As of October 8, 2024, the fishing scene on the Mississippi River near Minneapolis is looking promising, especially with the fall season in full swing. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

First, the Mississippi River, being a non-tidal river, does not have tides, but the water levels are currently slightly above normal and stabilizing after a period of low flow earlier in the year. 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. You can expect to catch fish ranging from 15 to 23 inches, with some really girthy ones due to their fall weight gain.

For the best results, use vertical jigging and Dubuque rigs. Lures such as Berkley bonefish, curlybones, ripple shads, and rib worms are working well. Effective colors include gold, white ice, purples, and chartreuse. Crankbaits, either on leadcore or longline trolling, are also producing good catches. If you prefer live bait, jigging with frozen or live emerald shiners can be very effective.

Hot spots include areas around Lake Pepin, particularly the wing dams and rock shorelines. The main river sections, including areas near Wabasha and Red Wing, are also producing good numbers of fish. Look for areas with less bait, as the fish tend to be more aggressive in these spots.

Panfishing remains good as well, with bluegills, crappies, and perch filling in the gaps when the walleyes quit biting. Small jigs with plastics or tipped with a chunk of crawler, under a bobber or pitched, are working well for these species.

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.