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Iowa Fishing Report
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Waterbody District Comments Date
Alice Wyth Lake Northeast The wintry weather and snow accumulation has set in across Iowa. There have been few to no reports this past week with the heavy snowfall. Trout streams are in excellent condition, for further information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 02/14 11:06
Alice Wyth Lake Northeast There have been a few reports of anglers catching bluegill and crappie on Alice Wyth Lake. Some sorting may be required. 02/14 11:31
Alice Wyth Lake Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing a jig tipped with a waxworm just off of the bottom for a good bluegill bite. 02/14 11:37
Alice Wyth Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Fish a jig tipped with a waxworm or crappie minnow. Look for suspended fish or near the bottom. 02/14 11:39
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Upper Mississippi River areas received heavy snowfalls which can insulate the ice below. Use caution and watch for areas of thin ice under snow. Water levels have fallen and expected to stabilize. Use caution around the shoreline edges and any areas with current. Ice depth is averaging around ten inches. The panfish bite has been steady but requires some moving around to find active fish. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Some northerns being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast River level at Lynxville has fallen to 16 ft. The ramp is now frozen over at the dam. Anglers have been crossing at Sny Magill with about 6 inches ice on Johnson Slough. Stay on the path as ice is weaker closer to the ramp. Access Bussey Lake from the upper end to avoid marginal ice. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: The crappie bite has picked up this week. Try glow jigs tipped with minnows from mid morning to early afternoon. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Bluegill - Slow: Mid winter bluegill fishing can be variable but providing good action with decent sized fish still being caught. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Upper Mississippi River areas received heavy snowfalls which can insulate the ice below. Use caution and watch for areas of thin ice under snow. Water levels have fallen and expected to stabilize. Use caution around the shoreline edges and any areas with current. Ice depth is averaging around ten inches. The panfish bite has been steady but requires some moving around to find active fish. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: The crappie bite has picked up this week. Try glow jigs tipped with minnows from mid morning to early afternoon. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Bluegill - Slow: Mid winter bluegill fishing can be variable but providing good action with decent sized fish still being caught. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Some northerns being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast River level at Guttenberg has fallen to 7.9 ft. Ramps are frozen over at the dam. Avoid heavily snow covered ice, shorelines and areas of current. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast The tailwaters are back to being iced in at the ramps. Ice fishing conditions are variable but decent ice can be found in places. Even with the extreme cold temps some thin ice is still reported in some backwaters. Water levels are now dropping throughout the district. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Water levels are variable this week and presently it is 8.0 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 10.3 feet at the RR bridge. This down from last week. Water clarity is good and temperature is around 33 degrees. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Some ice fishing is occuring in Pool 12 but remain vigilent about ice conditions. Bluegill fishing has been good at times. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: A few reports of nice crappies mixed in with the bluegills. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: A few yellow perch are being seen mixed in with Bluegills and Crappies. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast The tailwaters are back to being iced in at the ramps. Ice fishing conditions are variable but decent ice can be found in places. Even with the extreme cold temps some thin ice is still reported in some backwaters. Water levels are now dropping throughout the district. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Sauger - No Report: Three way rigs with minnows or a jig and minnow is the most popular methods to catch walleye and sauger this winter. No one was fishing this week mostly due to poor weather conditions. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Water levels have bounced around this week and presently it is 9.3 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is good and the water temperature is around 33 degrees. The tailwater boat ramp has ice on it again. At Sabula the north ramp and parking area is open following bridge construction. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast White Bass - Fair: Small white bass are reported at Sabula and Browns Lakes but ice condtions have been marginal in places. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast The tailwaters are back to being iced in at the ramps. Ice fishing conditions are variable but decent ice can be found in places. Even with the extreme cold temps some thin ice is still reported in some backwaters. Water levels are now dropping throughout the district. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Sauger - No Report: Jig and minnow or three way rigs with minnows are the most popular ways to catch walleye and sauger this fall. Poor weather conditions have limited fishing activity. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Water levels are dropping and presently levels are at 7.9 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 11.3 feet at Camanche and 5.9 feet at LeClaire. This is down from last week. Water clarity is good and water temperature is around 33 degrees. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Bluegill - No Report: No report from Pool 14 yet although finally some decent ice is reported in places but be careful. 02/11 09:28
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast The tailwaters are back to being iced in at the ramps. Ice fishing conditions are variable but decent ice can be found in places. Even with the extreme cold temps some thin ice is still reported in some backwaters. Water levels are now dropping throughout the district. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast The water level are dropping at Rock Island and presently the level is at 11.1 feet. Water clarity is good and the water temperature is around 33 degrees. No fishing has been reported to us in Pool 15. 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Walleye - No Report: 02/11 09:19
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast River level at Lansing has fallen to 8.2 ft this week. Avoid shoreline edges and areas of current. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Upper Mississippi River areas received heavy snowfalls which can insulate the ice below. Use caution and watch for areas of thin ice under snow. Water levels have fallen and expected to stabilize. Use caution around the shoreline edges and any areas with current. Ice depth is averaging around ten inches. The panfish bite has been steady but requires some moving around to find active fish. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: The crappie bite has picked up this week. Try glow jigs tipped with minnows from mid morning to early afternoon. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Bluegill - Slow: Mid winter bluegill fishing can be variable but providing good action with decent sized fish still being caught. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Slow: Several reports of bass being caught on pole or tip-ups in backwater lake areas. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Some northerns being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. 02/14 10:45
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. 02/14 10:45
Arrowhead Lake Northwest Most ice in the Black Hawk district is anywhere from 10 to 18 inches of ice. Anglers should still be aware of any thin ice or open water; Geese are still keeping areas open on some lakes. As always use caution and check ice thickness frequently. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 02/14 10:06
Arrowhead Lake Northwest There is around 10 inches of ice near the boat ramp. 02/14 10:06
Arrowhead Lake Northwest Bluegill - Slow: Some keeper bluegills have been caught in the middle of the lake and along the east side, most are being caught on a small jig tipped with a waxworm fished in 10-15 feet of water. 02/14 10:06
Bacon Creek Lake Northwest Most ice in the Black Hawk district is anywhere from 10 to 18 inches of ice. Anglers should still be aware of any thin ice or open water; Geese are still keeping areas open on some lakes. As always use caution and check ice thickness frequently. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 02/14 10:06
Bacon Creek Lake Northwest The DNR will stock rainbow trout at Bacon Creek Lake on Feb 16th at 1:30 PM. 02/14 10:06
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. 02/14 08:04
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Most ice in the Black Hawk district is anywhere from 10 to 18 inches of ice. Anglers should still be aware of any thin ice or open water; Geese are still keeping areas open on some lakes. As always use caution and check ice thickness frequently. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 02/14 10:06
Black Hawk Lake Northwest The winter aeration system in Town Bay is in operation - beware of open water and thin ice in Town Bay. There is around 14 inches of ice off the boat ramp of Ice House Point. Be aware of thin ice or open water north of Ice House Point, along the Denison Beach area, and in the east basin near the outlet. Conditions are improving but they are still variable throughout the lake. Check ice thickness often. 02/14 10:06
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are being picked near the Ice House Point boat ramp. Use a small jig tipped with waxworm. 02/14 10:06
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have had luck fishing the rock pile out front of Gunshot Hill, use a small jig tipped with waxworm. 02/14 10:06
Black Hawk Pits Northwest Most ice in the Black Hawk district is anywhere from 10 to 18 inches of ice. Anglers should still be aware of any thin ice or open water; Geese are still keeping areas open on some lakes. As always use caution and check ice thickness frequently. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 02/14 10:06
Black Hawk Pits Northwest Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegill using waxworms fished near the bottom. 02/14 10:06
Black Hawk Pits Northwest There is around 10 inches of ice near the boat ramp. Ice is variable, check thickness often when venturing out. 02/14 10:06
Brushy Creek Lake Northwest Most ice in the Black Hawk district is anywhere from 10 to 18 inches of ice. Anglers should still be aware of any thin ice or open water; Geese are still keeping areas open on some lakes. As always use caution and check ice thickness frequently. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 02/14 10:06
Brushy Creek Lake Northwest Anglers are fishing mostly near the north boat ramp, in the NE arm of the lake, and near the southeast boat ramp near the big island. Look out for thin ice near the beach and in the main lake. Ice conditions are improving; as anglers make there way out they are reminded to check thickness often. 02/14 10:06
Brushy Creek Lake Northwest Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up a few crappie using a minnow and spoon in about 20-30 feet of water near submerged structure. Wax worms and spikes on a small jig have also been productive. 02/14 10:06
Brushy Creek Lake Northwest Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have picked up some bluegill in the NE arm of the lake using waxworms fished on a small jig. 02/14 10:06
Brushy Creek Lake Northwest Yellow Perch - Slow: Anglers have been picking up a few yellow perch while fishing for crappie. 02/14 10:06
Clear Lake Northwest Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie are being caught in the early morning on jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head. 02/14 08:04
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. 02/14 08:04
Clear Lake Northwest The ice has several inches of snow on it. 02/14 08:04
Clear Lake Northwest Yellow Bass - Fair: Start shallow using a small jig or jigging spoon tipped with several spikes or a wax worm. You have to keep moving to stay on fish.The best spots have been near the Baptist camp and in the Little Lake. 02/14 08:04
Clear Lake Northwest Yellow Perch - Fair: Lots of small fish are being caught. A reminder to anglers that if you’re not going to utilize the fish you catch to please release them. 02/14 08:04
Clear Lake Northwest Walleye - Slow: The best bite is early morning and evening. 02/14 08:04
East Okoboji Lake Northwest Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers are catching large yellow bass from the basin. Mobility is required to stay on the school of active fish. 02/12 10:39
East Okoboji Lake Northwest Bluegill - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught from the south end of the lake, sorting is required. 02/12 10:39
Five Island Lake Northwest Walleye - Fair: Report of fish being caught during the evening hours, use traditional baits. 02/12 10:39
Five Island Lake Northwest Yellow Bass - Good: Activity reported on the lake, anglers will need to search to find active fish. 02/12 10:39
Lake Pahoja Northwest Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys reflect good numbers of angler acceptable size bluegill in the lake with large fish over 8.0 inches not uncommon. 02/12 10:39
Lake Smith Northwest For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 02/14 08:04
Lost Island Lake Northwest Yellow Bass - Fair: Yellow bass activity has slowed but with persistence good numbers of fish will be caught. 02/12 10:39
Lower Pine Lake Northwest Bluegill - Slow: 02/14 08:04
Lower Pine 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. 02/14 08:04
Moorland Pond Northwest Most ice in the Black Hawk district is anywhere from 10 to 18 inches of ice. Anglers should still be aware of any thin ice or open water; Geese are still keeping areas open on some lakes. As always use caution and check ice thickness frequently. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 02/14 10:06
Moorland Pond Northwest The DNR stocked rainbow trout on Feb 9. 02/14 10:06
Spirit Lake Northwest Bluegill - Fair: Report of improved bluegill action, fish traditional sites. 02/12 10:39
Spirit Lake Northwest Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers of angler acceptable size fish continue to be caught from the basin in 18 - 20 feet of water.; bite improves through the day. Sorting is required as numbers of small fish will also be noticeable in the catch. 02/12 10:39
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) Northwest Most ice in the Black Hawk district is anywhere from 10 to 18 inches of ice. Anglers should still be aware of any thin ice or open water; Geese are still keeping areas open on some lakes. As always use caution and check ice thickness frequently. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 02/14 10:06
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) Northwest Ice conditions on Storm Lake are improving, but are still variable. Most areas of the lake have 15-18 inches of ice. Avoid ice along pressure seams, in the middle of the lake near the big island, and any other off colored ice. Use caution and check ice thickness often as you venture out. 02/14 10:06
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) Northwest Walleye - Fair: A few are being picked up in the dredge cuts on the east side of the lake in about 10-14 feet of water using spoons and minnows. Low light conditions have been more productive. 02/14 10:06
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) Northwest White Bass - Fair: Anglers are picking up some white bass in the east end of the lake and in the deeper dredged areas while fishing for walleye. 02/14 10:06
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) Northwest Yellow Perch - Slow: A few perch have been picked up in the east end of the lake using a small spoon and wax worm. 02/14 10:06
Trumbull Lake Northwest Yellow Perch - Good: Perch continue to be harvested from the lake with anglers very pleased with the large size of the fish that are caught. 02/12 10:39
Virgin Lake Northwest Walleye - Good: Good opportunities exist to catch fish averaging 16 inches from the lake, fish prime time for the best action. 02/12 10:39
Virgin Lake Northwest Yellow Perch - Good: Fish averaging eight inches are common in the lake. 02/12 10:39
West Okoboji Lake Northwest 02/12 10:39
West Okoboji Lake Northwest Bluegill - Good: Action has improved. Anglers will catch with persistence good numbers of "large gills" from the lake. 02/12 10:39
Big Hollow Lake Southeast For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at (319) 694-2430. 02/15 09:52
Big Hollow Lake Southeast Ice has some refrozen slush on it from yesterday's melt but is still plenty thick to walk on. Still some patchy ice on the park roads. 02/15 10:08
Big Hollow Lake Southeast Bluegill - Fair: Fishing has been pretty hit and miss move around fishing the flooded trees until you locate some fish. They seem to be pretty spread out. 02/15 10:09
Big Hollow Lake Southeast Black Crappie - Slow: Anglers are picking up some crappies but they like the bluegills are pretty spread out in the flooded timber. 02/15 10:10
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids) Southeast For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615. 02/12 11:17
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids) Southeast Anglers in Benton/Linn County have been having luck in the backwaters. 02/12 11:17
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids) Southeast Black Crappie - Good: 02/12 11:17
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids) Southeast Bluegill - Good: 02/12 11:17
Coralville Reservoir Southeast For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615. 02/12 11:17
Coralville Reservoir Southeast The lake level has risen and fallen a foot, and the flow has been high. This has made ice conditions extremely variable and the water dirty. 02/12 11:17
Diamond Lake Southeast For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615. 02/12 11:17
Diamond Lake Southeast Black Crappie - Fair: Fish the basin or around deeper brush for 8-9" crappies. 02/12 11:17
Diamond Lake Southeast Bluegill - Fair: Fish around brush with a jig/waxie. 02/12 11:17
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