Pool 11 Navigation

I may explore Pool 11 a bit this summer. Looking at maps it appears there are stump fields all over. How careful do you have to be about running out of the channel? Is running along the WI shoreline in the entire area from the lock in Dubuque up to the area down from Potosi dangerous?

Thanks for any help

http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/NavigationCharts/UpperMississippiRiver.aspx

CHART 53-59

Thanks Rick. I did see that and it is helpful, but I’m not sure if the stump fields listed are all problems for striking them or if they are as vast as indicated. It does look like there are channels in the stump fields, for example the Potosi Channel. Are these channels the only safe way to navigate the WI side and are they marked well?

Thanks

That area will tear up a lower unit very fast if you are not careful. There are also rock bars, sand bars, dead heads, sunken logs and massive mud flats. Once you get above the platte river I would be very cautious. What kind of boat do you plan on using? It all depends on water levels and flow. what species do you plan on chasing?

from Dubuque north to hurricane shute stay in the channel if u explore off the channel trim up and Idle with a close eye on the depth finder.its a mine field out there.a push pole comes in very handy also

I bet Jeff Jensen could share a little on this. I don’t get much below Cassville, but there sure is a lot of wingdams and such. Just be careful. Lots of backwaters too. I usually just stick to fishing below the dam or head down to Ackerman’s cut. Stop by Murray’s baitshop in Guttenberg and talk to Beth, she’ll point you in the right direction.

Thanks all. Have a 17 ft deep V so all the more reason to be careful. Sounds like I will be sticking to the channel or running 3-5 MPH trimmed up when out of it and watching for shallow areas.