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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.


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Iowa Fishing Report
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Waterbody District Comments Date
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Interior rivers continue to drop and are providing some catches of smallmouth bass and walleye. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo area are providing some catches of primarily largemouth bass. Trout streams remain in excellent condition but potential heavy thunderstorms are predicted for this evening, anglers may want to call ahead. All three trout hatcheries remain closed, for further information call the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 07/09 09:52
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Anglers are catching largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish on Casey Lake. Some sorting may be needed on bluegill and crappie and catfish angling has been best early morning or late evening. 07/09 10:02
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Try casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater and plastics for some great bass action! 07/09 10:03
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Bluegill - Good: Fish a small piece of worm under a bobber with a small splitshot sinker and small hook. 07/09 10:12
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Try casting and retrieving various colored tube jigs for some crappie success. 07/09 10:13
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Cast on the bottom of the lake dead cutbaits, chicken livers or stinkbait fished eraly morning or later evening hours. 07/09 10:14
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Area rivers and streams water levels continue falling but flows remain elevated. Water clarity much improved. Expect a hot, humid weekend with temperatures in the upper 80's for highs and upper 60's for lows. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 07/09 09:58
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Use chicken liver and stink baits for best luck or dead chub on bottom out of current. 07/09 09:58
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Repairs to the Nashua dam will continue as water levels and flows drop. Water levels falling. Clarity is improving. Use caution; under water hazards may have moved. For more information on water levels, visit the following link: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt. 07/09 09:58
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are finding quite a few small ones. Try using a jig tipped with natural colored twister tails and crank or spinner baits for bass. 07/09 09:58
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a bright plastic tail for some quick action. 07/09 09:58
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Area rivers and streams water levels continue falling but flows remain elevated. Water clarity much improved. Expect a hot, humid weekend with temperatures in the upper 80's for highs and upper 60's for lows. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 07/09 03:39
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Repairs to the Nashua dam will continue as water levels and flows drop. Water levels falling. Clarity is improving. Use caution; under water hazards may have moved. For more information on water levels, visit the following link: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt. 07/09 03:39
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Use chicken liver and stink baits for best luck or dead chub on bottom out of current. 07/09 03:39
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a bright plastic tail for some quick action. 07/09 03:39
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are finding quite a few small ones. Try using a jig tipped with natural colored twister tails and crank or spinner baits for bass. 07/09 03:39
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Interior rivers continue to drop and are providing some catches of smallmouth bass and walleye. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo area are providing some catches of primarily largemouth bass. Trout streams remain in excellent condition but potential heavy thunderstorms are predicted for this evening, anglers may want to call ahead. All three trout hatcheries remain closed, for further information call the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 07/09 09:52
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Best success now would be for channel catfish on the Cedar River. 07/09 10:16
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Cast on the bottom of the river above fallen tree snags dead cutbaits, chicken livers or stinkbait fished eraly morning or later evening hours. 07/09 10:17
Decorah District Streams Northeast Area rivers and streams water levels continue falling but flows remain elevated. Water clarity much improved. Expect a hot, humid weekend with temperatures in the upper 80's for highs and upper 60's for lows. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 07/09 09:58
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brook Trout - Good: When fishing private property open to angling, leave that property as was or better by picking up trash. Close gates if you opened them; be considerate. 07/09 09:58
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brown Trout - Good: More terrestrials are out. Use beetles or other bright flies fished along grassed edges. Afternoon hatches of caddis and may flies have been slow. Pheasant tailed nymphs and bead headed midges working well. Use hair jigs or spinners for aggressive fish. 07/09 09:58
Decorah District Streams Northeast Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Use a worm or cheese floated through a pool under a bobber. Use an ultra-light pole and reel for fun action. Small crappie or bluegill jigs work well on a hungry bow. 07/09 09:58
Decorah District Streams Northeast Wild parsnip is coming on strong. Please don't touch this plant. It causes painful blisters. All trout stream stockings will be unannounced for the rest of the year due to COVID-19 precautions. Due to marginal water temperatures in July and August on a few streams, stocking catchables is temporarily discontinued. Hatchery grounds are open to the public, but feeders and other conveniences are temporarily unavailable. 07/09 09:58
Decorah District Streams Northeast Area rivers and streams water levels continue falling but flows remain elevated. Water clarity much improved. Expect a hot, humid weekend with temperatures in the upper 80's for highs and upper 60's for lows. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 07/09 03:39
Decorah District Streams Northeast Wild parsnip is coming on strong. Please don't touch this plant. It causes painful blisters. All trout stream stockings will be unannounced for the rest of the year due to COVID-19 precautions. A small number of trout streams are not stocked in July and August due to marginal water temperatures. This is an annual occurrence. To check which ones, please visit the trout fishing website. 07/09 03:39
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brook Trout - Good: When fishing private property open to angling, leave that property as was or better by picking up trash. Close gates if you opened them; be considerate. 07/09 03:39
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brown Trout - Good: More terrestrials are out. Use beetles or other bright flies fished along grassed edges. Afternoon hatches of caddis and may flies have been slow. Pheasant tailed nymphs and bead headed midges working well. Use hair jigs or spinners for aggressive fish. 07/09 03:39
Decorah District Streams Northeast Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Use a worm or cheese floated through a pool under a bobber. Use an ultra-light pole and reel for fun action. Small crappie or bluegill jigs work well on a hungry bow. 07/09 03:39
George Wyth Lake Northeast Interior rivers continue to drop and are providing some catches of smallmouth bass and walleye. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo area are providing some catches of primarily largemouth bass. Trout streams remain in excellent condition but potential heavy thunderstorms are predicted for this evening, anglers may want to call ahead. All three trout hatcheries remain closed, for further information call the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 07/09 09:52
George Wyth Lake Northeast There have been good reports of largemouth bass being caught on George Wyth Lake. Newly placed habitat in and around the floating pier may provide some good success. 07/09 10:19
George Wyth Lake Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Try casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater and plastics for some great bass action! 07/09 10:20
Lake Hendricks Northeast Aquatic vegetation is coming on strong. Best times to fish are early morning and evening. 07/09 09:58
Lake Hendricks Northeast Area rivers and streams water levels continue falling but flows remain elevated. Water clarity much improved. Expect a hot, humid weekend with temperatures in the upper 80's for highs and upper 60's for lows. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 07/09 09:58
Lake Hendricks Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappie suspended in deeper water around structure. Use a minnow or small lure drifting over structure. 07/09 09:58
Lake Hendricks Northeast Bluegill - Fair: A small piece of worm on a hook under a small bobber works well. 07/09 09:58
Lake Hendricks Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: With warmer water temperatures, try using cheese or stink baits. Nightcrawlers will work. 07/09 09:58
Lake Hendricks Northeast Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use top water lures or weedless hooks for best luck. Fish along the weed edges. 07/09 09:58
Lake Hendricks Northeast Area rivers and streams water levels continue falling but flows remain elevated. Water clarity much improved. Expect a hot, humid weekend with temperatures in the upper 80's for highs and upper 60's for lows. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 07/09 03:39
Lake Hendricks Northeast Aquatic vegetation is coming on strong. Best times to fish are early morning and evening. 07/09 03:39
Lake Hendricks Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappie suspended in deeper water around structure. Use a minnow or small lure drifting over structure. 07/09 03:39
Lake Hendricks Northeast Bluegill - Fair: A small piece of worm on a hook under a small bobber works well. 07/09 03:39
Lake Hendricks Northeast Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use top water lures or weedless hooks for best luck. Fish along the weed edges. 07/09 03:39
Lake Hendricks Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: With warmer water temperatures, try using cheese or stink baits. Nightcrawlers will work. 07/09 03:39
Lake Meyer Northeast Area rivers and streams water levels continue falling but flows remain elevated. Water clarity much improved. Expect a hot, humid weekend with temperatures in the upper 80's for highs and upper 60's for lows. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 07/09 09:58
Lake Meyer Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: Use a small spinner bait tossed along a steep depth change. 07/09 09:58
Lake Meyer Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Try a small piece of worm fished under a bobber. 07/09 09:58
Lake Meyer Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a nightcrawler fished on the bottom near stumps or other structure. Also try using chicken liver or cheese baits. 07/09 09:58
Lake Meyer Northeast Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a twister tail or worm fished along the shore. 07/09 09:58
Lake Meyer Northeast Water clarity is excellent. Filamentous algae mats covering shallow water. Fish early morning and evening when shadows aren't cast on the water. 07/09 09:58
Lake Meyer Northeast Area rivers and streams water levels continue falling but flows remain elevated. Water clarity much improved. Expect a hot, humid weekend with temperatures in the upper 80's for highs and upper 60's for lows. For current fishing information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 07/09 03:39
Lake Meyer Northeast Water clarity is excellent. Filamentous algae mats covering shallow water. Fish early morning and evening when shadows aren't cast on the water. 07/09 03:39
Lake Meyer Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: Use a small spinner bait tossed along a steep depth change. 07/09 03:39
Lake Meyer Northeast Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a twister tail or worm fished along the shore. 07/09 03:39
Lake Meyer Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Try a small piece of worm fished under a bobber. 07/09 03:39
Lake Meyer Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a nightcrawler fished on the bottom near stumps or other structure. Also try using chicken liver or cheese baits. 07/09 03:39
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Interior rivers continue to drop and are providing some catches of smallmouth bass and walleye. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo area are providing some catches of primarily largemouth bass. Trout streams remain in excellent condition but potential heavy thunderstorms are predicted for this evening, anglers may want to call ahead. All three trout hatcheries remain closed, for further information call the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 07/09 09:52
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Anglers are catching both walleye and smallmouth bass on the Maquoketa River. 07/09 10:25
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try casting spinnerbaits or crankbaits for some great smallmouth bass action. 07/09 10:26
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Try casting crankbaits or fishing a half of a crawler on a jig and plastic rig. 07/09 10:27
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels are predicted to fall this week. Water clarity is good. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 in.must be immediately released.One walleye over 27" may be kept.Combined walleye/sauger limit 6/poss.12 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast River level at Lynxville is 618.2 ft and expected to fall to 16 ft this week. Water temp: 84 °F. Sny Magill access is open 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Northern Pike - Excellent: Northern pike can be caught in areas of colder streams and springs entering the Mississippi River 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Walleye - Good: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits on wingdams and channel border structure. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are in 8-10 ft of water. Use a minnow under a bobber in areas near current breaks in backwaters and side channels. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Yellow Perch - Excellent: Fish a small piece of crawler off the bottom near shorelines with slight current. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass will be on pre-spawn bite as temps rise. Try casting plastics or blade baits in backwater lakes. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fish rock piles at the tip of the islands on main channel borders with spinnerbaits 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead bite has slowed up some but still some being caught on shiners or a small bluegill for bait. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Some shovelnose are being picked up using crawler fished off the bottom in main channel areas. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Channel Catfish - Excellent: Fish nightcrawlers or cut bait off the bottom in deeper side channel areas. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are spawing. Fish along the shorelines with light tackle tipped with small piece of worm 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Fish for drum in along current breaks using a crawler fished on the bottom. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels are predicted to fall this week. Water clarity is good. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 in.must be immediately released.One walleye over 27" may be kept.Combined walleye/sauger limit 6/poss.12 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast River level at Guttenberg is 9.7ft and predicted to fall to 8 ft this week. Water temperature is mid 80's °F. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Walleye - Good: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits on wingdams and channel border structure. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Northern Pike - Excellent: Northern pike can be caught in areas of colder streams and springs entering the Mississippi River. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are in about 10 ft of water. Use a minnow under a bobber in areas with less current in backwaters and side channels 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish a small piece of crawler off the bottom near shorelines with slight current. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass will be on pre-spawn bite as temps rise. Try casting plastics or blade baits in backwater lakes. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Fish rock piles at the tip of the islands on main channel borders with spinnerbaits 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead bite has slowed up some but still some being caught on shiners or a small bluegill for bait. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Shovelnose sturgeon - Fair: Some shovelnose are being picked up using crawler fished off the bottom in main channel areas. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawing. Fish along the shorelines with light tackle tipped with small piece of worm 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Channel Catfish - Excellent: Fish nightcrawlers or cut bait off the bottom in deeper side channel areas. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Fish for drum in along current breaks using a crawler fished on the bottom. 07/09 08:55
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Water level is expected to slowly recede later this week. Water temperature has warmed into the upper 80's throughout the district. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-880-8781. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast The water levels are stable but will begin to recede slightly later this week. Water is near 9.3 feet at the Lock and Dam and 11.5 feet at the RR bridge. The water temperature is around 86 degrees and the clarity is good. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Northern Pike - Excellent: Flashy spinners in warm sun filled waters might trigger these predators. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Most of the spawning is over but some bluegills are still being reported in shallow backwater areas. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Channel Catfish - Excellent: Lots of anglers are switching over to prepared stink baits. Some catfish have started to move along the rock lines in preparation for spawning. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on a egg sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Lots of bass are being taken off lily pad areas on spinner baits or frog imitation lures. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Good: Some smallies have now moved in along the rock piles and can be caught on flashy spoons or crank baits. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Water level is expected to slowly recede later this week. Water temperature has warmed into the upper 80's throughout the district. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-880-8781. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast The water level at the Bellevue Lock and Dam is at 10.4 feet and expected to recede later this week. The water temperature is at 86 degrees and the water is clear. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Channel Catfish - Excellent: Some cats have moved along rock lines. Anglers are switching over to prepared stink baits. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on a sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Northern Pike - Excellent: Pike are being reported on flashy spinners along weed edges and rock shorelines. 07/09 10:28
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Lots of bass are being taken off lily pad areas on spinner baits or frog imitation lures. 07/09 10:28
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