As of October 25, 2024, the fishing scene on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is thriving, especially with the fall season in full swing. The Mississippi River, being a non-tidal river, does not have tides, but the water levels are currently slightly above normal and stabilizing, which is ideal for fishing.

The weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 58 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 45 degrees. Sunrise is at 7:24 AM, and sunset will be at 6:23 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and evening fishing trips.

Fish activity has been strong, particularly for walleyes and saugers. Yesterday saw a good number of these species caught, with walleyes ranging from 15 to 28 inches and saugers up to 23 inches. Panfish, including bluegills, crappies, and perch, are also biting well, providing a fun fill-in when the walleyes and saugers are less active.

The cooling water temperatures, currently ranging from 46 to 47 degrees, have invigorated the fish, making them quite active. Walleyes and saugers are putting on their fall weight, making them quite girthy.

For the best results, use crankbaits, especially on leadcore or longline trolling. Vertical jigging and Dubuque rigs with baits like Berkley bonefish, curlybones, ripple shads, and rib worms are also effective. Hair jigs in colors like white ice, purples, and chartreuse have been successful as well.

Hot spots include areas with less bait, as the fish tend to be more aggressive in these regions. Focus on major points, shallow rocky flats, and river mouths where big pike are setting up for fall spawning ciscos and whitefish. The wing dams and rock shorelines along the river are also producing good numbers of walleyes, saugers, and panfish.

Overall, the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is offering excellent fall fishing, with a variety of species and plenty of action to go around.