Name’s Artificial Lure, coming to you with your Mississippi River fishing report for the Minneapolis stretch. We’re in a classic early-summer pattern on Pool 1 and just above and below the Ford Dam. Flows are moderate and water clarity is decent, with a light stain that’s perfect for reaction baits. The river isn’t tidal up here, so no tide swings to worry about—think in terms of current seams, dam releases, and boat traffic instead of tides. Weather-wise, we’re looking at a mild start, light winds and comfortable temps building into a warm afternoon. Skies lean partly cloudy, which is ideal: just enough cover to keep fish comfortable but still push them to feed in windows. Humidity is up, so expect a little haze over the water early. Sunrise hits right around that 5:25 a.m. mark, with sunset close to 9:00 p.m., giving a long low-light bite on both ends. The strongest feeding windows are that first two hours after sunrise and the last couple before dark. Midday can still produce if you slide deeper or tuck into shade and current breaks. Recent chatter from local anglers along the University stretch and near Boom Island has been solid. Folks are reporting mixed bags of **smallmouth bass**, **walleye**, and plenty of **channel cats**, with bonus **sheepshead** and a few **pike** tossed in. Numbers have been good rather than huge—think a half-dozen to a dozen keeper-size smallies or walleyes per serious outing, plus cats if you soak bait. Smallmouth have been active on rocky shorelines, bridge pilings, and riprap near the locks. A lot of fish are in that 14–18 inch range, with an occasional 19 or 20 showing up for those working slow and thorough. Walleye catches have come mostly from current edges below the dam faces and deeper bends. Catfish action has been consistent in the slower holes and behind big current breaks. Best artificial lures right now: - For smallmouth: **green pumpkin** or **brown tube jigs**, 3–4 inch **Ned rigs**, and small **crankbaits** in craw or shad patterns. Topwater **walkers** and **poppers** can shine right at dawn and dusk along calmer banks and eddies. - For walleye: **1/8–1/4 oz jigs** tipped with plastics in chartreuse, white, or motor oil, slowly worked along the bottom. Deep-diving crankbaits in natural shad or perch colors are producing after dark. - For pike: **spinnerbaits** and flashy spoons tossed near weed edges and current transitions. Best live or natural bait: - **Nightcrawlers** on a simple slip-sinker rig for both walleye and cats. - **Fathead minnows** or small **shiners** on jigs or live bait rigs for walleye. - **Cut bait**—sucker or goldeye chunks—for channel cats in deeper holes and behind big boulders or bridge pilings. Couple of local hot spots to keep in your back pocket: - The stretch **below Lock and Dam No. 1 (Ford Dam)**: classic seams, rocks, and depth changes for walleye and smallies. Work the edges of the main current and the first major breaks off it. - The **University/Franklin Avenue bridge area**: rocky banks and pilings hold smallmouth, with cats stacking in deeper pockets and eddies. Cast tight to structure and let your bait drift naturally with the current. As always on this river, watch your footing and boat position—the current can shift fast with any change in upstream flow. Keep your presentations just off bottom, match your jig weight to the flow, and don’t be afraid to move until you contact fish. Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure’s Mississippi River report, and make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next one. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn