Winter Wonderland Fishing: Reeling in Walleye, Sauger, and More on the Minneapolis Mississippi River

As of January 5, 2025, the Mississippi River in Minneapolis is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the winter conditions. ### Weather and Sunrise/Sunset Today, the weather is expected to be quite cold, with temperatures ranging from the single digits to just above freezing. Sunrise was at around 7:55 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 4:45 PM. The warmest meteorological winter on record in 2024 has given way to more typical winter conditions, but the lack of significant snowfall has kept the river relatively accessible. ### Tidal Report The Mississippi River in the Minneapolis area does not experience significant tidal changes, as the tidal influence is negligible this far upstream. However, water levels can fluctuate due to lock and dam operations and precipitation. ### Fish Activity The best time to fish for walleye and sauger in this area is during the fall and winter months when these species are concentrated between the St. Paul airport and the I-494 bridge. Yesterday, anglers reported catching a decent number of walleye and sauger, along with some panfish and catfish. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Caught Yesterday's catch included several walleye in the 15-20 inch range, a few sauger, and a mix of panfish such as crappie and bluegill. Catfish, both flathead and channel, were also caught, though in smaller numbers. ### Best Lures and Bait For walleye and sauger, jigs tipped with minnows or fathead minnows are highly effective. Small jigs with a slow presentation work well in the cold water. For panfish, tiny jigs or small spoons with waxworms or maggots can be very productive. Catfish can be caught using nightcrawlers or stink baits. ### Hot Spots - **Minnehaha Park**: The mouth of Minnehaha Creek is a great spot, accessible by walking down the path from the Waban Picnic Area or the Lower Glen area. - **Hidden Falls Park**: Both the north and south sections of the park offer considerable shoreline for shore anglers, with the north section allowing ambitious anglers to walk upstream towards the Ford Dam. - **Grey Cloud Island**: This area is very popular, with several spots to fish around Grey Cloud Island Drive and the Grey Cloud Trail bridge over Grey Cloud Slough. Remember to check the local fishing regulations, as walleye, sauger, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass are currently catch-and-release only in Pool 2 of the Mississippi River. Stay warm and enjoy your time on the river This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.