Winter Walleyes and Panfish Thrive on Mississippi River near Minneapolis

As of December 12, 2024, the fishing scene on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is quite promising, despite the chilly winter conditions. ### Weather and Tidal Report The weather is cold, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to low 30s Fahrenheit. Sunrise was at around 7:30 AM, and sunset is expected at about 4:30 PM. The river levels are relatively stable, with no significant changes in the water flow or pool elevations, similar to the reports from earlier in the year[2][5]. ### Fish Activity The Walleye and Sauger bite has been strong, especially in the Pool 4 area. Despite the low water levels and minimal current flow, these fish are still active. Vertical jigging and using Dubuque rigs have been highly effective. The fish are girthy, having put on their fall weight, and sizes up to 23 inches for Saugers have been reported[1]. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Yesterday saw a good number of Walleyes and Saugers caught, along with some Perch and other panfish. The Walleye and Sauger fishing has been consistent, with daily catches showing these fish are still in the upper pool areas and not yet migrated out of Lake Pepin. Panfishing, particularly for Bluegills, Crappies, and Perch, remains good, filling in the gaps when the Walleyes are not biting[1]. ### Best Lures and Bait For Walleyes and Saugers, plastics such as Berkley curly bones, bonefish, and ribworms are working well. Colors like white ice, greens, and purples have been effective, depending on the cloud cover. For panfish, small jigs with plastics or tipped with a chunk of crawler or minnow are recommended. Hair jigs and crankbaits have also been successful, especially when casting near wing dams[1]. ### Hot Spots - **Pool 4 and Lake Pepin**: These areas continue to produce good numbers of Walleyes and Saugers. Focus on the upper pool areas and the basin of Lake Pepin. - **Wing Dams and Rock Shorelines**: These spots are producing well for Walleyes and panfish. The current seams and small flats towards the dam area in Pool 5 are also worth exploring[1]. Overall, the Mississippi River near Minneapolis offers a great winter fishing experience, with the right lures and knowledge of the hot spots. Dress warm and enjoy the day on the river This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.