As of October 7, 2024, the fishing scene on the Mississippi River around Minneapolis is looking promising, especially with the fall season in full swing. First, it's important to note that the Mississippi River is a non-tidal river, so water levels are influenced by rainfall and human management rather than tides. Currently, the water levels are slightly above normal but 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 and making for an exciting day on the water. Anglers have been catching good numbers of walleyes and saugers, with some reports of fish up to 28 inches in length.

For the best results, use lures such as jigging with frozen or live emerald shiners. Successful jig colors in these waters include gold, glow white, glow red, chartreuse, orange, and pink, with gold combined with any of these colors often being a good choice. Drifting spinners with night crawlers or trolling crankbaits are also effective methods.

If you're looking for hot spots, consider fishing around Pool 4, which includes Lake Pepin. This area has been producing good numbers of fish. Another good spot is below the dams, such as below Lac qui Parle Dam and Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge Dam, although these are more relevant to the Minnesota River, they indicate similar structural fishing spots can be productive on the Mississippi as well.

Overall, the Mississippi River around Minneapolis is offering excellent fall fishing opportunities, so make sure to take advantage of the stable water levels and active fish bite.