Mississippi River Fishing Reports Pools 10-12

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 10

Northern Pike - Good: Anglers still catching fish in various spots using large flashy spinners and spoons. Channel Catfish - Fair: Bluegill - Good: Some good catches of fish in the backwaters on jig and night crawler. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Catching fish in the Harpers Spillway tube and tailwaters. Also try Mud Hen and Joyce Lake. Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing has been slow for a while but this is our first decent report of at least some being taken. Sauger - Slow: Some sauger are being caught in the tailwater drifting a night crawler.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Tailwaters Northern Pike - Excellent: A few incidental walleyes are being caught on jigs and minnow in larger sloughs. Walleye are starting to bite on wing dams also using three way rigs with minnows. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some fish can be caught along rocky shorelines using night crawlers on the bottom. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flatheads have moved into current areas near tailwaters. White Bass - Good: A lot of white bass being caught on small spinners and jigs on the Wisconsin side of the dam. Many small fish but some nice sized. Fish are also being caught on the Iowa side. Bluegill - Fair: Catching some bluegills on bobbers and worms in various locations. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing near the dam and in the spillway. Other rocky shorelines are also producing some fish. Anglers using jigs and spinners near rock. Sauger - Slow: A few small sauger are still being caught in tailwaters. Walleye - Fair: A few incidental walleyes are being caught on jigs and minnow in larger sloughs. Walleye are starting to bite on wing dams also using three way rigs with minnows. Freshwater Drum - Good: Anglers are using a simple hook baited with a night crawler and an egg sinker for weight.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 8.76 feet and is forecast to slowly fall over the next week. Water clarity has improved. Water temperatures are in the mid 60s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some fish being caught in the shallows in backwaters and in side channels. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in marinas or backwaters around structure. Fish a wax worm on small jigs under a bobber. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: A few reports of smallmouth starting to bite. Largemouth Bass - Good: Reports of bass being caught just about everywhere: in backwaters and side channels around woody structure and/or rock and rocky shorelines along the main channel. Crappie - Good: Crappie are starting to be caught in the marinas around docks on minnows or jigs under bobbers. Also try backwaters around snags and stumps. Walleye - Good: Fish are being caught on the wind dams and flats on three way rigs tipped with night crawlers, leeches, or minnows or crankbaits. Larger fish are coming on crankbaits. Reports of a lot of fish in the 20-27 inch protected slot and fish under 15 inches, as well. Freshwater Drum - Good: Fish night crawlers on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

River gauges: Lansing- 8.2; Lynxville- 14.6; Guttenberg- 6.3. Water temperature at Guttenberg is 64 degrees. Water is slightly stained from last week’s rain but is clearing up. The water levels in pools 9-11 steady to falling. Gates are in operation at Lynxville and Guttenberg.

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 9

Northern pike - Excellent: Many pike are being reported. Some pike reported from the Village Creek Boat ramp and up in Minnesota Slough by New Albin. Bluegills - Fair: Some bluegill are being caught in many of the backwaters. Smallmouth bass - Good: Smallmouths have been small but plentiful using spinners and small jigs along rock piles. Largemouth bass - Good: Many sizable largemouths are being reported. Walleye - Fair: Some walleye are being caught on wing dams. Freshwater drum - Excellent: Anglers using a simple worm and sliding egg sinker in current areas for best results. Try Minnesota Slough or lower shore slough.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Northern Pike - Good: Anglers still catching fish in various spots using large flashy spinners and spoons. Channel catfish - Fair: Bluegill - Fair: Some good catches of fish in the backwaters on jig and night crawler. Largemouth bass - Excellent: Catching fish in the Harpers Spillway tube and tailwaters. Also try Mud Hen and Joyce Lake. Some fish are being caught near the Sny Magill area and Bussey Lake. Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing has been slow for a while but this is our first decent report of at least some being taken. Sauger - Slow: Some sauger are being caught in the tailwater drifting a night crawler. Freshwater drum - Excellent: fish a night crawler on the bottom

Mississippi River Pool 11

Tailwaters: Northern pike - Excellent: Fish are being caught on spinner-baits or on large chubs fished under a large bobber. Channel catfish - Fair: Some fish can be caught along rocky shorelines using night crawlers on the bottom. Flathead catfish - Good: Flatheads have moved into current areas near tailwaters. White bass - Good: A lot of white bass being caught on small spinners and jigs on the Wisconsin side of the dam. Many small fish but some nice sized. Also fish being caught on the Iowa side. Bluegill - Fair: Catching some bluegills on bobbers and worms in various locations. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing near the dam and in the spillway. Other rocky shorelines are also producing some fish. Anglers using jigs and spinners near rock. Walleye - Fair: Some smaller walleye are being caught on wing dams trolling crankbaits or three way rigs with night crawlers. Freshwater Drum - Good: Anglers are using a simple hook baited with a night crawler and an egg sinker for weight.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 8.5 feet and is forecast remain stable to slowly fall over the next week. Water clarity is fair. Water temperature is in the high 60s. Channel catfish - Fair: Some fish being caught in the shallows in backwaters and in side channels. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in marinas or backwaters around structure. Fish a wax worm on small jigs under a bobber. Largemouth bass - Good: Reports of bass being caught just about everywhere: in backwaters and side channels around woody structure and/or rock and rocky shorelines along the main channel. Crankbaits are producing well. Crappie - Good: Crappie are starting to be caught in the marinas around docks on minnows or jigs under bobbers. They are also being caught in backwaters in shallow water (1 foot). Walleye - Good: Fish are being caught on the wind dams and flats on three way rigs tipped with crawlers, leeches, or minnows or crankbaits. Reports of a lot of fish in the 20-27 inch protected slot and fish under 15 inches, as well. Freshwater Drum - Good: Fish crawlers on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 9

Bluegill - Excellent: Fish are being caught in Conway Lake. Many fish are smaller, but bigger ones are mixed in. Use a night crawler under a bobber.

Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish rocky shorelines and backwater areas. Fish are being caught on tube jigs or on top-water baits in the backwater.

Crappie - Good: Some crappie are being caught at the Village Creek boat landing in Lansing using a jig and minnow.

Walleye - Good: Walleye fishing has been good in the some of the side channels and deeper backwaters using a crankbait or spinner bait. Fish are also being caught on the wing dam.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are being caught on the wing dams. Use a night crawler or stink bait.

Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegill are being caught in the backwaters using night crawlers fished under a bobber.

Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish are being caught in the weedy backwaters where the water is somewhat clearer. Use top-water lures for these fish in the morning and evening.

Walleye - Fair: Fish the wing dams trolling a three-way jig tipped with night crawlers. Freshwater Drum - Good: use a night crawler on sand flats or side channels

Mississippi River Pool 11

Channel Catfish - Good: fish are being caught on wing dams using night crawlers or stink bait.

Flathead Catfish - Fair: A few flathead are still being caught below the dam using small bluegill.

Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Fish are being caught on wing dams and rocky shorelines using tube jigs or small spinners.

Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few fish are being caught in the backwaters using tube jigs or spinner baits.

Walleye - Fair: Some fish are being caught on the wing dams trolling three-way rigs.

Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a night crawler on the bottom along sand flats or side channels.

River gauges: Lansing 8.18; Lynxville 14.40; Guttenberg 6.05. Water temperature at Guttenberg is 68 degrees. Water is fairly muddy after this week’s rain. The water levels in pools 9-11 steady to slightly rising.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 8.5 feet and should remain stable over the weekend then begin to slowly drop. Water clarity has reduced somewhat with recent rains but should improve over the next week. Water temperatures are in the high 60s to low 70s.

Channel Catfish - Excellent: Starting to bite on stink bait. Leeches floated under a bobber along rocks are producing, too. Fish are also being caught in side channels and sloughs around snags in shallow water.

Flathead Catfish - Good: Live bait fished below the dead lock in Dubuque is producing. Large jigs with twister tails or ring worms also work.

Largemouth Bass - Fair: Wacky worms and shallow crankbaits in the Ice Harbor. Shallow crankbaits along the floodwall up by the dam. Not great size, but many keepers.

Crappie - Fair: Fishing has been day to day. On warm sunny days, fish are being caught in shallow water in the backwaters. Cloudy days have been poor.

Walleye - Fair: The bite has slowed with increased turbidity. Fish are being caught on the wind dams and flats on three way rigs tipped with crawlers, leeches, or minnows or crankbaits. Reports of a lot of fish in the 20-27 inch protected slot and fish under 15 inches, as well.

Freshwater Drum - Good: Fish crawlers on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 10

Bullhead - Fair: a few bullhead a being caught below the Lynxville, Wis. dam. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Many catfish are being caught in some of the rocky shorelines above Lock and Dam 10 by floating a bobber and night crawler along the shores. White Bass - Good: Fish are being caught on the wing dams using small inline spinners. Bluegill - Fair: A few fish are being caught in the Sny Magill and Bussey Lake areas. Use a night crawler and bobber. You may also want to try fishing a small popper in some of the shallower areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass can be caught using tube jigs around some of the woody structures along the side channels. Also try fishing spinnerbaits along the wing dams and rocky shorelines. Walleye - Fair: Fish the wing dams trolling a three-way jig tipped with night crawlers or tipped with leaches. Freshwater Drum - Good: use a night crawler on sand flats or side channels.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish can be caught along the channel using stink bait rigs. Flathead Catfish - Fair: A few flathead are still being caught below the dam using small bluegill. A few are also being caught below the spillway. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Fish are being caught on wing dams and rocky shorelines using tube jigs or small spinners. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few fish are being caught in the backwaters using tube jigs or spinnerbaits. Walleye - Fair: Some fish are being caught on the wing dams trolling three-way rigs. Fish are also being caught trolling crankbaits along the edge of the channel. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a night crawler on the bottom along sand flats or side channels.

River gauges: Lansing 7.92 feet; Lynxville 13.94 feet; Guttenberg 5.9 feet. Water temperature at Guttenberg is 73 degrees. Water is fairly muddy after this week’s rain. The water levels in pools 9-11 steady to starting to fall. Call Guttenberg fisheries station for current conditions at (563) 252-1156.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 8.25 feet and is forecast to remain stable. Water clarity is fair. Water temperature is in the low 80s. Channel Catfish - Good: Leeches floated under a bobber along rocks are producing. Stink baits are working too. Fish are also being caught in side channels and sloughs around snags in shallow water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Wacky worms and shallow crankbaits in the Ice Harbor and shallow crankbaits along the floodwall up by the dam are producing. Not great size, but many keepers.

Walleye - Fair: Fish are being caught on the wing dams on three way rigs tipped with leeches or crankbaits, with reports of a lot of fish over 20 inches. Freshwater Drum - Good: Fish crawlers on the bottom in areas with moderate current"

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 6.22 feet and is forecast to rise to 6.6 feet by Saturday then begin to slowly fall. Water clarity is fair to poor. Water temperature is in the low 80s. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are starting to bite on stink bait or leeches under a bobber along rip rap. Bluegill - Fair: Reports of a few bluegill coming out of Middle and South Sabula Lake. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Reports of smallies being caught around rocks below the dam in Bellevue and around the mouth of Mill Creek. Largemouth Bass - Good: Throw crankbaits along rocky shorelines or below the dam in Bellevue. Using top-water frogs around vegetation has also been producing. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught in South and Sabula Lake. Fish are biting on minnows or jigs under a stick bobber. Walleye - Fair: A few fish are being caught on wing dams on a wide variety of baits. Three way rigs tipped with worms, crawlers, or leeches are producing, as well as crankbaits. Larger fish are coming on cranks. Good numbers of fish in the 20-27 inch protected slot reported. Freshwater Drum - Good: Fish a night crawler on the bottom in areas of moderate current. There is good shoreline access at Pleasant Creek Recreation Area south of Bellevue.

Mississippi River Pool 14

River stage at Camanche is 10.26 feet and is forecast to slowly fall over the next week. Water clarity is poor. Water temperature is in the low 80s. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing is starting to pick along rocky shorelines. Leeches under a bobber have been producing. Stink bait is also producing. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are starting to bite in the backwaters. Try a small jig with a crawler or wax worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: The bass bite has slowed recently, probably due to decreased water clarity. Fish crankbaits along rocky shorelines or fish spinnerbaits and soft plastics in the backwaters. Top-water frogs around vegetation is also producing. Walleye - Fair: The bite has slowed considerably with the muddy water. Look for fish to be on the wing dams. Freshwater Drum - Good: Fish a piece of crawler on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

Mississippi River Pool 15

No reports received from Pool 15.

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 10

Bullhead - Fair: a few bullhead a being caught below the Lynxville dam. Northern Pike - Fair: Some anglers catching pike fishing for bass in flat weedy areas. Also try fishing nears the mouths of any springs or cold water streams. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Many catfish are being caught in some of the rocky shorelines above Lock and Dam number 10 by floating a bobber and night crawler along the shores. White Bass - Good: Fish are being caught on the wing dams using small inline spinners. Bluegill - Fair: A few fish are being caught in the Sny Magill and Bussey lake areas. Use a night crawler and bobber. You may also want to try fishing a small popper in some of the shallower areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass can be caught using tube jigs around some of the woody structures along the side channels. Also try fishing spinnerbaits along the wing dams and rocky shorelines. Walleye - Fair: Fish the wing dams trolling a three-way jig tipped with night crawlers or tipped with leaches. Freshwater Drum - Good: use a night crawler on sand flats or side channels

Mississippi River Pool 11

Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish can be caught along the channel using stink bait rigs. Flathead Catfish - Fair: A few flathead are still being caught below the dam using small bluegill. A few are being caught below the spillway. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Fish are being caught on wing dams and rocky shorelines using tube jigs or small spinners. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few fish are being caught in the backwaters using tube jigs or spinnerbaits. Walleye - Fair: Some fish are being caught on the wing dams trolling three-way rigs. Fish are also being caught trolling crankbaits along the edge of the channel. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a night crawler on the bottom along sand flats or side channels.

River gauges: Lansing 7.89; Lynxville 13.7; Guttenberg 5.3. Water temperature at Guttenberg has fallen to 72 degrees. The water levels in pools 9-11 steady to starting to fall.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 8.07 feet and is forecast to remain stable. Water clarity is fair. Water temperatures are in the mid 70s. Channel Catfish - Good: Good number being caught on stink bait fished in 10-12 feet of water in side channels and around wing dams. Leeches along rocks are also producing but mostly male fish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have been coming on crawlers fished around rocks on wing dams with slow current in 6-9 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Shallow crankbaits along the floodwall up by the dam. Also cranks on rocks along the channel. A few fish also being caught in the harbors. Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing has been very slow with very few reports of any being caught. Walleye - Fair: Fish are being caught on the wind dams on three way rigs tipped with leeches or crankbaits with a lot of reports of fish over 20 inches. Freshwater Drum - Good: Fish crawlers on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 10

Northern Pike - Good: most fish are being caught incidentally while fishing for bass. Use crankbaits along rocky areas. Bluegill - Fair: Using wax worms under a bobber. Crappie - Good: Using minnows on a slip bobber in the side sloughs. Walleye - Good: using crankbaits in the lower ends of side sloughs. Fish are also being caught below the dam in the tailwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught along the channel using night crawlers or stink bait. Flathead Catfish - Excellent: Flathead are being caught in the tailwater using night crawlers. White Bass - Fair: White bass can be caught in the tailwaters or along some of the wing dams using small inline spinners. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth are starting to being caught on the wing dams using small spinners or crankbaits. Walleye - Good: Walleye are being caught on the wing dams either trolling crankbaits or three-way jigs tipped with night crawlers. Freshwater Drum - Good: drum are being caught using night crawlers fished on the bottom.

River gauges: Lansing 7.89 feet; Lynxville 12.84 feet; Guttenberg 4.22 feet. Water temperature at Guttenberg has fallen to 72 degrees. The water levels in pools 10-11 steady to falling.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 7.19 feet and is forecast to remain stable. Water clarity is good. Water temperature is in the mid 70s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught on stink bait fished in 10-12 feet of water in side channels and around wing dams. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have been coming on crawlers fished around rocks on wing dams with slow current in 6-9 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Shallow crankbaits along the floodwall up by the dam. Also cranks on rocks along the channel. A few fish also being caught in the harbors. Walleye - Fair: Fish are being caught on the wind dams on three-way rigs tipped with leeches or crankbaits. Reports of a lot of fish over 20 inches. Freshwater Drum - Good: Fish crawlers on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 10

The river level at Lynxville is 12.09 feet. The water temperature is 59 degrees. Northern Pike - Good: Reports of pike fishing have slowed but fish are still being caught where the backwater lakes open up into sloughs. Use spinnerbaits or shallow running crankbaits for these fish. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegill are being caught below the spillway near Harpers Ferry using worms. Largemouth Bass - Good: Some bass are being caught using crankbaits out from points. Crappie - Excellent: Crappie fishing continues to be good using a jig and minnow in the side sloughs and fishing around woody structure. Sauger - Fair: A few sauger starting to be caught below the dam jigging blade baits. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been good along the wing dams and along the "s" curves south of Harpers Ferry. Use a jig tipped with minnow to catch these fish. Some smaller fish are being caught below the dam. Freshwater Drum - Good: Catch these fish using night crawlers on the bottom. Fish are also being taken jigging in the tailwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 11

River levels at Guttenberg are at 3.82 feet. The water temperature is 64 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: catfish can be caught using night crawlers fished on the bottom along the channel. White bass continue to be caught in the tailwaters and around some of the wing dams. Keep an eye open for schooling fish. Use small jigs or spinners to catch these fish. Smallmouth bass fishing is good along rocky shorelines and wing dams with good flow over them. Use inline spinners to catch these fish. Sauger - Fair: Some smaller sauger are being caught in the tailwaters below the dam using a jig and minnow. Walleye - Fair: Some walleye can be caught around the tips of wing dams. Either troll crankbaits or fish a jig and minnow. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a night crawler and fish around wing dams.

Water levels have bumped up slightly in the last week but are still pretty low. As water levels lower, boaters are again urged to use caution when boating outside the main channel. Boaters should also use caution when backing down the ramps so as not to back off of the end of the concrete. Call Guttenberg fisheries station for current conditions at (563) 252-1156.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River level at Dubuque is 7.13 feet and is forecast to remain stable over the next week. Water temperature is in the low 60s and clarity is good. Bluegill - Fair: Fish chunks of night crawlers around brush piles or other structure in areas with no or low current. Crappie - Fair: A few crappie being caught off of brush piles in side channels and in backwaters. Walleye - Fair: Walleye are coming off of wing dams on three-way rigs tipped with leeches or on crankbaits. With the low water levels, target dams with good current or the tips of dams. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Fish a crawler on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 10

Lynxville boat ramp has become locked in ice limiting access to tail water fishing. Ice is 8 inches or more in most places but anglers should still use caution in crossing areas with potential current.

Northern Pike - Good: Anglers have reported fair catches of northern pike using tip ups near the spillway in the Harpers Ferry area. Pike are still being taken out of Bussey Lake near Guttenberg but action has slowed a bit.

Bluegill - Good: Anglers in the Harpers Ferry area report good catches of bluegills and some crappie below the spillway and in Joyce lake. Mixed reports from Bussey Lake but some nice sized bluegills and crappie still being caught. Mixed reports are also coming form Sny Magill area where anglers are fishing Norwegian and Ice lake across from the ramp with fair catches.

Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers have reported a few catches of largemouth bass near the spillway in the Harpers Ferry area. The action has been hit or miss.

Crappie - Good: Anglers in the Harpers Ferry area report good catches of bluegills and some nice catches of crappie below the spillway and in Joyce lake. Some nice catches of crappie have been reported from Bussey lake and from Norwegian in the Sny Magill area but action can be hit or miss.

Yellow Perch - Good: Several nice yellow perch have been reported out of Bussey Lake in Lower Pool 10. Most folks fishing with a jig and wax worms.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Both the Guttenberg city ramp and the DNR boat ramp are locked in ice. Warmer weather forecast may change this but there is a lot of ice to get rid of before ramps will open up.

Ice fishing is generally slow but a few anglers still reporting brief periods of good action. Many anglers are frustrated as they are seeing many fish on their cameras but catching them has proven difficult.

Northern Pike - Slow: Angers with camera's report seeing a few northern pike in the Marina and at Sunfish Lake but no one is really targeting them with tip ups.

Bluegill - Slow: Fishing in Marina is slow with a few bluegill and small yellow perch being caught. Some larger bluegill are being caught in Zollicoffers lake.

Crappie - Fair: Scattered reports of a few crappies being caught in Zollicoffers Lake and Sunfish Lake. Small white or green tube jigs baited with wax worms seem to be the best bait.

Yellow Perch - Fair: Some 8-inch yellow perch are being reported in Lower Pool 11 at Sunfish Lake. A few smaller perch are also being caught in the Marina at Mud Lake. Perch schools seen on camera but hard to catch.

Sauger - Good: The DNR ramp at Guttenberg is locked in ice. The only access to tail water fishing is by airboat. Those that have fished have caught some small sauger.

Solid ice for fishing remains with most areas having 8 inches or more of ice but forecasts for warmer weather could weaken ice especially around shorelines and any areas of flowing water. The ramps at Lynxville and the city ramp in Guttenberg are locked in ice.

Mississippi River Pool 12

Backwater ice conditions are good with 10 to 12 inches at most lakes. Ice conditions in areas of flowing water will be considerably less and travel on them is not recommended. River stage in Dubuque is stable at 8.25 feet. Anglers in Pool 12 should keep an eye out for radio tagged crappie. The DNR has externally radio tagged 200 crappies in Pool 12 and will be tracking them over the course of the next year. Tags are attached to the dorsal spines and we ask that you release any tagged fish.

Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are sorting through a lot of small fish and the bite has been slower this past week. Fish are biting in Kehough Slough, and Tippy, Stone, Fishtrap, and O'Learys lakes.

Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing has been day to day. Best fishing has been in Tippy Lake. Jigging spoons, soft plastics on jigs, or minnows have been producing best.

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 12

Backwater ice conditions are good with 12 inches or greater at most lakes. Ice conditions in areas of flowing water will be considerably less and travel on them is not recommended.

River stage in Dubuque IA is stable at 8.14 feet.

Anglers in Pool 12 should keep an eye out for radio tagged crappie. The DNR has externally radio tagged 200 crappies in Pool 12 and will be tracking them over the course of the next year. Tags are attached to the dorsal spines and we ask that you release any tagged fish.

Bluegill ice fishing has been slow. Anglers are sorting through a lot of small fish and the bite has been slower this past week.

Fish are biting in Kehough Slough, and Tippy, Stone, Fishtrap, and O'Learys lakes.

Crappie ice fishing has been slow. Ice fishing for Crappie has been day to day. Best fishing has been in Tippy Lake. Jigging spoons, soft platics on jigs, or minnows have been producing best.

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 10

Ice conditions are excellent. Bluegill fishing has been slow. A few bluegills are being reported at Joyce Lake but fishing is slow. Crappie fishing ha also been slow. Not many being reported but a few are being taken at Joyce Lake and Bussey Lake.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Ice conditions are excellent. Most areas re-froze after last week’s rain. Bluegill fishing has been slow. Some bluegills being caught at Mud Lake, a few being taken in the Marina and some at Zollicoffers. Crappie fishing has also been slow. Once in a while a nice Crappie is taken from the Marina area on jig and wax worm. Yellow Perch fishing has been slow. A few yellow perch still being taken in Sunfish Lake although most are small and action is generally slow.

Solid ice for fishing remains with most areas having 12 inches or more. The boat ramps at Lynxville and the city ramp in Guttenberg are locked in ice.

If you have questions or would care to help out and share some info please join in and post in this thread.

Thank YOU!!!

[Rick]

Anyone else out fishing?

Here's a report for Pools 10-12.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Ice conditions are excellent. A few bluegills are being reported below the spillway at Harpers Ferry but fishing is slow. Not many crappies being reported but a few are being taken at the lower end of Norwegian Slough and Bussey Lake.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Ice conditions are excellent. Some white bass are being reported in larger sloughs and deeper water side channels. Some bluegills being caught at Mud Lake. A few being taken in the marina and some at Zollicoffers. Crappie - Slow: Once in a while a nice crappie is taken from the marina area on jig and wax worm. Swift slough up by Guttenberg also has a few crappies taken at times. Yellow Perch - Slow: The yellow perch bite can start later in the season and surveys show a strong yellow perch population in places like Mud Lake and Sunfish Lake.

Solid ice for fishing remains with most areas having 12 inches or more of ice. The boat ramps at Lynxville and the city ramp in Guttenberg are locked in ice. Call Guttenberg fisheries station for current conditions at 563-252-1156.

Mississippi River Pool 12

Backwater ice conditions are good with 12 inches or greater at most lakes. Ice conditions in areas of flowing water will be considerably less and travel on them is not recommended. River stage in Dubuque is stable at 8.22 feet. Anglers in Pool 12 should keep an eye out for radio tagged crappie. The DNR has externally radio tagged 200 crappies in Pool 12 and will be tracking them over the course of the next year. Tags are attached to the dorsal spines and we ask that you release any tagged fish. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill fishing has been slow the past week in the backwaters and anglers have to sort through a lot of small fish. Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing has been slow the past week in the backwaters with very few reports of fish being caught. Sauger - Fair: A few anglers have been pulling boats off the ice from the Wisconsin side of the tail waters and catching a few saugers.

[Rick]

Calling all River Rats.....Mississippi River Pool 10

Water level at Lynxville is 16.0 and holding steady. Water clarity is improving. The catfishing is starting to heat up near out of the Noble's Landing area. Stink bait and night crawlers fished off the bottom are working well. White bass are starting to run behind wing dams. Look for feeding schools and cast spinners or jigs into the fray.

Some nice bluegills being caught along main channel shorelines below the lock and dam. Also look for spawning bluegills in shallow bays. Keep moving to find fish. Smallmouth hitting well along rocky areas with current. If you find these areas, try working behind the larger boulders and switch up colors until you start catching them. Largemouth being caught along woody debris and emerging vegetation beds. Crappie bit seems to have slowed a bit. A few nice sized perch are being caught in the tail water areas.

A few walleyes being caught trolling below the dam and they are also being caught in the major slough areas such as Harpers Slough A lot of drum being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom near main channel and side channel shorelines. Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Water levels are at 7.5 feet and expected to drop slowly over the next week. Water clarity is improving but still a little stained downstream of the Turkey River mouth. Good shoreline bank fishing can be found at Guttenberg below the DNR fish hatchery and at Mud Lake Park, just north of Dubuque.

Some pike are being caught in the Mud Lake and Sunfish Lake dredge cuts, using gaudy spinners. Channels biting well on stink bait or worms near woody debris and rocky areas. Some nice flathead catfish have been caught near the dam. Some smallmouth being caught fishing near rock in good current. Largemouth being caught along shorelines with woody debris. Bass are bunching up in the pocket and in the emergency spillway.

A few nice Yellow perch being caught on worms.

A few walleyes being caught trolling on wing dams. Some large fish were reported this week although not always a lot of numbers. A lot of drum being caught along shoreline in the Guttenberg area fishing a worm on the bottom.

Water temperature at Guttenberg has warmed into the lower 70s. River levels are expected to fall slowly over the next week. Water clarity is still pretty good above the Turkey River. Lansing 8.6 feet, Lynxville 16.0 feet and Guttenberg 7.5 feet.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 9.7 feet and falling. Water clarity is fair and water temperature is in the low to mid 70s. Anglers should be on the look out for radio tagged white crappie in Pool 12. Tags are attached externally to the dorsal fin and we ask that these fish be released or the tags returned from harvested fish.

A few catfish being caught in deeper water in side channels and sloughs on crawlers, cut bait, or stink bait. Bass are biting shallow in the backwaters around wood. Yellow spinners and white flukes have been producing. Reports of crappie being caught in 2 feet of water in the backwaters around vegetation and snags.

Walleye fishing has slowed with the increased turbidity, but a few are coming off of wing dams on crankbaits and three way rigs tipped with leeches. Drum have been biting on crawlers fished on the bottom in areas of current in side channels, sloughs, and around wing dams.

How about of few of you better rats joining in here??

[delmuts]

This is from the Harpers Ferry area. Talked to a few guys that were catching some walleye drifting. They were picking up some northern and bass in the back waters. I just fished off my wife's dock. One small bass, couple of small northern, AND. A fish story!( it's a story cause I closed my ph. before saving the picture!!!)  Tossing a bluegill  colored spinner bait, hooked and landed a 10 + northern. But with no picture! Guess it's just a story! Heard nothing about pan fish!

[delmuts]

FINALLY!!!  I have redemption!  I think it may have been the same northern, or very close to the other one. Caught her at same place, ( on a different spinner bait)  approx. 34 in. long and about 10 lbs. Had help netting it from one of the neighbors! I now have a picture to prove it!  

Water was still up.( a little less than 12 ft. Normal is 7.5 - 8) water temp 62 in back waters,  fairly clear. Could see a lure down about two ft. The few I talked to said fishing slow. Most action was bass and northern. Harper Ferry area!  

[delmuts]

This is for the Harpers ferry area. The fishing has REALLY been on an off with the rise and fall river levels! When the water is up, I can still do ok on Northern and bass, but the panfish bite gets tough for me. Last week ( 14 & 15) , with water levels about normal; we did ok for perch and blue gils. No keep walleye or sauger. Heard of a few crappies being caught. Had good luck fishing the break lines, on  down current sides were back waters  dump into channels.  

[delmuts]

This is for the Harpers area Course the river is up. Again/still!! Lots of grass coming down. so fishing a little tougher. Did manage a few panfish, but was REALLY hit and miss. did catch some nice bass Did not catch any northern thou I had two on that grabbed my smaller fish as I reeled it in. Had a few white bass that were working, they were small ones.

[delmuts]

Was  a non boater this weekend. Fishing  from shore and boat docks. The panfish bite is starting to turn on in the back waters. Manage three meals of nice blue gils. Tried for smallies  , only small fish. Talked to a couple of bass guys with little to report. Northern fishing was slow. Plan to take to boat next weekend. River getting closer to normal. No walleye report. 

[delmuts]

Harpers Ferry area. The river is still up, but been steady. Main channel is clearing up some with lots of grass coming down from up north. The walleye guys were find some fish trolling and drifting. One guy did well on perch below the dam. No one was finding any crappie that I talked to. We did fair on blue gil and a few perch in the back waters( fished hard and got two more meals), with a couple of small northern in the mix. Did manage a 4 1/2 lg. mouth fishing a suick!  Hope to make a day trip over there yet, but wife's place is shut down for the season. Will be fishing the cedar more now.

Wished we would have had the two four year old grand kids with us Sunday! Found a spot where you just dropped your bait over the side of the boat and had bites! Didn't matter if it was a worm or plastic. Nothing big, but was fun!!