Iowa DNR Weekend Fishing Report 9/5-9/7

The Iowa DNR has released their Weekend Fishing Report.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is 7.6 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 9.9 feet at the RR Bridge. Levels are gradually receding. Water clarity is improving, but lots of vegetation is floating. Water temperature is around 75 degrees. Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use dip baits in moderate current areas with hard bottoms. Flathead Catfish – Good: Try bank pole fishing with a live bullhead in newly flooded water. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Use egg sinker and worm rigs in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use spinnerbaits and frog imitation lures in weed beds. Find clearer water in vegetated areas. Northern Pike – Good: Try gaudy spinners along weed edges; look for cleaner water. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Get spinners or crankbaits as close to rock piles as possible in moderate current areas. Flood debris has hampered fishing along rocky areas, but the pool is clearing. White Bass – Good: Look for feeding schools of white bass in tailwaters and between wing-dams.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is receding to 8.5 feet at Bellevue. Water is stained, but fishable. Water temperature is around 74 degrees. Tributary streams like the Maquoketa River are still stained from recent rains. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use dip baits in moderate current areas with hard bottoms. Lower pool stump fields can be excellent for channels. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Use bank poles with live bait. Freshwater Drum – Good: Try an egg sinker and worm rig in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try spinnerbaits along the edges of weeds. Find clear water within weed beds. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use spinners and crankbaits along rock lines. Floating vegetation is hindering throwing lures. Walleye – Fair: High water and floating vegetation is hampering wing-dam fishing. Try jigs in eddies or pockets near shore. White Bass – Good: White bass schools are chasing minnows along channel edges.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level is receding to near 7.7 feet at Fulton, 12.2 feet at Camanche, and near 6.1 feet at LeClaire. Water temperature is near 75 degrees. The Wapsi River is running somewhat turbid, but is clearing up. Lots of floating vegetation is hampering some fishing. Channel Catfish – Good: Try dip baits in moderate current areas with hard bottoms. Lower pool stump fields can be excellent for channels. Freshwater Drum – Good: Use egg sinker and nightcrawler rigs. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try spinnerbaits or frog imitation lures along the edges of weeds. Northern Pike – Fair: Use gaudy white spinners along the edges of weeds. Look for pike in clearer water pockets in vegetated areas. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Find abundant smallmouths along rock lines with moderate current; use small crankbaits or spinners. Floating debris is playing havoc with anglers fishing along rock lines.

For the full report, please visit the DNR’s website here.