As we step into the last day of September 2024, the Mississippi River around Minneapolis is gearing up for some excellent fall fishing. Here’s what you need to know for today’s outing.

### Weather and Tidal Report
The weather 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. The Mississippi River, being a non-tidal river, does not have tides, but the water levels are currently low due to the lack of significant rainfall and snowmelt this year.

### Fish Activity
The walleye and sauger bite continues to be strong as the water temperatures drop. Yesterday, anglers reported catching walleyes and saugers in various depths, particularly around the wing dams and rock shorelines. The fish are putting on their fall weight, making them quite girthy.

### Types and Amounts of Fish
Walleyes and saugers are the main targets right now. Anglers have been catching fish up to 23 inches, with some walleyes also being caught in the shallower areas. Panfish like bluegills, crappies, and perch are also active, providing a good backup plan when the walleye bite slows down.

### Best Lures and Bait
For walleyes and saugers, vertical jigging with Berkley bonefish, curlybones, ripple shads, and rib worms has been effective. Crankbaits on leadcore or longline trolling are also producing good results. Hair jigs in white, purple, and chartreuse colors are working well. For panfish, small jigs with plastics or tipped with a chunk of crawler under a bobber are recommended.

### Hot Spots
- **Wing Dams**: These structures are holding a lot of fish, especially walleyes and saugers.
- **Rock Shorelines**: Areas with rocky shorelines and weed beds are producing good numbers of walleyes and panfish.
- **Lake Pepin**: This area is known for its strong walleye and sauger population and is worth a visit, especially during the twilight hours when the bite tends to be better.

Overall, the Mississippi River around Minneapolis is offering some great fishing opportunities as we transition into fall. Make sure to adjust your tactics according to the changing water temperatures and fish behavior. Happy fishing