Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Mississippi River fishing report for March 17, 2025. It's a chilly morning in Minneapolis, with temperatures hovering around 38°F and partly cloudy skies. The sun rose at 7:22 AM and will set at 7:24 PM, giving us plenty of daylight for fishing.

Now, let's talk about the river conditions. The Mississippi is running a bit high and fast due to recent snowmelt and rain. The water temperature is around 42°F, which is starting to wake up our fishy friends. There's no tidal report for the Mississippi since it's not affected by ocean tides, but keep an eye on those water levels as they can change quickly this time of year.

Walleye fishing has been picking up lately, especially near the lock and dam areas. Anglers have been having luck with jigs tipped with minnows or plastics in the deeper holes. Some nice-sized walleyes in the 18-24 inch range have been caught in the past week.

Smallmouth bass are also starting to become more active. They're hanging around rocky areas and current breaks. Throw some crankbaits or soft plastics their way, and you might just hook into a chunky bronzeback.

For you catfish enthusiasts, channel cats are biting well on cut bait or stinkbaits in the slower, deeper pools. A few flatheads have been reported, but they're still a bit sluggish with the cooler water temps.

As for lures, I'd recommend having a variety of jigs, crankbaits, and soft plastics in your tackle box. Bright colors like chartreuse and orange have been working well in the slightly stained water. Don't forget some live bait options like minnows or nightcrawlers – they're always a solid choice this time of year.

If you're looking for some hot spots, try fishing near the Stone Arch Bridge or the area around Boom Island Park. The structure in these areas tends to hold fish, especially as they start moving into shallower water.

Remember, folks, the ice is off the river, but be cautious of floating debris and swift currents. Wear your life jackets and stay safe out there. Tight lines, everyone!