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Iowa Fishing Report
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Waterbody District Comments Date
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Check ice depths often especially where there is current. Flows remain elevated. Go with a buddy. Let someone know where you are going and when you will return. Backwaters have 3-4 inches ice. 12/06 09:49
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast With reports of anglers taking nice fish, more anglers will be on the ice. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly and ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 12/06 09:49
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Use small jig tipped with a waxworm or colored spike. 12/06 09:49
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: Catch perch up to 10 inches on waxworm. Bounce jig off the bottom for fun action. 12/06 09:49
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Temperatures in the upper 30's this weekend. Perfect weather for ice fishing. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly. Ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 12/12 09:59
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Check ice depths often especially where there is current. Flows remain elevated. Go with a buddy. Let someone know where you are going and when you will return. Backwaters have 4 inches ice. Anglers catching a variety of fish this week. 12/12 09:59
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Use small jig tipped with a waxworm or colored spike. 12/12 09:59
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Yellow Perch - Slow: Catch perch up to 10 inches on waxworm. Bounce jig off the bottom for fun action. 12/12 09:59
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - No Report: 12/06 10:56
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast There have been reports of anglers catching walleye on the river where there are open areas of water. Most reports have come from Bremer County. 12/06 10:56
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast There have been reports this past week on the interior rivers. Anglers are catching walleye where there are areas of open water on the rivers. Smaller lakes and ponds are now beginning to ice over but ice fishing is still not recommended. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276. 12/06 10:56
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Anglers are catching walleye using lead heads and plastic baits tipped with or without a minnow. 12/06 10:56
Decorah District Streams Northeast With reports of anglers taking nice fish, more anglers will be on the ice. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly and ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 12/06 09:49
Decorah District Streams Northeast To find out if trout are coming to a lake near you, visit our website for community pond stocking. Iowa's trout season remains open all year long. Second shotgun deer season opens Saturday. Many trout streams run through wildlife management areas. Wear bright colors and make noise so hunters know you're not a deer. 12/06 09:49
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brook Trout - Good: Use nymphs, emerger, or aquatic bug patterns when hatches slow. Fish the calm area adjacent to a fast channel of water at the head of a pool. 12/06 09:49
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brown Trout - Good: Use larger flies or lures mimicking minnows for trout. 12/06 09:49
Decorah District Streams Northeast Rainbow Trout - Good: Fish near bottom if no hatches occurring. Use a weighted caddis, stonefly, or mayfly nymph. 12/06 09:49
Decorah District Streams Northeast Temperatures in the upper 30's this weekend. Perfect weather for ice fishing. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly. Ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 12/12 09:59
Decorah District Streams Northeast 2019 Resident fishing licenses go on sale December 15. Iowa's trout season remains open all year long. Second shotgun deer season closes Sunday. Many trout streams run through wildlife management areas. Wear bright colors and make noise so hunters know you're not a deer. 12/12 09:59
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brook Trout - Good: Use nymphs, emerger, or aquatic bug patterns when hatches slow. Fish the calm area adjacent to a fast channel of water at the head of a pool. 12/12 09:59
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brown Trout - Good: Use larger flies or lures mimicking minnows for trout. 12/12 09:59
Decorah District Streams Northeast Rainbow Trout - Good: Fish near bottom if no hatches occurring. Use a weighted caddis, stonefly, or mayfly nymph. 12/12 09:59
Lake Hendricks Northeast Bluegill - Good: Early evening is best. For clear ice and water, be set-up, quiet, and ready early. Find fish near deeper water drop offs. Use small jigs tipped with waxworm or spike. 12/06 09:49
Lake Hendricks Northeast No motorized vehicles allowed on ice. Open water around the aerator. Keep away from the aerator. Use caution on ice. Ice depths 4 inches average. 12/06 09:49
Lake Hendricks Northeast With reports of anglers taking nice fish, more anglers will be on the ice. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly and ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 12/06 09:49
Lake Hendricks Northeast Temperatures in the upper 30's this weekend. Perfect weather for ice fishing. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly. Ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 12/12 09:59
Lake Hendricks Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Early evening is best. For clear ice and water, be set-up, quiet, and ready early. Find fish near deeper water drop offs. Use small jigs tipped with waxworm or spike. 12/12 09:59
Lake Hendricks Northeast No motorized vehicles allowed on ice. Open water around the aerator. Keep away from the aerator. Use caution on ice. Ice depths average 7 inches. 12/12 09:59
Lake Hendricks Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: 12/12 04:43
Lake Hendricks Northeast Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers catching a few small bass. 12/12 04:44
Lake Meyer Northeast Bluegill - Good: Early evening best. Fish in 15 ft. of water. Use small teardrop shaped jigs tipped with waxworm. 12/06 09:49
Lake Meyer Northeast Ice depths 3 to 4 inches. Check ice depths often especially near springs. Caution recommended. 12/06 09:49
Lake Meyer Northeast With reports of anglers taking nice fish, more anglers will be on the ice. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly and ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 12/06 09:49
Lake Meyer Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: 12/06 10:18
Lake Meyer Northeast Temperatures in the upper 30's this weekend. Perfect weather for ice fishing. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly. Ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 12/12 09:59
Lake Meyer Northeast Ice depths 5-6 inches. Check ice depths often especially near springs. Caution recommended. The bite slowed earlier in week with the recent weather change. 12/12 09:59
Lake Meyer Northeast Bluegill - Good: Early evening best. Fish brush piles in 12-15 ft. of water. Use small teardrop shaped jigs tipped with waxworm. 12/12 09:59
Lake Meyer Northeast Black Crappie - Slow: 12/12 09:59
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast There have been reports this past week on the interior rivers. Anglers are catching walleye where there are areas of open water on the rivers. Smaller lakes and ponds are now beginning to ice over but ice fishing is still not recommended. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276. 12/06 10:56
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Anglers have taken a few walleye on the Maquoketa River, primarily in Delaware County. 12/06 11:20
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Anglers are catching walleye using lead heads and plastic baits tipped with or without a minnow. 12/06 11:21
Martens Lake Northeast There have been reports this past week on the interior rivers. Anglers are catching walleye where there are areas of open water on the rivers. Smaller lakes and ponds are now beginning to ice over but ice fishing is still not recommended. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276. 12/06 10:56
Martens Lake Northeast Anglers are getting out on areas of Martens Lake where there is good ice. It is not possible as of today to access the lake from across the reservoir on the north side. There have been no reports on fish. 12/06 11:18
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels remain stable this week. Backwater areas continue to make ice. Avoid ice in areas with current. Thickness is variable from 3-4 with little snow cover. Look for the single digits overnight to firm up ice conditions. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill through the ice is picking up with a lot of sorting through smaller ones. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Northern Pike - Slow: Some northerns being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast River level at Lynxville remains near 16 ft and expected remain stable this week. Bussy Lake ice may not yet be safe from the boat ramp side. Anglers are walking in from the North end off island road. Avoid ice where there is current. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Sauger - Fair: Jigging spoons or a hair jig with minnows is effective in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dam. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Try vertical jigging with hair jigs tipped with a minnow below the Lock & Dam. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Yellow Perch - Slow: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels remain stable this week. Backwater areas continue to make ice. Avoid ice in areas with current. Thickness is variable from 3-4 with little snow cover. Look for the single digits overnight to firm up ice conditions. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill through the ice is picking up with a lot of sorting through smaller ones. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Some northerns being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast River level at Guttenberg is 8.0 ft and predicted to remain stable next week. Backwater ice thickness varies from 3-4 inches. Avoid ice in areas with current. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Sauger - Fair: Jigging spoons or a hair jig with minnows is effective in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dam. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Walleye - Slow: Try vertical jigging with hair jigs tipped with a minnow below the Lock & Dam. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Tailwaters are open to angling but backwater ice is minimal for ice fishing. Water levels are slowly receding throughout the district. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976. 12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Walleye - Good: Jig and minnow or three way rigs with minnows seem to be the most popular methods of catching walleye and sauger right now. 12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Water levels are receding and presently are at 7.6 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and at 10 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is good and temperature is around 35 degrees. 12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Tailwaters are open to angling but backwater ice is minimal for ice fishing. Water levels are slowly receding throughout the district. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976. 12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Water levels are receding and presently are at 8.5 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is good and the water temperature is around 35 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. 12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Walleye - Good: Three way rigs with minnows or a jig and minnow is the most popular methods to catch walleye and sauger right now. 12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Tailwaters are open to angling but backwater ice is minimal for ice fishing. Water levels are slowly receding throughout the district. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976. 12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Water levels are receding and presently is 8.2 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 11.6 feet at Camanche and 6.0 feet at LeClaire. Water clarity is good and water temperature is around 36 degrees. 12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Walleye - Good: Jig and minnow or three way rigs with minnows are the most popular ways to catch walleye and sauger right now. 12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Tailwaters are open to angling but backwater ice is minimal for ice fishing. Water levels are slowly receding throughout the district. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976. 12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Water level is receding and presently is 9.5 feet at Rock Island. Water clarity is good and the water temperature is around 36 degrees. 12/06 10:34
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Walleye - No Report: 12/06 10:44
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels remain stable this week. Backwater areas continue to make ice. Avoid ice in areas with current. Thickness is variable from 3-4 with little snow cover. Look for the single digits overnight to firm up ice conditions. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill through the ice is picking up with a lot of sorting through smaller ones. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Some northerns being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast River level at Lansing remains 8.4 ft and expected to remain stable this week. Backwater ice is building with colder temperatures this week with reports of 3-4 inches. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Sauger - Fair: Jigging spoons or a hair jig with minnows is effective in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dam. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Try vertical jigging with hair jigs tipped with a minnow below the Lock & Dam. 12/06 10:10
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Yellow Perch - Slow: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. 12/06 10:10
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast There have been reports this past week on the interior rivers. Anglers are catching walleye where there are areas of open water on the rivers. Smaller lakes and ponds are now beginning to ice over but ice fishing is still not recommended. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276. 12/06 10:56
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast There have been no reports this past week on the Shell Rock River. 12/06 10:56
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast Walleye - No Report: 12/06 10:56
Volga Lake Northeast Bluegill - No Report: 12/06 09:49
Volga Lake Northeast Ice fishing not recommended. Edges were open earlier in week. Cold weather and short days will speed up ice formation. 12/06 09:49
Volga Lake Northeast With reports of anglers taking nice fish, more anglers will be on the ice. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly and ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 12/06 09:49
Volga Lake Northeast Temperatures in the upper 30's this weekend. Perfect weather for ice fishing. Use care on early ice as conditions can change rapidly. Ice depths highly variable. For more information, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 12/12 09:59
Volga Lake Northeast Anglers beginning to test the ice. Use care and check ice depths often. Most activity around dock up from parking lot. 12/12 09:59
Volga Lake Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Fish the brush piles. 12/12 09:59
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) Northeast There have been reports this past week on the interior rivers. Anglers are catching walleye where there are areas of open water on the rivers. Smaller lakes and ponds are now beginning to ice over but ice fishing is still not recommended. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office @ 563-927-3276. 12/06 10:56
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) Northeast There have been no reports this past week on the Wapsipinicon River. 12/06 11:24
Black Hawk Lake Northwest As of Thursday, ice thickness near the boat ramp at Ice House Point was 4 inches. There is open water off of Ice House Point near Town Bay and in the east basin. Use extreme caution and check ice depth frequently if venturing onto the ice. 12/06 11:05
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are being picked up from the open water under the inlet bridge. 12/06 11:05
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught from open water under the inlet bridge and from the fishing shelter off of Ice House Point. 12/06 11:05
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Most lakes in the Black Hawk District are frozen over but ice is variable. Some still have open water pockets kept open by waterfowl. Anglers are just starting to make there way out on some areas. If venturing out, use extreme caution and check ice thickness frequently. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 12/06 11:05
Black Hawk Lake Northwest Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being picked up under the inlet bridge. 12/06 11:22
Brushy Creek Lake Northwest Ice is unsafe for travel. 12/06 11:05
Brushy Creek Lake Northwest Most lakes in the Black Hawk District are frozen over but ice is variable. Some still have open water pockets kept open by waterfowl. Anglers are just starting to make there way out on some areas. If venturing out, use extreme caution and check ice thickness frequently. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. 12/06 11:05
Clear Lake Northwest Lakes and ponds in the Clear Lake District are iced over. Ice conditions remain variable, so use caution if heading onto the ice. 12/06 08:06
Clear Lake Northwest Ice fishing activity has increased this week. Most anglers are fishing close to access points. Ice thickness is 3-7 inches. Aeration systems are in operation for the winter. 12/06 08:09
Clear Lake Northwest Yellow Bass - Fair: Nice sized yellow bass are hitting small jigs and spoons. 12/06 08:10
Clear Lake Northwest Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers are catching perch, but a lot of sorting is required. 12/06 08:11
Clear Lake Northwest Black Crappie - Fair: Some nice sized crappie are being caught near rush beds. 12/06 08:11
Clear Lake Northwest Bluegill - Fair: Fish shallow in rush beds with small jigs. 12/06 08:13
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