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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.

January 2022 Fishing Report - Hank Kohler joins us to talk the One4Water trip down the Mississippi this summer; plus winter ice fishing adventures and reminders to renew your fishing license.

February 2022 Fishing Report - Zak Slagle from the Ohio DNR joins us to talk about walleye populations, fishing and surveys at Lake Erie; plus plans for the Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference hosted by Iowa DNR is Des Moines mid-February

March 2022 Fishing Report - Ben Neely, Kansas fishery biologist joins us to talk about a recent research project to determine if live scope sonar technology leads to anglers catching more/bigger fish; plus spring community trout stockings

April 2022 Fishing Report - new state record smallmouth buffalo, plus tips for catching trout in community fishing ponds and annual walleye gillnetting efforts

June 2022 Fishing Report - fishing tips and hotspots, plus sturgeon sampling on the Cedar River, Free Fishing Weekend and Iowa Walleye Challenge

July 2022 Fishing Report - summer catfish fishing, plus results of Iowa Walleye Challenge, great fishing at Clear Lake and Iowa State Fair aquarium updates

January 2021 Fishing Report - Kevan Paul joins us to talk about ice fishing on Clear Lake

February 2021 Fishing Report - fishing in community ponds, plus hybrid striped bass in Big Creek, and the hot yellow perch bite at Clear Lake

March 2021 Fishing Report - Corey Goldsworthy from the Minnesota DNR joins us to talk about the fishing options at Lake Superior, plus ice-out catfishing

April 2021 Fishing Report - Jay Rudacille, Iowa DNR Warm and Coolwater Fish Culture Supervisor, joins us to talk about the annual spring walleye collection, production and stocking, plus spring community trout stockings and fun fishing stories

May 2021 Fishing Report - Hank Kohler joins us to talk about his upcoming paddling trip from central Minnesota down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico to make people aware of and seek donations for clean water projects

July 2021 Fishing Report - Fish Local Community Fishing Program and river catfishing tips, plus trout stream sampling

September 2021 Fishing Report - freshwater drum fishing on the Mississippi River, plus drift fishing for crappie and recap of Iowa State Fair aquarium and courtyard presentations

October 2021 Fishing Report - fall fishing tips, plus fall community trout stockings annouced again this year and upcoming trout angler survey

December 2021 Fishing Report - Eric Brinkman, asssistant chief of aquatic conservation in Arkansas, joins us to talk about managing alligator gar in the Red River; plus the Iowa Urban Trout Challenge on urban/community trout locations through December 31, 2021.

Iowa Fishing Report
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Waterbody District Comments Date
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Anglers are catching some bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and channel catfish in Casey Lake. 08/04 07:44
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Bluegill - Slow: Fish a piece of crawler underneath a slip bobber along the edge of the weed beds off of the jetties. 08/04 07:44
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Interior rivers here in N.E. Iowa are in excellent shape. The rivers are providing some catfish, smallmouth bass and walleye activity. Trout streams are in excellent condition across NE Iowa. Area Black Hawk county lakes are producing catches of panfish, channel catfish and largemouth bass. For more information contact your area local bait shops for the most recent up to date hot spots. 08/04 07:44
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: Fish a crappie minnow underneath a slip bobber along the edge of the weed beds off of the jetties. 08/04 07:44
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Fish off of the old beach area and to the west using stink baits, livers, leopard frogs or dead cut baits fished on the bottom. Any time of the day has been productive. 08/04 07:44
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Temperatures range from 90's to 70's. Thunderstorms Saturday evening into Sunday. Use care when paddling with elevated flows and dirty water. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 08/04 07:50
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallies showing up below dams. Try using a hook tipped with a ringworm, twistertail, or nightcrawler. 08/04 07:50
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Walleye - Good: Use worms or minnows under a slip bobber with enough weight to get bait near bottom. 08/04 07:50
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Water levels stabilizing. For current water level information, please visit the USGS Water Dashboard at https://dashboard.waterdata.usgs.gov/api/gwis/2.0/service/site?agencyCode=USGS&siteNumber=05457700&open=43909. 08/04 07:50
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Channel Catfish - Excellent: A hook loaded with a crawler, chub, chicken livers, or stinkbait might be just the ticket for a hungry cat. 08/04 07:50
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Largemouth Bass - Slow: Fish lake edges dawn and dusk using a spinnerbait or crankbait. 08/04 07:50
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Northern Pike - No Report: Find pike in shallow vegetated areas out of current. 08/04 07:50
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Interior rivers here in N.E. Iowa are in excellent shape. The rivers are providing some catfish, smallmouth bass and walleye activity. Trout streams are in excellent condition across NE Iowa. Area Black Hawk county lakes are producing catches of panfish, channel catfish and largemouth bass. For more information contact your area local bait shops for the most recent up to date hot spots. 08/04 07:44
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Anglers are catching channel catfish, smallmouth bass and walleye on the river. 08/04 07:44
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Try using stink baits, chicken livers or dead cut baits fished above fallen tree snags. 08/04 07:44
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try casting crank baits, spinner baits or jigs near rocky shoreline areas. 08/04 07:44
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Tip a jig with a plastic and half of a nightcrawler or cast crankbaits for walleye this time of year. 08/04 07:44
Decorah District Streams Northeast Temperatures range from 90's to 70's. Thunderstorms Saturday evening into Sunday. Use care when paddling with elevated flows and dirty water. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 08/04 07:50
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brook Trout - Fair: Fish the weed lines and head end of riffles for actively feeding fish. Terrestrial insects abundant. 08/04 07:50
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brown Trout - Good: Dirty water favors Brown Trout anglers. Increasing terrestrial insect numbers such as crickets, beetles, grasshoppers washing into streams creates a feeding frenzy for brownies. 08/04 07:50
Decorah District Streams Northeast Rainbow Trout - Good: A few streams get too warm for stocking Rainbow Trout during the heat of the summer, specifically July and August. This is an annual occurrence. Not to worry. Plenty of fish remain in the streams. Stocking the other streams continues as scheduled. 08/04 07:50
Decorah District Streams Northeast Wild parsnip beginning to dry out. Protect yourself from this plant by keeping arms and legs covered. This plants sap can cause serious blisters. Most area trout stream flows remain elevated. Clarity much improved. Use care when crossing or fishing in faster current. 08/04 07:50
George Wyth Lake Northeast Interior rivers here in N.E. Iowa are in excellent shape. The rivers are providing some catfish, smallmouth bass and walleye activity. Trout streams are in excellent condition across NE Iowa. Area Black Hawk county lakes are producing catches of panfish, channel catfish and largemouth bass. For more information contact your area local bait shops for the most recent up to date hot spots. 08/04 07:44
George Wyth Lake Northeast Anglers are catching some northern pike, crappie, channel catfish and largemouth bass on George Wyth Lake. 08/04 07:44
George Wyth Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber near structure for crappie. 08/04 07:44
George Wyth Lake Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing with night crawlers, chicken livers, dead cutbaits or leopard frogs on the bottom in ten foot of water or less. 08/04 07:44
George Wyth Lake Northeast Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try casting top water artificial or spinner baits early morning or late evening for bass. 08/04 07:44
George Wyth Lake Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Try trolling crankbaits around the lake or casting spinnerbaits along the edges of willows on the west end of the lake. 08/04 07:44
Lake Hendricks Northeast Temperatures range from 90's to 70's. Thunderstorms Saturday evening into Sunday. Use care when paddling with elevated flows and dirty water. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 08/04 07:50
Lake Hendricks Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: Slowly troll for crappie. Best times to fish are in the evening. 08/04 07:50
Lake Hendricks Northeast Bluegill - Slow: Try using a small piece of worm to catch one of these beauties. 08/04 07:50
Lake Hendricks Northeast Channel Catfish - Excellent: Best time to catch a nice size cat is at night using stinkbait. 08/04 07:50
Lake Hendricks Northeast Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers finding fish on edges of vegetation. Use weedless lures to minimize the frustration of casting into weeds. 08/04 07:50
Lake Hendricks Northeast Severe green algae bloom occurring on Lake Hendricks. Water temperatures are low 80's. Due to recent weather, angling is slow. 08/04 07:50
Lake Meyer Northeast Temperatures range from 90's to 70's. Thunderstorms Saturday evening into Sunday. Use care when paddling with elevated flows and dirty water. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 08/04 07:50
Lake Meyer Northeast Lake levels up and off color from recent rain. Shoreline angling much improved. Water temperatures in the 70's. 08/04 07:50
Lake Meyer Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappie suspended. Try trolling weed edges with a jig and twister tail. 08/04 07:50
Lake Meyer Northeast Bluegill - Slow: Find a cove or weed edge. Use an ice fishing jig tipped with a small piece of worm. 08/04 07:50
Lake Meyer Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Use a chunk of worm or squished minnow fished off the bottom near stumps or other woody debris for best luck. 08/04 07:50
Lake Meyer Northeast Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try using crankbaits or a jig with plastic tail on weedless hooks. Fish vegetation edges. 08/04 07:50
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Interior rivers here in N.E. Iowa are in excellent shape. The rivers are providing some catfish, smallmouth bass and walleye activity. Trout streams are in excellent condition across NE Iowa. Area Black Hawk county lakes are producing catches of panfish, channel catfish and largemouth bass. For more information contact your area local bait shops for the most recent up to date hot spots. 08/04 07:44
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a piece of crawler on a jig or fished off of the bottom for catfish. 08/04 07:44
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try casting crank baits, spinner baits or jigs near rocky shoreline areas. 08/04 07:44
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast The Maquoketa River is in good condition right now. Anglers have been catching smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. 08/04 07:44
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Tip a jig with a plastic and half of a nightcrawler or cast crankbaits for walleye this time of year. 08/04 07:44
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels are low. Boaters should use caution so not to back off end of ramps. The bite has improved with better clarity. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Bluegill - Excellent: Fish areas away from current along the weed edges in backwaters using light tackle tipped with piece of worm. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Try casting crankbaits off vegetation lines or near mouth of triibutary streams. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Walleye - Good: Trolling crankbaits has been effective for walleye off the wing-dams and side channels. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Water level at Lynxville is 613 feet and predicted to be fairly stable. Water temperature is 81 degrees at Lynxville dam. The backwaters are covered in duck weed and lily-pads. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Yellow Perch - Good: Perch have been biting on a jig tipped with crawler. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching crappies in the flooded timber on crappie rigs with minnows. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut-bait or stink-bait fished in deeper holes along current breaks of side channels. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Fair: The flathead bite is picking up with the warmer temperatures. Try a shiner or small bluegill for bait. Some anglers are using bank poles with bullheads for bait. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum bite is coming on. Fish weighted crawler rig in the current anywhere from shore. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast jigs or jerkbaits in woody cover in the shallows of backwaters. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Sauger - No Report: 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth are getting more active along main channel rock structure. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along the faster current. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels are low. Boaters should use caution so not to back off end of ramps. The bite has improved with better clarity. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Fish areas away from current along the weed edges in backwaters using light tackle tipped with piece of worm. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut-bait or stink-bait fished in deeper holes along current breaks of side channels. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Fair: The flathead bite is picking up with the warmer temperatures. Try a shiner or small bluegill for bait. Lots of bank pole fishing with anglers using live fish such as bullheads or green sunfish for bait. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Try casting crankbaits off vegetation lines or near mouth of triibutary streams. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Sauger - No Report: 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Walleye - Good: Trolling crankbaits has been effective for walleye off the wing-dams and side channels 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Water level at Guttenberg has fallen to 4.6 feet and expected to remain stable. Water temperature is 73 at the Guttenberg dam. The backwaters are covered in duck weed and lily-pads. The water is slightly turbid after recent rains. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Yellow Perch - Good: Perch have been biting on a jig tipped with crawler. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching crappies in the flooded timber on crappie rigs with minnows. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum bite is coming on. Fish weighted crawler rig in the current anywhere from shore. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast jigs or crankbaits in woody cover in the shallows of backwaters. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth are getting more active along main channel rock structure. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along the faster current. 08/04 09:43
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Water levels have dropped and is low. Please be careful boating with lots of obstacles now close to the surface. Also be careful when using boat ramps to not back off the ends of the ramps. The water temps are near 81 degrees throughout the district and water levels are stable. If you have angling questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Water levels are currently 4.6 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 7.3 feet at the RR bridge and clarity is good. Water levels are stable, and the temperature is around 80 degrees. Lots of mixed bags reported with many species contributing. Please be careful when using boat ramps as it is easy to back off the ends during this low water. Use the minimum amount of ramp necessary to launch your boat. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Northern Pike - Good: Some nice pike are now being reported on spinner baits. Fish are located often along the established vegetation lines. Try gaudy white spinner baits for the best success. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Fish around rock lines and behind fallen trees using a simple bobber and worm. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish angling is still very good but moving to post spawn. Many anglers switch over to stink baits in larger sloughs and mud flats. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are being taken in areas of moderate current using an egg sinker and worm rig. Keep drum on ice if plan on eating them and they can be very good table fare. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass of all sizes are being reported mostly from backwater areas on spinner baits and swim baits. Fish are often found along weed lines. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Good: Banklines are popular with most anglers using live bullheads or small carp for bait. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Fish along rock lines with moderate current using a spinner or crankbait. Most of the smallies are small but bigger fish can be caught on bigger crankbaits. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Walleye - Good: The bite for walleye seems to have picked up with many anglers throwing crankbaits on wingdams. The bite might have slowed down a bit but still some nice fish are being caught. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught on white spinners or jigs. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Both Black and White Crappie are being caught on woody structures in larger side channel areas with most anglers using small jigs or minnows. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Water levels have changed dramatically this week due to substantial rains in the watershed. The river also turned somewhat turbid due to runoff into our tributary streams. The water temps are near 80 degrees throughout the district and water levels are stable. If you have angling questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 08/10 10:43
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Water levels are currently at 5.8 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 8.5 feet at the RR bridge. Water levels are receding, and the temperature is around 79 degrees. Lots of mixed bags reported with many species contributing. The water is clearing up after massive rains this week. 08/10 10:43
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Fish around rock lines and behind fallen trees using a simple bobber and worm. 08/10 10:43
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Northern Pike - Good: Some nice pike are now being reported on spinner baits. Fish are located often along the established vegetation lines. Try gaudy white spinner baits for the best success. 08/10 10:43
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Both Black and White Crappie are being caught on woody structures in larger side channel areas with most anglers using small jigs or minnows. 08/10 10:43
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish angling is still very good but moving to post spawn. Many anglers switch over to stink baits in larger sloughs and mud flats. 08/10 10:43
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Good: Banklines are popular with most anglers using live bullheads or small carp for bait. 08/10 10:43
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are being taken in areas of moderate current using an egg sinker and worm rig. Keep drum on ice if plan on eating them and they can be very good table fare. 08/10 10:43
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass of all sizes are being reported mostly from backwater areas on spinner baits and swim baits. Fish are often found along weed lines. 08/10 10:43
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Fish along rock lines with moderate current using a spinner or crankbait. Most of the smallies are small but bigger fish can be caught on bigger crankbaits. 08/10 10:43
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Walleye - Good: The bite for walleyes seems to be up and down. At times they seem to be feeding heavily and then later other anglers complain they cannot find them at all. Changing water levels really negatively affects walleye angling 08/10 10:43
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught on white spinners or jigs. Look for schools of white bass chasing minnows especially near sandy areas. 08/10 10:43
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Water levels have dropped and is low. Please be careful boating with lots of obstacles now close to the surface. Also be careful when using boat ramps to not back off the ends of the ramps. The water temps are near 81 degrees throughout the district and water levels are stable. If you have angling questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast The water level at the Bellevue Lock is currently near 4.3 feet and stable. The water temperature is around 80 degrees. Lots of mixed species' bags being reported. Please be careful when using boat ramps as it is easy to back off the ends during this low water. Use the minimum amount of ramp necessary to launch your boat. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Rainbow Trout - No Report: The Kids Trout Pond is unfishable right now due to excessive vegetation. The pond will be restocked in later fall with trout. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Walleye - Good: Good numbers are now coming off the wingdams with anglers using crankbaits or worm rigs. Bite seems to have slowed a bit but still some nice fish are being reported. 08/04 08:50
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Northern Pike - Good: Use gaudy white spinners for best action. 08/04 08:50
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