mississippi river Mississippi River Fishing Reports Pools 9-15

[Rick]

Mississippi River Fishing reports - Click here for even more NE Iowa info

 

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.

 

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 6.4 feet and slowly falling. Water clarity is fair. Water temperature is in the high 60s to low 70s. Channel catfish - Fair: Catfish are starting to bite along rip rapped shorelines. Largemouth bass - Good: Throw crankbaits along rocky shorelines or below the dam in Bellevue. Spinner-baits and soft plastics in the backwaters have also been producing. Crappie - Good: A few crappies are being caught in Brown's Lake, Spring Lake, and South and Middle Sabula Lakes. Fish are biting on minnows or jigs under a stick bobber. Walleye - Good: A few fish are being caught on wing dams on a variety of baits. Three way rigs tipped with worms, crawlers, or leeches are producing, as well as crankbaits. Larger fish are coming on crankbaits. 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 10.22 feet and is forecast to rise to around 10.4 on Friday then continue to fall. Water temperature is in the high 60s low 70s and water clarity has degraded with the recent rains but should improve once water levels start to drop. Channel catfish - Fair: Catfishing is starting to pick along rocky shorelines. Leeches under a bobber have been producing. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are starting to bite in the backwaters. Try small jigs with crawlers or wax worms under a bobber. Largemouth bass - Good: Fish crankbaits along rocky shorelines or fish spinner-baits and soft plastics in the backwaters. Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing is starting to pick up in the backwaters. Walleye - Fair: Walleye have moved onto and are starting to bite on the wing dams. Crankbaits have been producing best.

 

Mississippi River Pool 15

No reports received from Pool 15.

Edited June 12, 2015 by Rick

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 8.22 feet and slowly falling. Water clarity has fair. Water temperature is in the high 60s. Channel Catfish - Good: Starting to bite on stink bait. Leeches floated under a bobber along rocks are producing, too. Flathead Catfish - Good: Live bait fished below the dead lock in Dubuque is producing. 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 - 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.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 6.06 feet and slowly falling. Water clarity is fair. Water temperature is in the high 60s to low 70s. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish are starting to bite on stink bait or leeches under a bobber along rip rap. Reports of good numbers being caught on trot lines, too. Flathead Catfish - Excellent: Live bait fished below the dam in Bellevue below the dead lock is producing. Bluegill - Fair: Reports of a few bluegill coming out of Middle Sabula Lake. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw crankbaits along rocky shorelines or below the dam in Bellevue. Spinner baits and soft plastics in the backwaters have also been producing. Crappie - Slow: A few crappie are being caught in Brown's Lake, Spring Lake, and South and Middle Sabula Lakes. Fish are biting on minnows or jigs under a stick bobber. Walleye - Fair: A few fish are being caught on wing dams. They are biting 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 - Excellent: 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 10.09 feet and is slowly falling. Water temperature is in the high 60s to low 70s and water clarity is fair. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing is starting to pick along rocky shorelines. Leeches under a bobber have been producing. Stick bait is also producing. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are starting to bite in the backwaters. Try small jigs with crawlers or wax worms under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish crankbaits along rocky shorelines or fish spinner baits and soft plastics in the backwaters. Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing is starting to pick up in the backwaters. Walleye - Fair: Walleye have moved onto and are starting to bite on the wing dams.

[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.

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.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 5.98 feet and is forecast to slowly fall over the next week. Water clarity has decreased but is still fair. Water temperatures are in the high 60s to low 70s. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish are starting to bite on stink bait or leeches under a bobber along rip rap. Reports of good numbers being caught on trot lines, too. Flathead Catfish - Excellent: Live bait or large jigs fished below the dam in Bellevue below the dead lock is producing. Bluegill - Fair: Reports of a few bluegill coming out of Middle Sabula Lake. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Reports of large 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. 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. They are biting 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 - Excellent: 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 9.78 feet and should remain stable over the next week. The water has turned muddy with recent rains and there is a lot of debris and vegetation in the water. Water temps are in the low 70s. 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 crawlers or wax worms under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish crankbaits along rocky shorelines or fish spinner baits and soft plastics in the backwaters. Top-water frogs around vegetation is also producing. Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing is starting to pick up in the backwaters but is day to day with warm sunny days being best. Walleye - Fair: The bite has slowed considerably with the muddy water. Look for fish to be on the wing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 15

No reports recieved from Pool 15.

[delmuts]

Short fishing report from Harpers'. We were at my girl friends trailer on the back waters by nobels island. Fishing from her boat dock i caught the biggest northern ever! No pictures, or measurements, but! Estimated. length around 30-31 in. weight 12-14 lbs. Released healthy and [PoorWordUsage]!

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 9

Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead can be caught along the channel fishing small bullheads on the bottom. Bluegill - Fair: Some fish are being caught in the backwaters around the New Albin area. 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. Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing has been fair trolling the faces of wing dams. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are being caught in many areas using a night crawler on the bottom

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 9

Channel Catfish - Good: Fishing rocky shorelines with minnows and night crawlers. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead can be caught along the channel fishing small bullheads on the bottom. Bluegill - Fair: Some fish are being caught by the power plant at Lansing. Use a night crawler under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish rocky shorelines and backwater areas with top-waters and crankbaits. Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing has been fair trolling the faces of wing dams. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are being caught in many areas using a night crawler on the bottom

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.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 5.62 feet and is forecast to slowly fall. Water clarity is fair. Water temperatures are in the mid 70s. Northern Pike - Good: Pike are biting on spinners and crankbaits at the mouth of Mill Creek in Bellevue. 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. Largemouth Bass - Good: Throw crankbaits along rocky shorelines or below the dam in Bellevue. Walleye - Fair: A few fish are being caught on wing dams. Three-way rigs tipped with leeches are producing, as well as crankbaits. 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 9.82 feet and is forecast to slowly fall over the next week. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temps are in the high 70s. Channel Catfish - Good: Good numbers being caught on stink bait. A few fish coming on leeches along rocky shorelines, too, but are mostly male fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are coming off rocks and woody structure around current. Crankbaits have been working well. Walleye - Fair: The bite has been slow with the muddy water, but a few fish are being caught on wing dams or mussel beds on leeches and crankbaits. Freshwater Drum - Good: Fish a piece of crawler on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

[delmuts]

We were on the river in the harpers area. Did not do very well for panfish. Mainly worked down trees and brush piles with a number of small fish, a few sheephead, and one little cat. Tried surface lures for bass, with nothing hooked up. Had several fish blow up on them.

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 9

Channel Catfish - Excellent: Fish are being caught on stink bait. Bluegill - Good: using night crawler on the bottom in side sloughs Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Crankbaits on rocky shorelines Walleye - Good: Trolling crankbaits in the side sloughs

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 9-11 steady to falling. Call Guttenberg fisheries station for current conditions at (563) 252-1156.

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.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 4.49 feet and is forecast to slowly fall. Water clarity is good. Water temperature is in the mid 70s. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike are biting on spinners and crankbaits at the mouth of Mill Creek and in the Illinois pocket below the dam in Bellevue. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting well on stink bait fished around wing dams. Bluegill - Fair: Reports of bluegills coming off of wing dams with slow current. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw crankbaits along rocky shorelines with current or below the dam in Bellevue. Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are on the wing dams. Throw crankbaits or fish three-way rigs with spinners or floaters tipped with crawlers or leeches. 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 9.40 feet and is forecast to remain stable to slowly fall. Water clarity is fair. Main channel water temps are in the mid 70s. Channel Catfish - Good: Good numbers being caught on stink baits around wing dams. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are coming off rocks and woody structure around current. Crankbaits have been working well. Walleye - Good: Walleyes are on the wind dams and biting on crankbaits, three way rigs, or jigs. Freshwater Drum - Good: Fish a piece of crawler on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

[JIvers]

I fished the Mississippi above Harper's Ferry, Iowa this past Friday. I did not have a great day, but it wasn't terrible either.

I was targetting walleye on the wing dams, but only found a few fish biting on crankbaits, with only one a legal keeper. I did CR a bonus 25" Northern who smacked a JSR-5. I caught some big bluegills on crawlers, as well as a few channel cat, so the day wasn't a total waste.

[budboy]

Has anybody been getting any crappies or bluegills in the millstone area

[JIvers]

It is late summer, but there are still some walleye and sauger to be had on the Mississippi.

I headed north from Iowa City this week, and caught a few nice fish off the tips of wing dams. Nothing huge, but the biggest walleye I got was a 23", while the biggest sauger was a 16". I also got a few eater fish. These walleye and sauger all came on artificials, unlike earlier in the summer; crawlers produced nothing but sheepshead and small channel cat.

Not great action, but for this time of year I'll take it. The river is supposed to gradually drop more, which won't help the walleye bite any--I may wait until close to Halloween before hitting the Mississippi for walleye and sauger again.

[Rick]

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9

The river level at Lansing is 7.85 feet. The water temperature is 60 degrees. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern pike are being caught in some of the side sloughs using either crankbaits or spinnerbaits. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish can be caught using a night crawler on the wing dams. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing has been good around the Blackhawk Lake area. Use night crawlers to catch these fish. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Fish are concentrated along rocky shorelines and wing dams with current. Use small inline spinners to catch these fish. Crappie - Fair: Using jig and minnow in the running sloughs. Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes being caught in Minnesota Slough trolling crankbaits.

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.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River level in Bellevue is 3.56 feet and is forecast to remain stable over the next week. Water temperature is in the low 60s and water clarity is good. Crappie - Fair: A few fish being caught off of brush piles in side channels and backwaters on small jigs or minnows. Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are coming off of wing dams with good current on three-way rigs tipped with leeches or on crankbaits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Fish crawlers on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

Mississippi River Pool 14

The river level in Camanche is 8.82 feet and is forecast to remain stable over the next week. Water temperature is in the low 60s and water clarity is fair. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are still biting, but have slowed compared to last week. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies coming off of snags in side channels and backwaters on minnows or jigs. Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are coming off of the wing dams on three-way rigs tipped with leeches, jigs, or crankbaits. With low water levels, target dams that have good current or focus on the tips of the dams.

[Rick]

Mississippi River Pool 9

The boat ramps have become locked in ice. Solid ice for fishing has formed in most areas having 8 inches or more. Anglers should always use caution as warm weather may weaken ice especially in areas near shore and where there may be current. Northern Pike - Fair: A few nice pike have been caught on tip up near Minnesota Slough. Bluegill - Fair: Shore Slough near Lansing and Blackhawk park on the Wisconsin side continue to be popular fishing areas with mixed reports and some good catches of bluegills and crappie. Fair numbers of bluegill are being reported from the lakes along Minnesota Slough. These include Cord Wood Lake, Bear Paw Lake and Fish Lake. At times the bluegill have been stacked up along the weed line in the very upper reaches of Fish Lake. Largemouth Bass - Fair: There have been reports of a few decent largemouth bass caught in the middle of Fish Lake. Some anglers are reporting catching nice sized largemouth bass on teardrops baited with wax worms in the Lansing Village Creek Marina area. Crappie - Fair: Recently a few crappies have been caught in Indian along Wisconsin Slough. Shore Slough near Lansing and Blackhawk park on the Wisconsin side continue to be popular fishing spots. Yellow Perch - Fair: Yellow perch were being caught in the lakes along Minnesota Slough. These include Cord Wood Lake, Bear Paw Lake and Fish Lake. This has been a hit or miss year, and activity can rapidly change in less than a day.

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.

Mississippi River Pool 13

Backwater ice conditions are good with reports of 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 Bellevue is 6.38 feet. Bluegill - Fair: Bite has slowed over the past couple of weeks. Fish being caught in Brown's Lake and South Sabula Lake, but a lot of small fish. Wax worms on jigs have been working best. Crappie - Fair: Crappie bite has slowed as well. Still a few fish coming out of South Sabula Lake. No reports from Spring Lake, but it is also a good spot to try.

Mississippi River Pool 14

Backwater ice conditions are good with reports of 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 Camanche is 9.74 feet. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike are coming off tip ups with 4 inch suckers. Bluegill - Slow: Bite has been slow with a lot of small fish at Rock Creek. Crappie - Slow: A few fish, but relatively slow at Rock Creek.

Let's swap info here - How has fishing been for you?

[Joe]

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9

Water levels at Lansing are 10.9 feet and expected to decrease throughout the week. The road to the ramp and New Albin is flooded. Water clarity is still quite good for flood conditions. Water temperature is around 52 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some largemouth are being taken at the Lansing power plant access and in the Village Creek harbor areas. Walleye - Slow: High water levels making access and angling for walleyes difficult. Walleye should be in the tail end of their spawning cycle.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Water levels at Lynxville are at 22.7 feet but have crested and are expected to drop throughout next week. Water temperature is around 52 degrees. Anglers can still access the river at the Harpers Ferry high water ramp. The road to the ramp at Sny Magill is closed. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some largemouth also are being reported below the emergency spillway. Most bass readily bite on night crawlers early in the season. Try using small hooks and very little weight. Hook the crawler in a one spot and let it crawl around on the river bottom! Sauger - Fair: Some good catches of sauger have been reported but high water levels. Water clarity is quite good for flooding conditions. Sauger are probably near the tail end of there spawning cycle. Walleye - Fair: A few nice walleyes being caught in the tail waters by the fishing float. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are now being caught below the emergency spillway on worms.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Water levels at Guttenberg are 12.1 feet and expected to decrease throughout the week. Water temperature is 52 degrees. Launching at the city ramp is doable but some folks are using waders to get boats off the trailer. Boats can still put in at the DNR ramp but parking is extremely limited. Water clarity is much better above the confluence with the Turkey River at Millville which is running quite turbid after the recent heavy rains. Northern Pike - Good: Northern pike spawning has concluded and they are expected to bite well in the next few weeks. The near shore stretch below the fishing float has produced some nice pike. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few channel cat are being reported by anglers jigging for walleyes. Sauger - Fair: Some small sauger are being caught by the lock chamber and by the fishing float, but high water levels are making for difficult fishing. A few sauger being caught from shore by the DNR ramp and near the inlet to the marina. Walleye - Fair: Some nice walleyes in the pocket. Some smaller fish are being caught off the DNR fishing walkway and by the Marina. High water levels making access and angling for walleyes difficult. Walleye should be in the tail end of their spawning cycle. Males and a few later spawning females may still be near spawning locations.

Water levels on the river are high but have crested at most locations. Water levels expected to decrease at most locations. Access to many areas will be difficult. During high water boaters should use caution for floating logs and debris. Water levels are: Lansing 10.9 feet, Lynxville 20.9 feet, and Guttenberg 12.1 feet.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 14.87 feet and is forecast to begin dropping late Friday. Water clarity is fair and water temperatures are in the high 40s to low 50s. 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. Northern Pike - Fair: A few pike are being caught in O'Learys Lake on jigs and stick baits. Bluegill - Slow: A few bluegills are being caught in the marinas around docks on small jigs with wax worms. A lot of small fish. Crappie - Slow: A few crappie are being caught in the marinas around the docks on jigs tipped with minnows. Sauger - Slow: Sauger are biting in the tail waters on jigs or three way rigs tipped with minnows. Walleye - Slow: Walleye are biting in the tail waters and the Catfish Creek area on jigs, three way rigs, or crankbaits.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 13.95 feet and is forecast to drop one-half foot over the next week. Water clarity is fair and water temperature is in the mid to high 40s. Crappie - Slow: A few crappie are being caught out of South Sabula Lake and the marina in Sabula. Sauger - Slow: Sauger fishing has been fair in the tail waters. Most fish are coming along the Iowa shoreline on three way rigs or jigs tipped with minnows. Walleye - Slow: A few walleye are being caught in the tail waters by sauger anglers and above Pleasant Creek.

Mississippi River Pool 14

River stage at Camanche is 15.59 feet and is forecast to crest at 15.7 feet on Saturday then begin to drop. Water clarity is poor and water temperature is in the low 50s. Crappie - Fair: Crappie are being caught in the sand pits and backwaters away from current and in cleaner water. Sauger - Slow: Sauger fishing has been slow in the tail waters. Walleye - Fair: With the high water, there are reports of walleyes being caught in the backwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 16

Water level at lock and dam 15 is currently 13.76 feet and forecast to rise to 14.40 feet in the next 24 hours. Flood stage is 15 feet and the forecast is for the pool to crest just below flood stage next week with no additional rain. Crappie - Fair: Bluegill and Crappie are being caught from shore in Sunset Marina. Walleye - Good: Walleye and sauger are being caught along the wall in Davenport. There are reports of a few trophy size fish being caught.

Mississippi River Pool 17

Current water level at Lock and Dam 16 is 13.2 feet forecasted to go to 13.8 feet today. Flood stage is 15 feet.

Mississippi River Pool 18

Lock and Dam 17 water level is 14.81 feet and forecast to go to 15.5 feet in the next 24 hours. Flood stage is 15 feet. This pool is forecast to crest next week above flood stage.

Mississippi River Pool 19

Lock and Dam 18 is currently at 10.66 feet and rising. It is forecast to reach 10.9 feet in the next 24 hours. Flood stage is 10.0 feet.

The Mississippi water levels are climbing due to recent rains. Most boat ramps in Pools 16-19 are not usable at this time. The lower pools are currently above flood stage and will remain there until next week. Due to flooding water clarity is low and there is debris moving down the river. Water temperature is in the mid 50s. Fishing is slow along most of the area with the exception of Pool 16 near Davenport.

[Joe]

Mississippi River Pool 9

Bullhead - Fair: Some good catches of bullhead reported near Read Oak. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers reporting good catches of catfish floating a worm on a bobber in lower Pool 9 above the spillway. Bluegill - Good: A few people are catching their limits in the slacker water past the tail waters. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try fishing areas with rock and good current, especially near a good back-eddy. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth can be found feeding on minnows near the shore in the slack water of a back-eddy with some sort of structure (boulders/wood). Walleye - Fair: Some anglers catching nice walleye near Victory and Black Hawk trolling crankbaits in deep water. The catch has been hit or miss. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught just fishing worm on the bottom along main channel and side channel shorelines. Drum are easy to clean and excellent eating fish especially if eaten fresh.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Fishing remains very good in the Harpers Ferry area right now. Northern Pike - Fair: Some nice northern pike have been caught around the backwaters near McGregor. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish being caught above the spillway near Harpers Ferry fishing a worm on a bobber. Bluegill - Fair: Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth hitting well in current below the spillway near Harpers Ferry and some in the tail waters. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth being caught below the spillway near Harpers Ferry. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice sized perch being caught fishing a worm on the bottom. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: 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

Flathead Catfish - Fair: A few nice flathead being caught in the tail waters. Bluegill - Good: Some nice bluegills being caught from shore by the DNR ramp but the bite is light so use light line and small jigs and pieces of worm. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Some smallmouth bass are being caught fishing near rock in good current. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice yellow perch being caught on worms. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught along shoreline in the Guttenberg area fishing a worm on the bottom. Drum are excellent eating fish especially when prepared fresh.

River levels have fallen and leveled out and fishing is getting good on the river. River levels at Lansing 8.1 feet, Lynxville 15.4 feet, and Guttenberg 7.0 feet. Water temperature is around 60 degrees.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 9.47 feet and dropping. Water clarity is fair and water temperature is in the high 50s to low 60s. 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. Northern Pike - Fair: Reports of a few northern being caught on deep crankbaits in coves, marinas, and backwaters. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats are starting to bite on stink bait. Fish are coming out of side channels and shallow backwater areas with flow. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting on crankbaits, jerk baits, swim jigs, and spinner baits in backwaters. White has been producing best. Key in on areas with rock or woody structure. Crappie - Slow: A few crappie are being caught in the marinas around the docks on jigs tipped with minnows. Sauger - Fair: Reports of a few sauger still being caught of the barge on the WI side of the tail water. Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing has been picking up as they transition from the spawn to summer pattern. Reports of fish coming off of wing dams on three way rigs tipped with leeches and crawlers. Some walleye were also being caught on deep running crankbaits in marinas and deeper backwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 7.91 feet and is falling. Water clarity is fair and water temperature is in the high 50s to low 60s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are starting to bite on stink bait in side channels or shallow areas in backwaters with flow. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are starting to bite on crankbaits, spinner baits, and swim jigs in the backwaters or side channels with moderate flows. Key in on areas with rock or woody structure. Crappie - Slow: A few crappie are being caught at the tubes at White's Crossing above Town Lake. Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing has picked up as fish transition from the spawn to summer patterns. Anglers are starting to catch walleyes on the wing dams on three way rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers.

Mississippi River Pool 14

River stage at Camanche is 11.23 feet and dropping. Water clarity is fair and water temperature is in the high 50s to low 60s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are starting to bite on stink bait in side channels and shallow backwater areas with flow. Walleye - Fair: Walleye are starting to bite on the wing dams on three way rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers, jigs with ring worms or crankbaits.

[Joe]

Mississippi River Pool 9

Channel Catfish - Fair: A few catfish beginning to bite on stink bait near woody debris and rocky areas. Bluegill - Good: A few people are catching their limits in the slacker water past the tail waters. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try fishing areas with rock and good current, especially near a good back eddy. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth can be found feeding on minnows near the shore in the slack water of a back eddy with some sort of structure (boulders/wood). Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes caught on wing dams and in Minnesota Slough. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught just fishing worm on the bottom along main channel and side channel shorelines. Drum are easy to clean and excellent eating fish especially if eaten fresh.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Fishing remains very good in the Harpers Ferry area right now. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish being caught above the spillway near Harpers Ferry fishing a worm on a bobber. Bluegill - Good: Some nice bluegills being caught along main channel shorelines below the lock and dam. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth hitting well along rocky areas with current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth being caught along woody debris and emerging vegetation beds. Crappie - Slow: Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice sized perch being caught fishing a worm on the bottom. Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes being caught trolling on wing dams. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: 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

Bluegill - Good: Some nice bluegills being caught from shore by the DNR ramp but the bite is light so use light line and small jigs and pieces of worm. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Some smallmouth being caught fishing near rock in good current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth being caught along shorelines with woody debris. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice yellow perch being caught on worms. Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes being caught trolling on wing dams. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught along shoreline in the Guttenberg area fishing a worm on the bottom. Drum are excellent eating fish especially when prepared fresh.

River levels continue to drop slowly. River levels at Lansing 8.1 feet, Lynxville 15.4 feet, and Guttenberg 6.5 feet. Water temperature is in the low 60s.

Mississippi River Pool 16

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 7.42 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on crawlers, leeches and dip baits fished on the bottom. Places to try are Sunset Marina, the Davenport Riverfront, Sylvan Slough, and the mouth of the Rock River. White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught casting small crankbaits and jigs/twisters in Sunset Marina and up by the Lock and Dam. Fishing is usually best early in the morning or right before dark. Bluegill - Slow: Fishing for bluegills in backwaters has been slow. Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing in the backwaters has been slow. Sauger - Slow: Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are starting to be picked up on the wing dams on jigs/minnows or by pulling three-way rigs with a floating crankbait.

Mississippi River Pool 17

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 5.94 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: There are reports of channel catfish being caught at GPC on crawlers. White Bass - Fair: White bass fishing has been fair. A few fish are being picked up along the Muscatine Riverfront casting jigs and twisters. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill fishing in the backwaters has been slow. Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing in the backwaters has been slow. Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are being caught on the wing dams towards the dam. A few fish are also being picked up along the Muscatine Riverfront casting jigs and twisters. Some walleyes are also being picked up by GPC on large minnows and leeches.

Mississippi River Pool 18

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 8.38 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on crawlers, dip baits, and shad guts. White Bass - Slow: Bluegill - Fair: A few bluegills are being picked up in the backwaters floating a piece of crawler under a bobber. Crappie - Fair: A few crappies are being picked up in the backwaters on jigs and minnows or floating minnows under a bobber. Walleye - Fair: There are reports of some walleyes being caught on wing dams on jigs and minnows or by pulling crankbaits on three-way rigs.

Mississippi River Pool 19

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 5.30 feet. Most fishing reports are coming from area lakes and ponds. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught on night crawlers fished along the bottom. White Bass - Slow: Bluegill - Slow: Crappie - Slow: Walleye - Slow:

Mississippi River Pools 16-20: River levels have been falling over the past week. Main channel water temperature is around 65 degrees.

[Joe]

Mississippi River Pool 9

Water level at Lansing is 8.5 feet. Water clarity is still quite good, but expect the water to turn somewhat cloudy as heavy deluged local streams. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few catfish beginning to bite on stink bait near woody debris and rocky areas. Bluegill - Good: A few people are catching their limits in the slacker water past the tail waters. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try fishing areas with rock and good current, especially near a good back-eddy. Some nice fish being reported at the entrance of Big Slough. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth can be found feeding on minnows near the shore in the slack water of a back-eddy with some sort of structure (boulders/wood). Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes caught on wing dams and in Minnesota slough. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught just fishing worm on the bottom along main channel and side channel shorelines. Drum are easy to clean and excellent eating fish especially if eaten fresh.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Water level at Lynxville is 15.0 and holding steady. Water clarity is quite good yet but recent heavy rains may cloud water conditions. Water temp has dropped to 53 degrees. White Bass - Good: White bass are starting to run behind wing dams. Look for feeding schools and cast spinners or jigs into the fray. Bluegill - Good: Some nice bluegills being caught along main channel shorelines below the lock and dam. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth hitting well along rocky areas with current. Some very large fish up to four pounds were reported this week. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth being caught along woody debris and emerging vegetation beds. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice sized perch are being caught in the tail water areas. Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes being caught trolling below the dam and they are also being caught in the major slough areas such as Harpers Slough Freshwater Drum - Excellent: 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 rising slightly and are at 7.0 feet. Water clarity is beginning to be stained from recent heavy rains. Avoid fishing downstream of the Turkey River mouth as the Turkey River is running very dirty after rains. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Some smallmouth being caught fishing near rock in good current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth being caught along shorelines with woody debris. Bass are bunching up in the pocket and in the emergency spillway. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice Yellow perch being caught on worms. Walleye - Good: A few walleyes being caught trolling on wing dams. Some large fish were reported this week although not always a lot of numbers. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught along shoreline in the Guttenberg area fishing a worm on the bottom. Drum are excellent eating fish especially when prepared fresh.

Water temp has dropped and is now only around 53 degrees in most locations.

[Joe]

Mississippi River Pool 9

Water level at Lansing is 8.9 feet. Water clarity is improving. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few catfish beginning to bite on stink bait near woody debris and rocky areas. Bluegill - Good: A few people are catching their limits in the slack water past the tail waters. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try fishing areas with rock and good current, especially near a good back-eddy. Some nice fish being reported at the entrance of Big Slough and near Village Creek. Crawdad or lime colored crankbaits have been working well. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth can be found feeding on minnows near the shore in the slack water of a back-eddy with some sort of structure (boulders/wood). Some are being caught with crankbaits and top water frogs are well. Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes caught on wing dams and in Minnesota Slough. Fair numbers of smaller walleyes are being caught with crankbaits near Village Creek. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught just fishing worm on the bottom along main channel and side channel shorelines. Drum are easy to clean and are an excellent eating fish especially if eaten fresh.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Water level at Lynxville is 17.0 feet and holding steady. Water clarity is improving. Channel Catfish - Excellent: The catfishing is starting to heat up near out of the Noble's Landing area. Night crawlers fished off the bottom has been the preferred method, but people are catching them with imitations while fishing for other types of fish. White Bass - Good: White bass are starting to run behind wing dams. Look for feeding schools and cast spinners or jigs into the fray. Bluegill - Good: Some nice bluegills being caught along main channel shorelines below the lock and dam. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: 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 Bass - Good: Largemouth being caught along woody debris and emerging vegetation beds. Crappie - Good: Some nice stringers of crappie have been coming out of the Norwegian and Johnson Slough area. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice sized perch are being caught in the tail water areas. Walleye - Slow: A few walleyes being caught trolling below the dam and they are also being caught in the major slough areas such as Harpers Slough Freshwater Drum - Excellent: 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 8.5 feet and expected to remain stable 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. Northern Pike - Fair: Some pike are being caught in the Mud Lake and Sunfish Lake dredge cuts, using gaudy spinners. Channel Catfish - Excellent: The catfishing is really heating up in this pool as well. They have been caught in good numbers near the ferry landing as well as other areas. Night crawlers have been the preferred bait, but people are catching them with bass gear as well. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Some smallmouth being caught fishing near rock in good current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth being caught along shorelines with woody debris. Bass are bunching up in the pocket and in the emergency spillway. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice yellow perch being caught on worms. Walleye - Good: A few walleyes being caught trolling on wing dams. Some large fish were reported this week although not always a lot of numbers. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught along shoreline in the Guttenberg area fishing a worm on the bottom. Drum are excellent eating fish especially when prepared fresh.

Water temperature at Guttenberg is 61 degrees and should continue to rise with upcoming warm weather. River levels are expected to remain stable at higher levels over the next week. River levels are: Lansing 8.9 feet, Lynxville 17.0 feet and Guttenberg 8.3 feet.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 10.2 feet and should rise to 10.3 feet before starting to drop. Water clarity is fair to poor and water temperature is in the low 60s. 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. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few catfish being caught in deeper water in side channels and sloughs on crawlers, cut bait, or stink bait. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting on white colored cranks and spinner baits in the backwaters, marinas, and along rocky shorelines and around wood. Crappie - Slow: Few reports of any crappie being caught the past week. Look for them around snags in backwaters or sloughs. Jigs tipped with minnows are producing best. Walleye - Fair: 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. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum have been biting on crawlers fished on the bottom in areas of current in side channels, sloughs, and around wing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 9.02 feet and should rise to 9.2 feet before starting to drop. Water clarity is fair and water temperature is in the low 60s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are biting on crawlers and cut bait in side channels and sloughs around snags. White Bass - Fair: A few white bass are being caught in Middle Sabula Lake on jigs or small spinners. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are biting in South Sabula Lake on crawlers or jigs. Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are biting on the wing dams on crankbaits and three way rigs tipped with leeches. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum have been biting very well on crawlers on the bottom in the sloughs.

Mississippi River Pool 14

River stage at Camanche is 11.75 feet and should rise to 11.9 feet before starting to drop. Water clarity is poor and water temperature is in the low 60s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel cats are biting on leeches fished under bobbers along rocky shorelines in side channels and sloughs. Walleye - Slow: With the rise in river level and increased turbidity, walleye fishing has slowed over the past week. Fish can still be found on the wing dams.

[delmuts]

The river is high,dirty, and has lots of grass floating in it!I was told that they had shut the rollers at lynxvill as the water had dropped over sat. night at harpers'.

[delmuts]

Was on the river near harpers' this weekend. Didn't do much fishing, but what info i got was that things are slow. Much of the problem is all the grass ! Either the east or west channels have lots of it floating down river, so keeping lines, and props clear is a pain.

I only caught one fish while fishing from my wifes' dock using a frog. Big splash solid hit and heavy fish!! Turns out to be a 7lb. dog fish!

[delmuts]

We just got a call last night the river rising and flooding this next week.They are predicting 19 ft by the 29 from all the rain you folks have been getting in Minn..We are going up sat. to move things up, and try to save them!( my wife owns a trailer near Mc gregor).

Good luck to all with the high water!

[delmuts]

We were just at my wifes' trailer( near harpers) checking things out. With the water level at 19.5 , it is just to the bottom of the steps leading up stairs.No problems other than we will have to get up there as the water goes down to push the dock back out away from shore. LOTS of water!

[delmuts]

We went up yesturday. Water is down to 18', so we were able to move the walkway of the dock out and back onto the stairway.The roadway in front of her trailer is dry , but the people below her still have water under thier trailers. I walked down (with waders) to check on things. Not to many problems other than docks. Had to pry the walkway of the neighbors dock off the steps. We'll give it a few days and go back up to arrange things again.

[Joe]

Mississippi River Pool 9

Water levels at Lansing on Thursday are at 10.3 feet and are expected remain high throughout the next week. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are beginning to move toward their overwintering areas in deeper backwaters with minimal current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Nice bass are being found in Minnesota Slough and near DeSoto Bay. Bass are moving into the overwintering backwater areas. Use a slow presentation with water cooling. Yellow Perch - Good: Some large yellow perch have been caught in the Lansing area mainly using small jigs.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Water level Lynxville, Wis., is 20.0 feet and expected to hold steady throughout the week. Water temperature is around 49 degrees. Bluegill - Good: Some bluegill and other panfish are beginning to move into their overwintering areas. Try fishing the better quality backwaters as fish will pack into these spots to survive throughout the winter. Largemouth Bass - Good: Many largemouth bass can now be caught near the entrances to major backwater complexes. The Sny Magill backwater areas are good bets for fine bass fishing. Otherwise try near Mud Hen Lake near Harpers Ferry. Sauger - Fair: Small fish are being caught in the tail water on jigs and minnow. Fish are moving to location near the pocket due to the high water conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Water level at Guttenberg is around 11.2 feet and is expected to hold steady through the week. Water temperature is 49 degrees and falling. Water clarity good. Largemouth Bass - Good: Many bass are now beginning to concentrate at the mouths of backwater overwintering areas and they are feeding heavily. Use a slow presentation with live bait such as minnows or night crawlers for best results. Sauger - Fair: Some sauger are being taken on jig and minnow in the tail water. Much of the fishing is taking place in the pocket and closer to shore then normal due to the high water levels.

Water levels are high and water temps are in the upper 40s. Water clarity is good in most locations.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 12.3 feet and is forecast to rise to 12.6 feet over the weekend, and then begin falling. Water temperature is in the mid to high 40s and clarity is fair. Bluegill - Fair: Reports of a few bluegill coming out of the backwaters, marinas, and sloughs around snags or other structure on crawlers or jigs. Crappie - Fair: Reports of a few crappie being caught in the marinas around docks and in the backwaters around woody debris. Minnows and small jigs have been producing best. Sauger - Fair: Sauger are moving into the tail water area and biting on one-eyes, jigs, or three-way rigs tipped with minnows. Walleye - Fair: Walleye are biting on the wing dams and in the tail waters on three-way rigs tipped with minnows, crankbaits, or sonars.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 8.24 feet and is forecast to rise to 10.5 feet over the next week. Water temperature is in the low 50s and clarity is fair. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill are being caught in the backwaters and sloughs around woody structure. Crappie - Fair: Reports of a few crappie being caught in the backwaters and sloughs around woody structure. Sauger - Fair: Sauger are moving into the tail waters in Bellevue and biting on three-way rigs or jigs tipped with minnows. Walleye - Fair: Walleye are biting on the wing dams and the tail waters on three-way rigs tipped with minnows, jigs, or one-eyes.

Mississippi River Pool 14

River stage at Camanche is 12.8 feet and is forecast to rise to 13.5 feet over the weekend then start falling. Water temperature is in the mid to high 40s and clarity is fair. Bluegill - Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught in Cattail and Rock Creek. Crappie - Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught in Cattail and Rock Creek. Sauger - Slow: Sauger are moving into the tail waters and biting on jigs or three-way rigs tipped with minnows. Walleye - Slow: A few walleye are being caught on the wing dams and in the tail waters.

Mississippi River Pool 16

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 9.93 feet. White Bass - Slow: Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina on wax worms. The bite seems to be best in the afternoon. Crappie - Good: Some crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina floating small minnows under bobbers. Crappies are also being caught in the Andalusia Island complex fishing brush piles with minnows. Sauger - Slow: Sauger fishing in the tail water has been slow. Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pool 17

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 8.25 feet. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in the backwaters fishing around brush piles. Crappie - Good: Crappies are being caught in the backwaters fishing minnows and jigs around brush piles. Sauger - No Report: Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pool 18

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 9.64 feet. Channel Catfish - Slow: Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in the backwaters fishing around brush piles. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in the backwaters fishing around brush piles. Sauger - Slow: There have been a few reports of anglers trying to catch some saugers in the tail waters fishing jigs and minnows. Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pool 19

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 5.91 feet. Crappie - Slow: Some crappies are being caught in the backwaters on minnows and jigs. Sauger - Slow: A few anglers have been fishing the tail waters for saugers using jigs and minnows. Most of the saugers have been small.

[delmuts]

This is a second hand report for guttenburg,for saturday. The ramp wasn't open yet, so the guys pushed thier boat across the ice to open water. Fishing was slow.They had four fish in the cooler when i talked to them at 3:00pm( one walleye, and three sauger). A couple of weeks ago they wered doing well with jigging spoons, but that wasn't working; neither were jigs, so they were running bottom bouncers.