-1/4 oz jigs tipped with fatheads. For smallies, ned rigs and 3-4" swimbaits off bottom; swing 'em slow. Live bait shines: fatheads or shiners for commitment bites. Add scent if strikes are short. Hit these hot spots: Saint Anthony Falls Upper Lock and Dam for current edges packed with smallies, or Boom Island for easy access to walleye holes. Nicollet Island's another gem for mixed bags. Bundle up, check regs, and stay safe out there. Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.