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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

DNR’s 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.

2023 Podcast Links

January 2023 Fishing Report - ice fishing tips and safety, winter community trout stockings and fish stocking requests and data

February 2023 Fishing Report - tips for getting your gear ready for spring fishing, Mid Iowa Bassmasters Fishermen's Swap Meet, Iowa Walleye Challenge and new state record orangespotted sunfish

March 2023 Fishing Report -  spring community trout stockings, Iowa Walleye Challenge, Hook n" Paddle Passport, early season river fishing for walleyes and lake fishing for ice-out catfish

April 2023 Fishing Report - AJ Winter, Iowa DNR Outdoor Skills Specialist joins us to preview spring outdoor activities, plus trout stocking and walleye gillnetting

May 2023 Fishing Report - Clear Lake fishing, shovelnose sturgeon sampling, Iowa Wallaye Challenge local prizes and Hook n' Paddle Passport launch

June 2023 Fishing Report - Free Fishing Weekend, fishing community ponds, tips for kayak fishing

July 2023 Fishing Report - local angler, Richared Grimes joins us to talk about the Iowa Walleye Challenge, plus Des Moines area community fishing spots and the Hook n' Paddle Passport 

August 2023 Fishing Report - we answer questions posed by some central Iowa listeners, plus trout fishing and the Iowa State Fair

September 2023 Fishing Report - Chad Dolan, Iowa DNR fisheries biologist joins us with an update on the Lake Geode restoration project, plus fall fish stockings

December 2023 Fishing Report - 2024 Midwest Walleye Challenge preview, plus fishing Christmas gift ideas

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

August 2022 Fishing Report - live from the Iowa State Fair; stop by the aquarim in the DNR building to see fish from across Iowa; plus local fishing information 

September 2022 Fishing Report - new community fishing ponds, fishing sampling and fishing tournaments 

October 2022 Fishing Report - fish diet research, fishing tournaments and the big walleye controversy on Lake Erie; plus fall fishing tips

November 2022 Fishing Report - Mike Siepker joins us to talk trout - stockings, spawning, management and more

December 2022 Fishing Report - Hank Kholer joins us to talk about his One4Water trip and new book; plus ice fishing season preview

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
Big Woods Lake Northeast Interior rivers remain at low levels and have frozen over with the recent cold snap. As of this morning there have been a few reports of ice fishing in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Ice conditions are improving daily with reports around most areas with six to eight inches of good ice, as always use extreme caution. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and provide great angling opportunities for both rainbow and brown trout. 01/16 08:14
Big Woods Lake Northeast There have been fair reports of anglers catching bluegill and crappie on Big Woods Lake, some sorting may be necessary. 01/16 08:48
Big Woods Lake Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Try locating structure and use a ice jig tipped with a waxworm off of the bottom. 01/16 08:49
Big Woods Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Try locating structure and use a ice jig tipped with a minnow or waxworm, look for suspended fish near the structure using electronics. 01/16 08:50
Big Woods Lake Northeast Interior rivers remain at low levels and have frozen over with the recent cold snap. Walleye fishing had been good prior to the cold weather. As of this morning there have been a few reports of ice fishing in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Ice conditions are improving daily with reports around most areas with six to eight inches of good ice, as always use extreme caution. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and provide great angling opportunities for both rainbow and brown trout. 01/21 12:29
Big Woods Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Try locating structure and use a ice jig tipped with a minnow or waxworm, look for suspended fish near the structure using electronics. 01/21 12:29
Big Woods Lake Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Try locating structure and use a ice jig tipped with a waxworm off of the bottom. 01/21 12:29
Big Woods Lake Northeast There have been fair reports of anglers catching bluegill and crappie on Big Woods Lake, some sorting may be necessary. 01/21 12:29
Brinker Lake Northeast Interior rivers remain at low levels and have frozen over with the recent cold snap. As of this morning there have been a few reports of ice fishing in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Ice conditions are improving daily with reports around most areas with six to eight inches of good ice, as always use extreme caution. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and provide great angling opportunities for both rainbow and brown trout. 01/16 08:14
Brinker Lake Northeast There have been good reports of anglers catching yellow bass in Brinker Lake. 01/16 08:40
Brinker Lake Northeast Yellow Bass - Good: Locate woody structure in the thirty foot depth range using a small jig tipped with a waxworm for some good action. 01/16 08:41
Brinker Lake Northeast Interior rivers remain at low levels and have frozen over with the recent cold snap. Walleye fishing had been good prior to the cold weather. As of this morning there have been a few reports of ice fishing in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Ice conditions are improving daily with reports around most areas with six to eight inches of good ice, as always use extreme caution. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and provide great angling opportunities for both rainbow and brown trout. 01/21 12:29
Brinker Lake Northeast There have been fair to good reports of anglers catching yellow bass and crappie in Brinker Lake. 01/21 12:29
Brinker Lake Northeast Yellow Bass - Fair: Locate woody structure in the thirty foot depth range using a small jig tipped with a waxworm for some good action. 01/21 12:29
Brinker Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Locate structure with electronics, use a small jig tipped with a waxworm or dead-stick with a live minnow for some good action. 01/21 12:58
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Interior rivers remain at low levels and have frozen over with the recent cold snap. As of this morning there have been a few reports of ice fishing in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Ice conditions are improving daily with reports around most areas with six to eight inches of good ice, as always use extreme caution. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and provide great angling opportunities for both rainbow and brown trout. 01/16 08:14
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast There have been fair reports of anglers catching a few walleye on the Cedar River. 01/16 08:14
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Try tipping a jig and plastic with a live minnow for best success. 01/16 08:14
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Interior rivers remain at low levels and have frozen over with the recent cold snap. Walleye fishing had been good prior to the cold weather. As of this morning there have been a few reports of ice fishing in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Ice conditions are improving daily with reports around most areas with six to eight inches of good ice, as always use extreme caution. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and provide great angling opportunities for both rainbow and brown trout. 01/21 12:29
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast There have been fair reports of anglers catching a few walleye on the Cedar River. 01/21 12:29
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Try tipping a jig and plastic with a live minnow for best success. 01/21 12:29
Decorah District Streams Northeast Most area rivers are low with ice along the edges or on pools. Majority of lakes and ponds are covered with 7 to 12 inches of ice. Ice conditions have improved with the latest blast of cold weather and should continue to build up as the colder weathers moves in the next week. One day of warmth coming on Friday where temperatures reach a high of 42, but then drop back down. Always use caution on the ice. Use caution and wear orange when fishing on public hunting areas. For more information, conta 01/16 10:08
Decorah District Streams Northeast A good trout stream stays open during cold weather. Avoid walking on cleared gravel areas in faster moving water. These are brook and brown trout nests or redds. Wear plenty of orange so hunters can see you as many streams flow through public hunting areas. 01/16 10:08
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brown Trout - Good: Be stealthy approaching streams due to clear water. Flip a fly along the edge of vegetation. Try using a fly that imitates minnows or other small fish. 01/16 10:08
Decorah District Streams Northeast Rainbow Trout - Good: Use a small chunk of worm or cheese through a deeper hole. Tossing spinners through deeper holes will also show good results. 01/16 10:08
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brook Trout - Good: Water clarity is excellent so be stealthy approaching streams. Find fish in deeper pools above beaver dams. 01/16 10:08
George Wyth Lake Northeast Interior rivers remain at low levels and have frozen over with the recent cold snap. As of this morning there have been a few reports of ice fishing in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Ice conditions are improving daily with reports around most areas with six to eight inches of good ice, as always use extreme caution. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and provide great angling opportunities for both rainbow and brown trout. 01/16 08:14
George Wyth Lake Northeast There have been fair reports of anglers catching bluegill and crappie on George Wyth Lake, some sorting may be necessary. 01/16 08:44
George Wyth Lake Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Try locating structure and use a ice jig tipped with a waxworm off of the bottom. 01/16 08:45
George Wyth Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Try locating structure and use a ice jig tipped with a minnow or waxworm, look for suspended fish near the structure using electronics. 01/16 08:46
George Wyth Lake Northeast Interior rivers remain at low levels and have frozen over with the recent cold snap. Walleye fishing had been good prior to the cold weather. As of this morning there have been a few reports of ice fishing in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Ice conditions are improving daily with reports around most areas with six to eight inches of good ice, as always use extreme caution. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and provide great angling opportunities for both rainbow and brown trout. 01/21 12:29
George Wyth Lake Northeast There have been fair reports of anglers catching bluegill and crappie on George Wyth Lake, some sorting may be necessary. 01/21 12:29
George Wyth Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Try locating structure and use a ice jig tipped with a minnow or waxworm, look for suspended fish near the structure using electronics. 01/21 12:29
George Wyth Lake Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Try locating structure and use a ice jig tipped with a waxworm off of the bottom. 01/21 12:29
Lake Hendricks Northeast Most area rivers are low with ice along the edges or on pools. Majority of lakes and ponds are covered with 7 to 12 inches of ice. Ice conditions have improved with the latest blast of cold weather and should continue to build up as the colder weathers moves in the next week. One day of warmth coming on Friday where temperatures reach a high of 42, but then drop back down. Always use caution on the ice. Use caution and wear orange when fishing on public hunting areas. For more information, conta 01/16 10:08
Lake Hendricks Northeast Ice thickness is just clearing 12 inches. Water clarity is good. AVOID THE AREA AROUND THE AERATOR; unsafe ice. 01/16 10:27
Lake Hendricks Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Anglers finding fish with small jigs or waxworms. 01/16 10:28
Lake Hendricks Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are finding fish with small jigs tipped with waxworms or soft plastics. 01/16 10:48
Lake Meyer Northeast Most area rivers are low with ice along the edges or on pools. Majority of lakes and ponds are covered with 7 to 12 inches of ice. Ice conditions have improved with the latest blast of cold weather and should continue to build up as the colder weathers moves in the next week. One day of warmth coming on Friday where temperatures reach a high of 42, but then drop back down. Always use caution on the ice. Use caution and wear orange when fishing on public hunting areas. For more information, conta 01/16 10:08
Lake Meyer Northeast Ice thickness is 10-12 inches with excellent water clarity. 01/16 10:08
Lake Meyer Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Use small jigs with waxworms in deeper water around brush piles. 01/16 10:08
Lake Meyer Northeast Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs with waxworms in 8-12 feet of water around brush piles. 01/16 10:08
Manchester District Streams Northeast Interior rivers remain at low levels and have frozen over with the recent cold snap. As of this morning there have been a few reports of ice fishing in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Ice conditions are improving daily with reports around most areas with six to eight inches of good ice, as always use extreme caution. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and provide great angling opportunities for both rainbow and brown trout. 01/16 08:14
Manchester District Streams Northeast Trout streams are in excellent condition. Temperatures are predicted in the mid to upper forties for Christmas week providing for some good insect hatches. 01/16 08:14
Manchester District Streams Northeast Interior rivers remain at low levels and have frozen over with the recent cold snap. Walleye fishing had been good prior to the cold weather. As of this morning there have been a few reports of ice fishing in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Ice conditions are improving daily with reports around most areas with six to eight inches of good ice, as always use extreme caution. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and provide great angling opportunities for both rainbow and brown trout. 01/21 12:29
Manchester District Streams Northeast Trout streams are in excellent condition. Temperatures are predicted in the mid to upper forties for Christmas week providing for some good insect hatches. 01/21 12:29
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Upper Mississippi River Pools 9-11 ice is building with the colder weather. Most backwater lakes have around 12 inches of ice. The bite has slowed this past week Anglers having the best luck are moving often to locate fish. Don't forget the ice cleats; the ice is slippery without snow cover. Fluctuating water levels may cause unsafe ice around the edges. Avoid areas with current. Anglers should use a spud bar to test the ice. 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Walleye - Good: Walleye fishing in the tailwaters has been good recently but access may be limited by ice. 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Water level in the tailwaters at Lynxville is is currently 613.7 feet. Freezing temps are improving the ice conditions this week. Anglers are fishing the newer dredge cuts above the Marquette bridge. Avoid ice at Bussey Lake Ramp in Guttenberg as it is unsafe. Ice anglers are entering on the island road and reporting around 12 inches of ice. Anglers have been crossing at Sny Magill. Use caution as ice conditions may change with warm-up and water fluctuations. 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Yellow Perch - Good: Yellow perch fishing has been very good in the backwaters. Try using minnows for bigger fish. 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers catching some nice bass fishing waxworms for panfish. 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Good sized bluegills being caught in the early bite 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Nice sized crappie being caught. Try using small minnows for larger fish. 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Northern Pike - Good: Early tip up fishing has been good at times 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Sauger - Good: Sauger fishing in the tailwaters has been good recently but access may be limited by ice 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Upper Mississippi River Pools 9-11 ice is building on backwaters with the cold weather streak. Most backwater lakes have around 12 inches of ice. Anglers having the best luck are moving often to locate fish. Don't forget the ice cleats; the ice is slippery without snow cover. Fluctuating water levels may cause unsafe ice around the edges. Avoid areas with current. Anglers should use a spud bar to test the ice. A few main channel ramps re-opened, but chunks of ice are coming through the locks. 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Walleye - Good: Walleye fishing in the tailwaters has been good recently but access may be limited by ice. 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Water level in the tailwaters at Lynxville is is currently 613.7 feet. Freezing temps are improving the ice conditions this week. Anglers are fishing the newer dredge cuts above the Marquette bridge. Avoid ice at Bussey Lake Ramp in Guttenberg as it is unsafe. Ice anglers are entering on the island road and reporting around 12 inches of ice. Anglers have been crossing at Sny Magill to Norwegian Lake. Johnson Slough has 6-7 inches of ice, however ice conditions can change rapidly. 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Yellow Perch - Good: Yellow perch fishing has been very good in the backwaters. Try using minnows for bigger fish. 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Nice sized crappie being caught. Try using small minnows for larger fish. 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Good sized bluegills being caught in the early bite 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers catching some nice bass fishing waxworms for panfish. 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Northern Pike - Excellent: Early tip up fishing has been good at times 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Sauger - Good: Sauger fishing in the tailwaters has been good recently but access may be limited by ice 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Upper Mississippi River Pools 9-11 ice is building with the colder weather. Most backwater lakes have around 12 inches of ice. The bite has slowed this past week Anglers having the best luck are moving often to locate fish. Don't forget the ice cleats; the ice is slippery without snow cover. Fluctuating water levels may cause unsafe ice around the edges. Avoid areas with current. Anglers should use a spud bar to test the ice. 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Water level at the tailwaters in Guttenberg is currently at 5.3 feet. Ice is around 12 inches in protected backwaters. Boat ramps in Guttenberg have iced in. Avoid ice in areas with any current yet. Avoid the mouth of the creek at Mud Lake. The spring at Zollicoffer has thin ice. 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers catching some nice bass fishing waxworms for panfish. 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing in the tailwaters has been good recently but access may be limited by ice. 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Yellow Perch - Good: Some good reports of perch catches at Mud and Sunfish Lakes 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Good sized bluegills being caught in the early bite 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Nice sized crappie being caught. Try using small minnows for larger fish. 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Northern Pike - Good: Early tip up fishing has been good at times 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Sauger - Good: Walleye fishing in the tailwaters has been good recently but access may be limited by ice 01/16 11:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Upper Mississippi River Pools 9-11 ice is building on backwaters with the cold weather streak. Most backwater lakes have around 12 inches of ice. Anglers having the best luck are moving often to locate fish. Don't forget the ice cleats; the ice is slippery without snow cover. Fluctuating water levels may cause unsafe ice around the edges. Avoid areas with current. Anglers should use a spud bar to test the ice. A few main channel ramps re-opened, but chunks of ice are coming through the locks. 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing in the tailwaters has been good recently but access may be limited by ice. 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Water level at the tailwaters in Guttenberg is currently at 5.3 feet. Ice is around 12 inches in protected backwaters. Boat ramps in Guttenberg re-opened last week but expect to ice in with the single digits returning. Avoid ice in areas with any current yet. Avoid the mouth of the creek at Mud Lake. The spring at Zollicoffer has thin ice. 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Yellow Perch - Good: Some good reports of perch catches at Mud and Sunfish Lakes 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Nice sized crappie being caught. Try using small minnows for larger fish. 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Good sized bluegills being caught in the early bite 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers catching some nice bass fishing waxworms for panfish. 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Northern Pike - Excellent: Early tip up fishing has been good at times 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Sauger - Good: Walleye fishing in the tailwaters has been good recently but access may be limited by ice 01/17 03:22
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Ice fishing conditions are generally good in traditional areas but care must always be taken. Ice has been slick so may need to wear cleats to move around well. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Water level at Dubuque Lock and Dam is stable at 5.5 feet and the RR Bridge is at 8.1 feet. Water is clear with the temperature is around 33 degrees in main channel. The Hawthorne boat ramp is iced in. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Anglers are targeting the various harbor sites within the city of Dubuque. If you have airboats or hovercrafts several newly dredged backwater areas like Stone Lake and Tippy Lake have been good. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Northern Pike - Excellent: Pike fishing has been very good in the backwaters. Anglers often using large shiners with tip up's. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Walleye - Good: Some walleye and sauger are being taken in the tailwaters mostly on a jig and minnow. Getting out of iced in ramps will be a challenge. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Anglers are often using tip downs with minnows for bait. 01/16 10:44
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Ice fishing conditions are generally good in traditional areas but care must always be taken. Ice has been slick so may need to wear cleats to move around well. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Water level at Bellevue is stable and presently is near 5.7 feet. Water is clear with the temperature near 33 degrees in the main channel. Bellevue City ramp can be open at times but will undoubtedly ice in during the next cold snap. The DNR ramp is also presently frozen in. The main channel is open below dam but major ice flows are occurring at times. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Ice conditions have become more favorable this week and a lot of fishing is going on especially in lakes around Sabula. Ice can be sketchy around the south campground so please check it before going out. The ice itself is very slick so please use cleats to move around. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Walleye - Good: Most angling is taking place in the tailwaters with folks using jigs and minnows. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Yellow Perch - Good: Many little yellow perch with an occasional nicer fish being seen around the Sabula Lakes areas. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Ice fishing conditions are generally good in traditional areas but care must always be taken. Ice has been slick so may need to wear cleats to move around well. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Water level at Fulton is stable and presently near 4.9 feet, 9.7 feet at Camanche and 4.6 feet at LeClaire. Water is clear with the temperature around 33 degrees. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Ice fishing is occurring at Rock Creek and in Willow Lake. Sorting of bluegills is occurring but some nice fish are being caught, 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Walleye - No Report: Ice is playing havoc on getting to the tailwaters for walleye and sauger fishing. When available the angling has been good on jig and minnow rigs. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Ice fishing conditions are generally good in traditional areas but care must always be taken. Ice has been slick so may need to wear cleats to move around well. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Water level is stable at Rock Island near 5.9 feet. Water is clear and temperature is around 33 degrees. 01/16 10:38
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Upper Mississippi River Pools 9-11 ice is building with the colder weather. Most backwater lakes have around 12 inches of ice. The bite has slowed this past week Anglers having the best luck are moving often to locate fish. Don't forget the ice cleats; the ice is slippery without snow cover. Fluctuating water levels may cause unsafe ice around the edges. Avoid areas with current. Anglers should use a spud bar to test the ice. 01/16 11:53
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Iowa Fishing Report

Fishing Report System
This system allows you to view the current full fishing report, updated in real time! Search the report by location, specific fish, conditions or by water body.

January 2024 Fishing Report - 2024 fishing season preview and ice fishing safety

February 2024 Fishing Report - Gary Siegworth joins us to share highlights of his fisheries career with Iowa DNR, plus trout stockings and local events

March 2024 Fishing Report - we have our own March Madness fun with Iowa's Sweet 16 most fished for species bracket, plus an early spring fishing preview and tips

April 2024 Fishing Report - it's walleye spawning seasoning, plus community trout stockings and the Iowa Walleye Challenge

May 2024 Fishing Report - spring fishing preview, plus Outdoor Day with the Iowa Cubs and Iowa Walleye Challenge updates

June 2024 Fishing Report - summer fishing preview, plus fish sampling in community ponds

July 2024 Fishisng Report - 4th of July water safety, plus what motivates you to fish and Midwest Walleye Challenge wrapup

August 2024 Fishing Report - Iowa State Fair recap, plus tips for fishing community fishing ponds