statewide · 2026-10-29
MN Fish On Conditions — Oct 29–Nov 4, 2026 (Thu–Wed)
Source: NWS Twin Cities / NWS Duluth
Public NWS/NOAA cues only. No lake temps claimed.
Yesterday’s storms have moved on, and Minnesota woke up to cool, crisp, sunny weather. Enjoy it, because the forecast has two catches: Halloween showers are spreading a bit farther north than they looked yesterday, and early next week has gone from “a little drizzle” to “a soaking rain.” Friday is the day to go.
Thursday (Oct 29): sunny, brisk; Superior still lumpy
- High pressure brings sunshine statewide: MSP ~56, Rochester ~58, Brainerd ~49, Duluth ~48. Morning low clouds on the Iron Range and near Duluth should break up by mid-afternoon (NWS Duluth).
- West to northwest breezes ease this afternoon. Tonight is chilly: low 30s around Brainerd (~32), 20s in the colder spots up north (NWS Duluth), and upper 30s south. There’s no frost or freeze headline. Patchy fog is possible late tonight around the metro.
Lake Superior (nearshore): Small Craft Advisories extended to 7 PM
NWS Duluth reissued the westerly advisories at 2:31 AM and pushed the end time from 4 PM to 7 PM CDT today for every nearshore zone:
- Grand Portage to Two Harbors (LSZ140–143): West 10–20 kt, gusts to 25 kt, waves 1–2 ft.
- Two Harbors to Duluth to Port Wing (LSZ144–145): West 10–15 kt, gusts to 25 kt, waves 1–3 ft.
- Port Wing to Bayfield and the Outer Apostles (LSZ146–147, 150): West 10–20 kt, gusts to 25 kt, waves 1–4 ft.
- Chequamegon Bay and Oak Point to Saxon Harbor (LSZ121, 148): West 10–15 kt, gusts to 25 kt, waves 1–2 ft.
High pressure moves in tonight and winds turn light Friday and Friday night. Saturday brings light east to northeast winds (NWS Duluth marine). Friday looks like the calm window on Superior.
Friday (Oct 30): the pick
- Patchy morning fog, then mostly sunny with light winds. MSP ~57, Rochester ~57, Brainerd ~52, Duluth ~49.
- Angler read: light winds and stable high pressure make this the best day of the week. Fish can be a little sluggish after a front, so slow down and be patient.
Halloween weekend (Oct 31–Nov 1): showers spread a bit farther north
- Saturday: NWS Twin Cities now brings rain to mainly southern MN, but possibly as far north as an Alexandria–Mora line, as scattered to numerous showers. No thunderstorms are expected. Yesterday’s card kept it mostly south.
- Saturday rain chances: Rochester ~58% (likely), MSP ~44%, Brainerd ~39%, Duluth 12–23% Saturday night. Showers in the south could start late Friday night.
- Sunday: mostly dry and mild. MSP and Rochester ~66, Brainerd ~62, Duluth ~58. Lows stay well above freezing.
- Trick-or-treat outlook: a rain jacket over the costume for southern MN and the metro, maybe for Brainerd too. The Arrowhead looks mostly dry.
Monday–Wednesday (Nov 2–4): a soaking rain moves in
- Upgraded from “light rain”: NWS Twin Cities now expects a “persistent soaking rainfall” Monday through Tuesday. The low passes south of MN, but a large rain shield spreads north over the area. NWS Duluth also calls it a possible “beneficial soaking rain” for much of the north, though the models still disagree on how the system evolves.
- Rain chances: Rochester 60–72% Monday through Tuesday, MSP 57–69% Monday through Monday night, Brainerd 54–64%, Duluth ~59% Monday night.
- No rain totals have been published yet, so we won’t guess.
- Wind: easterly winds pick up Monday night (Duluth 15–20 mph, MSP 10–15 mph). There’s no marine headline that far out, so the North Shore is uncertain.
- Highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s Monday, then back into the 50s midweek as things settle down. NWS Twin Cities has no hazards in the outlook through Wednesday.
- Angler read: rising water and fresh runoff early next week. Muddy ramps, stained water near inflows, and a good excuse to sort tackle on Monday.
Angler cheat sheet (Thu–Wed)
| Cue | Status |
|---|---|
| Superior Thu | Small Craft Advisories, all nearshore zones, extended to 7 PM CDT; west gusts to 25 kt |
| Thu night | Chilly; Brainerd ~32, 20s in colder northern spots; no frost or freeze headline |
| Fri | Calm, sunny, upper 40s–upper 50s; best day; light winds on Superior |
| Halloween | Scattered to numerous showers in southern MN, possibly up to an Alexandria–Mora line; no thunder; Arrowhead mostly dry |
| Sun | Mild and mostly dry, low to mid 60s south |
| Mon–Tue | Persistent soaking rain likely; easterly winds increase |
| MN land headlines | None as of ~9:15 AM CDT |
No lake water temperatures, ice, stocking or bite claims in this digest. We didn’t find solid public numbers for those, so we’re not inventing any. Still uncertain: how far north Saturday’s showers reach, early next week’s rain totals and track (the models disagree), and whether easterly winds kick up Superior Monday night. Check weather.gov before you launch, and fish Friday.
Sources: NWS Twin Cities AFD (discussion 142 AM, aviation 526 AM CDT Thu Oct 29) and HWO; NWS Duluth AFD (discussion 416 PM Wed; marine 200 AM, aviation 637 AM Thu) and HWO; api.weather.gov active alerts for Minnesota (no NWS Twin Cities or NWS Duluth headlines) and western Lake Superior nearshore (Small Craft Advisories to 7 PM, reissued 2:31 AM CDT); NWS point forecasts for MSP, Duluth, Rochester and Brainerd (~9:15 AM CDT). Forecasts change, so check weather.gov before you launch.