Kayak Bass on Pool 26 of the Upper Mississippi

[Jackson Semkin]

Wondering if anyone has experience bass fishing this low on the Mississippi? I tried fishing sloughs and lakes connected to the mississippi all day, never found water deeper than 5 feet or clear water and never got a bite, so I'm wondering if this is a carp/catfish/gar only destination.

[moguy1973]

From what I've read, to get some clearer water you have to go above where the Illinois dumps in.

[Bushbeater]

I've caught a few, but they're far between. Did get a decent smallie of the rip rap along route 3. I recall Bassmasters had a tourney out of Pierre Marquette back in the 80s and those guys struggled even though some were fishing the mouths of the Meramec and Salt rivers. Good Luck

[snagged in outlet 3]

If you catch more than one occasionally here or there I’d deem you a bonafide professional.  Most of it is just shallow mud sloughs.   Good carp and cat fishing.   Let us know if you find anything.   Pictures are always appreciated.  
 

[Jackson Semkin]

Ended up leaving empty handed on bass, hooked a couple monster gar on topwater and spooked hundreds of huge carp in about 2 feet of water, I think next time I’ll try some of the more northern pools. Thanks for the replies and tight lines!

[David Unnerstall]

There was a time when Alton Lake was full of Spatterdock and top water bass fishing was a hoot.  After they built the new dam it became a sterile wasteland. 

[Jackson Semkin]

Dang that sounds like it would be fun! That’s kind of what I expected when I drove down there, but it was totally sterile wasteland/mud holes