Crappie Fishing the Mississippi this Spring

[Slablicious]

Anyone ever try the river for spawning crappies? I usually due a trip to Rathbun and Grenada Lake, MS but am thinking I may stay closer to home and try THE Mississippi this spring. I could use any and all help!

[GrumpyLoomis]

I live 200 foot from THE Mississippi on pool 16. The river in the spring is like a yo-yo. By the time they spawn most years the river is high enough that there are no boat ramps available. That being said it is a good time if you can find them.

[hammann_13]

Monitor the river levels for the pools which you will think about going to. If the water is at a boatable level, you can get into alot of larger sized fish in the right backwaters. Also, if your unfamiliar with the backwaters be cautious as many areas are tough to navigate, especially after high water settles trees.

[GrumpyLoomis]

You are absolutely correct. I've fished these pools for about 30 years for green fish then found out I could have just as much fun and eat the white ones. I watch pool levels at rivergages.com everyday and when things are right or as close as I think they'll be I'll post now that I'm a member here. Don't give up on Rathbun too quick, it's still got 'em.:D

[ol yank]

Any info on panfishing the Mighty Miss in pools 16, 15, 14 would be GREATLY appreciated. My son goes to school in Iowa City and I live near Rockford IL. We like to meet at Clinton to fish for a day. We have had some success fishing for walleye right near the Clinton Marina. Backwaters have been a challenge for us as I don't have any way to get reports. I promise to share any knowledge I have gleaned. Info on the big river is hard to come by.

[GrumpyLoomis]

15 and 14 are not a place I fish much. 16 I will help with but it's not a hundred fish day fishery. Give me a little time and I'll pm you.

[hammann_13]

Sometimes you can recieve fishing information from the iowa dnr fishing report at www.iowadnr.gov, but it is not always reliable and depends on an anglers skill. Usually the information is at least a few days old by the time it makes the report. Not knowing alot about 15 and 14, if you meet your son pool 16 would be a great place to try for spring crappie, but get a good map of the backwaters as many have shallow entrances if the water is at normal pool. They also can become crowded when people hear the fish are biting. If you are interested in pool 17 in muscatine Ill help if needed.

This may be a year to go to rathbun with little snowpack in southern iowa, and the mississippi will flood again with alot of snow up north. Rainfall is hard to judge, but rathbun tributaries done go to far into iowa, so if its a dry spring that may be your best bet.

[Slab_Seeker]

I live outside of Clinton and may be able to help you out on Pool 14........PM me if interested.

Slab_seeker

[Slablicious]

pm sent