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	Check ice depths often especially where there is current. Flows remain elevated. Go with a buddy. Let someone know where you are going and when you will return. Backwaters have 3-4 inches ice.	12/06 09:49
Cedar River (above Nashua)	Northeast	With reports of anglers taking nice fish, more anglers will be on the ice. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly and ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	12/06 09:49
Cedar River (above Nashua)	Northeast	Black Crappie - Good: Use small jig tipped with a waxworm or colored spike.	12/06 09:49
Cedar River (above Nashua)	Northeast	Yellow Perch - Fair: Catch perch up to 10 inches on waxworm. Bounce jig off the bottom for fun action.	12/06 09:49
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - No Report:	12/06 10:56
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	There have been reports of anglers catching walleye on the river where there are open areas of water. Most reports have come from Bremer County.	12/06 10:56
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	There have been reports this past week on the interior rivers. Anglers are catching walleye where there are areas of open water on the rivers. Smaller lakes and ponds are now beginning to ice over but ice fishing is still not recommended. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276.	12/06 10:56
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Walleye - Fair: Anglers are catching walleye using lead heads and plastic baits tipped with or without a minnow.	12/06 10:56
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	With reports of anglers taking nice fish, more anglers will be on the ice. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly and ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	12/06 09:49
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	To find out if trout are coming to a lake near you, visit our website for community pond stocking. Iowa's trout season remains open all year long. Second shotgun deer season opens Saturday. Many trout streams run through wildlife management areas. Wear bright colors and make noise so hunters know you're not a deer.	12/06 09:49
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	Brook Trout - Good: Use nymphs, emerger, or aquatic bug patterns when hatches slow. Fish the calm area adjacent to a fast channel of water at the head of a pool.	12/06 09:49
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	Brown Trout - Good: Use larger flies or lures mimicking minnows for trout.	12/06 09:49
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	Rainbow Trout - Good: Fish near bottom if no hatches occurring. Use a weighted caddis, stonefly, or mayfly nymph.	12/06 09:49
Lake Hendricks	Northeast	Bluegill - Good: Early evening is best. For clear ice and water, be set-up, quiet, and ready early. Find fish near deeper water drop offs. Use small jigs tipped with waxworm or spike.	12/06 09:49
Lake Hendricks	Northeast	No motorized vehicles allowed on ice. Open water around the aerator. Keep away from the aerator. Use caution on ice. Ice depths 4 inches average.	12/06 09:49
Lake Hendricks	Northeast	With reports of anglers taking nice fish, more anglers will be on the ice. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly and ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	12/06 09:49
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Bluegill - Good: Early evening best. Fish in 15 ft. of water. Use small teardrop shaped jigs tipped with waxworm.	12/06 09:49
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Ice depths 3 to 4 inches. Check ice depths often especially near springs. Caution recommended.	12/06 09:49
Lake Meyer	Northeast	With reports of anglers taking nice fish, more anglers will be on the ice. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly and ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	12/06 09:49
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Black Crappie - Slow:	12/06 10:18
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)	Northeast	There have been reports this past week on the interior rivers. Anglers are catching walleye where there are areas of open water on the rivers. Smaller lakes and ponds are now beginning to ice over but ice fishing is still not recommended. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276.	12/06 10:56
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)	Northeast	Anglers have taken a few walleye on the Maquoketa River, primarily in Delaware County.	12/06 11:20
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)	Northeast	Walleye - Fair: Anglers are catching walleye using lead heads and plastic baits tipped with or without a minnow.	12/06 11:21
Martens Lake	Northeast	There have been reports this past week on the interior rivers. Anglers are catching walleye where there are areas of open water on the rivers. Smaller lakes and ponds are now beginning to ice over but ice fishing is still not recommended. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276.	12/06 10:56
Martens Lake	Northeast	Anglers are getting out on areas of Martens Lake where there is good ice. It is not possible as of today to access the lake from across the reservoir on the north side. There have been no reports on fish.	12/06 11:18
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Upper Mississippi River levels remain stable this week. Backwater areas continue to make ice. Avoid ice in areas with current. Thickness is variable from 3-4 with little snow cover. Look for the single digits overnight to firm up ice conditions.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill through the ice is picking up with a lot of sorting through smaller ones.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Northern Pike - Slow: Some northerns being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	River level at Lynxville remains near 16 ft and expected remain stable this week. Bussy Lake ice may not yet be safe from the boat ramp side. Anglers are walking in from the North end off island road. Avoid ice where there is current.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Sauger - Fair: Jigging spoons or a hair jig with minnows is effective in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dam.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Walleye - Fair: Try vertical jigging with hair jigs tipped with a minnow below the Lock & Dam.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Yellow Perch - Slow: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Upper Mississippi River levels remain stable this week. Backwater areas continue to make ice. Avoid ice in areas with current. Thickness is variable from 3-4 with little snow cover. Look for the single digits overnight to firm up ice conditions.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill through the ice is picking up with a lot of sorting through smaller ones.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Northern Pike - Fair: Some northerns being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	River level at Guttenberg is 8.0 ft and predicted to remain stable next week. Backwater ice thickness varies from 3-4 inches. Avoid ice in areas with current.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Sauger - Fair: Jigging spoons or a hair jig with minnows is effective in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dam.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Walleye - Slow: Try vertical jigging with hair jigs tipped with a minnow below the Lock & Dam.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Tailwaters are open to angling but backwater ice is minimal for ice fishing. Water levels are slowly receding throughout the district. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Walleye - Good: Jig and minnow or three way rigs with minnows seem to be the most popular methods of catching walleye and sauger right now.	12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Water levels are receding and presently are at 7.6 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and at 10 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is good and temperature is around 35 degrees.	12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Tailwaters are open to angling but backwater ice is minimal for ice fishing. Water levels are slowly receding throughout the district. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Water levels are receding and presently are at 8.5 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is good and the water temperature is around 35 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction.	12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Walleye - Good: Three way rigs with minnows or a jig and minnow is the most popular methods to catch walleye and sauger right now.	12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Tailwaters are open to angling but backwater ice is minimal for ice fishing. Water levels are slowly receding throughout the district. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Water levels are receding and presently is 8.2 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 11.6 feet at Camanche and 6.0 feet at LeClaire. Water clarity is good and water temperature is around 36 degrees.	12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Walleye - Good: Jig and minnow or three way rigs with minnows are the most popular ways to catch walleye and sauger right now.	12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Tailwaters are open to angling but backwater ice is minimal for ice fishing. Water levels are slowly receding throughout the district. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Water level is receding and presently is 9.5 feet at Rock Island. Water clarity is good and the water temperature is around 36 degrees.	12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Walleye - No Report:	12/06 10:44
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Upper Mississippi River levels remain stable this week. Backwater areas continue to make ice. Avoid ice in areas with current. Thickness is variable from 3-4 with little snow cover. Look for the single digits overnight to firm up ice conditions.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill through the ice is picking up with a lot of sorting through smaller ones.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Northern Pike - Fair: Some northerns being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	River level at Lansing remains 8.4 ft and expected to remain stable this week. Backwater ice is building with colder temperatures this week with reports of 3-4 inches.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Sauger - Fair: Jigging spoons or a hair jig with minnows is effective in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dam.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Walleye - Fair: Try vertical jigging with hair jigs tipped with a minnow below the Lock & Dam.	12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Yellow Perch - Slow: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes.	12/06 10:10
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)	Northeast	There have been reports this past week on the interior rivers. Anglers are catching walleye where there are areas of open water on the rivers. Smaller lakes and ponds are now beginning to ice over but ice fishing is still not recommended. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276.	12/06 10:56
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)	Northeast	There have been no reports this past week on the Shell Rock River.	12/06 10:56
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)	Northeast	Walleye - No Report:	12/06 10:56
Volga Lake	Northeast	Bluegill - No Report:	12/06 09:49
Volga Lake	Northeast	Ice fishing not recommended. Edges were open earlier in week. Cold weather and short days will speed up ice formation.	12/06 09:49
Volga Lake	Northeast	With reports of anglers taking nice fish, more anglers will be on the ice. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly and ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	12/06 09:49
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)	Northeast	There have been reports this past week on the interior rivers. Anglers are catching walleye where there are areas of open water on the rivers. Smaller lakes and ponds are now beginning to ice over but ice fishing is still not recommended. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276.	12/06 10:56
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)	Northeast	There have been no reports this past week on the Wapsipinicon River.	12/06 11:24
Black Hawk Lake	Northwest	As of Thursday, ice thickness near the boat ramp at Ice House Point was 4 inches. There is open water off of Ice House Point near Town Bay and in the east basin. Use extreme caution and check ice depth frequently if venturing onto the ice.	12/06 11:05
Black Hawk Lake	Northwest	Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are being picked up from the open water under the inlet bridge.	12/06 11:05
Black Hawk Lake	Northwest	Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught from open water under the inlet bridge and from the fishing shelter off of Ice House Point.	12/06 11:05
Black Hawk Lake	Northwest	Most lakes in the Black Hawk District are frozen over but ice is variable. Some still have open water pockets kept open by waterfowl. Anglers are just starting to make there way out on some areas. If venturing out, use extreme caution and check ice thickness frequently. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.	12/06 11:05
Black Hawk Lake	Northwest	Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being picked up under the inlet bridge.	12/06 11:22
Brushy Creek Lake	Northwest	Ice is unsafe for travel.	12/06 11:05
Brushy Creek Lake	Northwest	Most lakes in the Black Hawk District are frozen over but ice is variable. Some still have open water pockets kept open by waterfowl. Anglers are just starting to make there way out on some areas. If venturing out, use extreme caution and check ice thickness frequently. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.	12/06 11:05
Clear Lake	Northwest	Lakes and ponds in the Clear Lake District are iced over. Ice conditions remain variable, so use caution if heading onto the ice.	12/06 08:06
Clear Lake	Northwest	Ice fishing activity has increased this week. Most anglers are fishing close to access points. Ice thickness is 3-7 inches. Aeration systems are in operation for the winter.	12/06 08:09
Clear Lake	Northwest	Yellow Bass - Fair: Nice sized yellow bass are hitting small jigs and spoons.	12/06 08:10
Clear Lake	Northwest	Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers are catching perch, but a lot of sorting is required.	12/06 08:11
Clear Lake	Northwest	Black Crappie - Fair: Some nice sized crappie are being caught near rush beds.	12/06 08:11
Clear Lake	Northwest	Bluegill - Fair: Fish shallow in rush beds with small jigs.	12/06 08:13
East Okoboji Lake	Northwest	Area lakes continue to have scattered open water and are snow covered from last weeks storm. No activity on the lakes, ice fishing isn't recommended at this time.	12/05 11:23
East Okoboji Lake	Northwest	Lake is snow covered. Large open water area exists on the south end of the lake. No ice fishing activity observed.	12/05 11:23
Lower Pine Lake	Northwest	Lakes and ponds in the Clear Lake District are iced over. Ice conditions remain variable, so use caution if heading onto the ice.	12/06 08:06
Lower Pine Lake	Northwest	Areas of open water remains on Pine Lakes. Ice fishing is not recommended at this time.	12/06 08:52
Rice Lake	Northwest	Lakes and ponds in the Clear Lake District are iced over. Ice conditions remain variable, so use caution if heading onto the ice.	12/06 08:06
Rice Lake	Northwest	Ice thickness is 6 to 7 inches. Aeration system is operating for the winter.	12/06 08:51
Scharnberg Pond	Northwest	Area lakes continue to have scattered open water and are snow covered from last weeks storm. No activity on the lakes, ice fishing isn't recommended at this time.	12/05 11:23
Scharnberg Pond	Northwest	Rainbow Trout - Good: 1,500 trout was stocked on November 17th .	12/05 11:23
Silver Lake (Dickinson)	Northwest	Area lakes continue to have scattered open water and are snow covered from last weeks storm. No activity on the lakes, ice fishing isn't recommended at this time.	12/05 11:23
Silver Lake (Dickinson)	Northwest	Poor ice conditions continue, open water exists on the east side of the lake.	12/05 11:34
Silver Lake (Worth)	Northwest	Lakes and ponds in the Clear Lake District are iced over. Ice conditions remain variable, so use caution if heading onto the ice.	12/06 08:06
Silver Lake (Worth)	Northwest	Bluegill - Good: Nice sized gills are being caught off the north access. Use small ice jigs tipped with insect larvae.	12/06 08:38
Spirit Lake	Northwest	Area lakes continue to have scattered open water and are snow covered from last weeks storm. No activity on the lakes, ice fishing isn't recommended at this time.	12/05 11:23
Spirit Lake	Northwest	Anglers are ice fishing Templar Park Lagoon, foot traffic only. Anglers are catching mixed bag of panfish. Areas of open water pockets still exist on the north end of the lake. No ice fishing activity on the main lake.	12/05 11:23
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)	Northwest	As of Thursday Dec 6, Ice is variable from 3 to 8 inches in some areas. Anglers are beginning to make there way out. Use extreme caution if venturing out and check ice thickness often.	12/06 11:05
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)	Northwest	Most lakes in the Black Hawk District are frozen over but ice is variable. Some still have open water pockets kept open by waterfowl. Anglers are just starting to make there way out on some areas. If venturing out, use extreme caution and check ice thickness frequently. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.	12/06 11:05
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)	Northwest	Walleye - Fair: A few walleye are being picked up through the ice as anglers are just starting to make there way out.	12/06 11:23
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)	Northwest	Walleye - Fair: A few walleye are being picked up through the ice as anglers are just starting to make there way out.	12/06 11:23
Upper Gar Lake	Northwest	Area lakes continue to have scattered open water and are snow covered from last weeks storm. No activity on the lakes, ice fishing isn't recommended at this time.	12/05 11:23
Upper Gar Lake	Northwest	Limited ice, lake remains open due to the flow.	12/05 11:31
West Okoboji Lake	Northwest	Area lakes continue to have scattered open water and are snow covered from last weeks storm. No activity on the lakes, ice fishing isn't recommended at this time.	12/05 11:23

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