Fishing Reports

Iowa's Fishing Report

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Iowa Fishing Report

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Waterbody	District	Comments	Date
Big Woods Lake	Northeast	The interior rivers all received some rainfall but some more than others. The Cedar and Shell Rock in Butler Co. remain in good condition and anglers are doing well. The Wapsi and Maquoketa Rivers remain a bit high and muddy yet. Trout streams remain in excellent condition, for further angling information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.	08/16 09:37
Big Woods Lake	Northeast	There have been reports of anglers catching Crappie in Big Woods Lake.	08/16 09:37
Big Woods Lake	Northeast	Black Crappie - Good: Try fishing various depths near structure with a slip bobber and minnow or jigging colored tube jigs.	08/16 09:37
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)	Northeast	The interior rivers all received some rainfall but some more than others. The Cedar and Shell Rock in Butler Co. remain in good condition and anglers are doing well. The Wapsi and Maquoketa Rivers remain a bit high and muddy yet. Trout streams remain in excellent condition, for further angling information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.	08/16 09:37
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)	Northeast	Black Crappie - Fair: Try jigging tube jigs or fishing a minnow under a bobber near structure in the lake towards the dam area.	08/16 09:37
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)	Northeast	Bluegill - Good: Try fishing various depths with a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of weeds or structure.	08/16 09:37
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)	Northeast	Casey Lake is in good condition with clear water. Vegetation remains abundant around edges, but it is starting to die back a bit. Catfish, bluegill, crappie and bass have all been biting well.	08/16 09:37
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting on a variety of baits. Best bite is early morning and late evening. Catfish size has been excellent.	08/16 09:37
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Fair: Mornings and evenings have been best for largemouth bass action.	08/16 09:37
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	The interior rivers all received some rainfall but some more than others. The Cedar and Shell Rock in Butler Co. remain in good condition and anglers are doing well. The Wapsi and Maquoketa Rivers remain a bit high and muddy yet. Trout streams remain in excellent condition, for further angling information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.	08/16 09:37
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Excellent: Stink baits have been the hot commodity for channel catfish on the Cedar River. Fish the top or upstream end of log jams for some great catfish action.	08/16 09:37
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	The Cedar River continues to improve. There have been excellent reports of anglers catching channel catfish, good reports of walleye and smallmouth bass and fair reports on northern pike in Butler County. The Cedar in Black Hawk Co. has had some fair reports reports on both flathead and channel catfish being caught.	08/16 09:37
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try casting artificial baits along rocky shorelines for some good action.	08/16 09:37
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Walleye - Good: A jig tipped with a half crawler and twister tail is a deadly combination this time of year.	08/16 09:37
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Flathead Catfish - Fair: Fish the larger snags with live bait for some good flathead catfish action.	08/16 09:59
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)	Northeast	The interior rivers all received some rainfall but some more than others. The Cedar and Shell Rock in Butler Co. remain in good condition and anglers are doing well. The Wapsi and Maquoketa Rivers remain a bit high and muddy yet. Trout streams remain in excellent condition, for further angling information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.	08/16 09:37
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)	Northeast	The Maquoketa River is in excellent condition. Smallmouth bass and walleye fishing should be good throughout both Delaware and Jones County.	08/16 09:37
Martens Lake	Northeast	The interior rivers all received some rainfall but some more than others. The Cedar and Shell Rock in Butler Co. remain in good condition and anglers are doing well. The Wapsi and Maquoketa Rivers remain a bit high and muddy yet. Trout streams remain in excellent condition, for further angling information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.	08/16 09:37
Martens Lake	Northeast	Expect to fish through and around vegetation. Adjust tactics as needed, including heavy baits or topwater options. There have been reports of some quality size bass being caught.	08/16 09:37
Martens Lake	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: Weedless artificial lures would be a good bet on this lake with the dense vegetation. Topwater frog imitation baits have been reported as being good.	08/16 09:37
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Upper Mississippi River levels are leveling off this week with good water clarity but lots of vegetation present. Boaters should use caution with the lower water with wingdams and sandbars now at or just below the water surface. As water levels settle back to summertime lows, look for fish along side channels as the temps warm up.Water temps are in the upper 70 to low 80's.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Fish a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing cutbait or stinkbait for catfish in the main and side channel borders	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Flathead Catfish - No Report:	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Northern Pike - Good: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	River level at Lynxville is at 14.7 and is expected to fall slowly to 14 ft. Water temp at Lock and Dam 9 is 82°F. Sny Magill ramp is open.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Sauger - No Report:	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Walleye - Fair: Water levels are at a very good level to find walleyes on wing dams. Try using a 3 way rig with a floating jig and a worm.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty but some nicer ones are being caught using live minnow rigs.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Bluegill - Excellent: Fish bluegills with light tackle tipped with small piece of worm under a bobber in 4-6 ft of water.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: With lower water levels bass will be pulling out to wing dams and structure along the main channel.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find Smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for some big white bass.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Black Crappie - Good: Fish in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber.	08/16 10:16
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Upper Mississippi River levels are leveling off this week with good water clarity but lots of vegetation present. Boaters should use caution with the lower water with wingdams and sandbars now at or just below the water surface. As water levels settle back to summertime lows, look for fish along side channels as the temps warm up.Water temps are in the upper 70 to low 80's.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing cutbait or stinkbait for catfish in the main and side channel borders	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Flathead Catfish - No Report:	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: With lower water levels bass will be pulling out to wing dams and structure along the main channel.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Northern Pike - Excellent: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	River level at Guttenberg is at 6.2 ft and is expected fall slowly and stabilize near 5 ft. Water temperature is 76°F at Lock and Dam 10.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Sauger - No Report:	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find Smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Walleye - Fair: Water levels are at a very good level to find walleyes on wing dams. Try using a 3 way rig with a floating jig and a worm.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty but some nicer ones are being caught using live minnow rigs.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Bluegill - Excellent: Fish bluegills with light tackle tipped with small piece of worm under a bobber in 4-6 ft of water.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for some big white bass.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Black Crappie - Good: Fish in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber.	08/16 10:17
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stinkbait or worms near shore.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Most anglers just use a simple egg sinker and worm rigs for these prolific fish. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Water levels are at 6.1 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and at 8.6 feet at the RR bridge. Expect water to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity is good and temperature is around 81 degrees.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Water levels are receding throughout the district. Levels are below what anglers have seen in a few years. Be careful boating as many underwater hazards are now exposed. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Bluegill - Good: Try angling along the vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Flathead Catfish - Good: Current areas along rocks are starting to again produce some nice eating sized flathead catfish.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Largemouth bass are being caught along flooded weed lines and in weedy backwater using lures like scum frogs.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Walleye - Good: Fish crankbaits on wingdams.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	White Bass - Good: Looks for schools of white bass feeding on the surface in the morning and evening hours.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	White Crappie - Good: Try using small minnows in newly exposed brush piles along major side channels or deeper backwater areas.	08/16 11:13
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fish spinners or crankbaits along rocky areas with strong current.	08/16 11:14
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Water levels are receding throughout the district. Levels are below what anglers have seen in a few years. Be careful boating as many underwater hazards are now exposed. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stinkbait or worms near shore. Move often if not finding catfish.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Freshwater Drum - Excellent: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Most largemouth are feeding along the edge of weed lines. Use a bright colored spinners that imitate minnows. Frog imitation lures in the weedy backwaters has also been effective.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Water level at the Bellevue Lock and Dam is at 6.5 feet. Expect water to recede this upcoming week. Water clarity is good and the water temperature is around 82 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	White Bass - Good: Look for feeding schools of white bass in the morning and evening hours. Small spinners and white jigs work best.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Bluegill - Good: Bluegills have returned to the creel. Try fishing along vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Good: Focus on rock lines and piles with strong current. Spinners, jigs and crankbaits work best.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Flathead Catfish - Good: Try live bait in high current areas or above large brish piles.	08/16 11:38
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	White Crappie - Good: Some nice white crappie have been reported out of deeper backwater areas along newly exposed brush piles.	08/16 11:39
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Water levels are receding throughout the district. Levels are below what anglers have seen in a few years. Be careful boating as many underwater hazards are now exposed. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stinkbait or worms near shore or along brush piles.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Water levels are at 6.1 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 10.2 feet at Camanche and at 5.0 feet at the LeClaire. Expect water to drop this upcoming week. Water clarity is fair water temperature is around 82 degrees.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Flathead Catfish - Good: Some flatheads are now hitting crankbaits and jigs mainly along rocky areas. Some folks have been using live baits on trot lines with some success.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are being caught in moderate current areas using a simple egg sinker/worm rig.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bright colored spinners fished along flooded shorelines are picking up some bass.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Focus on rock lines and rock piles with strong current.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	White Bass - Good: Some schools of white bass have been seen in the tailwater area. Use bright jigs or flashy lures for best results.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Bluegill - Good: Lower ends of Rock Creek and Catfish Slough have produced some nice bluegills. Mainly using worms and bobbers.	08/16 11:43
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	White Crappie - No Report: Try newly exposed brush piles with small minnows and jigs.	08/16 11:44
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Water levels are receding throughout the district. Levels are below what anglers have seen in a few years. Be careful boating as many underwater hazards are now exposed. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stink bait or worms near shore.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Flathead Catfish - Good: Fish above large deadfalls with live bait.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use an egg sinker and worm rigs near shore in moderate current areas.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Water levels are at 6.3 feet at Rock Island. Expect water to drop this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve and the water temperature is around 82 degrees.	08/16 11:09
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Focus on rock lines and piles with strong current. Spinners, jigs and crankbaits work best.	08/16 11:46
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Bluegill - Excellent: Fish bluegills with light tackle tipped with small piece of worm under a bobber in 4-6 ft of water.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing cutbait or stinkbait for catfish in the main and side channel borders	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Flathead Catfish - No Report:	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: With lower water levels bass will be pulling out to wing dams and structure along the main channel.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Northern Pike - Good: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	River level at Lansing is 8.3 ft and is expected to remain steady. Water temp is near 81°F. New Albin ias open. Notice: The Lansing Village Creek ramp is closed through October. (For further updates call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156)	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Sauger - No Report:	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find Smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Upper Mississippi River levels are leveling off this week with good water clarity but lots of vegetation present. Boaters should use caution with the lower water with wingdams and sandbars now at or just below the water surface. As water levels settle back to summertime lows, look for fish along side channels as the temps warm up.Water temps are in the upper 70 to low 80's.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Walleye - Good: Water levels are at a very good level to find walleyes on wing dams. Try using a 3 way rig with a floating jig and a worm.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for some big white bass.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty but some nicer ones are being caught using live minnow rigs.	08/16 09:49
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action.	08/16 09:49

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