"Walleye, Sauger, and Smallies Biting on the Mississippi in Minneapolis"

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your sunrise update for the Mississippi River here in Minneapolis on Friday, April 18, 2025. It is shaping up to be another good day to get out on the water, so here is the latest scoop straight from the banks. We kicked off the day with sunrise at 6:25 a.m. and can expect sunset around 8:04 p.m. Weather is mild for April—temps will creep from the low 40s into the 60s by afternoon, with a gentle south wind, partly cloudy skies, and no big storms on the radar. River levels are stable, thanks to a slow snowmelt and below-normal rains upstream; that means typical spring flows and good clarity in the pools and side channels for this time of year[6][9]. Fish activity is running high in these conditions. Walleye and sauger continue to headline the catch reports, especially near the dams and current seams. Shore fishing has been heating up since March and is staying strong now mid-April—anglers are pulling solid numbers from spots all the way from the Ford Dam down to the confluence. The momentum is carrying over from a strong March bite, with both eater-sized and larger walleyes showing up, plus nice perch mixed in for those working the slower, sandier stretches[1][2][5]. Smallmouth bass are starting to stir as the water warms, congregating around rocky stretches, wing dams, and eddies. The best lures for the day are bright chartreuse or gold blade spinnerbaits, soft plastics like tubes or craw imitations in green pumpkin, and 3–4 inch crankbaits with a stop-and-go retrieve. As always in the spring, a jig tipped with a fathead minnow or a leech is money for walleye and sauger. For perch, small jigs with a piece of worm or waxworm will do the trick[7][10]. Don’t overlook the catfish, either—cut bait or nightcrawlers fished on the bottom in deeper holes below the dams or at creek mouths can produce good channel cats, especially as the sun warms the water[4]. Hot spots this week include the area just below the Ford Dam for walleye and sauger, and the rock piles and wing dams within Pool 2 for an early smallmouth bite. The mouth of Minnehaha Creek and the deep runs near Hidden Falls Park are also turning up a mixed bag for shore casters[2][5][7]. Overall, the fish are active, the water is in great shape, and today’s mild weather should provide excellent conditions through the evening. Bring a good mix of jigs, plastics, and live bait, and don’t be surprised if you run into some heavy action. Tight lines, and see you on the river! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.