Fishing a Bass Tournament on Pool 10 of the Mississippi River: A Season-by-Season Guide

Pool 10 of the Mississippi River offers bass anglers a unique challenge, combining the dynamic flow of a major river system with diverse habitats ranging from backwaters to main river channel drops. Whether you’re fishing a bass tournament in the spring or fall, understanding how to adjust your tactics to the seasonal conditions of the river can make all the difference in your success. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to fish the tournament circuit on Pool 10, with a focus on pre-spawn, spawn, post-spawn, summer, and fall periods.

Understanding Pool 10 of the Mississippi River

Pool 10 stretches from the dams at Guttenberg, Iowa, to the tailwaters of Lynxville, Wisconsin. The river’s current can vary drastically depending on water levels and weather conditions, creating both opportunities and challenges for anglers. The region features a combination of deep, swift river channels, shallow backwaters, islands, sloughs, and flooded timber, all providing ideal habitats for largemouth and smallmouth bass.

1. Pre-Spawn Fishing (Late Winter to Early Spring)

When to Fish:

Pre-spawn bass in Pool 10 typically begin to move toward shallower water from mid-March through April, depending on water temperatures and weather patterns. Water temps around 45-55°F signal the start of pre-spawn activity, with bass becoming more aggressive as they prepare for the spawn.

Techniques to Use:

• Jerkbaits: A suspended jerkbait is one of the top choices for pre-spawn bass. Fish it over drop-offs, along ledges, or near deeper structures like submerged rock piles and sunken logs. The erratic presentation mimics baitfish and triggers strikes.
• Crankbaits: Choose medium-diving crankbaits in natural colors like shad or crawfish. Crankbaits work well for covering larger areas of structure such as the outer edges of backwater channels and main river points.
• Jigs: Pitching a football head jig with a craw trailer along the edges of drop-offs and river ledges can be effective. The slow, bottom-bouncing presentation allows you to target bass in deeper water that are preparing to move shallow.
• Swimbaits: A larger, soft-plastic swimbait can be used to mimic schools of baitfish moving through the river.

Key Locations:

• Main River Channels: Bass during the pre-spawn stage can often be found staging along the main river channel, particularly around bends and secondary points.
• Backwaters & Creek Mouths: These areas warm up quicker and often serve as staging zones before the bass move shallow for the spawn.

2. Spawn Fishing (Mid to Late Spring)

When to Fish:

Spawn occurs when water temperatures reach around 60-65°F, typically from late April to early May, although this can vary depending on weather patterns and water flow.

Techniques to Use:

• Flipping and Pitching: Bass will be guarding nests in shallow, protected backwater areas, often near submerged vegetation, flooded timber, and isolated rock piles. Use a Texas-rigged creature bait or jig with a soft plastic trailer to flip into these areas, ensuring your presentation mimics a vulnerable prey item.
• Spinnerbaits: A spinnerbait is a great tool for covering areas where bass may be actively feeding or staging close to spawning areas. Opt for bright colors to attract fish in the murky water often found in the river system.
• Finesse Techniques: In clearer backwater areas or when bass are not aggressively hitting larger lures, consider using a wacky rigged worm or a drop-shot rig for a more subtle presentation.

Key Locations:

• Shallow Backwater Flats: These areas heat up first and often serve as the primary spawning grounds. Look for bass around shallow reed beds, submerged timber, and gravel flats.
• Islands and Points: On the main river or near the entrances to backwaters, islands and points often hold pre-spawn bass that will move into shallow spawning areas once the temperature rises.

3. Post-Spawn Fishing (Late Spring to Early Summer)

When to Fish:

Once the spawn is complete (usually late May to early June), bass begin to move off their nests and seek recovery. Water temperatures in Pool 10 during post-spawn typically range from 65°F to 75°F.

Techniques to Use:

• Carolina Rig: Bass often retreat to deeper water, but they are still hungry and will feed aggressively. A Carolina rig with a soft plastic bait (like a lizard or worm) is effective when fishing deeper structures like points, humps, or sunken islands.
• Topwater Lures: Early morning or late evening can offer excellent opportunities for topwater lures like poppers or walking baits, especially near shallow points or the mouths of creeks where bass are still holding.
• Jigs and Soft Plastics: Bass are still holding near structure in deeper water, so continue to use jigs and plastics in areas like channel bends, rock piles, or fallen timber.

Key Locations:

• Deeper Water Near Spawn Areas: As bass move away from the shallow spawning grounds, they will often seek deeper, submerged structures nearby, such as channel ledges, submerged trees, and deeper rock piles.
• Secondary Points and Drop-offs: Bass are often found in areas near their spawning zones, especially along the outside edges of flats and river bends.

4. Summer Fishing (Mid-Summer)

When to Fish:

In the summer months (July and August), bass move to deeper, cooler water, particularly during the day when temperatures soar. They are more active during low-light periods (early mornings and evenings).

Techniques to Use:

• Deep Cranking: Use deep-diving crankbaits to target bass that are holding on structure in depths of 12-20 feet, such as ledges, submerged rock piles, or creek channels.
• Drop-Shot Rig: A drop-shot rig with a small worm or minnow imitation is great for fishing in deep, slow-moving water where bass tend to congregate.
• Jigs: A heavy football jig works well when dragged along deep, rocky bottoms or over sunken trees.
• Night Fishing: Night fishing can be productive during the summer, with bass feeding actively after dark. Use larger soft plastics or topwater lures like buzzbaits for night-time strikes.

Key Locations:

• Main Channel and Drop-offs: During the heat of the summer, bass retreat to the deepest parts of the river, where they can stay cool. Look for ledges, drop-offs, and deep holes along the main river channel and major backwaters.
• Hydrilla and Vegetation Edges: As the river warms, bass may move into areas with submerged vegetation, particularly around the mouths of creeks and backwaters.

5. Fall Fishing (Late Summer to Early Fall)

When to Fish:

As temperatures cool in late September to October, bass become more active and begin feeding aggressively to prepare for winter.

Techniques to Use:

• Crankbaits and Lipless Crankbaits: Fall bass are often feeding heavily, so fast-moving baits like crankbaits and lipless crankbaits can be effective for covering water quickly and targeting aggressive fish.
• Spinnerbaits and Bladed Jigs: These lures work well in areas with scattered cover or around submerged weeds and timber.
• Jigs and Soft Plastics: As bass begin to move deeper in preparation for winter, use jigs or soft plastics to work deeper structures, including ledges and drop-offs.

Key Locations:

• Main River Bends and Drop-offs: Fall is the time for bass to feed heavily before the colder months, so target the deeper sections of the river, especially near bends, drop-offs, and creek channels.
• Backwaters and Mudflats: As water cools, bass may move into backwater areas to feed before winter, particularly where shad and baitfish congregate.

Conclusion

Fishing a bass tournament on Pool 10 of the Mississippi River requires adaptability to the river’s ever-changing conditions. Whether you’re targeting bass during the pre-spawn, spawn, post-spawn, summer, or fall, understanding the seasonal movements and behavior of the fish is key to success. Keep in mind that the Mississippi River is dynamic, with currents, water levels, and weather constantly influencing fishing patterns. By being prepared with the right techniques and understanding the behavior of bass at each stage of the season, you’ll be better equipped to make the most of your time on the water in a tournament setting. Happy fishing!

TIPS:

    The restrooms are always locked at the ramp early in the morning.  Use the Kwik Trip or Casey’s restrooms when getting ice and drinks on your way to the event.  

    You MUST have a parking permit displayed in your front window or you will get a hefty ticket. To avoid this go to Kwik Trip or BP and get one, check the picture of the sign above for other locations to buy them including Cabela’s.  If you plan on bass fishing from the “Washington Street Ramp” more than three times, get a season parking pass, it’s cheaper that way.  

    Parking 

    Overflow parking is in the field straight out from the ramp and past the big trees and map of the river.  When exiting the ramp area pull straight into the field facing south. This allows you drive directly to the south ramp entrance area as these are one way in and one way out roads.  When leaving to go home stay to the left and don’t accidently drive on the paved bike path.

    Bass Fishing – At or near the ramp in Prairie du Chien

    Bass fishing from Prairie du Chien has plenty of options.  Just north of the Washington Street ramp is a popular clear water lake called Greymore.  Loaded with vegetation, a marina and depth changes, this area sees a lot of action year round.  Just north is Bass Lake and some spider feeder channels that reach the main channel and provide current to the area.  Spring Lake is even further north in this back water bonanza but the waters can get a bit shallow up there.  Along the journey north there are plenty of rock walls and islands to pick apart if you’re searching for smallmouth bass.  Locals will wear a top water frog out looking for a 20 pound bag up here so bring your frogging gear.

    Directly across from the ramp on the Iowa side Marquette, Iowa is directly on the main channel.  The casino is within sight of McGregor Lake.  This lake seems to be liked by few but fished by many, so an area definitely worth checking out. The channel near Prairie that leads back to the western bank of the river is called the East channel.  Stay within the navigation markers while traveling the east channel or risk buying a new lower unit.  If you’re smallmouth hunting look closely at current breaks and current runs that feed the isolated lakes down stream. 

    Bass Fishing – North of the ramp in Prairie du Chien 

    Up river from Prairie du Chien is the Harpers Ferry area.  While boating up to Harpers Ferry you’ll travel by Off Slough, Mud Hen Lake, Japan Slough, Murry Island and more.  These are all examples if you travel the west banks of the river, if not, you’ll be following the main channel much of the way north which winds down the Wisconsin side of the river.  All of these areas need to be fished to see what best suits your style of fishing or more importantly what the fish are doing at that time.  Remember you’ll have more success if you’re fishing clearer water.  The calmer the recent weather, the clearer the water.  The more active rain and wind, the further north in the coves, lakes and back water you’ll need to go.  Unless of course you’re targeting specific structure with current, then clear water is less an issue if you’ve got the pattern down.  When fishing these longer banks heading north give a bladed jig a try.  With waters being murky the bass need the signal to feed, and with the current and vegetation along banks, a bladed jig is a nice scouting bait.  

  For more information check Bass-Cafe.com section for Harpers Ferry

    Bass Fishing – South of the ramp in Prairie du Chien

    Traveling south of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, on the Mississippi river via the East channel you’ll come to the Wisconsin river.  If the river level is high enough you’ll be able to explore some unmapped backwater.  These areas can be excellent if fished at the right time and water levels.  Both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass can be plentiful in these areas.  Many tournaments have been won when this area is navigated just right and water levels allow it.  

    Garnet Lake is just north of the Wisconsin river.  It has some clear water and nice sloughs with current that are local bass anglers favorites.  Start from down river and make your way up to take advantage of current breaks in these sloughs. 

    Further south of the Wisconsin river provides plenty of ledge and wing dam fishing.  Across from Wyalusing are some nice backwater lakes, sloughs and current made points.  Be careful as the annual current and seasonal changes extend these sandy points.  Just north of Clayton, the Wyalusing slough hosts many a bass boat.  Johnson slough and the backwater lakes that connect can have great fishing.  There have been plenty of tournaments won in this vast area too.  There’s plenty of water to cover in this back water maze, so give yourself plenty of pre-fishing time to explore it.  

    South of Clayton

    The areas south of Clayton are covered on Bass-Cafe.com via the Guttenberg section.

    Big river bass angling in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin on the Mississippi river can be a very rewarding experience if you pre-fish and identify your targets.  There is so much water and structure to pick from you’ll do ok casually fishing too, but those who spend the time on the water prior to tournament day will likely always finish much better. 

    Tight lines from your friends at Bass-Cafe.com.

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