Fishing Reports

Iowa's Fishing Report

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Iowa Fishing Report

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Waterbody	District	Comments	Date
Cedar River (above Nashua)	Northeast	Area waterbodies are slowly clearing but water levels and flows remain elevated. Rain Friday then clearing and cold. Temperatures in the upper 40's to below freezing at night. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	10/18 08:23
Cedar River (above Nashua)	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - No Report:	10/18 08:23
Cedar River (above Nashua)	Northeast	Walleye - No Report:	10/18 08:23
Cedar River (above Nashua)	Northeast	Water levels are falling with improved clarity. Please visit the USGS Water Data website for more information (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/).	10/18 08:23
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	There is calm after the storms! Rivers and streams are falling and there have been angling reports on the Cedar River. Trout streams should be in good condition for the upcoming weekend. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276.	10/18 09:22
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	There have been reports of anglers catching walleye, smallmouth bass and some northern pike on the Cedar River in Black Hawk County.	10/18 09:35
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Walleye - Good: Anglers have been doing well with jigs and plastics. Look for sandbar dropoffs or current breaks for some success.	10/18 09:40
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing Jig and plastics or crankbaits for smallmouth.	10/18 09:41
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Northern Pike - Fair: Try casting and retrieving spoons or crankbaits for some good pike action!	10/18 09:42
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	Area waterbodies are slowly clearing but water levels and flows remain elevated. Rain Friday then clearing and cold. Temperatures in the upper 40's to below freezing at night. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	10/18 08:23
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	Brown Trout - Fair: As Brown Trout begin spawning, watch the stream bottom for cleared areas in gravel. These are trout nests. Avoid stepping in them. Try using larger flies mimicking grasshoppers or minnows.	10/18 08:23
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	To find out if trout are coming to a lake near you, visit our website for urban pond stocking. Catchable trout stocking is now unannounced. Stocking frequency and amounts remain the same as conditions allow. Many trout streams run through wildlife management areas where hunting is allowed. Wear bright colors to be seen.	10/18 08:23
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	Rainbow Trout - Good: Catch a freshly stocked trout using a small piece of worm or cheese on a hook under a bobber in a deeper hole.	10/18 08:39
Lake Hendricks	Northeast	Area waterbodies are slowly clearing but water levels and flows remain elevated. Rain Friday then clearing and cold. Temperatures in the upper 40's to below freezing at night. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	10/18 08:23
Lake Hendricks	Northeast	Black Crappie - Fair: Shoreline anglers using a tubjig fished under a bobber for best luck.	10/18 08:23
Lake Hendricks	Northeast	Few anglers have been out. Water is clearing.	10/18 08:23
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Area waterbodies are slowly clearing but water levels and flows remain elevated. Rain Friday then clearing and cold. Temperatures in the upper 40's to below freezing at night. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	10/18 08:23
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Black Crappie - Slow:	10/18 08:23
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair:	10/18 08:23
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Water temperatures falling with improved clarity. Angling has been spotty.	10/18 08:23
Manchester District Streams	Northeast	There is calm after the storms! Rivers and streams are falling and there have been angling reports on the Cedar River. Trout streams should be in good condition for the upcoming weekend. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276.	10/18 09:22
Manchester District Streams	Northeast	Most Manchester District streams are in excellent condition. Flows will remain swift but clarity should be good.	10/18 09:22
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	River level at Lynxville is expected to crest at 23.1 ft with a slow fall next week. Sny Magill road closed to high water. Water temp at Lock and Dam 9 is 50°F.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Upper Mississippi River levels are cresting this week. Many ramps are under water. Water clarity is poor with much debris. Water temperatures are near 50°F. Fish are beginning to move toward the overwintering holes.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Walleye - Slow: High water and current will make fishing difficult this week. Try fishing side channel sloughs with less debris and current.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Yellow Perch - Fair: Expect the perch bite to pick up into late fall. Look for fish out of the main channel using live minnow floated under a bobber.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Black Crappie - Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves Fish in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair: Find the bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth action has slowed with the high muddy water. Casting inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in current are effective.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Upper Mississippi River levels are cresting this week. Many ramps are under water. Water clarity is poor with much debris. Water temperatures are near 50°F. Fish are beginning to move toward the overwintering holes.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Black Crappie - Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves Fish in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair: Find the bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	River level at Guttenberg predicted to crest at 14.7 ft and gradually recede next week. Water temperature is 46°F at Lock and Dam 10.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth action has slowed with the high muddy water. Casting inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in current are effective.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Walleye - Fair: High water and current will make fishing difficult this week. Try fishing side channel sloughs with less debris and current.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Yellow Perch - Fair: Expect the perch bite to pick up into late fall. Look for fish out of the main channel using live minnow floated under a bobber.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Significant flooding in much of the district. Water levels range from Action to Moderate flood stages. Most of the smaller boat ramps are usable and will have water and debris on them. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Water levels will rise this week and peak near a predicted 14.8 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and at 16.8 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is fair and temperature is around 52 degrees.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Good: Try stinkbait or worms near shore. Channel cats feed heavily near shore during flooded conditions, especially along rock shorelines.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Freshwater Drum - Good: Most anglers just use a simple egg sinker and worm rigs for these prolific fish. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Significant flooding in much of the district. Water levels range from Action to Moderate flood stages. Most of the smaller boat ramps are usable and will have water and debris on them. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Good: Try stinkbait or worms near shore. Channel cats feed heavily near shore during flooded conditions, especially along rock shorelines.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Water levels will rise this week and peak near a predicted 15.7 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is poor. Avoid large tributary streams as they are muddy. The water temperature is around 53 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Freshwater Drum - Good: Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas near shorelines.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Significant flooding in much of the district. Water levels range from Action to Moderate flood stages. Most of the smaller boat ramps are usable and will have water and debris on them. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Water levels will rise this week and are predicted to be 15.5 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 17.1 feet at Camanche and 10.7 feet at the LeClaire. These are Action and Moderate flood levels. Water clarity is poor and water temperature is around 53 degrees.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Good: Try stinkbait or worms near shore. Channel cats feed heavily near shore during flooded conditions, especially along rock shorelines.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are being caught in moderate current areas using a simple egg sinker/worm rig.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Significant flooding in much of the district. Water levels range from Action to Moderate flood stages. Most of the smaller boat ramps are usable and will have water and debris on them. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Water level is predicted to be near 17.0 feet. This level is in a moderate flood stage so boating is not advisable. Water clarity is poor and the water temperature is around 53 degrees.	10/15 06:11
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Black Crappie - Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves Fish in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair: Find the bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	River level at Lansing is expected to crest at 13.4 ft and expected to slowly recede over next week. Water temp is near 48°F. New Albin ramp road is closed due to high water. Notice: The Lansing Village Creek ramp construction is complete and the ramp is open.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth action has slowed with the high muddy water. Casting inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in current are effective.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Upper Mississippi River levels are cresting this week. Many ramps are under water. Water clarity is poor with much debris. Water temperatures are near 50°F. Fish are beginning to move toward the overwintering holes.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Walleye - Fair: High water and current will make fishing difficult this week. Try fishing side channel sloughs with less debris and current.	10/18 08:54
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Yellow Perch - Fair: Expect the perch bite to pick up into late fall. Look for fish out of the main channel using live minnow floated under a bobber.	10/18 08:54
Silver Lake (Delaware)	Northeast	Silver Lake is in excellent condition for angling but there have been no reports. Bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and northern pike are the primary species in this lake.	10/18 09:22
Silver Lake (Delaware)	Northeast	There is calm after the storms! Rivers and streams are falling and there have been angling reports on the Cedar River. Trout streams should be in good condition for the upcoming weekend. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276.	10/18 09:22
Turkey River (above Clermont)	Northeast	Area waterbodies are slowly clearing but water levels and flows remain elevated. Rain Friday then clearing and cold. Temperatures in the upper 40's to below freezing at night. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	10/18 08:23
Turkey River (above Clermont)	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - No Report:	10/18 08:23
Turkey River (above Clermont)	Northeast	The Turkey River water levels falling with improved clarity. Use care around swollen rivers.	10/18 08:23
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)	Northeast	Area waterbodies are slowly clearing but water levels and flows remain elevated. Rain Friday then clearing and cold. Temperatures in the upper 40's to below freezing at night. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	10/18 08:23
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)	Northeast	Water levels are falling with improved clarity. Water temperatures are in the 50's. For current information, please visit the USGS Water Data website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/.	10/18 08:23
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)	Northeast	Walleye - Fair: Anglers using crankbaits or a hook tipped with a minnow in eddies and deeper water should find walleye.	10/18 08:23
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)	Northeast	Area waterbodies are slowly clearing but water levels and flows remain elevated. Rain Friday then clearing and cold. Temperatures in the upper 40's to below freezing at night. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	10/18 08:23
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - No Report:	10/18 08:23
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)	Northeast	Water levels are falling but the river remains muddy. Water temperatures are in the upper 50's. Paddling activities not recommended. For current information, please visit the USGS Water Data website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/.	10/18 08:23
Beeds Lake	Northwest	For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.	10/17 04:42
Beeds Lake	Northwest	Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with tube jig or a small minnow.	10/17 04:42
Beeds Lake	Northwest	Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig. Shore anglers fish a small piece of crawler or cut bait off the bottom.	10/17 04:42
Black Hawk Lake	Northwest	Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 3-6 feet of water in Town Bay from the stone piers along the north shoreline of Town Bay along Ice House Point and near the inlet bridge.	10/17 05:05
Black Hawk Lake	Northwest	Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake.	10/17 05:05
Black Hawk Lake	Northwest	Water temperatures are around 50 degrees in the Black Hawk District. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.	10/17 05:05
Black Hawk Lake	Northwest	Water temperatures are around 50 degrees.	10/17 05:05
Black Hawk Lake	Northwest	Yellow Perch - Fair: Catch fish up to 12 inches with small powerbaits like crappie nibbles, perch eyes and crawlers fished 2-4 feet below a bobber.	10/17 05:05
Brushy Creek Lake	Northwest	Water temperatures are around 50 degrees in the Black Hawk District. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.	10/17 05:05
Brushy Creek Lake	Northwest	Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills in 5-15 feet of water using tube jigs tipped with crawlers.	10/17 05:05
Brushy Creek Lake	Northwest	Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake.	10/17 05:05
Brushy Creek Lake	Northwest	There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky.	10/17 05:05
Brushy Creek Lake	Northwest	Walleye - Fair: Use crawler rigs, minnows, or leaches trolled slowly in 10-15 feet of water.	10/17 05:05
Brushy Creek Lake	Northwest	Yellow Perch - Fair: Find perch along the vegetation.	10/17 05:05
Clear Lake	Northwest	For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.	10/17 04:42
Clear Lake	Northwest	The surface water temp is 47 degrees.	10/17 04:42
Clear Lake	Northwest	Muskellunge - Fair: Fish the edge of the vegetation and near docks.	10/17 04:42
Clear Lake	Northwest	Walleye - Good: Walleyes are being caught fishing off the jetties after dark.	10/17 04:42
Crawford Creek Impoundment	Northwest	Water temperatures are around 50 degrees in the Black Hawk District. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.	10/17 05:05
Crawford Creek Impoundment	Northwest	Black Crappie - Fair: A recent survey showed crappie up to 10 inches along shore. Use minnows or crawlers fished below a bobber. Try mornings and evenings.	10/17 05:05
Crawford Creek Impoundment	Northwest	Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass along the shoreline using traditional bass lures.	10/17 05:05
Crystal Lake	Northwest	For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.	10/17 04:42
Crystal Lake	Northwest	Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs or a minnow in the dredge cut or on the edge of vegetation.	10/17 04:42
Crystal Lake	Northwest	Walleye - Fair: Fish the area near the old road bed with a jig and minnow.	10/17 04:42
East Okoboji Lake	Northwest	Northern Pike - Good: Report by anglers of northern pike action on the lake. Best area where there is flow into the lake.	10/16 08:22
East Okoboji Lake	Northwest	Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught using traditional baits, good numbers of yellow bass are "mixed in" with the catch.	10/16 08:22
East Okoboji Lake	Northwest	Yellow Bass - Good: The excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish are being caught, cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Dont overlook the evening bite from docks as these fish will move shallow at dusk.	10/16 08:22
Lake Pahoja	Northwest	Bluegill - Good: Good numbers of large angler acceptable size fish being caught.	10/16 08:22
Lake Pahoja	Northwest	Channel Catfish - Good: Report of a good fall bite with large angler acceptable size fish being caught.	10/16 08:22

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