All types of waterfowl make use of the vast shallow weed beds. The Weaver Bottoms is a heavily used hunting area for migratory birds during the fall. During the spring and fall in this area the angler can see an amazing array of waterfowl from blue herons to migrating tundra swans among the lily-pad fields. No highway bridges cross over the river in this pool. The nearest crossings are at Wabasha, Minnesota and Winona, Minnesota. Anglers can find tow major park facilities adjacent to the pool such as John Latsch State Park in Minnesota and Buena Vista Park in Wisconsin. 5a is the shortest pool in the Upper Mississippi River in mile length. No highway bridges cross this pool with the nearest being at Winona. Merrick State Park is north of fountain City on Highway 35.

The primary forage species is gizzard shad. Other species include emerald shiner, river shiner, spotfin shiner, spottail shiner, mooneye, river darter, log perch and juvenile panfish.

In pool 5 walleye begin to concentrate below the dam during the late winter months up to ice out in March. As the water temperature rises into the 40’s, walleye move upstream from winter areas into backwater areas for Spawning. Spawning takes place when the temperature is between 47-51 degrees which is usually in april. White bass concentrate below dams and spillways as the walleye run ends, which occurs in late April. Most largemouth are found in backwaters until mid-June since these are the first areas to warm. When the backwaters warm largemouth move to side channels and main channel borders where they can be found along riprap. Some of the largemouth summer in tributary streams. When the water cools bass move to low-current areas, in or near backwater complexes. Northern Pike share the same seasonal movement as Largemouth bass.