DNR Weekend Fishing Report – 9/11-9/14

The Iowa DNR has released their weekend fishing report.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is 6.4 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 8.6 feet at the RR Bridge. Levels are gradually receding. Water clarity is improving, but lots of vegetation is floating. Water temperature is around 67 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. Yellow Perch – Good: Look for perch on the edge of weed beds. Catch larger perch with a minnow fished just off the bottom.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is receding to 8.5 feet at Bellevue. Water clarity is improving. Water temperature is around 65 degrees. 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: Wing-dam fishing is improving but have been hampered by floating vegetation. Try jigs in eddies or pockets near shore. White Bass – Good: White bass schools are chasing minnows along channel edges. Yellow Perch – Good: Look for perch on the edge of weed beds. Catch larger perch with a minnow fished just off the bottom.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Tailwater stage is 7.25 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and falling. Flood stage is 16 feet. Water temperature is around 66 degrees. There is still some floating vegetation in the main channel, but conditions are improving. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try fishing on the upstream side of brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels and on the wing-dams. Use stink bait, crawlers or cut bait upstream of structure. Largemouth Bass – No report: Use spinnerbaits or frog imitation lures along the edges of weeds. Smallmouth Bass – No report: Find smallmouths along rock lines with some current; use small crankbaits or spinners. Walleye – Fair: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Try fishing with three-way rigs with crawlers. Cast or troll crankbaits on the wing-dams. White Bass – No Report: Try small spinners or jigs and twister tails in the tailwaters or in between wing-dams.

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