I’ve lived 5 min from the banks of the mississippi for most of my life, but never had the boat to fish it. I’ve spent most of my time from a canoe in local ponds. Well i finally got the boat. And also two kids under 2 yrs. so my time on the water has taken a hit. I’m not lookin for anyone’s honey hole, but if there are any handy hints that might apply to me i’d be most appreciative. 
16 took a big hit with the 1993 flood. I haven’t been on it in years. Haven’t heard anything good about it for years, either. 15 is a short pool with few backwaters. There are bass in it, but fishing is not too good, relatively speaking. 14 can be OK at times. 13 is the best of all and one of the better pools on the river. LOTS of tournament pressure from late April through September. Usually a tournament of some size on both weekend days during that time. 13 has more grass in it than 14-16, too, although grass is slowly coming back in the lower pools. Fish the backwaters in the spring and depending on the water levels, move out to running sloughs and the main channel border following the spawn. This usually happens in June. If the water stays up, you can find numbers of fish in the close-ended backwaters longer. If it goes down fast and it gets hot and still, most fish head to the current or at least very close to it. Get a map, idle into areas if you’re unfamiliar with before you blow in on plane, good luck, and turn them loose to fight again another day.
JD what kind of fish do you like to fish for? which pool is the closest for you?
One location to take kids for bass or crappie… BROWNS (on Pool 13)! Its off-limits to tournaments and CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY – so, if you wanted some dinner, better stay clear.
i fish strictly catch and release, and mostly for bass, but would like to get into some walleye or smallmouth. i’m right on the I-74 bridge so pool 13 will be 2-3 times a year at most. but from the one time i’ve been up there i would like to try more when time permits. the andalusia area seems like it might be my best bet as far as closeness and fish go. i have been hitting up http://www.local.live.com for some good pictures of places to try before putting the boat in. as far as equipment i’m running a lowe 16ft deep v so real shallow water is tough.
I would spend more time on 14 than 16 if I was you. More and better fish- 16 got hurt by 93 flood and there are short fish but overall size and numbers are not as good. 15 offers less backwater but decent fish population and more smallmouth.
JD if you are wanting close and quik for smallmouth, give the hydro dam at the arsenal (sullivan slough ) a try i have a friend who fishes from the bank there every day he catches themthere 1 to 3 lbs average all the time. somedays real good numbers . and if there not in there you will alawys catch white bass there.
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