As of October 13, 2024, the fishing scene on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is looking promising, especially with the fall season in full swing. The Mississippi River, being a non-tidal river, does not have tides, but 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 68 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 50 degrees. Sunrise is at 7:04 AM, and sunset will be at 6:47 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get out on the water.

Fish activity has been strong, particularly for walleyes and saugers. Yesterday saw a mix of fish activity, with the cooling water temperatures invigorating the fish. Walleye and sauger fishing have been excellent as the water temps start to drop. Anglers have been catching good numbers of these species, with some walleyes reaching up to 28 inches and saugers up to 23 inches.

For the best results, use crankbaits, either on leadcore or longline trolling, especially in areas with less bait where the fish are more aggressive. Vertical jigging and Dubuque rigs with baits like Berkley bonefish, curlybones, ripple shads, and rib worms are also working well. Hair jigs in colors such as white ice, purples, and chartreuse are effective too.

Panfishing has also been successful, with bluegills, crappies, and perch being caught in good numbers. Small jigs with plastics or tipped with a chunk of crawler, used under a bobber or pitched, are good options. Rock shorelines, wing dams, wood, and weeds continue to produce good results.

Hot spots include the areas around Lake Pepin and the river sections near Minneapolis. Specifically, the stretch from Granite Falls Dam to Mankato on the Minnesota River, which feeds into the Mississippi, is known for its excellent fishing for channel catfish, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, and walleye. However, for those focusing on the Mississippi River itself, the backwater areas and main river sections near Minneapolis, including wood, weedlines, and wingdams, are highly recommended.

Overall, it's a great time to be out on the Mississippi River, with the changing leaves and cooler temperatures making it a beautiful and productive fishing experience.