Fishing Reports

Iowa's Fishing Report

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Iowa Fishing Report

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Waterbody	District	Comments	Date
Alice Wyth Lake	Northeast	Water temperatures on area lakes and rivers remain much below typical for this time of year and that has been impacting fishing success. Largemouth Bass fishing has been good throughout the district and Bluegill action has been improving. Trout streams are in good to excellent condition. Rivers are high and cold. Contact Manchester Fish Management at 563-927-3276 for more information.	05/23 10:37
Alice Wyth Lake	Northeast	Black Crappie - Fair:	05/23 10:55
Alice Wyth Lake	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair:	05/23 10:55
Alice Wyth Lake	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Fair:	05/23 10:55
Brinker Lake	Northeast	Water temperatures on area lakes and rivers remain much below typical for this time of year and that has been impacting fishing success. Largemouth Bass fishing has been good throughout the district and Bluegill action has been improving. Trout streams are in good to excellent condition. Rivers are high and cold. Contact Manchester Fish Management at 563-927-3276 for more information.	05/23 10:37
Brinker Lake	Northeast	Bluegill - Slow:	05/23 10:56
Brinker Lake	Northeast	Black Crappie - Fair:	05/23 10:56
Brinker Lake	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Fair:	05/23 10:56
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)	Northeast	Water temperatures on area lakes and rivers remain much below typical for this time of year and that has been impacting fishing success. Largemouth Bass fishing has been good throughout the district and Bluegill action has been improving. Trout streams are in good to excellent condition. Rivers are high and cold. Contact Manchester Fish Management at 563-927-3276 for more information.	05/23 10:37
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair:	05/23 10:54
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good:	05/23 10:54
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)	Northeast	Black Crappie - Slow:	05/23 10:55
Cedar River (above Nashua)	Northeast	Rain Friday with a good chance of t-storms Monday. Otherwise, spring-like weather for the weekend with temperatures ranging from mid 70's to low 50's. Recent rainfall over saturated ground caused rivers and streams to rise and turn muddy. Most have crested but remain dirty. Trout streams clearing fairly quickly. For more information, contact Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	05/22 03:22
Cedar River (above Nashua)	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Crankbaits will tempt a smallie.	05/22 03:22
Cedar River (above Nashua)	Northeast	Walleye - Fair: Try a jig tipped with a minnow or ringworms for best luck.	05/22 03:22
Cedar River (above Nashua)	Northeast	Water levels stabilizing but remain elevated with high flows. Water clarity is poor. Water temperatures mid 50's. Use caution when boating in higher flows. For more on water levels, please see the USGS Current Conditions website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt.	05/22 03:22
Cedar River (above Nashua)	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs fished in the impoundments or shallow slack water areas. Keep bait on bottom.	05/22 03:22
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Water temperatures on area lakes and rivers remain much below typical for this time of year and that has been impacting fishing success. Largemouth Bass fishing has been good throughout the district and Bluegill action has been improving. Trout streams are in good to excellent condition. Rivers are high and cold. Contact Manchester Fish Management at 563-927-3276 for more information.	05/23 10:37
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Cedar River flows are about 4 times above average for this time of year and conditions are difficult for fishing.	05/23 10:41
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Slow:	05/23 10:41
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Walleye - Slow:	05/23 10:41
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Fair:	05/23 10:41
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	Rain Friday with a good chance of t-storms Monday. Otherwise, spring-like weather for the weekend with temperatures ranging from mid 70's to low 50's. Recent rainfall over saturated ground caused rivers and streams to rise and turn muddy. Most have crested but remain dirty. Trout streams clearing fairly quickly. For more information, contact Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	05/22 03:22
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	Brook Trout - Good: A variety of insects currently hatching throughout the day. Matching hatch is key. On clear streams, use care not to be seen.	05/22 03:22
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	Brown Trout - Good: Off color water from rain inputs drive browns crazy. A spinner bait or subsurface nymph work well.	05/22 03:22
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	Rainbow Trout - Good: Use cheese or piece of worm under a bobber for best luck with a spinning rod.	05/22 03:22
Decorah District Streams	Northeast	Water clarity varies by stream but most are fishable. Additional rainfall over saturated ground will cause runoff and possible flooding. The only activity allowed on private property open to fishing is fishing. All other activities are prohibited. To find out where trout will be stocked, call the trout stocking number at 563.927.5736 or check out the 2019 calendar on our website.	05/22 03:22
George Wyth Lake	Northeast	Water temperatures on area lakes and rivers remain much below typical for this time of year and that has been impacting fishing success. Largemouth Bass fishing has been good throughout the district and Bluegill action has been improving. Trout streams are in good to excellent condition. Rivers are high and cold. Contact Manchester Fish Management at 563-927-3276 for more information.	05/23 10:37
George Wyth Lake	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair:	05/23 10:51
George Wyth Lake	Northeast	Black Crappie - Slow:	05/23 10:52
George Wyth Lake	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good:	05/23 10:52
Lake Hendricks	Northeast	Rain Friday with a good chance of t-storms Monday. Otherwise, spring-like weather for the weekend with temperatures ranging from mid 70's to low 50's. Recent rainfall over saturated ground caused rivers and streams to rise and turn muddy. Most have crested but remain dirty. Trout streams clearing fairly quickly. For more information, contact Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	05/22 03:22
Lake Hendricks	Northeast	Black Crappie - Good: Use a hook tipped with a minnow under a bobber near brush piles.	05/22 03:22
Lake Hendricks	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair: A small hook tipped with a left over waxworm or spike under a bobber works for gills.	05/22 03:22
Lake Hendricks	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish around rocky shorelines with wind blown material. Jigs tipped with a piece of worm or cheese work well.	05/22 03:22
Lake Hendricks	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are on beds. Jigs tipped with plastic twistertails or a jerkbait may entice a hungry bass.	05/22 03:22
Lake Hendricks	Northeast	The lake is up about a foot and about 3 ft visibility. Water temperatures in the upper 50's. Fish shallow bays and along rocky shorelines. Fish will be in these areas later in the day and early morning.	05/22 03:22
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Rain Friday with a good chance of t-storms Monday. Otherwise, spring-like weather for the weekend with temperatures ranging from mid 70's to low 50's. Recent rainfall over saturated ground caused rivers and streams to rise and turn muddy. Most have crested but remain dirty. Trout streams clearing fairly quickly. For more information, contact Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.	05/22 03:22
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Water temperatures cooled this week with temperatures upper 50's. With warmer temperatures and sunshine, conditions should improve. Lake levels are up and clarity is fair.	05/22 03:22
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Black Crappie - Good: Fish around shallow submersed logs using small plastic lures or hair jigs.	05/22 03:22
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair: Small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm around rocky shorelines will do the trick.	05/22 03:22
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: Crankbait or jerkbaits work for bass.	05/22 03:22
Lake Meyer	Northeast	Northern Pike - Fair: Find pike in shallow bays. Spoons, crankbaits, or a hook tipped with cutbait work.	05/22 03:22
Manchester District Streams	Northeast	Water temperatures on area lakes and rivers remain much below typical for this time of year and that has been impacting fishing success. Largemouth Bass fishing has been good throughout the district and Bluegill action has been improving. Trout streams are in good to excellent condition. Rivers are high and cold. Contact Manchester Fish Management at 563-927-3276 for more information.	05/23 10:37
Manchester District Streams	Northeast	Brook Trout - Excellent:	05/23 10:57
Manchester District Streams	Northeast	Brown Trout - Fair:	05/23 10:57
Manchester District Streams	Northeast	Rainbow Trout - Excellent:	05/23 10:57
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)	Northeast	Water temperatures on area lakes and rivers remain much below typical for this time of year and that has been impacting fishing success. Largemouth Bass fishing has been good throughout the district and Bluegill action has been improving. Trout streams are in good to excellent condition. Rivers are high and cold. Contact Manchester Fish Management at 563-927-3276 for more information.	05/23 10:37
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)	Northeast	Maquoketa River flows are about twice the average for this time of year and water temps are cold but decent fishing has been reported for bass and walleye.	05/23 10:47
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Slow:	05/23 10:47
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)	Northeast	Smallmouth Bass - Fair:	05/23 10:48
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)	Northeast	Walleye - Fair:	05/23 10:48
Martens Lake	Northeast	Water temperatures on area lakes and rivers remain much below typical for this time of year and that has been impacting fishing success. Largemouth Bass fishing has been good throughout the district and Bluegill action has been improving. Trout streams are in good to excellent condition. Rivers are high and cold. Contact Manchester Fish Management at 563-927-3276 for more information.	05/23 10:37
Martens Lake	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good:	05/23 10:50
Martens Lake	Northeast	Bluegill - Fair:	05/23 10:50
Martens Lake	Northeast	Black Crappie - Slow:	05/23 10:51
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Upper Mississippi River levels will be rising a few feet again due to recent rainfall. Many boat ramps still have flood debris and will be some time before usable. Boaters should operate at no wake speed to reduce damage to shorelines and flooded structures. Fishing has picked up this week with warmer water temperatures. Water clarity is improving. Water temperature is near 60 °F.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Bluegill - Good: The bluegill bite has picked up. Use light tackle tipped with a small piece of worm in areas away from current.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are feeding just before the spawn. Try golden shiners or small bluegill on heavy tackle in deep channel areas.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish the flooded shorelines in areas out of the current using weedless artificial baits.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Northern Pike - Good: Fish backwaters with clearer water with artificial baits attached to a leader.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	River level is has fallen to 23.3 ft at Lynxville with a rise this week. Sny Magill ramp is stilled closed. Water temperature is 59°F.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Sauger - Fair: Fish close to shore in flooded areas using small jigs tipped with minnows.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Walleye - Good: Fish with three-way rigs tipped with a minnow or a hair jig in side channels.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish light tackle tipped with minnows near shore along marina areas.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 10	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish crawlers or cutbait on the bottom along main channel borders.	05/23 07:34
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Upper Mississippi River levels will be rising a few feet again due to recent rainfall. Many boat ramps still have flood debris and will be some time before usable. Boaters should operate at no wake speed to reduce damage to shorelines and flooded structures. Fishing has picked up this week with warmer water temperatures. Water clarity is improving. Water temperature is near 60 °F.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	River level has fallen to 14.6 ft at Guttenberg and with a rise this week. City ramp is still closed. Water temperature is 53°F.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Bluegill - Good: The bluegill bite has picked up. Use light tackle tipped with a small piece of worm in areas away from current.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are feeding just before the spawn. Try golden shiners or small bluegill on heavy tackle in deep channel areas.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish the flooded shorelines in areas out of the current using weedless artificial baits.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Northern Pike - Fair: Fish backwaters with clearer water with artificial baits attached to a leader.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Sauger - Fair: Fish close to shore in flooded areas using small jigs tipped with minnows.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Walleye - Good: Fish with three-way rigs tipped with a minnow or a hair jig in side channels.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish light tackle tipped with minnows near shore along marina areas.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 11	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish crawlers or cutbait on the bottom along main channel borders.	05/23 07:34
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Some flooding is still occurring throughout the district so please note that many boat ramps are closed or will have debris on them. Water levels are rising again due to recent storms. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Northern Pike - Fair: Some northern pike are being caught on flashy lures along the flooded shoreline edges.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Water levels are rising and approaching miner flood levels again. Stage is near 15.7 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 17.4 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is fair and temperature is 58 degrees. Many boat ramps still have flood debris on them.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Common Carp - Good: Shallow flooded areas with lots of sun is a recipe for bowfishing carp. Please do not dispose of the carp on the bank.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 12	Northeast	Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish bite the best in flooded conditions. Fish near bank with stink bait or worms.	05/21 10:16
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Some flooding is still occurring throughout the district so please note that many boat ramps are closed or will have debris on them. Water levels are rising again due to recent storms. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Common Carp - Good: Shallow flooded areas with lots of sun is a recipe for bowfishing carp. Please do not dispose of the carp on the bank.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: Deep clear flooded areas like Spring Lake have been good. Green Island wildlife area might also hold some bass this year.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Northern Pike - Good: Northerns are biting on flashy lures fished along the shoreline edges.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Water level is rising and is at 15.8 feet at Lock and Dam 12. Water clarity is fair and the water temperature is 58 degrees. Most boat ramps are closed or have debris on them but the Bellevue City Ramp is back open.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 13	Northeast	Walleye - Good: Even in flooded conditions some walleye are being caught.	05/21 10:18
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Some flooding is still occurring throughout the district so please note that many boat ramps are closed or will have debris on them. Water levels are rising again due to recent storms. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Common Carp - Good: Shallow flooded areas with lots of sun is a recipe for bowfishing carp. Please do not dispose of the carp on the bank.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 14	Northeast	Water levels are rising and near 15.9 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 17.4 feet at Camanche and 11.0 feet at LeClaire. These are all minor flood levels. Water clarity is fair and water temperature is around 60 degrees. Many boat ramps will have flood debris on them.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Some flooding is still occurring throughout the district so please note that many boat ramps are closed or will have debris on them. Water levels are rising again due to recent storms. If you have fishing questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station, 563-872-4976.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Common Carp - Good: Shallow flooded areas with lots of sun is a recipe for bowfishing carp. Please do not dispose of the carp on the bank.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 15	Northeast	Water levels are rising and now near 16.6 feet at Rock Island. This is still moderate flood stage. Water clarity is fair and the water temperature is around 60 degrees. Boat ramps are flooded or will have debris on them.	05/21 10:12
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	River level is has fallen to 13.1 ft at Lansing with another rise this week. Water temperature is 58°F.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Upper Mississippi River levels will be rising a few feet again due to recent rainfall. Many boat ramps still have flood debris and will be some time before usable. Boaters should operate at no wake speed to reduce damage to shorelines and flooded structures. Fishing has picked up this week with warmer water temperatures. Water clarity is improving. Water temperature is near 60 °F.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Black Crappie - Fair: Fish the flooded trees with light tackle.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Bluegill - Good: The bluegill bite has picked up. Use light tackle tipped with a small piece of worm in areas away from current.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are feeding just before the spawn. Try golden shiners or small bluegill on heavy tackle in deep channel areas.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish the flooded shorelines in areas out of the current using weedless artificial baits.	05/23 07:28
Mississippi River Pool 9	Northeast	Northern Pike - Good: Fish backwaters with clearer water with artificial baits attached to a leader.	05/23 07:28

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