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Iowa's Fishing Report

Sign up today for free weekly fishing information from Iowa’s fisheries experts. Learn the best hot spots and latest news about Iowa’s fishing opportunities from region to region. This weekly fishing forecast will be emailed directly to your inbox every Thursday!

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How to read our weekly Iowa fishing report

Our weekly fishing report is broken down by counties or regions – Northwest, Northeast, Mississippi River, Southeast and Southwest.

You can check the activity of your favorite lake or stretch of river within each region, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), as well as a hot bait or lure pattern.

Fishing reports may include information on stream or river flows (and if it is rising or dropping), ice conditions, depths that fish are biting (watch for trends if this changes), or safety issues like if the water suddenly becomes shallow in spots.




Fishing Podcasts

Each month, Jeff Kopaska of the Iowa DNR and Ross Peterson from KXnO Sports Fanatics get together to talk about fishing opportunities, seasons and events in Iowa and around the Midwest. They are often joined by other DNR staff and guest speakers.

The links below are the podcast recordings of their conversations, and can also be found on the iHeartRadio app.


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Iowa Fishing Report
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Waterbody District Comments Date
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Lake fishing may be your best bet for a successful trip. Expect a rain free weekend with temperatures in the 80's for highs and upper 50's for lows. Iowa residents enjoy our annual free fishing weekend. This weekend only Iowa residents don't need a fishing license or trout privilege to fish for trout but all other regulations apply. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 06/04 09:31
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Water levels are up 2 feet but stabilizing after rain early week and are muddy. Use care when on water in these conditions; water hazards not visible and could capsize or disable a boat. 06/04 09:57
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a nightcrawler or dead chub on bottom out of current. 06/04 09:59
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Walleye - No Report: 06/04 10:00
Decorah District Streams Northeast Lake fishing may be your best bet for a successful trip. Expect a rain free weekend with temperatures in the 80's for highs and upper 50's for lows. Iowa residents enjoy our annual free fishing weekend. This weekend only Iowa residents don't need a fishing license or trout privilege to fish for trout but all other regulations apply. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 06/04 09:31
Decorah District Streams Northeast With spotty rain, some streams may be muddy making it an excellent time to explore new areas to fish. All streams are being stocked. All trout stream stockings are unannounced due to COVID-19 precautions. Hatchery grounds are open to the public, but feeders and other conveniences are temporarily closed. Hatchery visitors must be mindful of one another’s safety and keep at least 6 feet of distance between you and others. DNR wildlife management areas are open to recreational uses. 06/04 10:50
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brook Trout - Slow: When fishing private property open to angling, leave that property as was or better by picking up trash. Close gates if you opened them; be considerate. 06/04 10:50
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brown Trout - Good: Blue-winged olive, caddisfly hatches are good to excellent. Afternoon gnat hatches are great. An excellent time to fish for browns is when the water gets cloudy. Use hair jigs or spinners for aggressive fish. 06/04 10:51
Decorah District Streams Northeast Rainbow Trout - Slow: Fish should bite better where water clarity is better. Use a worm or cheese floated through a pool under a bobber. Use an ultra-light pole and reel for fun action. 06/04 10:51
Lake Hendricks Northeast Lake fishing may be your best bet for a successful trip. Expect a rain free weekend with temperatures in the 80's for highs and upper 50's for lows. Iowa residents enjoy our annual free fishing weekend. This weekend only Iowa residents don't need a fishing license or trout privilege to fish for trout but all other regulations apply. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 06/04 09:31
Lake Hendricks Northeast Water clarity improved with water temperatures in the 70's. 06/04 09:38
Lake Hendricks Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappie suspended in deeper water around structure. Use a minnow or small lure drifting over structure. 06/04 09:40
Lake Hendricks Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Gills are spooky especially in clear water. Use care when not to scare them when tossing out your rig. A small piece of worm on a hook under a small bobber works well. 06/04 09:42
Lake Hendricks Northeast Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are guarding nests. Use a jig tipped with piece of worm or twister tail for best luck. 06/04 09:43
Lake Meyer Northeast Lake fishing may be your best bet for a successful trip. Expect a rain free weekend with temperatures in the 80's for highs and upper 50's for lows. Iowa residents enjoy our annual free fishing weekend. This weekend only Iowa residents don't need a fishing license or trout privilege to fish for trout but all other regulations apply. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 06/04 09:31
Lake Meyer Northeast Hit and miss activity. Fish mid-afternoon and evening when shadows aren't cast on the water. Water temperatures are in the low 70's. Water clarity is excellent. 06/04 09:46
Lake Meyer Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: 06/04 09:46
Lake Meyer Northeast Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are guarding nests. Use a jig tipped with a twister tail or worm fished along the shore. 06/04 09:48
Lake Meyer Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Try a small piece of worm fished under a bobber. 06/04 09:48
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels predicted to fall steadily this week. Recent rains have reduced water clarity. Look for the clearer water in backwater sloughs/ lakes. Many fish species are spawning & actively feeding with water temps over 70°F. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Mississippi River for Pools 9-12.All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 in.must be immediately released.One walleye over 27 in. can be kept. Combined walleye/sauger limit of 6/poss. 12 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are in about 10 ft of water. Use a minnow under a bobber in areas with less current in backwaters and side channels. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Fish nightcrawlers or cut bait off the bottom in deeper side channel areas. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Good: Expect the flathead bite to improve near spawning and as the water warms up. Fish large shiners or a small bluegill for bait. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass will be on pre-spawn bite as temps rise. Try casting plastics or blade baits in backwater lakes. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Northern pike bite has picked up with warmer watrer temps. Fish shallow backwaters using lure with steel leaders. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast River level at Lynxville is 20.7 ft and expected to steadily fall. Water temp: 75 °F. Sny Magill access is under water. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Some shovelnose are being picked up using crawler fished off the bottom in main channel areas. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fish rock piles at the tip of the islands on main channel borders with spinnerbaits 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Walleye - Good: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits near the dams and channel border structure. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Yellow Perch - Excellent: Fish a small piece of crawler off the bottom near shorelines with slight current. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawing. Fish along the shorelines with light tackle tipped with small piece of worm 06/04 09:09
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels predicted to fall steadily this week. Recent rains have reduced water clarity. Look for the clearer water in backwater sloughs/ lakes. Many fish species are spawning & actively feeding with water temps over 70°F. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Mississippi River for Pools 9-12.All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 in.must be immediately released.One walleye over 27 in. can be kept. Combined walleye/sauger limit of 6/poss. 12 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast River level at Guttenberg has bumped up to 12.3 ft but expected to steadily fall this week. Water temperature is near 70 °F. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Walleye - Good: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits near the dams and channel border structure. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are in about 10 ft of water. Use a minnow under a bobber in areas with less current in backwaters and side channels 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Fish nightcrawlers or cut bait off the bottom in deeper side channel areas. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Good: Expect the flathead bite to improve near spawning and as the water warms up. Fish large shiners or a small bluegill for bait. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass will be on pre-spawn bite as temps rise. Try casting plastics or blade baits in backwater lakes. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Northern Pike - Good: Northern pike bite has picked up with warmer watrer temps. Fish shallow backwaters using lure with steel leaders. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Shovelnose sturgeon - Fair: Some shovelnose are being picked up using crawler fished off the bottom in main channel areas. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fish rock piles at the tip of the islands on main channel borders with spinnerbaits 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Yellow Perch - Excellent: Fish a small piece of crawler off the bottom near shorelines with slight current. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawing. Fish along the shorelines with light tackle tipped with small piece of worm 06/04 09:11
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast The water levels are rising and presently near 12 feet at the Lock and Dam and 14.3 feet at the RR bridge. The water temperature is around 71 degrees and the clarity is fair. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Water level is still rising but expected to crest this week. Most boat ramps are open after spring flooding but some debris may still be present. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-880-8781. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are on the beds. Simple bobber and worms can catch gills. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Channel Catfish - Excellent: Cut bait is still producing nice channel catfish. Some catfish have started to move along the rock lines in preparation for spawning. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on a worm sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Male bass are being caught in large numbers right now but the larger females are remaining a little elusive since they are done spawning. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Northern Pike - Excellent: Flashy spinners in warm sun filled waters might trigger these predators. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast White Crappie - Good: Crappie are being reported out of marina areas and backwaters. The tail end of the white crappie spawn is occurring now. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Yellow Perch - No Report: It was a great spring for catching yellow perch and populations look good. None were reported this week however. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Water level is still rising but expected to crest this week. Most boat ramps are open after spring flooding but some debris may still be present. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-880-8781. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Bluegill nests can be seen along shorelines in the backwater areas. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Channel Catfish - Excellent: Some cats have moved along rock lines and in flooded grass lines in preparation for spawning. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on a sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Male bass are being caught in large numbers right now but the larger females are remaining a little elusive since they are done spawning. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Northern Pike - Excellent: Pike are being reported on flashy spinners along old weed edges and rock shorelines. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast The water level at the Bellevue Lock and Dam is at 12.8 feet and cresting. The water temperature is 71 degrees. Most boat ramps are coming on line after the spring flood but Pleasant Creek Boat ramp remains closed. In addition water is again on the parking lot to the Iowa DNR boat ramp at Bellevue. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast White Crappie - Fair: The tail end of the white crappie spawn is occurring now. A few are still being picked up in backwater areas near dead falls. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught by walleye anglers jigging in the tailwaters or by anglers who are targeting fish using live fish for bait. 06/04 10:50
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes are being reported near locations where the wingdams meet the shorelines. 06/04 10:51
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Water level is still rising but expected to crest this week. Most boat ramps are open after spring flooding but some debris may still be present. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-880-8781. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast The water level at the Fulton Lock and Dam is 12.3 feet, Camanche is at 14.8 feet and Le Claire is at 8.6 feet. Water temperature has risen to 72 degrees and water is turbid. The Corps of Engineers boat ramp at Cattail Slough may still be closed due to high water and debris on area. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being found on wingdams near shore with anglers using crank baits. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try cut bait in moderate current areas. Look for channel cats to move along the rock lines when spawning gets closer. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on a worm sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Male bass are being caught in large numbers right now but the larger females are remaining a little elusive since they are done spawning. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Northern Pike - Good: Use flashy spinners along backwater shorelines or in the tailwaters for this aggressive fish. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Water level is still rising but expected to crest this week. Most boat ramps are open after spring flooding but some debris may still be present. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-880-8781. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel cats are readily biting on cut bait and now even prepared baits. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on a worm sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast The water level at Rock Island is around 13 feet and rising. Water levels should crest this week. The water temperature is around 72 degrees and water is turbid due to recent rains. 06/04 10:40
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast River level at Lansing has risen to 10.8 ft and predicted to steadily fall. Water temp: 74 °F. New Albin Army road is under water. Hwy 82, Lansing Bridge will be closed until June 15th. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels predicted to fall steadily this week. Recent rains have reduced water clarity. Look for the clearer water in backwater sloughs/ lakes. Many fish species are spawning & actively feeding with water temps over 70°F. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Mississippi River for Pools 9-12.All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 in.must be immediately released.One walleye over 27 in. can be kept. Combined walleye/sauger limit of 6/poss. 12 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are in about 10 ft of water. Use a minnow under a bobber in areas with less current in backwaters or side channels. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Fish nightcrawlers or cut bait off the bottom in deeper side channel areas. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Good: Expect the flathead bite to improve near spawning and as the water warms up. Fish large shiners or a small bluegill for bait. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass will be on pre-spawn bite as temps rise. Try casting plastics or blade baits in backwater lakes. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Northern Pike - Good: Northern pike bite has picked up with warmer watrer temps. Fish shallow backwaters using lure with steel leaders. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Shovelnose sturgeon - Fair: Some shovelnose are being picked up using crawler fished off the bottom in main channel areas. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fish rock piles at the tip of the islands on main channel borders with spinnerbaits. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits near the dams and channel border structure. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish a small piece of crawler off the bottom near shorelines with slight current. 06/04 08:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawing. Fish along the shorelines with light tackle tipped with small piece of worm. 06/04 09:08
Turkey River (above Clermont) Northeast Lake fishing may be your best bet for a successful trip. Expect a rain free weekend with temperatures in the 80's for highs and upper 50's for lows. Iowa residents enjoy our annual free fishing weekend. This weekend only Iowa residents don't need a fishing license or trout privilege to fish for trout but all other regulations apply. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 06/04 09:31
Turkey River (above Clermont) Northeast Water levels are stabilizing with muddy water. Water temperatures are in the mid-70's. Use care when paddling; strong current. Water hazards are not visible when water is dirty. 06/04 10:01
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) Northeast Lake fishing may be your best bet for a successful trip. Expect a rain free weekend with temperatures in the 80's for highs and upper 50's for lows. Iowa residents enjoy our annual free fishing weekend. This weekend only Iowa residents don't need a fishing license or trout privilege to fish for trout but all other regulations apply. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 06/04 09:31
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) Northeast Water levels are rising with muddy water. Water temperatures are in the mid-70's. Use care when paddling; strong current. Water hazards are not visible when water is dirty. 06/04 10:03
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) Northeast Walleye - No Report: 06/04 10:03
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) Northeast White Sucker - Slow: Try a hook tipped with a nightcrawler fished on the bottom. 06/04 10:04
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah) Northeast Lake fishing may be your best bet for a successful trip. Expect a rain free weekend with temperatures in the 80's for highs and upper 50's for lows. Iowa residents enjoy our annual free fishing weekend. This weekend only Iowa residents don't need a fishing license or trout privilege to fish for trout but all other regulations apply. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 06/04 09:31
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah) Northeast Water levels are rising with muddy water. Water temperatures are in the mid-70's. Use care when paddling; strong current. Water hazards are not visible when water is dirty. 06/04 10:47
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah) Northeast Walleye - No Report: 06/04 10:48
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah) Northeast Walleye - No Report: 06/04 10:48
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah) Northeast White Sucker - Slow: Try a hook tipped with a nightcrawler fished on the bottom. 06/04 10:48
Volga Lake Northeast Lake fishing may be your best bet for a successful trip. Expect a rain free weekend with temperatures in the 80's for highs and upper 50's for lows. Iowa residents enjoy our annual free fishing weekend. This weekend only Iowa residents don't need a fishing license or trout privilege to fish for trout but all other regulations apply. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 06/04 09:31
Volga Lake Northeast Anglers are finding fish. Focus efforts along rocky shoreline and submersed habitat. Good water clarity. 06/04 09:53
Volga Lake Northeast Bluegill - Good: Use a small hook tipped with waxworm or small piece of nightcrawler fished around brush piles and rocky shores. 06/04 09:54
Volga Lake Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Use a jig tipped with a ringworm or twister tail. Bass are guarding nests. 06/04 09:55
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