Springtime Action on the Mississippi River Around Minneapolis

Artificial Lure here with your Friday, May 16, 2025, fishing report for the Mississippi River around Minneapolis. It’s been a gorgeous stretch of spring. Sunrise was at 5:54 AM, and sunset will be around 8:24 PM, offering a long, productive day on the water. Skies are partly cloudy, and morning temps are sitting in the low 60s, climbing into the mid-70s by afternoon. River levels remain slightly lower than normal after a dry winter and spring, so if you’re boating or wading, watch out for rocks and snags—especially near the shorelines and wing dams. There’s no tidal movement here in Minneapolis, but steady flows are creating classic spring conditions for fishing[2]. Pool 2, spanning from the Ford Dam down to Hastings, is the main hot spot. Just remember it’s catch-and-release only for walleye, sauger, and bass, but the action is nonstop. The walleye and sauger bite has been excellent, with fish stacked up below the dams and around current breaks. Anglers are loading up using jigs tipped with minnows or plastics, and crankbaits are really turning on during low-light hours—early mornings and right before sunset seem best[2][1][5]. On the panfish front, it’s been a fantastic spring for bluegill and crappie, with bass numbers up as well. These fish are holding in backwaters and shallow slack areas with plenty of cover. Small tube jigs, soft plastics, and live worms are putting numbers in the boat[4][5]. The catfish population—both channel and flathead—remains strong, with fish biting cut bait or live chubs near deep holes and current seams. If you’re after a fight, now’s a great time to target these whiskerfish[5]. A couple of local hot spots to try: below the Ford Dam (Lock and Dam No. 1) for walleye and sauger, and the deep holes near the confluence with Minnehaha Creek for catfish. The backwaters near Pike Island are loaded with panfish and occasional bass. Today’s best bets for lures are jigs with fathead minnows or paddletail plastics for walleye and sauger, crankbaits during dawn and dusk, and cut bait or big live bait for catfish. For panfish, try small jigs or a slip bobber with live bait[1][2][5]. Conditions are ideal for spring action, and with warmer weather settling in, fish activity should stay strong all weekend. Good luck, keep your lines tight, and enjoy everything the river has to offer today. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.