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Iowa's Fishing Report

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How to read our weekly 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.




Iowa Fishing Report
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Waterbody District Comments Date
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Ice fishing reports have been very few this past week. This coming weekend forecast looks beautiful for temperatures and may trigger a good panfish bite. Trout streams remain in excellent condition, for further information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 02/20 11:20
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Black Crappie - No Report: Locate sunken fish structure near the dam. Fish an ice jig tipped with a waxworm just off of the bottom or using electronics to locate suspended fish which often tend to be crappie. Also try a deadstick rig tipped with a live minnow. 02/20 11:20
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Bluegill - No Report: Locate sunken fish structure near the dam. Fish an ice jig tipped with a waxworm just off of the bottom, electronics are a bonus in locating fish. 02/20 11:20
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast There had been excellent reports of bluegill of quality size being taken over the past few weeks. Fish the early morning hours for best success. Fish the ten to eleven foot of water or deeper and on structure. Best ice conditions on the lake appear to be near the dam area. 02/20 11:20
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast A cold week ahead of a warmer weekend. Temperatures upper 20's to low 30's by Friday. Use care on area rivers. Ice thickness varies on waterbodies with current. Fish activity is slow on area lakes. For information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 02/17 09:13
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Backwaters and slack water areas have about 5 to 9 inches of ice with 5 inches snow. Ice conditions may change with warmer temperatures. Use care when crossing areas with current. Check depths often. Anglers are finding fish. 02/17 09:13
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Find deeper water or off channel refuges out of current. Use waxworms or spikes for best luck. 02/17 09:13
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Find deeper off-channel areas. Spikes or waxworms tipped on a small jig work well. 02/17 09:13
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Walleye - Good: Anglers are finding walleye through the ice. Use jigs tipped with a shiner. 02/17 09:13
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Yellow Perch - Slow: Anglers are finding a few perch mixed in with the crappie. 02/17 09:13
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass were hitting shiners. 02/17 09:19
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Ice fishing reports have been very few this past week. This coming weekend forecast looks beautiful for temperatures and may trigger a good panfish bite. Trout streams remain in excellent condition, for further information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 02/20 11:20
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Backwater areas of the Cedar River are producing some crappie. Use extreme caution when venturing out onto river ice! 02/20 11:20
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Fish an ice jig tipped with a waxworm just off of the bottom or using electronics to locate suspended fish which often tend to be crappie. Also try a deadstick rig tipped with a live minnow. 02/20 11:20
Decorah District Streams Northeast A cold week ahead of a warmer weekend. Temperatures upper 20's to low 30's by Friday. Use care on area rivers. Ice thickness varies on waterbodies with current. Fish activity is slow on area lakes. For information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 02/17 09:13
Decorah District Streams Northeast Parking lots in wildlife management areas are not plowed. Heavy use areas should be packed enough for anglers to get around. Use care when parking on the roadside. Trout streams clear and remain ice free. Please visit our website to find out when and where trout may be coming to a community near you. 02/17 09:13
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brook Trout - Good: Midges and small mayflies hatching on warmer, sunny days. Use flies imitating insects hatching. 02/17 09:13
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brown Trout - Good: Try a fly imitating small silvery fish. Feathered spinner baits work well when fished through pools. 02/17 09:13
Decorah District Streams Northeast Rainbow Trout - Good: Fish actively hitting surface early afternoon. Use an ultra light pole and reel for some fun action. Try a spinner in eddies and around structure. 02/17 09:13
Lake Hendricks Northeast A cold week ahead of a warmer weekend. Temperatures upper 20's to low 30's by Friday. Use care on area rivers. Ice thickness varies on waterbodies with current. Fish activity is slow on area lakes. For information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 02/17 09:13
Lake Hendricks Northeast Lake Hendricks has about 14 inches of ice with 10 inches of snow on top. Fish activity has slowed. Open water around aerator. Be careful around this area. No motorized vehicles allowed on ice. 02/17 09:13
Lake Hendricks Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: Anglers using a small jig tipped with a waxworm doing well. Fish are suspended off the bottom. Variety of sizes caught. 02/17 09:13
Lake Hendricks Northeast Bluegill - Slow: Gills are sitting closer to the bottom. Use a baited hook for best luck. 02/17 09:13
Lake Meyer Northeast A cold week ahead of a warmer weekend. Temperatures upper 20's to low 30's by Friday. Use care on area rivers. Ice thickness varies on waterbodies with current. Fish activity is slow on area lakes. For information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 02/17 09:13
Lake Meyer Northeast Lake Meyer has 10 inches of ice with 6 inches snow on top. Use care when going on ice especially around dam. Check depths often. Hit or miss action continues on panfish. Fish hanging in 8-10 ft. of water around brush piles. 02/17 09:13
Lake Meyer Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie suspended above brush piles. Baited hooks work best. 02/17 09:13
Lake Meyer Northeast Bluegill - Slow: Anglers marking alot of fish but few bites. Find gills around brush piles using a small jig tipped with a waxworm. Fish near bottom. Try fishing morning hours for best luck. 02/17 09:13
Lake Meyer Northeast Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catching bass while fishing for panfish. 02/17 09:13
Martens Lake Northeast Ice fishing reports have been very few this past week. This coming weekend forecast looks beautiful for temperatures and may trigger a good panfish bite. Trout streams remain in excellent condition, for further information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 02/20 11:20
Martens Lake Northeast Anglers are catching a few bluegill and crappie in Martens Lake. Access is available crossing the reservoir from the north side of the lake, use caution. 02/20 11:20
Martens Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Fish an ice jig tipped with a waxworm just off of the bottom or using electronics to locate suspended fish which often tend to be crappie. Also try a deadstick rig tipped with a live minnow. 02/20 11:20
Martens Lake Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Fish an ice jig tipped with a waxworm just off of the bottom. 02/20 11:20
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast River level at Lyxnville has leveled off near 17.3 this week. Protected backwaters have over a foot of ice. Ice conditions along the shorelines can be unstable due to fluctuating river levels. Sny Magill road has reopened. Anglers should use caution crossing Johnson Slough due to areas of thin ice. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels have stabilized this week. Most backwater lakes have over a foot of ice. Ice anglers are finding fish but the late winter bite has slowed. Anglers should use caution crossing areas of ice with any current. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Yellow Perch - Good: Some nice sized perch have been reported from Pool 10 backwaters. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie bite has been better later afternoon into evening. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are biting on waxworms fished through the ice in backwater lakes. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Try a lively shiner on a tip-up for some big bass through the ice. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Northern Pike - Good: Tip-up anglers are having success using shiners or suckers for the larger pike. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels have stabilized this week. Most backwater lakes have over a foot of ice. Ice anglers are finding fish but the late winter bite has slowed. Anglers should use caution crossing areas of ice with any current. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie bite has been better later afternoon into evening. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Try a lively shiner on a tip-up for some big bass through the ice. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Northern Pike - Good: Tip-up anglers are having success using shiners or suckers for the larger pike. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast River level at Guttenberg has stabilized near 9.0 ft. Boat ramps are now all iced in. Protected backwaters have in excess of a foot of ice. Ice conditions along the shorelines can be unstable due to fluctuating river levels. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch are biting in Sunfish and Mud Lake. Use caution and avoid the creek area at Mud Lake as ice is not safe. Fish in deeper cuts with some vegetation in backwater areas. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: A few incidental crappies are being caught when ice angling for gills. Some real nice crappies have been reported. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills are abundant and but not aggressive for the most part. Successful anglers seem to be using light equipment, small jigs and rod tips able to detect minuscule hits. Lots of sorting going on but some nice sized gills can be found. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Sauger - Good: It takes some work to over ice to get into the tailwaters but they are mostly open and fishable. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Tailwaters are open but ramps may have ice on them. Water levels are stable throughout the district. Backwater ice fishing conditions are generally fishable but open water may be along the edges. Please use caution especially crossing sloughs with current. Reported backwater ice depths have ranged from 3 to 7 inches. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-872-4976. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast The water level at the Dubuque Lock and Dam is at 7.9 feet and the level at the RR Bridge is 10.4. River levels at Dubuque are expected to be steady. The water temperature is 32.5 degrees. Water clarity is good. The tailwater is mostly free of ice but boat ramps are iced in. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Yellow Perch - Slow: Anglers are catching a yellow perch or two when gill fishing. In early ice some exceptional yellow perch creels were seen. As we approach late ice fishing season it is often the time when the big ring perch get active again. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: A few incidental crappies are being caught when ice angling for gills 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills are abundant and but not aggressive for the most part. Successful anglers seem to be using light equipment, small jigs and rod tips able to detect minuscule hits. Lots of sorting going on but some nice sized gills can be found. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Sauger - Good: Angler catches have been a mixed bag. Some report some nice sized sauger and walleye. Other report great numbers of fish but nearly all being small. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Tailwaters are open but ramps may have ice on them. Water levels are stable throughout the district. Backwater ice fishing conditions are generally fishable but open water may be along the edges. Please use caution especially crossing sloughs with current. Reported backwater ice depths have ranged from 3 to 7 inches. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-872-4976. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast The water level at the Bellevue Lock and Dam is at 8.0 feet and stable. The water temperature is 32.5 degrees and water clarity is good. The tailwater is open and the city ramp has generally stayed ice free. Backwater ice depth is variable so please use caution when ice fishing. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers are catching a yellow perch or two when gill fishing. Some anglers targeted good numbers of yellow perch in early ice but now seem to only be catching a few each outing. As we approach late ice fishing season it is often the time when the big ring perch get active again. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Quite a few largemouth bass are being caught through the ice this year. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Tailwaters are open but ramps may have ice on them. Water levels are stable throughout the district. Backwater ice fishing conditions are generally fishable but open water may be along the edges. Please use caution especially crossing sloughs with current. Reported backwater ice depths have ranged from 3 to 7 inches. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-872-4976. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: A few incidental crappies are being caught when ice angling for gills. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills are abundant and but not aggressive for the most part. Successful anglers seem to be using light equipment, small jigs and rod tips able to detect minuscule hits. Lots of sorting going on but some nice sized gills can be found. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Sauger - Fair: Early winter catches were decent with lots of smaller sauger reported along with some real nice walleye and sauger taken as well. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast The water level at the Fulton Lock and Dam is 7.1 feet, Camanche is at 10.8 feet and LeClaire is at 5.7 feet. Water temperature is around 32.5 degrees. River levels are stable. The tailwater has been ice free but finding an open boat ramp may be difficult. Ice anglers are reporting variable ice conditions. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Tailwaters are open but ramps may have ice on them. Water levels are stable throughout the district. Backwater ice fishing conditions are generally fishable but open water may be along the edges. Please use caution especially crossing sloughs with current. Reported backwater ice depths have ranged from 3 to 7 inches. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-872-4976. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast The water level at Rock Island is around 7.6 feet and stable. The water temperature is around 33 degrees and water clarity is good. 02/20 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Crappie bite has been better later afternoon into evening. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are biting on waxworms fished through the ice in backwater lakes. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Try a lively shiner on a tip-up for some big bass through the ice. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Northern Pike - Good: Tip-up anglers are having success using shiners or suckers for the larger pike. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast River level at Lansing remains stable near 8.8 ft. Protected backwaters have a foot of ice or more. Ice conditions along the shorelines can be unstable due to fluctuating river levels. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels have stabilized this week. Most backwater lakes have over a foot of ice. Ice anglers are finding fish but the late winter bite has slowed. Anglers should use caution crossing areas of ice with any current. 02/20 11:23
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Yellow Perch - Good: Some nice sized perch have been reported from Pool 9 backwaters. 02/20 11:23
Plainfield Northeast Ice fishing reports have been very few this past week. This coming weekend forecast looks beautiful for temperatures and may trigger a good panfish bite. Trout streams remain in excellent condition, for further information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 02/20 11:20
Plainfield Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Locate sunken fish structure. Fish an ice jig tipped with a waxworm just off of the bottom or using electronics to locate suspended fish which often tend to be crappie. Also try a deadstick rig tipped with a live minnow 02/20 11:20
Plainfield Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Locate sunken fish structure. Fish an ice jig tipped with a waxworm just off of the bottom, electronics are a bonus in locating fish. 02/20 11:20
Plainfield Northeast There has been a lot of angler activity reported on Plainfield Lake this past week, best times are first light in morning and last hour before sunset. 02/20 11:20
Turkey River (above Clermont) Northeast A cold week ahead of a warmer weekend. Temperatures upper 20's to low 30's by Friday. Use care on area rivers. Ice thickness varies on waterbodies with current. Fish activity is slow on area lakes. For information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 02/17 09:13
Turkey River (above Clermont) Northeast Backwaters and slack water areas are ice and snow covered. Public reminded no motorized vehicles allowed on Vernon Springs impoundment when covered with ice. Water is crystal clear. Check ice depths often especially where there is current. 02/17 09:13
Turkey River (above Clermont) Northeast Walleye - Slow: Anglers catching walleye in off channel areas and drop offs using minnows. 02/17 09:13
Volga Lake Northeast A cold week ahead of a warmer weekend. Temperatures upper 20's to low 30's by Friday. Use care on area rivers. Ice thickness varies on waterbodies with current. Fish activity is slow on area lakes. For information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 02/17 09:13
Volga Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: Use waxworms or spikes for best luck. Find brush or rock piles for crappie. 02/17 09:13
Volga Lake Northeast Bluegill - Slow: Anglers using small bait on small hooks should find fish. Gills are small. 02/17 09:13
Volga Lake Northeast Ten inches ice with some snow on Volga Lake. Use care when going on ice and check depths often. Fish action remains spotty. 02/17 09:13
Arrowhead Lake Northwest Ice thickness in west central Iowa lakes is anywhere from 8 to 18 inches. Some lakes have poor ice along shorelines near inflows due to recent rains. There is open water and thin ice in Town Bay of Black Hawk Lake from the aeration system. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 02/20 11:13
Arrowhead Lake Northwest Ice thickness is around 7 inches near the boat ramp. Conditions are variable, Check ice thickness often if you do venture out. Fish near structure with waxworms and minnows to target bluegill, crappie, and perch. 02/20 11:13
Bacon Creek Lake Northwest Ice thickness in west central Iowa lakes is anywhere from 8 to 18 inches. Some lakes have poor ice along shorelines near inflows due to recent rains. There is open water and thin ice in Town Bay of Black Hawk Lake from the aeration system. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 02/20 11:13
Bacon Creek Lake Northwest Rainbow Trout - Fair: Use a piece of worm, small minnow, or power bait bite fished under a bobber. Put the bait on a small hook or small and shiny jig. 02/20 11:30
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Ice thickness in west central Iowa lakes is anywhere from 8 to 18 inches. Some lakes have poor ice along shorelines near inflows due to recent rains. There is open water and thin ice in Town Bay of Black Hawk Lake from the aeration system. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 02/20 11:13
Black Hawk Lake Northwest There is around 12-14 inches of ice off of Ice House Point boat ramp. Conditions are more variable in the east basin of the lake. The winter aeration system in Town Bay is in operation, expect open water and thin ice in Town Bay. 02/20 11:13
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Black Crappie - Fair: Fish in the marina and off the rock pile near Gunshot Hill. Most fish are 8-10 inches with some sorting. Minnows and waxworms have been productive. 02/20 11:13
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Bluegill - Fair: Most anglers are fishing near the Ice House Point boat ramp and the rock piles off Gunshot Hill and Cottonwood Point. Most are using waxworms. Most fish are 7-8 inches. 02/20 11:13
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have picked up catfish off the rock pile north of Cottonwood Point and in the east basin. Fish have been biting on waxworms. 02/20 11:13
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers are catching perch around Gunshot Hill, in the marina, and near Provost Point. Keeper size perch are ranging from 8 to 10 inches with sorting. Most are using wax worms and small minnows. 02/20 11:13
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Walleye - Fair: 02/20 11:13
Black Hawk Pits Northwest Ice thickness in west central Iowa lakes is anywhere from 8 to 18 inches. Some lakes have poor ice along shorelines near inflows due to recent rains. There is open water and thin ice in Town Bay of Black Hawk Lake from the aeration system. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 02/20 11:13
Black Hawk Pits Northwest Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers have had luck fishing for crappie using waxworms. 02/20 11:13
Black Hawk Pits Northwest Ice thickness is 6-8 inches near the ramp. There is thin ice and open water by the west shoreline near the highway. Conditions are variable, use caution and check thickness often. 02/20 11:13
Brushy Creek Lake Northwest Ice thickness in west central Iowa lakes is anywhere from 8 to 18 inches. Some lakes have poor ice along shorelines near inflows due to recent rains. There is open water and thin ice in Town Bay of Black Hawk Lake from the aeration system. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 02/20 11:13
Brushy Creek Lake Northwest Bluegill - Fair: Use a waxworm or small minnow on a jig fished near structure. Reports of 9 inch keepers. 02/20 11:13
Brushy Creek Lake Northwest Reports of 10-14 inch ice thickness in the NE arm and around Taylor's Island. Ice is thinner and more variable mid-lake. There may be open areas in the middle of the lake, under bridges, and near inflows due to recent rains. 02/20 11:13
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