Pool 12

Quality fishing is ramping up on the Mississippi River for multiple species so please take some time and enjoy the bounty the Mississippi River has to offer. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Black Bullhead - Good: Worm on the bottom is catching some black bullheads which will bite readily early in the season. Muddy backwater areas are the best bet.

Black Crappie - Good: A few Black Crappie are being caught on wood in deeper backwater lakes. Bite has really picked up the past few weeks as they are thinking about spawning.

Northern Pike - Good: Some pike have been reported biting on minnow imitation lures and the bite for them has indeed picked up.

Sauger - Slow: It was an off and on Spring for walleyes and sauger. Usually not a lot of big fish being caught but many small fish which bodes well into the future.

The river is rising at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 8.2 feet and 10.5 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 57, and the water clarity is good.

Yellow Perch - Fair: It should be a good year for yellow perch but maybe this spawning season might be a tad difficult for them. They, like the pike, spawn in flooded vegetated areas.

Bluegill - Good: Smallish bluegills are being commonly reported in the Marinas areas in Pool 12.

Shovelnose sturgeon - Fair: Some shovelnose sturgeon are being reported on worms in the Dubuque tailwaters.

Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing has taken off with anglers concentrating near backwater shorelines as they prepare to spawn.

Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Fish Drum in areas of modest current using an egg sinker worm rig.

Source: Iowa DNR

Good reports on fishing are starting to trickle in so please take some time and enjoy the bounty the Mississippi River has to offer. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

The river is steady at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 8.4 feet and 10.7 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 51, and the water clarity is good.

Sauger - Slow: It was an off and on Spring for walleyes and sauger. Usually not a lot of big fish being caught but many small fish which bodes well into the future.

Northern Pike - Fair: Some pike have been reported biting on minnow imitation lures and the bite for them has indeed picked up.

Yellow Perch - Fair: It should be a good year for yellow perch but maybe this spawning season might be a tad difficult for them. They, like the pike, spawn in flooded vegetated areas.

Black Bullhead - Good: Worm on the bottom is catching some black bullheads which will bite readily early in the season. Muddy backwater areas are the best bet.

Black Crappie - Good: A few Black Crappie are being caught on wood in deeper backwater lakes. Bite has really picked up the past few weeks as they are thinking about spawning.

Bluegill - Good: Smallish bluegills are being commonly reported in the Marinas areas in Pool 12.

Shovelnose sturgeon - Fair: Some shovelnose sturgeon are being reported on worms in the Dubuque tailwaters.

Source: Iowa DNR

The weather has not been too conducive to fishing but some action has taken off on the Mississippi River. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

The river is rising at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 7.7 feet and 10.0 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 56, and the water clarity is good.

Northern Pike - Slow: The pike spawn should be over, and pike will start a post spawn feeding pattern. Some pike have been reported biting on minnow imitation lures.

Sauger - Slow: It was an off and on Spring for walleyes and sauger. Usually not a lot of big fish being caught but many small fish which bodes well into the future.

Black Crappie - Fair: A few Black Crappie are being caught on wood in deeper backwater lakes. Bite should return after water warms.

Yellow Perch - Slow: It should be a good year for yellow perch but maybe this spawning season might be a tad difficult for them. They, like the pike, spawn in flooded vegetated areas.

Black Bullhead - Good: Worm on the bottom is catching some black bullheads which will bite readily early in the season. Muddy backwater areas are the best bet.

Source: Iowa DNR

Conditions have changed for the worse on the Mississippi River with rain/snow received this week and cooler temperatures. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

The river is rising at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 7.2 feet and 9.6 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature has dropped and is around 43 degrees, and the water clarity is poor.

Northern Pike - Slow: Not sure what to make of the Northern Pike spawning season. Typically they spawn in shallow reeds as the river rises but this year the river stayed low during the spawn. Heard a few reports of folks catching some but cloudy water will make it difficult.

Sauger - Slow: It was an off and on Spring for walleyes and sauger. Usually not a lot of big fish being caught but many small fish which bodes well into the future.

Black Crappie - Slow: A few Black Crappie are being caught on wood in deeper backwater lakes. Bite should return when water clears.

Yellow Perch - Slow: It should be a good year for yellow perch but maybe this spawning season might be a tad difficult for them. They, like the pike, spawn in flooded vegetated areas.

Source: Iowa DNR

Angling has been concentrating in the tailwaters for walleyes and sauger but reports on many species are starting to trickle in. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

The river is steady at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 5.2 feet and 7.9 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 44 degrees, and the water clarity is good.

Sauger - Fair: Most anglers are using a jig and minnow or one eye rig. Fishing has been good at times this spring for many anglers with many small fish and an occasional keeper being caught.

Northern Pike - No Report: No report on Northern Pike yet but spawning may be occurring shortly even though it is weeks before the normal spawning season.

Yellow Perch - Good: First good reports of yellow perch being taken both in the tailwater and in backwater lakes. Most anglers are using simple worm rigs.

Source: Iowa DNR

Ice fishing is all but finished on the Mississippi. Most angling has been concentrating in the tailwaters for walleyes and sauger. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Sauger - Fair: Most anglers are using a jig and minnow or one eye rig. Fishing has been good at times this spring for many anglers with many small fish and an occasional keeper being caught.

The river is steady at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 5.4 feet and 8.0 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 39 degrees, and the water clarity is good.

Northern Pike - No Report: No report on Northern Pike yet but spawning may be occurring shortly even though it is weeks before the normal spawning season.

Angling has been concentrating in the tailwaters for walleyes and sauger. Paddlefish season will start on March 1st. Rules can be a bit confusing for paddlefish snagging so please review them if you are unsure. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

The river is steady at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 5.3 feet and 7.9 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 40 degrees, and the water clarity is good.

Sauger - Fair: Most anglers are using a jig and minnow or one eye rig. Fishing has been good at times this spring for many anglers with many small fish and an occasional keeper being caught.

Northern Pike - No Report: No report on Northern Pike yet but spawning may be occurring shortly even though it is weeks before the normal spawning season.

Source: Iowa DNR

Ice flows have all nearly stopped on the river although chunks can occasionally be seen. Ice fishing is taking place, but ice is suspect in many places and not recommended. Water levels are slightly rising throughout the district. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

The river is steady at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 5.7 feet and 8.2 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 39 degrees, and the water clarity is good. Ice fishing is being reported especially in the various marinas, but ice quality is deteriorating rapidly. Ice fishing is generally not recommended.

Sauger - Good: Both Sauger and Walleye bite seemed to have picked up in Pool 12. Anglers are using jigs and minnows or they are using crankbait rigs. Smaller fish seem to be closer to the dam.

Yellow Perch - No Report: Some very nice 12 inch plus perch were being reported all fall both from backwater areas and shallower water in the tailwaters.

Source: Iowa DNR

The river is rapidly changing. Most of the main channel is now open but major ice flows have been seen all week. Ice fishing is taking place, but ice is suspect in many places and not recommended. Most boat ramps are open but may be subject to ice flows. Water levels are rising throughout the district. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

The river is steady at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 6.1 feet and 8.6 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 34 degrees, and the water clarity is good. Ice fishing is being reported especially in the various marinas, but ice quality is deteriorating rapidly. Ice fishing is generally not recommended.

Yellow Perch - No Report: Some very nice 12 inch plus perch were being reported all fall both from backwater areas and shallower water in the tailwaters.

Sauger - Slow: Weak bite, use live bait with stinger hooks.

Source: Iowa DNR

What a difference a week can make. We still have ice fishing taking place but ice is suspect in many places. Many of the tailwater ramps have opened up as well but may be subject to large ice flows. Water levels are rising throughout the district. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Sauger - No Report: As of Thursday the ramps at Dubuque were still iced in.

The river is rising at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 6.2 feet and 8.8 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 34 degrees, and the water clarity is good. Ice fishing is being reported especially in the various marinas but ice quality is deteriorating rapidly.

Yellow Perch - No Report: Some very nice 12 inch plus perch were being reported all fall both from backwater areas and shallower water in the tailwaters.

Black Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being reported with the bluegills in marina areas.

Bluegill - Good: Small bluegills are being reported out of the harbor areas on teardrop type lures and wax worms. Lots of small fish being caught and a lot of sorting going on. Ice quality is deteriorating rapidly.

Source: Iowa DNR

Ice fishing is underway with most district backwaters appear to have at least some solid ice but please avoid discolored ice. Also, be warry of snow covered areas as they might not have frozen despite the cold temperatures. Water levels are stable throughout the district. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

The river is stable at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 5.4 feet and 7.9 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 32 degrees, and the water clarity is good. Ice fishing is being reported especially in the various marinas. Ice quality is reported from poor to 10 inches on windswept open ice.

Bluegill - Good: Small bluegills are being reported out of the harbor areas on teardrop type lures and wax worms. Lots of small fish being caught and a lot of sorting going on.

Sauger - No Report: Dubuque ramps are iced in making boating access impossible.

Yellow Perch - No Report: Some very nice 12 inch plus perch were being reported all fall both from backwater areas and shallower water in the tailwaters.

Black Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being reported with the bluegills in marina areas.

Source: Iowa DNR