Weekly Fishing Report

Learn the best hot spots and latest news about Iowa’s fishing opportunities from region to region. 

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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.

Iowa Fishing Report for August 14, 2025:

NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake
Water levels are 8 inches over the crest of the spillway. Water temperature is in the mid 70s.  Black Bullhead - Good: Anglers have had good success targeting bullheads from shore using nightcrawlers fished on or near bottom.  Must Bullheads are running between 10-12 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing in and around the fish house, Ice House Point shoreline, or the rock piles. Bluegill - Fair: Look for keeper-size bluegill (7-inches) near the rock pile off Gunshot Hill, the rock piles in the east basin and along Ice House Point shoreline in 3-6 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Fair. Walleye - Slow: Look for walleye along the dredge cuts near Denison Beach and in the east basin. The rock piles in the east basin also hold fish this time of year  

Brushy Creek Lake
Water temperature is in the mid 70s. Water clarity is 2-3 feet. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie near submerged structure in 5-10 feet of water along the shorelines.  Bluegill - Good:  Good number of harvestable size fish caught recently.  Fish in deeper water vertical jigging around submerged trees.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing along weedlines in 2-8 feet of water. 

North Twin Lake
Water levels are several inches over the crest of the spillway. Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Black Bullhead - Fair: Use a piece of crawler fished on the bottom near shore.  Most fish are 11-inches.  Walleye - Fair: Try trolling in 6-8 feet of water to find fish hanging out in deeper habitats. Yellow Bass - Fair: Use a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Fish are up to 8-inches.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperature is in the mid 70s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try crawlers or cut bait on the bottom fished from shore in 2-8 feet of water.  Walleye - Slow:  Look for walleyes off shore: use crankbaits or a bottom bouncer rig near the dredge cuts. White Bass - Fair.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Keepers are in the 9-inch range.

Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s in most area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Briggs Woods Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs near shore. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target woody habitat near shore.

Clear Lake
Lake level is 4.5 inches over crest. Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Water clarity is around 16 inches. McIntosh Wood State Park boat ramp and fish cleaning station is closed due to storm damage. Black Crappie - Slow. Largemouth Bass - Fair.  Walleye - Fair: Try live bait and jigs or trolling crankbaits near vegetation.  Shore anglers are having success fishing from jetties. Yellow Bass - Fair:  Most fish are around 7 inches. Best bite is early morning.

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll tube jigs near the dredge cut. Bluegill - Fair: Use a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Largemouth Bass - Fair.

Little Wall Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait fished on the bottom. Best bite is after sunset.

Rice Lake
Water clarity is around 8 inches.  Bluegill - Slow: Try small jigs or a piece of crawler under a bobber near vegetation. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use jigs and spinnerbaits near shoreline habitat and rush beds. Yellow Perch - Slow: Try small jigs with a piece of crawler. Sorting is needed for larger fish.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Aquatic vegetation is abundant across most of the lake.   Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs or a piece of crawler under a bobber in open areas near vegetation.  Largemouth Bass- Good: Use weedless baits near vegetation and woody habitat.  Yellow Perch – Slow:  Perch are scattered; try different locations to find them.

Winnebago River
River level is 8.3 feet. Smallmouth Bass - No report: Try jigs in slack water and current breaks.

For additional information, contact Clear Lake Fisheries Office at 641-357-3517.

Center Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Some sorting is needed.

East Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Anglers have been very successful catching many panfish species. Most of the lake is open of any thick vegetation.  Black Crappie - Good.  Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching bluegill on and off shore. Largemouth Bass - Good.  Yellow Bass - Fair. Yellow Perch - Fair: Many fish have been observed; sorting will most likely be needed.

Ingham Lake
Algae bloom in progress.  Walleye - Fair: Best bite is morning and afternoon.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Black Bullhead - Good: Catch quality-sized fish just off shore.  Clouds of young of the year bullhead can be seen throughout the lake as there was a large spawn this year.  Walleye - Fair: Bite is hit-or-miss.

Spirit Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 70s.  Outlet spillway is currently flowing.  Current weed line is quite a way off shore. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are finding quality-size fish up to 14-inches. Anglers report some success around Templar Lagoon.  Bluegill - Fair. Walleye - Fair. Yellow Perch - Good: Sorting is needed; anglers are finding many acceptable-size fish.

West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Black Crappie - Fair:  Bluegill - Good. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catching good size fish.

Area water temperatures are in the upper 70s. Lake levels are above crest.  Area bass and panfishing has started to pick up again. For current conditions, call 712-330-2542.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Levels stabilizing with improved clarity. Water temperatures in the mid 70s.  Check water levels online. Channel Catfish - Good: Dead chubs working well.  Stinkbait and chicken liver also working.  Fish on bottom.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use a spinner or crankbait in back eddies or current edges. Walleye -Fair: Find walleye in off channel areas.  A variety of plastic tails work well.  Try paddle tails ringworms or twister tails.  Use a jig tipped with a minnow or plastic tail.

Decorah District Streams
Catchable trout stockings are weekly with streams announced once a month. With warmer water temperatures, release fish quickly to reduce stress.  Wear long pants or waders to protect your legs from potential painful yellow parsnip blisters and nettles. Flies, gnats, and mosquitoes are aggressive. Brook Trout - Fair:  Good insect hatches are occurring. A variety of terrestrial bugs are falling or landing in water. Use flies imitating ants, crickets, or midges. Brown Trout - Good: Good: Off-color water is a prime time to catch brown trout. Spinnerbait work well near or around logs or undercut banks. Try streamers or a variety of terrestrial insect patterns on larger waterbodies. Rainbow Trout - Excellent:  Use spinnerbaits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, bread or cheese floated through deeper holes. Freshly stocked fish are waiting to take your bait.

Lake Hendricks
A green algae bloom is limiting visibility.  Water temperatures mid 70s.  Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie suspended in deeper areas. Use a jig tipped with a minnow or plastic tail.  Bluegill - Fair: Try a small piece of worm under a bobber near shore. Channel Catfish - Good: Find catfish in areas with stumps or other cavities. Use a worm or stink bait fished on the bottom. Largemouth Bass -Slow: Use a topwater jig along the edge of vegetation.

Lake Meyer
Water clarity is about 2 feet. Algae bloom is occurring.  Water temperatures in the mid 70s. Fish activity is slow. Bluegill - Slow: Find fish near shoreline.  Use a small piece of red worm on a small hook under a bobber.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are finding nice-sized catfish along face of the dam in the evening. Use a worm or stink bait on or near the bottom  Largemouth Bass - Slow.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are stabilizing and clear with temperatures in the 70s.  Check water levels online.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are stable and clear with temperatures in the 70s. Check water levels online.  Walleye - Fair: Fish fish in off channel areas.  Use a jig with a twister tail or spinnerbait.

Volga Lake
A green algae bloom is limiting visibility.  Water temperatures in mid 70s.  Black Crappie- Slow: Find crappie around structure, docks, or woody debris along shoreline. Bluegill - Slow: Use a small hook tipped with a piece of worm around structure. Channel Catfish - Good: Trophy catfish are abundant in this lake. Look for areas with woody debris, submerged trees, and rocky habitat. Use a worm or stink bait fished on the bottom and wait for a tug on your line.  Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try a jig tipped with a twister tail or shallow running crankbait along rocky shorelines.

Temperatures are in the  upper 80s to 70s with dangerously high humidity. Chances of thunderstorms through the weekend.  Area water levels stabilizing.  Best time to fish this time of year are mornings and evenings especially with clear water. For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8.9 feet at Lansing and is expected to stabilize then fall slightly this week. Water temperature is 81 degrees in the channel. Water clarity has improved but floating weeds can make fishing difficult.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try a weighted crawler off the bottom in current eddies.  Flathead Catfish - Good: Use large shiners or a small sunfish for bait in holes with sunken trees. Freshwater Drum - Good: Try a weighted nightcrawler on the bottom in areas with medium current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Throw plastics along the shorelines in the upper end of backwaters away from current.  Northern Pike - Good: Rising summer temperatures will send northern pike into cooler waters. Cast spoons or crankbaits at the mouth of tributary streams. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth action has picked up. Use spinners off rock points along the main channel.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing on the wing-dams should pick up with stable water levels. Try trolling a crawler on a three-way rig. White Bass - Excellent: Cast inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for minnows jumping out of the water to find schools of feeding white bass. Yellow Perch - Fair: Use a crappie rig tipped with worms or a minnow in the current seams off shore.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 616.9 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to gradually fall this week. Water temperature is 81 degrees at the Lock and Dam.  Water clarity has improved but floating weeds can make fishing difficult.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try a weighted crawler off the bottom in current eddies.  Flathead Catfish - Good: Use large shiners or a small sunfish for bait in holes with sunken trees. Freshwater Drum - Good: Try a weighted nightcrawler on the bottom in areas with medium current.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw plastics along the shorelines in the upper end of backwaters away from the current.  Northern Pike - Fair: Rising summer temperatures will send northern pike into cooler waters. Cast spoons or crankbaits at the mouth of tributary streams.  Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth action has picked up. Use spinners off rock points along the main channel.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing on the wing-dams should pick up with stable water levels. Try trolling a crawler on a three-way rig. White Bass - Excellent: Cast inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for minnows jumping out of the water to find schools of feeding white bass. Yellow Perch - Slow: Use a crappie rig tipped with worms or a minnow in the current seams off shore.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 8.4 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to gradually fall next week. Water temperature is in the low 80s.  Water clarity has improved, but floating weeds can make fishing difficult. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try a weighted crawler off the bottom in current eddies.  Fathead Catfish - Good: Use large shiners or a small sunfish for bait in holes with sunken trees. Freshwater Drum - Good: Try a weighted nightcrawler on the bottom in areas with medium current. Largemouth Bass- Fair: Throw plastics along the shorelines in the upper end of backwaters away from current.  Northern Pike - Fair: Rising summer temperatures will send northern pike into cooler waters. Cast spoons or crankbaits at the mouth of tributary streams. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent:  Smallmouth action has picked up. Use spinners off rock points along the main channel.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing on the wing-dams should pick up with stable water levels. Try trolling a crawler on a three-way rig. White Bass - Excellent: Cast inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for minnows jumping out of the water to find schools of feeding white bass. Yellow Perch - Fair: Use a crappie rig tipped with worms or a minnow in the current seams off shore. 

Upper Mississippi River water levels are stable and expected to fall slightly. Water temperature is in the low 80s. Water clarity has improved, but floating weeds can make fishing difficult. During hot weather, fish seek areas with current; look along main channel wing-dams and at the mouth of tributaries.

Big Woods Lake
Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie. Black Crappie - Fair: Look for structure and try a live minnow under a slip bobber. Bluegill - Fair: Try a piece of night crawler under a slip bobber angling from shore.

Brinker Lake

Anglers doing well for largemouth bass during late afternoon/early evening hours. Largemouth Bass -Good: Try casting top water artificial baits or spinner baits along shoreline.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City
Anglers are primarily targeting channel catfish as it continues to drop.  Black Crappie - Fair:  Locate deeper holes above Cedar Falls dam and try red worms or a minnow under a slip bobber at various depths. Channel Catfish - Good: Concentrate efforts near fallen timbers and snags. Anchor upstream of the debris and cast stink bait or dead cut bait just above on the bottom of the river or stream. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use a jig tipped with half a night crawler.  Walleye - Fair:  Anglers beginning to pick up walleye using a jig tipped with half a crawler or live minnows.

George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching panfish. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for structure and try a live minnow under a slip bobber.  Bluegill - Good: Try a piece of nightcrawler under a slip bobber angling from shore.

Harold Getty Lake
Anglers are catching bluegills and crappie.  Black Crappie - Fair: Locate structure and try a live minnow under a slip bobber.  Bluegill - Fair: Try a piece of night crawler under a slip bobber angling from shore.

Manchester District Streams
Trout streams are in excellent condition following the recent storm events over the past couple weeks.  

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)

The river is falling and should provide good angling opportunities ahead.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use jig and plastics tipped or not tipped with half a nightcrawler.

Most interior rivers are falling due to the recent storm events and should provide some good angling opportunities ahead.   Allow river conditions to improve and target channel catfish, smallmouth bass and walleye for some fun action.  A few area lakes are producing some bluegill and crappie.  For more information, contact Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.

Mississippi River Pool 9

Water level at Lansing is 8.9 feet and is expected to stabilize then fall slightly this week.  Water temperature is 81 degrees in the channel.  Water clarity is stained with floating weeds and debris. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Fish current eddies with a  weighted crawler off the bottom for channel cats.  Flathead Catfish - Good:  Fish holes with sunken trees using large shiners or a small sunfish for bait.  Freshwater Drum - Good:  Fish a weighted nightcrawler on the bottom for drum in areas with medium current.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Throw plastics along the shorelines in upper end of backwaters away from the current.  Northern Pike - Good: Rising summer temperatures will send northern pike into cooler waters.  Cast spoons or crankbaits in the mouth of tributary streams.  Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth action has picked up.  Fish spinners off rock points along main channel.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing on the wind dam should be picking up with the stable water levels.  Try trolling a crankbait or a crawler on a three-way rig.  White Bass - Excellent: Inline spinners cast along current breaks can produce some nice white bass.  Watch for minnows jumping out of the water to locate schools of feeding white bass.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish the current seams off shore using a crappie rig tipped with worms or a minnow.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Water level at Lynxville is 617 feet and predicted to gradually fall this week.  Water temperature is 81 degrees at the lock and dam.  Water clarity is stained with some floating weeds and debris.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Fish current eddies with a  weighted crawler off the bottom for channel cats.  Flathead Catfish - Good:  Fish holes with sunken trees using large shiners or a small sunfish for bait.  Freshwater Drum - Good:  Fish a weighted nightcrawler on the bottom for drum in areas with medium current.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw plastics along the shorelines in upper end of backwaters away from the current.  Northern Pike - Fair: Rising summer temperatures will send northern pike into cooler waters.  Cast spoons or crankbaits in the mouth of tributary streams.  Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth action has picked up.  Fish spinners off rock points along main channel.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing on the wing dam should be picking up with the stable water levels.  Try trolling a crankbait or a crawler on a three-way rig.  White Bass - Excellent: Inline spinners cast along current breaks can produce some nice white bass.  Watch for minnows jumping out of the water to locate schools of feeding white bass.  Yellow Perch - Slow: Fish the current seams off shore using a crappie rig tipped with worms or a minnow.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Water level at the Lock and Dam is 8.4 feet and is expected to gradually fall next week.  Water temperature low 80s.  Water clarity improved but floating weeds can make fishing difficult.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Fish current eddies with weighted crawler off bottom for channel cats.  Flathead Catfish - Good:  Fish holes with sunken trees using large shiners or small sunfish for bait.  Freshwater Drum - Good:  Fish a weighted nightcrawler on bottom for drum in areas with medium current.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw plastics along shorelines in upper end of backwaters away from current.  Northern Pike - Fair: Rising summer temperatures will send northern pike into cooler waters.  Cast spoons or crankbaits in the mouth of tributary streams.  Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth action has picked up.  Fish spinners off rock points along main channel.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing on the wind dam should be picking up with the stable water levels.  Try trolling a crankbait or a crawler on a three-way rig.  White Bass - Excellent: Inline spinners cast along current breaks can produce nice white bass.  Watch for minnows jumping out of water to locate schools of feeding white bass.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish current seams off shore using a crappie rig tipped with worms or a minnow.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level receding and presently near 7.9 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 10.2 feet at the RR Bridge. Water is stained. Tributaries running into Pool 12 are dirty due to recent rains.  Water temperature around 79 degrees. Black Crappie - Slow.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use dip baits in moderate current areas with hard bottoms.  Flathead Catfish - Good: Try bank pole fishing with a live bullhead in newly flooded water. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use egg sinker and worm rigs in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinnerbaits and frog imitation lures in weed beds.  Find clearer water in vegetated areas for best results.  Northern Pike - Good: Try gaudy spinners along weed edges. Try to find cleaner water to fish. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Get spinners or crankbaits as close to rock piles as possible in moderate current areas.  Flood debris has hampered fishing along rocky areas but the pool is clearing.  White Bass - Good: Look for feeding schools of white bass in tailwaters and between wing-dams.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is receding and near 8.9 feet at Bellevue. Water is stained but fishable and around 79 degrees.  Stay away from tributary streams such as the Maquoketa River which is running turbid. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel cats are done spawning and have moved away from rocks.  Use dip baits in moderate current areas with hard bottoms.  Also lower pool stump fields can be excellent for channels.  Flathead Catfish - Good: Use bank poles with live bait. Freshwater Drum - Good: Try an egg sinker and worm rig in moderate current areas.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits along edges of weeds.  Find clear water within weed beds. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use spinners and crankbaits along rock lines. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are catching walleye in tailwaters.  Look for feeding white bass;  cast crankbaits near them. Walleyes are feeding with stripers. White Bass - Good: White bass schools are chasing minnows along channel edges. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level receding to near 8.4 feet at Fulton, 12.2 feet at Camanche, and near 7.2 feet at LeClaire. Water temperature near 80 degrees.  The Wapsi River is running turbid and greatly influencing clarity on Pool 14.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try dip baits in moderate current areas.  Above tree falls or snags is often a great place to lure abundant channel catfish out to your bait. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use egg sinker and nightcrawler rigs.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits or frog imitation lures along edges of weeds.  Northern Pike - Fair: Use gaudy white spinners along edges of weeds. Look for pike in clearer water pockets in vegetated areas. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find abundant smallmouths along rock lines with moderate current; use small crankbaits or spinners.  Floating debris is playing havoc with anglers fishing along rock lines.  White Bass - Good: Use small spinners or jigs to catch feeding white bass in tailwaters or in-between wing-dams in sandy areas.  River may need to clear up a bit before great fishing returns.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level receding and near 10.2 feet and steady. Water is stained and around 81 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Dip baits work best.  Move often if fish are not biting. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use an egg sinker rig with nightcrawlers for bait.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Pool 15 is underrated as a smallmouth fishery. Try spinners or crankbaits along rock line with moderate to strong current.  Water needs to get cleaner for better fishing.

Upper Mississippi River levels have bumped up this week and excepted to slowly recede.  Water temperature low 80s.  Water stained with floating weeds make fishing difficult.  During hot weather, fish seek areas with current.  Look for fish along main channel wing-dams and mouths of colder tributaries. Call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 10.25 feet and forecasted to fall over weekend at Lock and Dam 15 in Quad Cities.  Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills in backwaters and side channels around brush piles.  Try pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish - No report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along main channel and side channels. Use cut shad or stink bait fished upstream of brush.  Walleye - No report: Fish for walleyes on upstream side of wingdams.  Try trolling or casting crankbaits on wingdam.  Trolling three-way rig with crawlers can catch fish as well.  Fishing may be tough with high, muddy water.  White Bass - No report:  Fish around current seams.  Cast jigs and twister tails, in-line spinners, or small crankbaits.  Places to try are Sylvan Slough below dams, along river front below Lock and Dam, and any rocky point. White Crappie - No report:  Look in backwaters and side channels around brush piles.  Fish with jigs and minnows/plastics or minnows under a bobber.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 9.36 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and forecasted to begin falling over weekend.  Flood stage is 15 feet.  Boat ramp at Big Timber reported as open. Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills in backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Use pieces of worm under bobber.  Channel Catfish - No report: Try around brush piles and snags along main and side channels. Use stink bait, cut shad, or nightcrawlers upstream of brush. Float leeches or crawlers under a bobber along rip-rap shorelines with current. Try fishing on upstream side of wingdam as well.  Walleye - No report: Look for walleye on wing-dams. Cast crankbaits on upstream side of wing-dams or troll three-way rigs with crawlers on wingdam.  Walleye fishing may be tough with high, muddy water conditions. White Bass - No report: Fish around current seams.  Places to try are outfalls by GPS, wingdams, and rocky points.  Fish with jigs and twister tails, inline spinners, or small crankbaits.  White Crappie - No Report: Fish for crappies in backwaters and side channels around brush piles.  Fish with jigs and  minnows/plastics or minnows under a bobber.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 11.68 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and forecasted to reach 12.0 feet by Thursday.  River forecasted to fall over weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are still out of water at Lock and Dam.  Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills in backwaters and side channels.  Fish along brush piles with pieces of worm under a bobber.  Channel Catfish - No report: Try around brush piles and snags along main and side channels. Use stink bait, cut shad or nightcrawlers upstream of brush. Float leeches or crawlers under a bobber along rip-rap shorelines with current.  Fish can be caught on upstream side of wingdams.  Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on wing-dams.  Try casting or trolling crankbaits on upstream side of  wingdam.  Fish can also be caught casting jigs and plastic to wingdams.  Walleye fishing may be tough with high and muddy water conditions.  White Bass - No report: Cast crankbaits, inline spinners, or jigs and twister tails in areas with current around rocky points or water discharges. White Crappie - No Report: Use minnows under a bobber or vertical jig with minnows or plastics around brush piles in backwaters and side channels.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage rising and 8.15 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Tailwater stage is forecasted to begin falling over weekend.  Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage is 526.91 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills in backwaters and side channels. Try pieces of worm under a bobber along brush piles.  Channel Catfish - No report: Try around brush piles and snags along main and side channels. Use stink bait, cut shad or nightcrawlers upstream of brush. Float leeches or crawlers under a bobber along rip-rap shorelines with current. Fish can be caught on upstream side of wingdam as well.  Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on wingdams.  Try casting or trolling crankbaits on upstream side of wingdam.  Fish can also be caught casting jigs and plastic to wingdams.  Walleye fishing may be tough with high and muddy water conditions.  White Bass - No Report: Cast crankbaits, inline spinners, or jigs and twister tails in areas with current around rocky points or water discharges. White Crappie - No Report: Use minnows under a bobber or vertical jig with minnows or plastics around brush piles in backwaters and side channels 

Mississippi River pools 16-19: River stages are again rising due to recent heavy rains.  Main channel water clarity is poor and water temperature is around 80 degrees. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature holding in the mid 80s.  Black Crappie - Fair: Find bluegill in the flooded timber and down to 7 to 8 feet deep. Try vertically jigging in the trees or drift trolling along the outer edge of the trees. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills remain in their summer holding pattern of out in the flooded timber and down about 6 feet.

Cedar River (Moscow to Columbus Junction)
River in the Conesville area finally dropped below the bank full level. 

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
River level in the Iowa is holding at just over "bank full" or action level.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is holding at 81-82 degrees.  Water clarity about 2 feet.  Green color.  Black Crappie - Fair: Standard summer pattern continues. Try slow trolling a jig and minnow or small crankbait down 10 to 12 feet.  Trolling speed of just over 1 mile per hour works best. Anglers are catching most fish before 10 am and after 6 pm. Bluegill - Fair: Try vertically jigging a small jig tipped with waxworms or cast a worm over the tops of the mounds at the upper end of the lake. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Find bass in the timber along the old creek channel this time of year when the water is flowing out of the upper marsh in the plunge pool below it.

Lake Darling
Lake is back down to a "full pool" level.  Water temperature in the low 80s. Water clarity not the best at about a foot.   Black Crappie - Fair: Most of the boats have been fishing over the big cedars in the middle of the lake and the big brush pile on the south side of the dam.  Bluegill - Fair: They seemed to have moved back onto the rock piles along the shoreline to the campground.  Early in the  morning they are feeding at the surface before returning to the campground.  Early morning they are feeding at the surface before returning to deeper water as the sun comes up.

Lake Geode
Water temperature is in the low to mid 80s.  The water remains a very green color. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies around the artificial habitat in 8 to 10 feet of water suspended a couple of feet above the bottom. Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills out from the rocky shorelines at the bottom of the slope in 8 to 9 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair:  Work the edges of the drop-offs using jigs or soft plastics.  With the return of hot weather this weekend, they probably won't be spending much time in the shallow.

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature has gotten back up to 80-81 degrees and holding.  Water clarity fairly good at 3-4 feet.   Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegill in 8-10 feet of water in the flooded trees. Try slow trolling jigs or vertical jigging next to the habitat. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Most of the time they are holding down at 10-12 feet or a little deeper down to 16 feet.  Vertically jigging or a deep diving crankbait.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
Earlier this week the Skunk was down 2 or 3 feet below its banks.  Wednesday (8/13) she started to head back up a foot or so as the latest batch of rain coming down the South and North Skunk made its arrival. 

For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Broadmoor Pond
Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie suspended out from shore. Bluegill- Fair: Try small soft plastics on a jig head. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait along shorelines.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use soft plastics and topwater lures early mornings.

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
No reports this week due to high water. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing in brush piles and rock areas. Flathead Catfish - No Report: Try fishing in brush piles and rock areas.

Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
No reports this week due to high water. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing in creek mouths, brush piles and rock areas. Flathead Catfish - No Report: Try fishing in creek mouths, brush piles and rock areas.

Central Park Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing near brush piles. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait near the fishing jetties. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures and soft plastics during early mornings.

Coralville Reservoir 
Black Crappie - Fair: Use electronics to find suspended schools around brush piles and rock walls.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try trolling with rattle rigs and cut bait in the back of coves along flooded edges of willows.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Try fishing near brush piles and rock edges. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures around rocks and trees along shoreline during early mornings. Spotted bass - Slow: Try topwater lures and soft plastics during early mornings. White Crappie - Slow: Use electronics to catch suspended fish in brush piles or rock wall areas.

Goose Pond
Black Crappie - Slow: Fish are suspended out from shore.  Bluegill - Fair: Few fish caught on twister tail from shore.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait along shorelines.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish topwater and soft plastics during early mornings.

Green Castle Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Try fishing in 6-8 feet of water just off shore.  Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait along shorelines, brush piles or rock.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater lures or soft plastics in early mornings. Redear Sunfish - Slow: Try fishing in 6-8 feet of water just off shore.

Grundy County Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Find suspended near weed clumps. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait near the fish jetties Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try topwater lures or soft plastics in early morning. Redear Sunfish - Slow: Anglers are catching some fish.

Hannen Lake
Black Crappie - Fair:  Find crappie suspended in the lake basin. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching mostly 4- to 7-inch bluegills around brush piles.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing in areas with rock or brush piles with stink bait.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use soft plastics and topwater lures in early mornings.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Bluegill - Good: Fish near points along the main lake or out in front of spillway. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use stink bait, cut bait or nightcrawlers near the spillway. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish deeper weed edges in mornings or evenings.  Some topwater on upper half of lake.  White Crappie - Good: Fish near points along main lake or out in front of spillway.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing creek mouths brush piles and rock areas. Flathead Catfish - No Report: Try fishing in creek mouths, brush piles and rock areas. Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Try fishing along rocky shorelines and current seams. Spotted bass - No Report: Try fishing along rocky shorelines and creek mouths.  White Bass - Slow: Few fish getting caught in current seams during the early morning.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Slow: Few fish getting caught in current seams during the early morning.

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
No reports this week due to high water. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing in creek mouths, brush piles and rock areas. Flathead Catfish - No Report: Try fishing in brush piles and rock areas.

Kent Park Lake
Black Crappie- Slow: Find crappie suspended in the lake basin out from dam. Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait along the shorelines, brush piles or rocks. Largemouth Bass - Good:Try topwater lures and soft plastics during early mornings. 

Lake Macbride
The seasonal 10 horse motor restriction is in effect. Black Crappie- Fair: Use electronics to find schools suspended in the lake basin. Channel Catfish -Fair: Try fishing along edges of rock fishing jetties with stink bait.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Try fishing in rock jetties with cut bait or live bait.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try topwater lures and soft plastics during early mornings.  Spotted Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures and soft plastics during early mornings.  White Crappie - Fair: Use electronics to find schools of suspended fish in the lake basin. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Slow: Look for scattered suspended fish around wind-blown points or schools of shad.

Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
No reports this week due to high water. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing in creek mouths, brush piles and rock areas. Flathead Catfish - No Report: Try fishing in creek mouths, brush piles and rock areas. Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Try fishing along rocky shorelines and current seams. Walleye - No Report: Try fishing along rocky shorelines and current seams.

Whispering Meadows
Black Bullhead - Fair: Use worms below a small bobber.

Williamsburg Pond (West End Pond)
Black Bullhead - Slow: Use worms below a small bobber.  Bluegill - Slow: Try fishing around rocky shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures and soft plastics during early mornings. 

For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Hawthorn Lake
Black Crappie - Fair. Use small jigs around structure and the jetties. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs along the shallows and in open areas in the vegetation.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or nightcrawlers. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastics around the jetties and along the face of the dam.

Lake Keomah
Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project. Please stay out of the lakebed.

Lake Miami
Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs around the jetties and along the dam.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs along the shoreline.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait or nightcrawlers.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target the area along the dam and around the jetties.

Lake Sugema
Black Crappie - Fair: Try jigs or jig/minnow combos. Keep moving until you find active fish. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs in the shallows.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits and plastics around the fishing jetties and along the face of the dam.

Lake Wapello
Black Crappie - Fair: Use jigs around submerged structure.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are on beds and moving shallow; use small jigs in these areas.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try chicken liver or nightcrawlers.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits and plastics around the cedar tree piles.

Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is 910.83 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Be cautious of floating debris; lake level has risen with the recent rains. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels; properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody.  Black Crappie - Slow: Look for crappies away from shore around cedar tree piles. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try chicken liver or cut bait. Walleye - Fair: Use crankbaits or crawler harnesses in rock piles and the old river channel.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Anglers are catching hybrids.  Cast crankbaits or try vertically jigging in rock piles and rock reefs.

Red Haw Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs along the shoreline and around the jetties.  Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs around the shallows and on the edge of the lily pads.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Target rocky shorelines and fishing jetties.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinners or plastics along shorelines and the edge of the lily pads.

Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.