Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River, Minneapolis fishing report for Sunday, November 16, 2025.

We’re waking up to a classic late fall scene along the river—air temps chilly this morning near 34°F, topping out around 56°F this afternoon. Winds light, and we’re looking at mostly sunny skies, perfect for working the banks or dropping a line off your favorite bridge. Sunrise came at 7:14 AM, sunset hits at 4:44 PM, so make those daylight hours count.

No tides to track here, but the seasonal solunar forecast says our major fish activity periods today are from 1:49 to 3:49 AM and again 2:12 to 4:12 PM, with minor activity from 6:51 to 7:51 AM and 10:44 to 11:44 PM—the afternoon major window should be your target for the hottest bite, especially with water temps dipping into the 40s and fish popping into winter feed mode.

In the stretch from St. Anthony Falls up through the Ford Dam, anglers report steady action on walleyes, saugers, and a bonus smallmouth here and there—especially below the dams and around deeper current seams. According to Outdoor News Minnesota from this weekend, local guides are putting clients on a mixed bag: mostly eating-size walleyes, the odd trophy over 25 inches, along with some big river catfish. Folks have also picked up the last of the season’s white bass, with channel cats still hitting on cut bait after dark.

Right now, best results are with bright jig-and-minnow combos—chartreuse, orange, and firetiger curly tails paired with fatheads or river shiners are pulling fish from the slow edges and just outside heavy current. When the bite slows, switch to blade baits or heavy lipless cranks fished deep and slow. River regulars like a live sucker minnow under a slip float off heavy structure after sunset—it’s a classic for a reason.

Don’t forget: the state consumption advisory for river-caught fish is in play, updated April 2025 by the Minnesota Department of Health, especially for larger walleyes and catfish, so check those guidelines if you’re keeping your catch.

If you’re looking for hotspots, locals are loving Boom Island near downtown for easy access and good numbers, as well as below Lock & Dam No. 1, where eddies and deep holes hold hungry walleyes in November. Another under-the-radar spot is the mouth of Minnehaha Creek, which is great for shore anglers targeting a mixed bag on jigs and soft plastics.

The river is busy with waterfowlers and late-season pleasure boaters, so fish with courtesy. Be sure your license is current and brush up on bag and slot limits before you hit the water. Local bait shops are well-stocked with fathead minnows, and keeper-sized fish have been surprisingly cooperative on both plastics and live bait.

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Artificial Lure here with your Saturday fishing report for the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, November 15, 2025.

The **sun rises at 7:10 AM and sets at 4:44 PM** today—those short days mark the transition into late fall bite patterns. A cold front rolled through overnight, and local CBS Minnesota says temps this morning are dipping into the mid-30s, with a high pushing to about 46°F. Expect cloud cover and some lingering light rain, plus brisk northwest winds that’ll keep it chilly, so layer up and bring the thermos.

There’s no tidal influence up here, but solunar forecasts point to **minor fish activity between 6:51 and 7:51 AM**, with a major activity spike from **2:12 to 4:12 PM**. If you’re debating when to be on the water, afternoon looks best.

River levels are steady, but flow is up a bit after recent showers, so the current’s moving good, and clarity is moderate. Fish adjust to these changes—expect them to tuck behind structure to stay out of the push.

**Recent catches** have included a healthy mix of late-season *smallmouth bass*, *walleye*, and *northern pike*. A handful of reports on the BBC Boards rave about the continued bite for **smallies below warm water outflows, like at the nuclear plant downstream**, using jerkbaits, especially the Megabass Vision 110SR. Several locals working the riprap below the Plymouth Avenue and Franklin Avenue bridges have been sticking chunky bass, some pushing 4 pounds, along with decent eater walleyes around 15-18 inches.

Walleye anglers are switching to vertical presentations in deeper holes and seam lines. The top lures this week: **1/4 to 3/8 oz jig heads tipped with fathead minnows**. Chartreuse and orange remain winning colors in lower light. Jigging Rapalas and blade baits also turn heads when fished slow and tight to bottom.

For smallmouth bass, jerkbaits like the Vision 110SR and classic Rapala X-Rap in ghost or shad color have been hottest. Anglers are casting to slackwater pools near bridge pilings and rocky shorelines. If it’s slow, bounce a **Ned rig or tube jig** in green pumpkin along the gravel.

Northern pike are still prowling—the best action is coming on **white spinnerbaits and suspending swimbaits** fished near deadfalls and weed edges. Pike are aggressive with the water cooling, and they’ll chase, especially on overcast days.

**Bait shops** confirm high demand for fatheads and sucker minnows, ideal if you’re after walleye or targeting big pike with a bobber rig.

**Hot spots:**
- The stretch between **Boom Island and the Plymouth Avenue Bridge** is holding piles of bass and decent eater-sized walleye—focus on transition areas where rocks meet sand.
- The **mouth of Minnehaha Creek** at the confluence is reliably productive after rainfall, with mixed bags of walleye, pike, and the occasional slab crappie.
- That **Franklin Avenue Bridge undercurrent** routinely produces after a cold front, especially mid-afternoon.

Fish are feeding heavy before winter and rewards go to those who keep moving, make consistent casts, and don’t shy away from changing baits. Most catches have been solid numbers, with some anglers reporting limits of eater walleyes and a dozen or more smallmouths per outing, especially mid-week when pressure’s lighter.

Bundle up, watch your footing on slick riverbanks, and keep an eye on the forecast—late season bites can fire even on chilly days.

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# Artificial Lure's Mississippi River Fishing Report

Well, folks, it's Friday, November 14th, and we're looking at some excellent conditions out on the Mississippi River here in Minneapolis. Let me break down what's happening on the water today.

**Weather and Light**

We've got ourselves a beautiful fall day developing. Sunrise was at 6:52 AM, and we're looking at a sunset around 7:41 PM, giving us just under 13 hours of good fishing light. The dry stretch continues with less wind than we've seen recently, and there's more of that fall warmth moving in. These are solid conditions for getting out there.

**Fishing Activity**

The solunar forecast shows us major feeding times between 2:51 AM and 4:51 AM this morning, with another excellent window from 3:21 PM to 5:21 PM this afternoon. If you're planning an evening trip, that late afternoon window is going to be prime time. Minor feeding periods hit around 7:48 AM to 8:48 AM. The overall day rating is sitting at average, but those major windows are where the action happens.

**What's Been Working**

Looking at recent tournament success on similar Mississippi River systems, anglers have been crushing it with swim jigs paired with PowerBait chunks in darker colors like black-and-blue. Forward-facing sonar has become a game-changer for targeting specific structure, particularly around docks and deeper areas. If you're targeting suspended fish, drop-shots with small flukes have been producing quality bites. Jerkbaits in shad patterns are also solid choices, especially early morning.

**Fish Species and Catches**

You're looking at solid populations of largemouth and spotted bass throughout this system. Walleye and pike are also hanging around these waters. Recent reports show anglers getting consistent action on bass fishing the deeper structure and suspended fish near main river channels.

**Hot Spots to Target**

Head up toward the deeper outside bends where the river channel cuts tight—that's where the bigger fish stack up this time of year. Also check out any dock structure near the lock and dam areas where baitfish congregate.

**Lures and Bait**

Swim jigs with dark-colored trailers, shad-pattern jerkbaits, drop-shot rigs with small flukes, and swimbaits are your go-to presentations. Live baitfish like shiners work great if you want to keep it simple.

That's your Mississippi River fishing report for today. Thanks for tuning in and make sure to subscribe for daily reports. This has been a Quiet Please production—for more, check out quietplease.ai.

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Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your November 13, 2025 Mississippi River fishing report for Minneapolis.

First things first, the weather is just about perfect for a fall bite—plenty of sunshine and temps reaching up to 52 degrees today with breezy westerly winds running 10 to 20 mph according to FOX 9 and CBS Minnesota. Bundle up if you’re pushing dawn or dusk, as it dips to the upper 20s tonight. Sunrise today was at 7:10 AM; sunset is coming early, just after 4:48 PM, so plan your sets and retrieves accordingly. Heads up: the Northern Lights may make an encore tonight, so you might just be fishing with an aurora in the background.

The Mississippi’s water levels remain on the low side, per DTN Progressive Farmer, which puts fish tight to deeper channels and structure. Expect mild current and clearer water than usual. With no tides in Minneapolis, focus your efforts on slack water pockets, especially near river bends and below the dams.

Fish activity has surged with the cooler nights. Recent logs on Fishbrain show strong numbers: nearly 30,000 largemouth bass caught in greater St. Paul, about 9,800 northern pike, and over 5,500 bluegills through this season so far. There’s been a steady pick of walleyes—anglers are reporting healthy fish at the tailwaters and deep holes—and the occasional monster sturgeon for those willing to put in the grind below the Ford Dam.

Best baits right now? For bass, work a shad-colored jerkbait or a finesse Ned rig along rocky banks and submerged timber. Northern pike are smashing chartreuse spinnerbaits, especially mid-morning. Walleye anglers are doing well with live fathead minnows on a jig head, but a firetiger Rapala or similar crankbait bounced along the bottom is getting hits near dusk. Bluegills are stacking up at the river mouths—use wax worms or small jigs under slip bobbers.

Top hotspots:
- The stretch below the Franklin Avenue Bridge, where deep cuts and riprap hold active walleyes and smallmouths this time of year.
- Boom Island Park, on the upriver side of the island—fish the eddies along the main current seam for mixed bags, pike included.
- Marshal Terrace, just north of Lowry Bridge, is producing solid numbers of bass and the occasional bonus crappie. Pick apart the pilings and slackwater pockets here for best results.

A couple pro tips: Don’t neglect forward-facing sonar if you have it—Major League Fishing recommends locking in on bait schools with a higher-mounted transducer. Keep your trolling motor pointed into the wind to stay on target and adjust your position to follow the roaming fish. As water temps continue dropping, slow down your presentation and keep it near the bottom unless you spot suspended schools.

Access is solid at most public ramps around downtown and North Minneapolis, but always check closures and city regulations before launching. The St. Anthony Lock is closed to navigation, but shore fishing is allowed upstream and below the falls.

As we settle into shorter days, dusk can be magic, so stick around for those last casts. Don't forget that a few local clubs like Fishers of Men Twin Cities meet monthly to swap tips and stories—check them out if you want to connect with fellow river rats.

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This is Artificial Lure with your November 11th, 2025, Mississippi River fishing report right from the heart of Minneapolis.

Let's talk weather—after a cold snap over the weekend, we've got improving conditions rolling in. Minnesota Public Radio News says we had one last day of chilly air on Monday, but now we're looking at temps climbing above normal for the rest of this week. Next Weather on CBS Minneapolis reports a warm air mass is on the way, promising comfortable days ahead for anglers, though early mornings are still brisk. Bundle up for dawn launches—temps are in the high 20s at sunrise, but warming fast. Sunrise today hit at 7:11 AM, with sunset wrapping things up at 4:48 PM.

Water levels remain low along the Mississippi, and that's not changing soon. DTN Progressive Farmer notes navigation's still restricted, but fish are stacking tight to drop-offs, deeper holes, and classic current seams—especially where feeder creeks push in, thanks to the ongoing dry spell.

Now, tides aren’t a player here—Mississippi in Minneapolis is strict river flow, not tidal. But with conditions stable and river current steady, light jigs and finesse tactics are working best.

Fish activity’s still solid. Late fall’s putting walleye and sauger on the move downstream, schooling up at mouths and deeper bends. Reports from local guides highlight limits on eater-sized walleyes the past week, with sauger mixed in and bonus smallmouth—especially near the Ford Dam and down by Minnehaha Creek confluence. Walleyes up to 24 inches have come in, though 15–18 inchers are most common right now.

Crappies and perch are biting in slackwater zones behind islands and wing dams. The fall bite for these is peaking, and those cooler overnights are keeping them aggressive through midday. Largemouth bass can still be found near rocky banks and deadfalls, but numbers are dropping as the water cools, mixing in with smallies.

On the lure front, stick to tried-and-true fall offerings:
- For walleye and sauger, go with a ¼ ounce jig—chartreuse or bright orange—tipped with a fathead minnow. Plastic paddletails like a 3-inch Big Bite Baits Pro Swimmer are also producing, especially where shad schools are present.
- Where current is light, slip float rigs with live minnows will put more panfish in your bucket.
- Bass anglers should slow down with finesse jigs or soft plastics worked tight to cover.

Major League Fishing and OutdoorsFIRST both highlight the swim jig as a sleeper pick for late autumn smallmouth—try white or green pumpkin with a subtle paddletail trailer, hopped through shallow rocky runs near dam faces.

Couple of hot spots:
- **Below Lock and Dam No. 1 (Ford Dam)**: Classic for fall walleye, and the deeper pools here are holding big numbers.
- **Hidden Falls Park and upstream towards Minnehaha Creek**: Spawning shad keep predatory fish close, so cast along drop-offs at dawn.
- **Boom Island/W. River Parkway backwaters**: Crappie and perch school here in late fall.

No chatter on monster pike this week, but with cooler flows, don’t be surprised to connect with a toothy northern lurking near creek inlets. Live sucker minnows under a float can tempt ’em.

Minnesota DNR still wants you to respect catch limits—make sure your license is up to date. Water has cooled to the low 40s, so please wear a life jacket if you’re heading out in a small craft.

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This is Artificial Lure bringing you your Mississippi River fishing report straight from Minneapolis for Monday, November 10, 2025.

Mother Nature’s setting a brisk stage out there this morning: overnight temps dipped into the low 30s, with a chilly northwest breeze around 10–12 mph. As the sun rises at 6:57 AM and looks to set at 4:48 PM, anglers will want to layer up and watch for patchy river fog early. No tidal swing here as we’re well up the Mississippi, but river levels are above winter pool after last week’s rains—expect some stained water and higher current, especially south of St. Anthony Falls, making some backwaters and slower seams the ticket for action.

Fishing’s in that late-fall phase—a little quiet compared to summer, but there’s still good opportunity if you work methodically. According to outdoornews.com’s latest Minnesota fishing and hunting report, most folks have switched to hunting, but the die-hards still pulling walleye and smallies from the river have been rewarded, especially on warming afternoons. Walleye action is best on deep holes and current breaks close to the confluence with the Minnesota River and below the Ford Dam. This is the time to slow-roll your presentation; think jigs tipped with fatheads or plastics in natural colors. For smallmouth, rocks and the mouths of tributaries continue to produce, especially on sunny afternoons.

Local forums at fishingminnesota.com show several recent catches of smaller eater-size walleyes, a couple pushing 22 inches, and decent numbers of sauger mixed in. Folks are also finding some bonus crappies and sizeable white bass stacked below the dams and in the slow pockets near Lilydale and Hidden Falls Park. Reports mention fewer but larger northern pike showing up—you’ll want a bigger swimbait or a bright spoon for those.

Best baits this week:
- **Walleye and sauger:** ⅜ oz. jigheads with a fathead minnow or a 3–4” paddle tail plastic in chartreuse/orange or blue/white.
- **Smallmouth:** ⅛–¼ oz. jig and creature bait or a suspending jerkbait in shad and perch patterns.
- **Crappie and white bass:** 1/16 oz. tube or jig with white or pink bodies. A slip bobber with a crappie minnow is still a strong bet.
- **Northern pike:** Oversized silver or fire tiger spoons and white swimbaits retrieved along weedlines.

Skip the live bait shop rush and try a Z-Man ChatterBait in green pumpkin, or a Yo-Zuri squarebill crankbait near brush and riprap—both lures have produced in cool, moving water these past few days.

Two local hot spots worth targeting today:
- **Boom Island Park:** Work the channel edge near the old railroad bridge pylons for mixed smallmouth and walleye.
- **Below Ford Dam:** Focus on the swirling current seams and eddies with heavy jigs for walleyes, sauger, and the occasional surprise pike.

It’s prime time for a last shot at river trophies before the serious freeze-up sets in. There’s still quiet beauty on the water—bundle up, bring a thermos, and keep moving until you find active fish. Always check current river conditions, mind your footing at muddy accesses, and remember—late fall flows demand respect.

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Artificial Lure here, bringing you the latest from the Mighty Mississippi as it winds through Minneapolis on this chilly Sunday, November 9, 2025. Bundle up, folks—the river has a bite in the air, and maybe the fish do too.

Let’s kick things off with today’s weather: Minneapolis woke to a fully clouded sky, brisk northwest winds rattling the banks, and highs only topping out near 38 degrees. Lows will dip to 29 tonight, making for cold hands but steady walleye cheeks. Sunrise came at 7:01 AM and you’ll have daylight until 4:51 PM. The river’s mood matches the sky: gritty, gray, and laced with late-fall energy, perfect for anglers who don’t mind cold fingers and a bit of sleet in the beard. No tides to worry about this far north—here, river flow is the big player, and levels remain quite low according to WCCO and local spotters, so watch out for those stubborn sandbars and exposed snags.

Now, fish activity: The Farmers’ Almanac rates today as a “Best Evening” for fishing—expect the bite to improve into dusk. November on the Mississippi means cool water and sluggish fish, so patience is key. Reports from Mississippi River Minneapolis Fishing Report say current clarity is pretty good despite low flow, but bank fishing might be tricky with shifting sandbars and scattered debris. As for catches, the usual late-fall suspects are in town: walleye, sauger, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and the odd hungry muskie. Some shore anglers have pulled up nice walleyes in the 14–22 inch range just below the dams this past week, mostly during the evening window, with a few chunky smallmouths hanging tight to woody structure where deeper runs meet current breaks.

Let’s talk tactics and tackle. Live fathead minnows and nightcrawlers on jig heads remain the best bait for reliably tempting walleyes and sauger. For lures, downsized is the name of the game—think 3/16 to 1/4 oz chartreuse or firetiger jigs, or try a hair jig with a splash of orange or pink. If you’re working deeper holes near bridge pilings, blade baits like the Johnson Thinfisher or a Rapala Rippin’ Rap in silver/blue fished slow will get smacked when nothing else will. For smallies that are still biting, opt for soft plastic craws or tubes, and twitch them over rock piles. Northern pike may hit a flashy spoon or a white spinnerbait near weed edges or backwater sloughs.

A couple of proven hot spots for this time of year:
- The mouth of Minnehaha Creek, just upstream of the 40th Street pedestrian bridge. Fish gravitate here for a last crack at a meal before winter.
- Below the Ford Dam (Lock & Dam No. 1), where current seams and dropped water levels concentrate walleye, sauger, and even some big catfish.
- Mississippi Point Park up in Champlin has a reliable shore bite, especially late in the day and after a fresh push of baitfish.

A quick reminder—Pool 2, stretching from Ford Dam down to Hastings, is catch-and-release only for all bass, walleye, and northern pike. Most folks respect it, and the action’s better for it.

Watch the weather if you’re heading out later today. The Outdoor Radio Network and CBS Minnesota both warn of brisk winds and a real snap in the air as the sun drops—layer up and stash a thermos.

Thanks for tuning in to the report. If this helped you find your next fish, don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a bite.

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Artificial Lure here with your Saturday, November 8th fishing report for the Mississippi River in and around Minneapolis.

Sunrise came at 6:56 AM this morning and we'll see sunset at 4:52 PM, giving us a solid eight hours to wet a line. The early November chill is in full swing—overnight lows dipped to the mid-30s, and today's high will hover near 54°F. Last night’s NEXT Weather forecast from CBS Minnesota warned about a clipper system brushing the region with scattered clouds, but snow is more likely to miss us and land northward[10]. So expect cool, gray skies and light winds—near perfect for river fishing. Water temps are dropping steadily, sitting in the mid-40s, and falling leaves mean clarity improves but also give us floating debris to watch out for.

There’s no true tidal activity on this inland stretch of the Mississippi, but water levels remain steady and clear after recent dry spells. The river is running normal for early November, ideal for targeting late fall transitions.

Best fishing times today per SolunarForecast.com are the minor window at dawn from 6:26 to 7:26 AM, and the major bite from 1:26 to 3:26 PM this afternoon. Fish are showing a typical late fall feeding pattern: less topwater commotion, more hugging structure, and moving deeper. If you’re chasing numbers, expect the action to peak at midday. The day rating for angling is “Better”—not red hot, but enough activity to keep your rod bent[7].

Recent catches in our stretch have been textbook autumn: excellent walleye and smallmouth action, along with channel and flathead catfish, northern pike, and the occasional muskie. Local reports this week note walleye in the 15 to 24-inch range—best numbers from the Ford Dam area to Minnehaha Falls. Smallies continue biting well on rocky edges and bridge pilings, most fish averaging 12 to 16 inches. Catfish remain consistent, especially on deeper holes below dams.

Top Lures and Baits:
- Jigging is king right now. Blade baits, Rippin Raps, jigging spoons, and classic hair jigs are all putting up numbers—BBC Boards folks are loading their boats with these and Huddleston-style soft swimbaits[2].
- For bass, Shad Raps, jerkbaits, and drop-shot plastics stand out. Rippin Raps and Shad Raps in natural shad or perch colors can’t be beat. Go slow on the retrieve and tip with minnow or crawler bits if the bite’s tough.
- Catfish are hitting best on cut bait—sucker and chub chunks have been most productive—or on stinkbait for the channel cats.
- Pike and muskie anglers should stick to flashy spinnerbaits or jointed crankbaits, working slack water near creek mouths or dying weedlines.

Hot Spots:
- **Ford Dam tailwaters:** classic November walleye and catfish zone, especially midday, work deeper jigging presentations near seams and eddies.
- **Below Minnehaha Creek mouth:** smallmouth bass and the odd northern pike are cruising rocky drop-offs and submerged timber.
- **Boom Island Park shoreline and pylons:** reliable for mixed bag action—try here for everything from panfish to predatory species, especially if you want room to cast and easy shore access.

With deer season in swing, keep in mind many river-access trails may have closures for the rifle hunt. According to Minnesota DNR, several nearby OHV trails lock up starting today, so double-check access if you’re hauling in by ATV or walking in from state land[4]. Bank anglers have plenty of public park options, just bring layers and watch those frosty riverbanks!

All in all, today’s shaping up to be a solid late-fall outing. Focus on deeper holes, fish slow, and swap out baits for the morning or midday bite windows. The river’s serving up steady fish for those willing to put in their time—so bundle up, grab your best jigs, and work those drop-offs.

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This is Artificial Lure with your November 7th fishing report for the Mississippi River in and around Minneapolis. Today’s sunrise was at 6:58 AM and sunset hits at 4:53 PM, making for a crisp 10-hour fishing window. Temps will start out brisk in the mid-30s and warm up to the low 50s by afternoon, with partly cloudy skies overhead—perfect for angling, as the fish tend to be more active without direct, hot sunlight baking the water. Winds are expected to stay light from the west at 5-10 mph, so there’s no red flag on water safety this morning.

Tides up here on the Mississippi aren’t a factor, but water levels are near seasonal averages after last week’s spotty showers. Water clarity is decent, but cooler nights mean fish are starting to slide deep or tuck into eddies and slack water.

Based on solunar data for Minneapolis, the **major feeding window is midday: 12:43 to 2:43 PM, with a minor spike around dawn—so if you’re working a morning bite, get out early and be flexible**. Fishbrain logs show strong bites just before and after sunrise and again late in the afternoon this week.

For catches, the locals have been hauling in impressive numbers. Over 30,000 largemouth bass have been logged on Fishbrain within city limits this fall. Some real brutes came out near Boom Island and down by the University area docks, with bucketmouths over 4 lbs not uncommon. Northern pike activity is on an uptick too, with over 10,000 catches reported this season. A few over 36 inches came in below the North Loop and near the mouth of Minnehaha Creek. Panfish anglers are still putting up numbers for bluegill and crappie, especially around backwater sloughs.

**Best lures right now:**
- Medium-diving crankbaits in silver/blue or firetiger for bass and pike.
- Jig-and-paddle tail combos (3–4 inch) in white or chartreuse for river smallmouth and walleyes.
- Live bait—fathead minnows or nightcrawlers—are out-fishing artificials for bottom dwellers and picky sauger.
- For crappies and bluegills: Small hair jigs tipped with a waxworm or soft plastic in pink or white.

Seasonal patterns matter—work **rocky current seams and deep pools during the midday lull, and target shallower woody cover at first and last light**. Top recommendations are ChatterBaits around submerged wood (especially just upstream from the Stone Arch Bridge), and 1/8 oz jigheads with 3-inch shad bodies for that deeper channel bite.

For a little extra edge, local anglers favor adding a dab of Pro Cure bait scent—several on the BBC Boards say it helps hang onto a few extra strikes, especially in these colder waters.

A couple of hot spots to circle on your phone:
- **Boom Island Park landing:** Reliable for multi-species action, especially bass and rough fish on the outer edges of the channel.
- **Below the Ford Dam:** Consistently productive for walleye and pike, especially pitching jigs along the current breaks just downstream.

Keep an eye on access: The Mississippi River Northwoods Trail is closed as of November 4, and other seasonal closures for deer season start November 8, so plan shoreline access with that in mind, according to the Minnesota DNR.

That’s the story from the banks today. Appreciate you tuning in to get the latest, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a bite. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River Minneapolis fishing report for Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Weather’s the big talk this morning: the Twin Cities are waking up in the low 40s, but hang onto your hats because by this weekend, we’re primed for a burst of chilly air. Temperatures will dip down into the 30s—maybe our coldest stretch so far, according to WCCO’s meteorologists. The arctic snap is rolling in on gusty northwest winds, and more clouds will creep in as Thursday wears on. Expect sunrise today at 6:56 AM and sunset at 4:54 PM.

The river itself is running low—so low in spots that the St. Paul gauge is clocking its fourth-lowest reading on record, as reported by CBS Minnesota. Water clarity’s decent, but expect some stubborn sandbars and tricky bank fishing conditions. No tidal changes here in Minneapolis, just river flow, but falling water will have fish pushing to deep holes and structure.

Let’s talk activity: despite dropping temps, fish are active nipping before the cold hits. Anglers putting in work this week have reported channel cats, blue cats, and a good push of eater-sized flatheads below the St. Anthony Falls area. Smallmouth bass action has picked up along rip-rap and at confluence zones where feeder streams dump in a little warmer water. Last weekend, several 3-pound smallies and a handful of 20-inch walleyes were reported by locals near Boom Island Park and below the Franklin Avenue Bridge.

For bait and lures, it’s classic cold-water fare. Locals say the best results have come on:

- **Live fathead minnows**—tough to beat for walleyes and those bigger smallies.
- **Cut sucker**—working great for catfish, drifting just above deep holes.
- **Jig heads with soft plastics**—3” white/purple or dark green paddle-tails tight to structure.
- For artificial fans, **slow-rolled crankbaits** (silver/black or craw colors) and blade baits have been pulling bonus fish, especially on overcast mornings.
- Finesse tactics like a dark **Ned rig** or a simple twister tail grub will tempt neutral bass and the odd walleye.

Word from Captain Experiences and local shops: the hot bait this fall for bigger cats has been fresh cutbait, while for bass, downsizing presentations as the water chills is key. For those after pike—yes, they’re here—try flashy spoons or jerkbaits retrieved slow, especially in the slack water behind islands.

Hot spots to try today:
- **Boom Island Park**—the current seams hold smallmouth and an occasional walleye.
- **Hidden Falls Park**—plenty of structure, deeper holes, and reliable action for cats and panfish.
- **Near the Ford Dam Pool**—steady for mixed bag fishing.

Caution: some bank access remains muddy, and the early morning bite is best with the clear and chilly sky. Remember that Pool 2 remains catch-and-release for walleye and sauger.

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