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Iowa's Fishing Report

Sign up today for free weekly fishing information from Iowa’s fisheries experts. Learn the best hot spots and latest news about Iowa’s fishing opportunities from region to region. This weekly fishing forecast will be emailed directly to your inbox every Thursday!

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How to read our weekly Iowa fishing report

Our weekly fishing report is broken down by counties or regions – Northwest, Northeast, Mississippi River, Southeast and Southwest.

You can check the activity of your favorite lake or stretch of river within each region, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), as well as a hot bait or lure pattern.

Fishing reports may include information on stream or river flows (and if it is rising or dropping), ice conditions, depths that fish are biting (watch for trends if this changes), or safety issues like if the water suddenly becomes shallow in spots.




Fishing Podcasts

Each month, Jeff Kopaska of the Iowa DNR and Ross Peterson from KXnO Sports Fanatics get together to talk about fishing opportunities, seasons and events in Iowa and around the Midwest. They are often joined by other DNR staff and guest speakers.

The links below are the podcast recordings of their conversations, and can also be found on the iHeartRadio app.

2023 Podcast Links

January 2023 Fishing Report - ice fishing tips and safety, winter community trout stockings and fish stocking requests and data

February 2023 Fishing Report - tips for getting your gear ready for spring fishing, Mid Iowa Bassmasters Fishermen's Swap Meet, Iowa Walleye Challenge and new state record orangespotted sunfish

March 2023 Fishing Report -  spring community trout stockings, Iowa Walleye Challenge, Hook n" Paddle Passport, early season river fishing for walleyes and lake fishing for ice-out catfish

April 2023 Fishing Report - AJ Winter, Iowa DNR Outdoor Skills Specialist joins us to preview spring outdoor activities, plus trout stocking and walleye gillnetting

May 2023 Fishing Report - Clear Lake fishing, shovelnose sturgeon sampling, Iowa Wallaye Challenge local prizes and Hook n' Paddle Passport launch

February 2022 Fishing Report - Zak Slagle from the Ohio DNR joins us to talk about walleye populations, fishing and surveys at Lake Erie; plus plans for the Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference hosted by Iowa DNR is Des Moines mid-February

March 2022 Fishing Report - Ben Neely, Kansas fishery biologist joins us to talk about a recent research project to determine if live scope sonar technology leads to anglers catching more/bigger fish; plus spring community trout stockings

April 2022 Fishing Report - new state record smallmouth buffalo, plus tips for catching trout in community fishing ponds and annual walleye gillnetting efforts

June 2022 Fishing Report - fishing tips and hotspots, plus sturgeon sampling on the Cedar River, Free Fishing Weekend and Iowa Walleye Challenge

August 2022 Fishing Report - live from the Iowa State Fair; stop by the aquarim in the DNR building to see fish from across Iowa; plus local fishing information 

September 2022 Fishing Report - new community fishing ponds, fishing sampling and fishing tournaments 

October 2022 Fishing Report - fish diet research, fishing tournaments and the big walleye controversy on Lake Erie; plus fall fishing tips

November 2022 Fishing Report - Mike Siepker joins us to talk trout - stockings, spawning, management and more

December 2022 Fishing Report - Hank Kholer joins us to talk about his One4Water trip and new book; plus ice fishing season preview

January 2021 Fishing Report - Kevan Paul joins us to talk about ice fishing on Clear Lake

February 2021 Fishing Report - fishing in community ponds, plus hybrid striped bass in Big Creek, and the hot yellow perch bite at Clear Lake

March 2021 Fishing Report - Corey Goldsworthy from the Minnesota DNR joins us to talk about the fishing options at Lake Superior, plus ice-out catfishing

April 2021 Fishing Report - Jay Rudacille, Iowa DNR Warm and Coolwater Fish Culture Supervisor, joins us to talk about the annual spring walleye collection, production and stocking, plus spring community trout stockings and fun fishing stories

May 2021 Fishing Report - Hank Kohler joins us to talk about his upcoming paddling trip from central Minnesota down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico to make people aware of and seek donations for clean water projects

July 2021 Fishing Report - Fish Local Community Fishing Program and river catfishing tips, plus trout stream sampling

September 2021 Fishing Report - freshwater drum fishing on the Mississippi River, plus drift fishing for crappie and recap of Iowa State Fair aquarium and courtyard presentations

October 2021 Fishing Report - fall fishing tips, plus fall community trout stockings annouced again this year and upcoming trout angler survey

December 2021 Fishing Report - Eric Brinkman, asssistant chief of aquatic conservation in Arkansas, joins us to talk about managing alligator gar in the Red River; plus the Iowa Urban Trout Challenge on urban/community trout locations through December 31, 2021.

Iowa Fishing Report

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Waterbody District Comments Date
Big Woods Lake Northeast Interior water levels have fallen and are providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Check the USGS website (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt) for most recent river levels. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo have been hot for crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass during the spring spawn. Trout streams are in excellent condition, for further information contact your local bait shop for most recent reports. 05/31 10:52
Big Woods Lake Northeast Anglers have been catching crappie and bluegill during this spring spawn, concentrate efforts near the north shore around structure. 05/31 10:52
Big Woods Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Cast lighter jigs tipped with plastics for some great action or fishing a minnow under a slip bobber. 05/31 10:52
Big Woods Lake Northeast Bluegill - Good: Cast lighter jigs over spawning beds or small piece of crawler under a slip bobber near structure. 05/31 10:52
Brinker Lake Northeast Interior water levels have fallen and are providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Check the USGS website (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt) for most recent river levels. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo have been hot for crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass during the spring spawn. Trout streams are in excellent condition, for further information contact your local bait shop for most recent reports. 05/31 10:52
Brinker Lake Northeast Anglers have been catching crappie and bluegill during the spring spawn. 05/31 10:52
Brinker Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Cast lighter jigs tipped with plastics for some great action or fishing a minnow under a slip bobber. 05/31 10:52
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Interior water levels have fallen and are providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Check the USGS website (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt) for most recent river levels. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo have been hot for crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass during the spring spawn. Trout streams are in excellent condition, for further information contact your local bait shop for most recent reports. 05/31 10:52
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Anglers have been catching crappie and bluegill during this spring spawn. 05/31 10:52
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Black Crappie - Excellent: Cast lighter jigs tipped with plastics for some great action or fishing a minnow under a slip bobber. 05/31 10:52
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Bluegill - Excellent: Cast lighter jigs over spawning beds or small piece of crawler under a slip bobber. 05/31 10:52
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish topwater artificial lures or spinnerbaits for largemouth bass. 05/31 10:52
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Area interior rivers and streams are stable. Clarity good to excellent on most. Temperatures in the low 90's during the day to mid 60's overnight. Possibility of thunderstorms through weekend. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563.382.8324. 05/31 02:53
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Flows remain elevated but water levels stable. Water temperatures 70's. 05/31 02:53
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fish the eddies and current breaks. 05/31 02:53
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: A dead chub or stink baits fished in slack water areas may peak a catfish's interest. 05/31 02:53
Cedar River (above Nashua) Northeast Walleye - Good: Use jig tipped with minnow or worm below dams. Try using a 3-way rig with enough weight to keep on bottom. 05/31 02:53
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Interior water levels have fallen and are providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Check the USGS website (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt) for most recent river levels. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo have been hot for crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass during the spring spawn. Trout streams are in excellent condition, for further information contact your local bait shop for most recent reports. 05/31 10:52
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have had success on channel catfish using dead chubs or cutbaits fished on the bottom. 05/31 10:52
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fish plastics with a jig or casting and retrieving spinnerbaits for smallmouth bass. 05/31 10:52
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast The Cedar River has fallen and is providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. 05/31 10:52
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Walleye - Good: Fish plastics with a jig for some good walleye action. 05/31 10:52
Decorah District Streams Northeast Area interior rivers and streams are stable. Clarity good to excellent on most. Temperatures in the low 90's during the day to mid 60's overnight. Possibility of thunderstorms through weekend. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563.382.8324. 05/31 02:53
Decorah District Streams Northeast Area streams in good condition. All stocked streams are announced at least once a month. Stocking continues at traditional rates, weekly or bimonthly. The only activity on private property open to fishing is angling. 05/31 02:53
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brook Trout - Fair: Good hatches of a variety of gnats, mayflies, caddis flies, and midges occurring. 05/31 02:53
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brown Trout - Good: Fish near or around logs or undercut banks. Spinner baits work well. Also try using streamers on larger waterbodies for some exciting action. 05/31 02:53
Decorah District Streams Northeast Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Use spinner baits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, bread, or cheese floating through deeper holes. Freshly stocked fish are waiting to take your bait. 05/31 02:53
George Wyth Lake Northeast Interior water levels have fallen and are providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Check the USGS website (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt) for most recent river levels. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo have been hot for crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass during the spring spawn. Trout streams are in excellent condition, for further information contact your local bait shop for most recent reports. 05/31 10:52
George Wyth Lake Northeast Anglers have been catching crappie during the spawn. 05/31 10:52
George Wyth Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Excellent: Cast lighter jigs tipped with plastics for some great action 05/31 10:52
Lake Delhi Northeast Interior water levels have fallen and are providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Check the USGS website (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt) for most recent river levels. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo have been hot for crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass during the spring spawn. Trout streams are in excellent condition, for further information contact your local bait shop for most recent reports. 05/31 10:52
Lake Delhi Northeast Anglers have been catching crappie and bluegill on Lake Delhi, some sorting may be necessary. Avoid weekends and evenings due to heavy boat traffic. 05/31 10:52
Lake Delhi Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Cast lighter jigs tipped with plastics for some great action, fish near structure or docks for best success. 05/31 10:52
Lake Delhi Northeast Bluegill - Good: Cast lighter jigs over spawning beds or small piece of crawler under a slip bobber 05/31 10:52
Lake Hendricks Northeast Area interior rivers and streams are stable. Clarity good to excellent on most. Temperatures in the low 90's during the day to mid 60's overnight. Possibility of thunderstorms through weekend. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563.382.8324. 05/31 02:53
Lake Hendricks Northeast Water clarity great. Water temperatures in the upper 60's. Bluegills and bass spawning. 05/31 02:53
Lake Hendricks Northeast Bluegill - Good: Anglers fishing near shore finding gills. Use a small chunk of worm fished under a bobber. 05/31 02:53
Lake Hendricks Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Crappie action picking up as water warms. 05/31 02:53
Lake Hendricks Northeast Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass spawning in shallow water. Bass will guard nests. 05/31 02:53
Lake Meyer Northeast Area interior rivers and streams are stable. Clarity good to excellent on most. Temperatures in the low 90's during the day to mid 60's overnight. Possibility of thunderstorms through weekend. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563.382.8324. 05/31 02:53
Lake Meyer Northeast Water clarity about 3 ft. with temperatures in the upper 60's. 05/31 02:53
Lake Meyer Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Crappie beginning to bite. Fish near shore edges using a small jig. 05/31 02:53
Lake Meyer Northeast Bluegill - Fair: Use a small piece of worm under a bobber. 05/31 02:53
Lake Meyer Northeast Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Try using a spinner bait fished in 3-4 ft. water. Bass are on spawning beds and are aggressive. 05/31 02:53
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Interior water levels have fallen and are providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Check the USGS website (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt) for most recent river levels. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo have been hot for crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass during the spring spawn. Trout streams are in excellent condition, for further information contact your local bait shop for most recent reports. 05/31 10:52
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Anglers have been catching walleye and smallmouth bass on the Maquoketa River. 05/31 10:52
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Fish plastics with a jig or casting and retrieving spinnerbaits for smallmouth bass. 05/31 10:52
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Walleye - Good: Fish plastics with a jig for some good walleye action. 05/31 10:52
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Upper Mississippi River water levels are expected to recede nearly a foot next week. Many boat ramps are still flooded and full of mud/debris. Call ahead for local conditions. Fishing is picking up as water temperatures are rising into the upper 60's. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Water level at Lynxville is near 621.4 feet and expected to fall to near 620 feet this week. Ramp at Bussey Lake is open. Sny Magill road is still under water and closed. The high water ramp at Harpers Ferry is accessible. The bite is picking up with warmer water temps. Water temperature is 70 degrees at the dam. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Walleye - Slow: Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Sauger - No Report: 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Yellow Perch - No Report: 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Shorthead redhorse - Good: Redhorse are running and are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Try a crawler or cut-bait in the current seams as water temperature rises this week. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Good: The drum or actively feeding. Fish a weighted crawler in moderate current from the shoreline 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Fish a garden worm under a bobber along shore with less current such as marina areas or backwaters. A lot of sorting with some nicer sizes being caught. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Fish the flooded trees using a light jig or a minnow rig. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Upper Mississippi River water levels are expected to recede nearly a foot next week. Many boat ramps are still flooded and full of mud/debris. Call ahead for local conditions. Fishing is picking up as water temperatures are rising into the upper 60's. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Water level at Guttenberg is 12.2 feet and predicted to fall to near 11 feet over the next week. Guttenberg city ramp and the DNR ramp are open. Turkey River Landing is still closed. Finley's and Mud Lake are open. The bite is picking up with the warmer water. Water temperature is upper 60's. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Walleye - Slow: Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Sauger - No Report: 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Yellow Perch - No Report: 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Shorthead redhorse - Fair: Redhorse are running and are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Try a crawler or cut-bait in the current seams as water temperature rises this week. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Good: The drum or actively feeding. Fish a weighted crawler from the shoreline. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Fish a garden worm under a bobber along shore with less current such as marina areas or backwaters. A lot of sorting with some nicer sizes being caught. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Fish the flooded trees using a light jig or a minnow rig. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Upper Mississippi River water levels are expected to recede nearly a foot next week. Many boat ramps are still flooded and full of mud/debris. Call ahead for local conditions. Fishing is picking up as water temperatures are rising into the upper 60's. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Water level at Lansing fell to 11.7 feet and is expected to drop to near 11 feet over the next week. New Albin Army Road and Heytman's Landing are still closed due to water over the road. Lansing Village Creek is open. Multiple species of fish are biting. Look for areas away from the heavy current. Water temperature is near 68 degrees. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Walleye - Slow: Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Sauger - No Report: 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Northern Pike - No Report: 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Shorthead redhorse - Good: Redhorse are running and are fun to catch. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Yellow Perch - No Report: 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Try a crawlers or cut-bait in the current seams as water temperature rises this week. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Freshwater Drum - Good: The drum or actively feeding. Fish a weighted crawler in moderate current from the shoreline 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Bluegill - Good: Fish a garden worm under a bobber along shore with less current such as marina areas or backwaters. A lot of sorting with some nicer sizes being caught. 05/25 09:25
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Fish the flooded trees using a light jig or a minnow rig. 05/25 09:25
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast Interior water levels have fallen and are providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Check the USGS website (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt) for most recent river levels. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo have been hot for crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass during the spring spawn. Trout streams are in excellent condition, for further information contact your local bait shop for most recent reports. 05/31 10:52
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or cutbaits fished on the bottom for some channel catfish. 05/31 10:52
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Fish plastics with a jig or casting and retrieving spinnerbaits for smallmouth bass. 05/31 10:52
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast The Shell Rock River has fallen and should provide some catches of walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. 05/31 10:52
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast Walleye - Fair: Fish plastics with a jig for some good walleye action. 05/31 10:52
Turkey River (below Clermont) Northeast Area interior rivers and streams are stable. Clarity good to excellent on most. Temperatures in the low 90's during the day to mid 60's overnight. Possibility of thunderstorms through weekend. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563.382.8324. 05/31 02:53
Turkey River (below Clermont) Northeast Water clarity good to excellent. Levels stabilizing. Water temperatures in the 70's. 05/31 02:53
Turkey River (below Clermont) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fish the eddies and off channel areas. Use a jig with a twistertail. 05/31 02:53
Turkey River (below Clermont) Northeast Walleye - Good: Early morning or late evening are best. Fish the deeper holes using a crank or spinner bait. 05/31 02:53
Turkey River (below Clermont) Northeast White Sucker - Good: Fish the deeper holes with a worm fished near bottom. 05/31 02:53
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) Northeast Area interior rivers and streams are stable. Clarity good to excellent on most. Temperatures in the low 90's during the day to mid 60's overnight. Possibility of thunderstorms through weekend. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563.382.8324. 05/31 02:53
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) Northeast Water temperatures in the 70's and good to excellent clarity. Water levels stabilizing. Use caution during early season paddling. Log jams and other strainers may have moved. Hypothermia is still a threat with cooler water temperatures. 05/31 02:53
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fish near undercut banks and current breaks. A flashy jig works well. Fly anglers using streamers picking up some action. 05/31 02:53
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) Northeast Walleye - Good: Angling for walleye picking up below dams. Use a jig tipped with a plastic tail or crankbait. 05/31 02:53
Volga Lake Northeast Area interior rivers and streams are stable. Clarity good to excellent on most. Temperatures in the low 90's during the day to mid 60's overnight. Possibility of thunderstorms through weekend. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563.382.8324. 05/31 02:53
Volga Lake Northeast Water temperatures upper 60's. Fish activity improving especially in near shore rocky areas. 05/31 02:53
Volga Lake Northeast Bluegill - Fair: 05/31 02:53
Volga Lake Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Fish along the rocky edges in deeper water. 05/31 02:53
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