Winter Walleye and Sauger Bonanza on the Mississippi Near Minneapolis

As of December 21, 2024, the fishing scene on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is quite promising, despite the chilly winter conditions. ### Weather and Tidal Report The weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to low 30s Fahrenheit. There is no significant tidal activity on the Mississippi River, as it is a freshwater river and not influenced by tides. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at around 7:45 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 4:30 PM, giving you a good window for fishing. ### Fish Activity The fish activity has been steady, particularly for Walleye and Sauger. These species are active in the colder water, with water temperatures around 38-40 degrees Fahrenheit. Vertical jigging, dragging jigs, and using Dubuque rigs have been highly effective. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Yesterday saw a good number of Walleye and Sauger caught, with most fish ranging from 18 to 21 inches. There were also some Perch caught, especially in the areas near the dam. ### Best Lures and Bait For Walleye and Sauger, plastics have been the go-to choice. Berkley plastics, such as curly bones, bonefish, and ribworms, in colors like white ice, greens, and purples, have been performing well. For Perch, small jigs and drop shot rigs tipped with a piece of crawler or minnow are recommended. ### Hot Spots Focus your efforts on the northern part of Pool 4, particularly from the upper part of Lake Pepin and northwards. Wabasha is also a strong spot for Walleye. For Perch, the area up towards the dam in Pool 5 has been producing good numbers. Overall, the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is offering some great winter fishing opportunities, so bundle up and get out there to enjoy the bite. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.