Jim,
I don’t have any information on pool 17 as far as fishing reports go but I do not believe that it is has a closed season on walleye or sauger. The tail waters below Lock and Dams #11, 12, & 13 are the only closed areas on the Mississippi according to the Iowa DNR. You should be able to fish the tail waters below Lock & Dam 14 and every dam down to the Missouri border as long as you can get a boat in the water. If you get a chance to get out please give us a report on how you did.
Eyehunter