Spring Smallies and Walleyes Heat Up: Your March 23rd Minneapolis River Guide

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things rods, reels, and river runs right here on the Mississippi in Minneapolis. It's March 23rd, 2026, and we're kickin' off spring with some prime bite windows today—major times from 6:52 to 8:52 a.m., 7:03 to 9:03 p.m., and minors at 2:24 to 4:24 p.m. and 11:21 p.m. to 1:21 a.m., per FishingReminder's solunar forecast. Sunrise hits early, sunset late this time of year, with a first-quarter moon at 61% visibility pushin' fish into action. Weather's lookin' mild—lows around 40°F, highs pushin' 60°F or so, maybe some light chop if the wind picks up, perfect for dawn and dusk bites like Outdoor News reports from metro waters. No tides on the Miss, but current seams below dams are flowin' strong. Fish are stackin' up heavy: smallmouth bass and walleyes dominatin' Pool 1 and deeper holes, with recent catches on 10-18 ft breaks. Anglers pullin' limits usin' 1/8-1/4 oz jigs tipped with fathead minnows, Jigging Raps, or ned rigs with 3-4" swimbaits off rocky rubble and current edges, straight from FishingReminder's Minneapolis update. Crappies slidin' mid-depth, hittin' hair jigs or plastics; northerns on spinnerbaits over weeds. "Tackle" Terry Tuma from Outdoor News swears by wax worms, grubs, or soft plastics in cooler water for walleyes—ditch live minnows sometimes for less rebaitin'. Best lures? Jig-and-minnow combos or Jigging Raps for eyes, ned rigs and swimbaits for smallies. Live fatheads or grub/wax worms seal the deal. Hot spots: Saint Anthony Falls Upper Lock and Dam for smallies in the current, and Nicollet Island for walleyes on rocky breaks—easy access, big rewards. Hit the river steady, watch that clarity after any blows, and add scent for short strikes. Tight lines! 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.