Winter Walleye and Catfish on the Mississippi River in Minnesota - Pool 2 Fishing Report

As of January 9, 2025, the Mississippi River in the Minneapolis area, specifically Pool 2, is in the midst of its winter season. Here’s what you can expect for your fishing trip today: ### Weather and Conditions The weather is cold, typical of Minnesota winters, with temperatures likely in the single digits or low teens. Ice has started to form, especially in areas like Lake Pepin, but the main river channels are still navigable for ice fishing and other winter fishing methods. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise today is around 7:55 AM, and sunset will be approximately 4:45 PM, giving you a relatively short window of daylight. ### Fish Activity Despite the cold, fish activity remains decent, especially for species like walleye, sauger, and catfish. Walleye and sauger are abundant in this area, with many trophy-sized fish present. However, it's important to note that walleye, sauger, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass are under catch-and-release regulations, so you'll need to return them to the water immediately. ### Types of Fish and Catches Yesterday, anglers reported catching several walleyes and saugers, particularly in the area between the St. Paul airport and the I-494 bridge. Catfish, both flathead and channel catfish, are also plentiful, with some large specimens being caught. Smallmouth bass are present but lightly fished, while largemouth bass are more limited to backwater areas. ### Best Lures and Bait For walleye and sauger, using Lindy Rigs or ¼ ounce Live Bait Jigs tipped with night crawlers, leeches, or large minnows is highly effective. For catfish, baiting with night crawlers, chicken livers, or stink baits can yield good results. ### Hot Spots - **Minnehaha Park**: The mouth of Minnehaha Creek is a good spot, accessible by walking down the path from the Waban Picnic Area or from the Lower Glen area off Minnehaha Ave. - **Hidden Falls Park (North)**: This area offers considerable shoreline for shore anglers and is a good spot to walk upstream towards the Ford Dam. - **Grey Cloud Island**: This is a popular site with several areas to fish, particularly around the outlet to Mooers Lake and the Grey Cloud Trail bridge over Grey Cloud Slough. ### Additional Notes Barge traffic is minimal this time of year as the navigation season has ended, so you won't have to worry about barges interfering with your fishing. However, be cautious of the ice and any maintenance projects that might be ongoing at the locks and dams. Overall, Pool 2 of the Mississippi River offers some excellent winter fishing opportunities, especially for those targeting walleye, sauger, and catfish. Dress warmly and enjoy the crisp winter fishing experience. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.