10-21-2012 Sun 3:00PM – 7:00 PM
Weather:
(1553) S9 with strong gusts, clear, 66˚, 29.84 rising
Water:
5 rising, 18.7 kcfs, 51 ˚, clear and weed free
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7
Caught:
Scott: Drum (1), walleye 12”, SMB (3) 12 – 17.75”
Myself: SMB (4) 12 – 18”, LMB 12”
Partners:
Scott
Comments
Today may have been my last day of casting with crank baits. It seems as if the bite has really slowed down, and I for see it getting slower with the cooling of the water.
Today we exclusively targeted wing dams, and our production on them was very poor. We were fishing for whatever would bite, but the main quarry was walleyes and small mouth bass. Once again we had some pretty serious competition going and I thought Scott was going to have the most fish at the end of the night. But I pulled a nice 18” small mouth out of an area that we had already thoroughly combed with crank baits to give me the tie.
All the fish except the nice small mouth I caught were fooled with crank baits. This fish came off of a firecracker ring worm.
I had a little interesting encounter at the landing when we got back after dark. All the duck hunters except one had already loaded their rigs and were gone. But this one moron was pulling the idiotic take the whole landing up and unload your gear and stow it in the truck then strap down your boat, and do more pissing around, oblivious to me waiting for them to get out of the way so I can trailer my boat. Well, it just so happened the moron was either a federal or a state warden, but whichever they were they had no courtesy. I thought for sure I would get checked, but that did not even happen.
Observations:
The water is in great shape with it being fairly clear with low flows and not many pesky lure fouling weeds floating downstream.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
10-17-12 Wed
10-17-2012 Wed 9:30AM – 6:00 PM
Weather:
(1553) SW9, overcast, 58˚, 29.30 steady
Water:
5.12 falling, 26.1 kcfs, 50 ˚, clear
Location:
Mississippi river pool 8
Caught:
walleye 16”, pike 25”, LMB (16) 7 – 16”, SMB (3) 12 – 14”.
Partners:
none
Comments
It was my day off during mid – week, and last night I had nothing but fishing playing through my mind; forget the yard work, new battery for the truck, dog shit to clean up, etc., etc. I was going fishing.
I knew I could do fairly well on the home waters of pool 7, but I was once again in the mood for a challenge on somewhat unfamiliar waters. My game plan was to fish for bass, both small mouths and large mouths with the possibility of running into a walleye and a striper or two.
I targeted mostly main channel wing dam areas. The wing dam bite was not great, I caught a walleye, pike and a few large mouths and a couple of small mouths on them, but it was slow. Most of the large mouths came from areas adjacent to deep water that the bass will be using for their wintering areas. I fished two types of baits today: crank baits and spinner baits. The spinner bait accounted for the majority of the large mouths and the crank baits accounted for the other fish.
Observations:
The river is in pretty good shape right now: low flows, clear and not mainly floating weeds to foul an angler’s hook.
Weather:
(1553) SW9, overcast, 58˚, 29.30 steady
Water:
5.12 falling, 26.1 kcfs, 50 ˚, clear
Location:
Mississippi river pool 8
Caught:
walleye 16”, pike 25”, LMB (16) 7 – 16”, SMB (3) 12 – 14”.
Partners:
none
Comments
It was my day off during mid – week, and last night I had nothing but fishing playing through my mind; forget the yard work, new battery for the truck, dog shit to clean up, etc., etc. I was going fishing.
I knew I could do fairly well on the home waters of pool 7, but I was once again in the mood for a challenge on somewhat unfamiliar waters. My game plan was to fish for bass, both small mouths and large mouths with the possibility of running into a walleye and a striper or two.
I targeted mostly main channel wing dam areas. The wing dam bite was not great, I caught a walleye, pike and a few large mouths and a couple of small mouths on them, but it was slow. Most of the large mouths came from areas adjacent to deep water that the bass will be using for their wintering areas. I fished two types of baits today: crank baits and spinner baits. The spinner bait accounted for the majority of the large mouths and the crank baits accounted for the other fish.
Observations:
The river is in pretty good shape right now: low flows, clear and not mainly floating weeds to foul an angler’s hook.
Monday, October 15, 2012
10-15-12 Mon
10-15-2012 Mon 6:20PM – 7:20 PM
Weather:
(1853) calm, clear, 60˚, 29.90 falling
Water:
5.03 rising, 21.4 kcfs, 49 ˚, clear
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7 (my favorite closing dam
Caught:
3 small mouth bass 14 – 17”, 2 stripers 14 & 15”
Partners:
none
Comments
It was such a beautiful evening: calm, clear and 60 degrees, I just had to go fishing. I was hoping to cash in on some aggressive walleyes that had an appetite for a crank bait.
The walleye bite was not there tonight, but I did find one spot that held a few stripers and small mouth bass. The stripers and small mouth were holding on a sand drop point with rock in close proximity.
Observations:
The lake was holding a few ducks and coot, but the numbers seemed quite low to me.
Weather:
(1853) calm, clear, 60˚, 29.90 falling
Water:
5.03 rising, 21.4 kcfs, 49 ˚, clear
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7 (my favorite closing dam
Caught:
3 small mouth bass 14 – 17”, 2 stripers 14 & 15”
Partners:
none
Comments
It was such a beautiful evening: calm, clear and 60 degrees, I just had to go fishing. I was hoping to cash in on some aggressive walleyes that had an appetite for a crank bait.
The walleye bite was not there tonight, but I did find one spot that held a few stripers and small mouth bass. The stripers and small mouth were holding on a sand drop point with rock in close proximity.
Observations:
The lake was holding a few ducks and coot, but the numbers seemed quite low to me.
10-14-12 Sun
10-14-2012 Sun 3:30PM – 7:00 PM
Weather:
(1753) NW8, overcast, 48˚, 29.76 rising
Water:
4.87 rising, 14.9 kcfs, 49 ˚, clear – lots of floating duck weed
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7 – Trempealeau Dam
Caught:
Myself: 3 SMB 14-19”, Approx. 6 sauger 10 – 13”. Tupper: 2 SMB 14 & 15”, Approx. 6 sauger & walleyes 10 – 13”. Scott: Approx. 3 walleyes 14 – 20”, 1 sauger 14”, 1 pike 22”.
Partners:
Scott and Tupper
Comments
The plan today was to do some deer drives on the islands with Scott, Tupper, John R. and his son. Well the weather did not cooperate for that idea to go through. We experienced something we have not seen in some time around here, rain! The rain started on Saturday and it did not end until around 1:00PM on Sunday. We have been rainless for quite some time and even though it changed my plans it was welcomed.
The fishing trip was a walleye quest outfitted with minnows and all. We all caught some fish, with Scott hoisting the better size eyes into the boat with his exclusive use of artificial plastics. Tupper and I caught more fish, but the size was smaller, and most fish were sauger.
We also hit a couple wing dams with cranks and Tupper and I had a combined tally of five small mouths. Jake and I were using divers and Scott stuck with his lipless bait from last week. The smallmouths were quite aggressive and a welcome relief from the boredom of jigging for walleyes. The walleye/sauger bite was fairly good when we first started, then as the evening progressed the action degraded significantly.
Observations:
The oaks are still clutching their leaves, but most other trees have shed their summer coats. The water is still very low and along with the low levels, the current is very weak. The water temperature has stayed stable around the 50 degree mark for about a week now.
Weather:
(1753) NW8, overcast, 48˚, 29.76 rising
Water:
4.87 rising, 14.9 kcfs, 49 ˚, clear – lots of floating duck weed
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7 – Trempealeau Dam
Caught:
Myself: 3 SMB 14-19”, Approx. 6 sauger 10 – 13”. Tupper: 2 SMB 14 & 15”, Approx. 6 sauger & walleyes 10 – 13”. Scott: Approx. 3 walleyes 14 – 20”, 1 sauger 14”, 1 pike 22”.
Partners:
Scott and Tupper
Comments
The plan today was to do some deer drives on the islands with Scott, Tupper, John R. and his son. Well the weather did not cooperate for that idea to go through. We experienced something we have not seen in some time around here, rain! The rain started on Saturday and it did not end until around 1:00PM on Sunday. We have been rainless for quite some time and even though it changed my plans it was welcomed.
The fishing trip was a walleye quest outfitted with minnows and all. We all caught some fish, with Scott hoisting the better size eyes into the boat with his exclusive use of artificial plastics. Tupper and I caught more fish, but the size was smaller, and most fish were sauger.
We also hit a couple wing dams with cranks and Tupper and I had a combined tally of five small mouths. Jake and I were using divers and Scott stuck with his lipless bait from last week. The smallmouths were quite aggressive and a welcome relief from the boredom of jigging for walleyes. The walleye/sauger bite was fairly good when we first started, then as the evening progressed the action degraded significantly.
Observations:
The oaks are still clutching their leaves, but most other trees have shed their summer coats. The water is still very low and along with the low levels, the current is very weak. The water temperature has stayed stable around the 50 degree mark for about a week now.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
10-10-12 Wed
10-10-2012 Wed 12:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Weather:
(1553) W17 G22, a few clouds, 51˚, 30.07 falling
Water:
4.79 steady, 12.4 kcfs, 50 ˚, clear
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7
Caught:
LMB (4) 11 – 16”, SMB (9) 13 – 19, Striped Bass 12”, Pike (2) 21 & 23”, walleyes (2) 14 & 17”, Sheep heads (3 big ones), Sucker 20”
Partners:
none
Comments
It was a 50/50 type of day today; the air temperatures were around 50 and so was the water temperature. The Large mouths were not quite as aggressive today as they were on Sunday, but I still caught quite a few. I definitely missed more than I caught; they just seemed to be nipping at the back treble of the crank. On Sunday we caught them on most everything and anything, today it was a slow retrieve with a crank bait that fooled them. I did pretty well on smallies today, again it was a crank bait bite, but these fish were much more aggressive than the largemouth. My Biggest smallie of the day was a nice 19 incher. The last 20 minutes of light and for about an hour after dark I targeted walleyes. The numbers were not impressive, but I did catch the one pictured and another smaller one. I also had some very big sheep head that had me fantasizing about very large walleyes up until I got that first glimpse of them. All the fish I caught today came off of rocks or within very close proximity to some rocks. Every fish that was caught was also caught on a crank bait of one type or another.
Observations:
The seasons are definitely changing; the water temperatures are dropping, the leaves are brilliantly colored (about 66% are left), and the air temperature along with the north wind made it feel like January.
Weather:
(1553) W17 G22, a few clouds, 51˚, 30.07 falling
Water:
4.79 steady, 12.4 kcfs, 50 ˚, clear
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7
Caught:
LMB (4) 11 – 16”, SMB (9) 13 – 19, Striped Bass 12”, Pike (2) 21 & 23”, walleyes (2) 14 & 17”, Sheep heads (3 big ones), Sucker 20”
Partners:
none
Comments
It was a 50/50 type of day today; the air temperatures were around 50 and so was the water temperature. The Large mouths were not quite as aggressive today as they were on Sunday, but I still caught quite a few. I definitely missed more than I caught; they just seemed to be nipping at the back treble of the crank. On Sunday we caught them on most everything and anything, today it was a slow retrieve with a crank bait that fooled them. I did pretty well on smallies today, again it was a crank bait bite, but these fish were much more aggressive than the largemouth. My Biggest smallie of the day was a nice 19 incher. The last 20 minutes of light and for about an hour after dark I targeted walleyes. The numbers were not impressive, but I did catch the one pictured and another smaller one. I also had some very big sheep head that had me fantasizing about very large walleyes up until I got that first glimpse of them. All the fish I caught today came off of rocks or within very close proximity to some rocks. Every fish that was caught was also caught on a crank bait of one type or another.
Observations:
The seasons are definitely changing; the water temperatures are dropping, the leaves are brilliantly colored (about 66% are left), and the air temperature along with the north wind made it feel like January.
10-7-12 Sun
10-7-2012 Sun 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Weather:
(1453) SW12, clear, 52˚, 30.09 falling
Water:
4.38 rising, 15.2 kcfs, 53 ˚, fairly clear
Location:
Mississippi river (Buffalo City)
Caught:
54 LMB / Scott (28) 10 -17”, myself (26) 10 – 19”
Partners:
Scott
Comments
It was another day of competition between Scott and me for the bragging rights to who caught the most fish. We were fishing a body of water which I had only fished once before, so I had very little experience on the pool, but I like the challenge of fishing new areas.
The last time I was here was two years ago in the spring and at that time me and Terry C. did pretty well on the pike. I was hoping for a repeat on the pike, but it was not meant to be. The very first fish I had on was a pike, but it was the last and it never even made it boat side.
Our first two to three hours were very unproductive, we caught a fish here and there, but it was very slow. After a lot of searching and endless casting we finally located the mother lode. I had told Scott that when we did find fish, we would find a bunch and that is exactly what happened. I think we could still be there catching bass. Scott used a rattle trap to catch the majority of his whereas I used a crank bait. We also caught a few fish at the end of the streak on senko’s.
Observations
We found absolutely no fish in the back waters, they were all relating to the main channel or within very close proximity to it. I was very amazed at all the backwater areas this pool has to offer.
Weather:
(1453) SW12, clear, 52˚, 30.09 falling
Water:
4.38 rising, 15.2 kcfs, 53 ˚, fairly clear
Location:
Mississippi river (Buffalo City)
Caught:
54 LMB / Scott (28) 10 -17”, myself (26) 10 – 19”
Partners:
Scott
Comments
It was another day of competition between Scott and me for the bragging rights to who caught the most fish. We were fishing a body of water which I had only fished once before, so I had very little experience on the pool, but I like the challenge of fishing new areas.
The last time I was here was two years ago in the spring and at that time me and Terry C. did pretty well on the pike. I was hoping for a repeat on the pike, but it was not meant to be. The very first fish I had on was a pike, but it was the last and it never even made it boat side.
Our first two to three hours were very unproductive, we caught a fish here and there, but it was very slow. After a lot of searching and endless casting we finally located the mother lode. I had told Scott that when we did find fish, we would find a bunch and that is exactly what happened. I think we could still be there catching bass. Scott used a rattle trap to catch the majority of his whereas I used a crank bait. We also caught a few fish at the end of the streak on senko’s.
Observations
We found absolutely no fish in the back waters, they were all relating to the main channel or within very close proximity to it. I was very amazed at all the backwater areas this pool has to offer.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
10-3-12 Wed
10-3-2012 Wed 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Weather:
(1953) calm, clear, 63˚, 29.91 falling
Water:
4.82 falling, 13.3 kcfs, 62 ˚, clear
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7
Caught:
3 white bass 15”, 1 SMB 15”
Partners:
none
Comments
It was a late start tonight on account of shuffling vehicles to and from the repair shop: which for us is a rarity on account of owning only Hondas. I was out looking for more of those stripers and I was also hoping to get another bonus walleye or two. I caught a few stripers and a small mouth, but the walleyes were very elusive.
I did have a nice fish on after dark, but it came un-hooked after a short battle. I did have another just hammer my crank bait, but none of the hooks buried into its flesh.
I was also treated to a very rare sight on this stretch of the Mississippi: I had the American Queen pass close by in all its glory. It was quite a sight with its deck and cabin lights beaming against the fading light of the western sky. I took a moment to admire its grandeur and beauty and tried to imagine what the occupants were doing inside. Perhaps they were having an evening cocktail, sitting down to a luxurious dinner or matching wits with others with a game of cards.
Observations:
The water is really getting scummy, especially on the lake; we desperately need some rain to bring back some flow to our low and stale river levels.
Weather:
(1953) calm, clear, 63˚, 29.91 falling
Water:
4.82 falling, 13.3 kcfs, 62 ˚, clear
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7
Caught:
3 white bass 15”, 1 SMB 15”
Partners:
none
Comments
It was a late start tonight on account of shuffling vehicles to and from the repair shop: which for us is a rarity on account of owning only Hondas. I was out looking for more of those stripers and I was also hoping to get another bonus walleye or two. I caught a few stripers and a small mouth, but the walleyes were very elusive.
I did have a nice fish on after dark, but it came un-hooked after a short battle. I did have another just hammer my crank bait, but none of the hooks buried into its flesh.
I was also treated to a very rare sight on this stretch of the Mississippi: I had the American Queen pass close by in all its glory. It was quite a sight with its deck and cabin lights beaming against the fading light of the western sky. I took a moment to admire its grandeur and beauty and tried to imagine what the occupants were doing inside. Perhaps they were having an evening cocktail, sitting down to a luxurious dinner or matching wits with others with a game of cards.
Observations:
The water is really getting scummy, especially on the lake; we desperately need some rain to bring back some flow to our low and stale river levels.
10-2-12 Tue
10-2-2012 Tue 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Weather:
(1953) calm, clear, 63˚, 29.91 falling
Water:
4.85 steady, 14.2 kcfs, 61 ˚, clear
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7
Caught:
Bait – bluegills and a few perch, Adam 6 & 15 lb. flat heads
Partners:
Adam W. and Scott
Comments
It was a flat head fishing trip with Scott and Adam. We started out catching bait on the south end of the channel, but that consisted mostly of catching perch and small LMB with no bluegills in sight. After not catching any bluegills in the channel we move to the weed edges by Shaffer’s and our fortunes immediately change as far as the bluegill bite was concerned.
In total we ended up having four bites, with Adam catching the only two and myself and Scott each missing a bite. Of course Scott missed his fish on my pole with the circle hook; I think he is totally a jinx when it comes to circle hooks. My percentage of hook – ups with them even seems to go down when he is with me.
Observations:
The water temperature has actually gone up a few degrees. As of yet the floating weeds are not hindering our ability to effectively fish.
Weather:
(1953) calm, clear, 63˚, 29.91 falling
Water:
4.85 steady, 14.2 kcfs, 61 ˚, clear
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7
Caught:
Bait – bluegills and a few perch, Adam 6 & 15 lb. flat heads
Partners:
Adam W. and Scott
Comments
It was a flat head fishing trip with Scott and Adam. We started out catching bait on the south end of the channel, but that consisted mostly of catching perch and small LMB with no bluegills in sight. After not catching any bluegills in the channel we move to the weed edges by Shaffer’s and our fortunes immediately change as far as the bluegill bite was concerned.
In total we ended up having four bites, with Adam catching the only two and myself and Scott each missing a bite. Of course Scott missed his fish on my pole with the circle hook; I think he is totally a jinx when it comes to circle hooks. My percentage of hook – ups with them even seems to go down when he is with me.
Observations:
The water temperature has actually gone up a few degrees. As of yet the floating weeds are not hindering our ability to effectively fish.
9-29-12 Sat
9-29-2012 Sat 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Weather:
calm, sunny, 79˚
Water:
4.59 steady, -999 kcfs, 58 ˚, clear
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7
Caught:
4 LMB 10 – 13”
Partners:
None
Comments
I started out fishing mid – morning, with the assumption that I would come back in around 3 and go back out towards evening. I was able to do the first part, but I never did get back out again that evening.
I stayed on and explored Lake Onalaska and it was once again the Dead Sea as it has been all summer. The lake in front of Clear Water resort and the dredge holes by Shaffer’s was exceptionally clear. I was actually doing some advanced spring bass scouting on account of the clarity. I was able to see the bottom in twelve feet of water and every time I saw a stump I entered the way point in my GPS.
I caught and was actually able to see bass in and along the weed edges by Shaffer’s, but they were all mostly small. I did go back into the dredge holes by Fishermen’s Road, but the water was relatively green and I did not catch anything.
Observations:
The water clarity on the lake in front of Clearwater Resort and Shaffer’s is amazingly clear. There are also a few clumps of rice on the lake in front of Clearwater this summer, and that is the first that I have ever seen it there.
Weather:
calm, sunny, 79˚
Water:
4.59 steady, -999 kcfs, 58 ˚, clear
Location:
Mississippi river pool 7
Caught:
4 LMB 10 – 13”
Partners:
None
Comments
I started out fishing mid – morning, with the assumption that I would come back in around 3 and go back out towards evening. I was able to do the first part, but I never did get back out again that evening.
I stayed on and explored Lake Onalaska and it was once again the Dead Sea as it has been all summer. The lake in front of Clear Water resort and the dredge holes by Shaffer’s was exceptionally clear. I was actually doing some advanced spring bass scouting on account of the clarity. I was able to see the bottom in twelve feet of water and every time I saw a stump I entered the way point in my GPS.
I caught and was actually able to see bass in and along the weed edges by Shaffer’s, but they were all mostly small. I did go back into the dredge holes by Fishermen’s Road, but the water was relatively green and I did not catch anything.
Observations:
The water clarity on the lake in front of Clearwater Resort and Shaffer’s is amazingly clear. There are also a few clumps of rice on the lake in front of Clearwater this summer, and that is the first that I have ever seen it there.
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