Walleye, Sauger, Perch Bite Hot on Mississippi River Around Minneapolis

Artificial Lure here with your Saturday fishing report for May 10, 2025, straight from the banks of the Mississippi River around Minneapolis. We woke up to another picture-perfect spring morning, with sunrise at 5:54 AM and sunset at 8:24 PM. The weather’s mild, with comfortable temps and only a slight breeze, perfect for a full day on the water. No tidal swings on this stretch, but river flows are steady and the water’s still a bit low after our dry winter and spring, so watch out for exposed rocks and snags if you’re boating or wading. Low water hasn’t slowed down the fish one bit. The bite is hot right now, especially for walleye, sauger, and perch. Pool 2—especially from the Ford Dam down to Hastings—is the place to be. Just remember, Pool 2 is catch-and-release for walleye, sauger, and bass, but numbers and quality have been excellent lately, and you’ll stay busy[2]. Anglers are also reporting great action on pools 4, 5, 5A, and 6, with fish stacked up in current breaks and just below the dams[4]. Jigs tipped with fathead minnows or plastic tails are the top producers for both walleye and sauger. Crankbaits in the early mornings and evenings have also been putting numbers in the boat. For perch, small jigs or live bait like worms close to submerged structure are a solid bet. Bass are starting to wake up on shallow flats and along riprap banks—try soft plastics or small spinnerbaits. Recent catches have been steady, with plenty of walleye in the 16 to 22 inch range, sauger running a bit smaller, and chunky perch showing up in the mix. Reports of smallmouth bass are trickling in too, especially near rocky shoreline. Crappie have been caught in backwaters and slower-moving side channels. Hot spots to hit today - Below the Ford Dam: Walleye and sauger are stacked up in the current - Hidden Falls Regional Park: Great bank access and mixed catches - South St. Paul launch area: Perch and occasional bonus pike With conditions this good, expect a busy opener weekend. Bring your patience, your best jigs and crankbaits, and keep an eye out for low water hazards. Fish are active and hungry—get out there and make the most of it. Good luck from Artificial Lure, and stay safe on the river[1][2][4]. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.