Winter Wonderland Fishing on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis

For January 16, 2025, the fishing scene on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is looking promising, despite the chilly winter conditions. ### Weather and Conditions The weather is cold, with temperatures around 34 degrees Fahrenheit, which is typical for this time of year. The water temperature in the main channel is also around 34 degrees, and the water is clear. Ice conditions are improving with the freezing temperatures, but be cautious as ice can be variable and unsafe in some areas. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise today is at around 7:45 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 4:45 PM. These times are crucial for planning your fishing trip to coincide with the best fishing hours. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw a good number of quality fish being caught. Anglers reported catching eater-sized walleyes and saugers, as well as some trophy fish. Here’s a breakdown of the fish activity: - **Walleye and Sauger**: These species are active in the tailwaters, particularly below the dams. Using jigs and minnows has been highly effective. - **Panfish**: Bluegills and yellow perch are also being caught, especially in the early bite. Small minnows and jigs are working well for these species. ### Best Lures and Bait For walleyes and saugers, jigs tipped with live minnows are the way to go. For panfish, small minnows and tiny jigs are recommended. Northern pike are being caught using large shiners with tip-ups in the backwaters. ### Hot Spots - **Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam**: This area is known for its dramatic drop and is a hotspot for walleyes and saugers. - **Tailwaters below the dams**: Areas like those below the Marquette bridge and in the newly dredged backwater areas such as Stone Lake and Tippy Lake are producing good catches. ### Additional Tips Be careful with ice conditions, especially at ramps like Bussey Lake Ramp in Guttenberg, which is currently unsafe. Use cleats to move around on the ice, as it can be very slick. Overall, the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is offering some great winter fishing opportunities, so bundle up and get out there This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.