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Iowa Fishing Report
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Waterbody District Comments Date
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Temperatures fluctuating from upper 30's for highs to upper 20's for lows. Chance for mixed precipitation Saturday evening into Sunday. Water clarity on area rivers and streams excellent. Water levels stabilizing but flows remain high on all area rivers. Trout streams good to excellent. For information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 11/14 09:31
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Fish moving into overwintering areas. Backwaters beginning to freeze but ice fishing not recommended. Ice conditions change rapidly this time of year. 11/14 09:31
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Fish below dams or find deeper pools and fish the eddies. Use a hook tipped with a crawler or a jig with a twister tail or ring worm. 11/14 09:31
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Black Crappie - No Report: 11/14 09:46
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Interior rivers are in excellent condition other than a little ice on some areas right now. Next week forecast looks more seasonable and anglers should be targeting river walleyes. Most Black Hawk County lakes have a skim of ice heading into early winter as there have been no reports of angling. Many trout streams have been recently stocked and are in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 11/13 03:01
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Anglers have been catching a few walleye and northern pike on the Cedar River. 11/14 07:11
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Try casting and retrieving larger spinner baits near instream habitat or deeper overwintering areas. 11/14 07:17
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Try casting and retrieving crankbaits or using jig and minnow near instream habitat or deeper overwintering areas. 11/14 07:18
Decorah District Streams Northeast Temperatures fluctuating from upper 30's for highs to upper 20's for lows. Chance for mixed precipitation Saturday evening into Sunday. Water clarity on area rivers and streams excellent. Water levels stabilizing but flows remain high on all area rivers. Trout streams good to excellent. For information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 11/14 09:31
Decorah District Streams Northeast Stocked fish remain in streams through the winter creating excellent angling opportunities. Trout streams with good flows remain open even during winter. Please visit our website to find out when and where trout may be coming to a community near you. Hunting seasons are now open in Iowa. Anglers fishing wildlife management areas should wear bright orange and be visible to hunters. 11/14 09:31
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brook Trout - Good: Brook trout spawn nearing an end. Redds or trout nests are cleared areas in the stream bottom. Avoid walking here. With fewer insect hatches, try using flies imitating minnows such as a wholly bugger. 11/14 09:31
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brown Trout - Good: Brown trout spawn nearing an end. Use care around freshly cleared gravel in stream bottom. Try a fly imitating small silvery fish. 11/14 09:31
Decorah District Streams Northeast Rainbow Trout - Good: Use an ultra light pole and reel for some fun action. A worm fished under a bobber in slow water works well. Try a spinner in eddies and around structure. 11/14 09:31
Lake Hendricks Northeast Temperatures fluctuating from upper 30's for highs to upper 20's for lows. Chance for mixed precipitation Saturday evening into Sunday. Water clarity on area rivers and streams excellent. Water levels stabilizing but flows remain high on all area rivers. Trout streams good to excellent. For information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 11/14 09:31
Lake Hendricks Northeast Lake Hendrick's is mostly covered with about 2 inches ice. Not safe for fishing. Area around aerator is open. No motorized vehicles allowed on ice. 11/14 09:31
Lake Hendricks Northeast Black Crappie - No Report: 11/14 09:31
Lake Hendricks Northeast Largemouth Bass - No Report: 11/14 09:31
Lake Hendricks Northeast Bluegill - No Report: 11/14 09:31
Lake Meyer Northeast Temperatures fluctuating from upper 30's for highs to upper 20's for lows. Chance for mixed precipitation Saturday evening into Sunday. Water clarity on area rivers and streams excellent. Water levels stabilizing but flows remain high on all area rivers. Trout streams good to excellent. For information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 11/14 09:31
Lake Meyer Northeast Lake is about 70% frozen with no shoreline access. Ice fishing not recommended. 11/14 09:31
Lake Meyer Northeast Bluegill - No Report: 11/14 09:31
Lake Meyer Northeast Black Crappie - No Report: 11/14 09:31
Lake Meyer Northeast Largemouth Bass - No Report: 11/14 09:31
Manchester District Streams Northeast Interior rivers are in excellent condition other than a little ice on some areas right now. Next week forecast looks more seasonable and anglers should be targeting river walleyes. Most Black Hawk County lakes have a skim of ice heading into early winter as there have been no reports of angling. Many trout streams have been recently stocked and are in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 11/13 03:01
Manchester District Streams Northeast The extended forecast for next week looks promising for some good trout fishing. Most streams have been recently stocked with rainbow trout and many have great populations of wild brown trout. With the expected snow melt next week brown trout fishing could be good. 11/14 07:30
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Interior rivers are in excellent condition other than a little ice on some areas right now. Next week forecast looks more seasonable and anglers should be targeting river walleyes. Most Black Hawk County lakes have a skim of ice heading into early winter as there have been no reports of angling. Many trout streams have been recently stocked and are in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 11/13 03:01
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Recent fish sampling efforts revealed a good population of walleye on the Maquoketa River in Delaware County. 11/14 07:20
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Try casting and retrieving crankbaits or using jig and minnow near instream habitat or deeper overwintering areas. 11/14 07:21
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels are steadily falling but still above normal for this time of year. Some ramps are beginning to ice in. Channel areas have heavy ice flows making fishing a challenge. Backwaters are beginning to ice up but not recommended safe for ice fishing yet. Water has just begun to drop out of the trees on the islands. Water temperature has dropped into the low to mid 30's° F. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast River level at Lynxville is 619.8 ft and predicted to fall over a foot this week. Water temperature is 35°F at Lock & Dam 9. Sny Magill ramp is not accessible due to high water. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Largemouth Bass - No Report: Find bass in areas of no or slight current in backwaters with clearer water. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Smallmouth are hitting crankbaits on rocky areas along main channel shoreline. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegill to be moving into deeper backwater areas out of the current. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Channel Catfish - No Report: Catfish are biting on crawlers fished in side channel current. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Freshwater Drum - No Report: Drum are biting. Use worms on the bottom or crayfish to target larger fish 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Anglers are jigging with minnows below the Lock and Dams with some success. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Yellow Perch - No Report: Yellow perch are biting on crawlers fished just off the bottom in about 6-8 ft of water. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Black Crappie - No Report: The fall crappie bite has slowed up. Fish the flooded trees and side channels with small jigs 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Sauger - Fair: Sauger have been biting on jigs tipped with a minnow in the tailwaters of the lock & dams. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels are steadily falling but still above normal for this time of year. Some ramps are beginning to ice in. Channel areas have heavy ice flows making fishing a challenge. Backwaters are beginning to ice up but not recommended safe for ice fishing yet. Water has just begun to drop out of the trees on the islands. Water temperature has dropped into the low to mid 30's° F. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Largemouth Bass - No Report: Find bass in areas of no or slight current in backwaters with clearer water. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast River level at Guttenberg is 11 ft and expected to drop over a foot by late next week. Turkey River boat ramp is closed due to high water. Water temperature is 33° F at Lock & Dam 10. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegill to be moving into deeper backwater areas out of the current. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Channel Catfish - No Report: Catfish are biting on crawlers fished in side channel current. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Freshwater Drum - No Report: Drum are biting. Use worms on the bottom or crayfish to target larger fish 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Smallmouth are hitting crankbaits on rocky areas along main channel shoreline. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Anglers are jigging with minnows below the Lock and Dams with some success. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Black Crappie - No Report: The fall crappie bite has slowed up. Fish the flooded trees and side channels with small jigs 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Sauger - Fair: Sauger have been biting on jigs tipped with a minnow in the tailwaters of the lock & dams. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Yellow Perch - No Report: Yellow perch are biting on crawlers fished just off the bottom in about 6-8 ft of water. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Some suspended crappies were being reported in the deep backwater lakes. Fish them like you would ice fishing. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Find the warmest areas of the backwater lakes and you will find the bluegills. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Finally, all areas of the district are out of flooding stages. Water remains high for this time of year but is dropping fast. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-872-4976. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast The water level at the Dubuque Lock and Dam is 11.0 feet and the level at the RR Bridge is 13.0. River levels at Dubuque are expected to recede over the next week. The water temperature is down to 33 degrees. Water clarity is good. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Sauger - No Report: Tailwater sauger fishing has started with most anglers using a jig and minnow. 11/13 04:00
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Water remains high for this time of year but is dropping fast. No flooding is reported but some debris and mud may be on the ramps. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-872-4976. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast The water level at the Dubuque Lock and Dam is 9.9 feet and the level at the RR Bridge is 12.0. River levels at Dubuque are expected to recede over the next week. The water temperature is 35 degrees. Water clarity is good. Some ice is in the backwaters but no ice fishing was reported to us. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Sauger - Fair: Tailwater sauger fishing has started with most anglers using a jig and minnow. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Finally, all areas of the district are out of flooding stages. Water remains high for this time of year but is dropping fast. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-872-4976. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Sauger - Good: A few sauger are starting to show up in the creel by anglers using a jig and minnow rigs. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast The water level at the Bellevue Lock and Dam is at 12.1 feet and receding. The water temperature is down to 33 degrees. Water clarity is good. The Bellevue City Ramp is open but the DNR boat ramp is still partially flooded. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Not a lot of walleye are being reported but indeed a few nice sized fish can be found. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Water remains high for this time of year but is dropping fast. No flooding is reported but some debris and mud may be on the ramps. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-872-4976. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Sauger - Good: A few sauger are starting to show up in the creel by anglers using a jig and minnow rigs. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast The water level at the Bellevue Lock and Dam is at 10.9 feet and receding. The water temperature is 35 degrees. Water clarity is good. The DNR ramp is open again as flood waters have receded off of it. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Not a lot of walleye are being reported but indeed a few nice sized fish can be found. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Finally, all areas of the district are out of flooding stages. Water remains high for this time of year but is dropping fast. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-872-4976. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Sauger - Good: Fall sauger fishing has officially begun. Try using jigs tipped with minnows in the tailwater areas. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast The water level at the Fulton Lock and Dam is 11.7 feet, Camanche is at 14.2 feet and LeClaire is at 8.3 feet. Water temperature is around 33 degrees. River levels are expected to fall over the next week. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Walleye - Fair: A few nice fish over 30 inches have been reported in the past couple weeks even in the high water. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Bluegill - No Report: Look for Bluegills in backwater lakes with no current and decent depths. This time of year the search out the warmest areas of the backwaters often where the sun shine is the most intense. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Water remains high for this time of year but is dropping fast. No flooding is reported but some debris and mud may be on the ramps. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-872-4976. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Sauger - Good: Fall sauger fishing has officially begun. Try using jigs tipped with minnows in the tailwater areas. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast The water level at the Fulton Lock and Dam is 10.2 feet, Camanche is at 13.0 feet and LeClaire is at 7.3 feet. Water temperature is around 35 degrees. River levels are expected to fall over the next week. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Walleye - Fair: A few nice fish over 30 inches have been reported in the past couple weeks even in the high water. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Finally, all areas of the district are out of flooding stages. Water remains high for this time of year but is dropping fast. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-872-4976. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast The water level at Rock Island is around 12.4 feet and will recede this week. The water temperature is around 33 degrees and water clarity is good. 11/13 03:57
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Sauger - No Report: Expect sauger fishing to really pick up once the river recedes to near normal winter levels. Most sauger anglers use a jig and minnow rig. 11/13 04:06
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Water remains high for this time of year but is dropping fast. No flooding is reported but some debris and mud may be on the ramps. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-872-4976. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Sauger - No Report: Expect sauger fishing to really pick up once the river recedes to near normal winter levels. Most sauger anglers use a jig and minnow rig. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast The water level at Rock Island is 10.8 feet and will recede this week. The water temperature is around 35 degrees and water clarity is good. 11/18 09:03
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels are steadily falling but still above normal for this time of year. Some ramps are beginning to ice in. Channel areas have heavy ice flows making fishing a challenge. Backwaters are beginning to ice up but not recommended safe for ice fishing yet. Water has just begun to drop out of the trees on the islands. Water temperature has dropped into the low to mid 30's° F. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast River level at Lansing is 10.2 ft and predicted to drop a foot by late next week. Water temperature is 33° F. New Albin army road is closed due to high water. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Largemouth Bass - No Report: Find bass in areas of no or slight current in backwaters with clearer water. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Smallmouth are hitting crankbaits on rocky areas along main channel shoreline. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegill to be moving into deeper backwater areas out of the current. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Channel Catfish - No Report: Catfish are biting on crawlers fished in side channel current. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Freshwater Drum - No Report: Drum are biting. Use worms on the bottom or crayfish to target larger fish 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Walleye - Slow: Vertical jigging with twister-tails or jig tipped with minnows has had most success in L&D tailwaters. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Yellow Perch - No Report: Yellow perch are biting on crawlers fished just off the bottom in about 6-8 ft of water. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Black Crappie - No Report: The fall crappie bite has slowed up. Fish the flooded trees and side channels with small jigs. 11/14 10:33
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Sauger - Fair: Vertical jigging with twister-tails or jig tipped with minnows has had most success in L&D tailwaters. 11/14 10:33
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast Interior rivers are in excellent condition other than a little ice on some areas right now. Next week forecast looks more seasonable and anglers should be targeting river walleyes. Most Black Hawk County lakes have a skim of ice heading into early winter as there have been no reports of angling. Many trout streams have been recently stocked and are in excellent condition. For further information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276. 11/13 03:01
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast There have been no reports on the Shell Rock River this past week. 11/14 07:22
Turkey River (above Clermont) Northeast Temperatures fluctuating from upper 30's for highs to upper 20's for lows. Chance for mixed precipitation Saturday evening into Sunday. Water clarity on area rivers and streams excellent. Water levels stabilizing but flows remain high on all area rivers. Trout streams good to excellent. For information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 11/14 09:31
Turkey River (above Clermont) Northeast Mill pond at Vernon Springs by Cresco is frozen. Ice fishing not recommended. Public reminded no motorized vehicles allowed on this area. 11/14 09:55
Turkey River (above Clermont) Northeast Walleye - No Report: 11/14 09:55
Volga Lake Northeast Temperatures fluctuating from upper 30's for highs to upper 20's for lows. Chance for mixed precipitation Saturday evening into Sunday. Water clarity on area rivers and streams excellent. Water levels stabilizing but flows remain high on all area rivers. Trout streams good to excellent. For information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 11/14 09:31
Volga Lake Northeast Volga Lake almost frozen. There is an open area west of the boat ramp. Ice fishing not recommended. 11/14 09:31
Volga Lake Northeast Black Crappie - No Report: 11/14 09:31
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