I’ve fished on pool 8 and 9 for the Mississippi river for almost 10 years. This year we are bringing the boat finally. I realize it’s early and we have to watch for ice and barges. I have the navionics mapping app on my phone. I know the river is always changing but does anyone think that it would be safe to rely on this app for navigation up and down the river. Any general advice would be appreciated!
Good Captains always rely on at least two forms of navigation.
Staying between the red and green navigational channel markers is your best bet although with the higher water in spring there are markers that are sunk just enough to rip your hull) and others that go under then pop back up.
Speed is seldom your friend. (unless you’re about to go over a dam I spose) 
I don’t know enough about P8 and 9 to give you much info other then the above.
I have the navionics mapping app on my phone. I know the river is always changing but does anyone think that it would be safe to rely on this app for navigation up and down the river.
It depends on what you mean by “rely”. Can you generally rely on it to be reasonably accurate within river tolerances? Can you rely on it so you can go wide open anywhere the app says? Obviously not.
Yes. I’ve used Navionics for years on the Mississippi on our pleasure cruiser and fishing boats and it is generally accurate. The exceptions are backwater areas that are not mapped and obviously everything on the river is depth marked at a standard level. If water is high or low, YOU have to be the one to compensate.
In addition to ice, the biggest hazard on the river is floating junk. Trees, junk, etc. Extreme care must be used. We drove by a floating semi truck tire still on the rim on night! Imagine what that wold have done to some pimped out walleye boat guy who had to run his 300 at WOT just cause he could.
Also, cold water kills in seconds. Most people are terribly unaware of how fast you will die if you fall into cold water. You have seconds, not even minutes.
Grouse
Slow and steady is the key. The app will show you areas to avoid but I wouldn’t rely on it, especially in low water.
Take your time, get know the stretch of river, and always respect it.
Respecting the river is the key.
The main Channel area is fairly accurate on this app , sloughs and backwaters not so much . Like Brian said , stay between the bouys and your generally ok . Lots of ice and other floating hazards to be cautious of. Any time your outside the bouys , there are wing dams and closing dams to be aware of , some of which are on the app and some not . Just go slow and pay attention .
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