Northeast Iowa Fishing Reports

[JIvers]

With Coralville res. no longer safe for ice-fishing due to dropping water levels and Macbride not worth fishing, I made another drive over to Otter Creek by Marshalltown this afternoon.

Things have slowed since my first trip over there, but I still had some success. I only caught a couple small bluegill, but for not quite an hour before sundown the yellow bass started hitting pretty well. At times, my graph looked like this:

Problem was, most of the yellow bass I caught looked like this :

I did catch a few in the 8-9" range, but most were too small to keep.

I tried a fathead on a light tip-up today, but had no results on that. A spike on a small yellow jig produced most of my fish this afternoon.

The ice was probably 20" thick, if not more, and this is not far north of Interstate 80. Barring a major warmup, I will be ice-fishing well in to March in Iowa this year.

I was told by a local that the bite at Otter Creek has slowed quite a bit in the last couple weeks, but with lakes and ponds down here now covered with ice and snow for two months now that is to be expected. I did catch some fish, so the trip was worthwhile. As a bonus, I didn't have to watch the first half of the Super Bore.

[delmuts]

Been spending lots of time at the Miss. near Harpers now that my wife is fully retired. Fishing has really been on and off with the higher water levels. The river is about 9 ft.so it's getting better( normal pool is 8ft.).Still have some grass coming down from some where, so trolling cranks can be a pain at times, but many are doing ok pulling crawlers. Pan fish bite in the  back waters near my wife's place  has been picking up with some nice gills, perch, and the northern can be fun! I haven't figured out the crappies yet, although others have!

If any of you are in he area, and see a red Ranger RT 178 say hi! 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST Iowa fishing reports

Volga Lake

Panfish activity continues to be slow but catfish activity is excellent. Volga Lake is one of the best catfish lakes around.  Bluegill - Slow: Use a small piece of worm near brush piles along the dam and other rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Fish over brush piles or rock reefs.  Crappie - Slow: Drift along open water using a small tube jig. Channel Catfish - Good: Fish stink bait or worms off the bottom near submersed logs or along a rocky shore.

 

Lake Hendricks

Lake Hendricks has a lot of great shoreline access.  Fishing for catfish is great on a hot summer day. Bait your hook with a piece of worm or stinkbait and wait for the pole to bend. Stay hydrated while you're waiting. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills can be found spread out along the weed beds. Use a hook tipped with a small piece of night crawler fished under a bobber. Channel Catfish - Good: Fish have been active about mid-day around the jetties and rock reefs. Stink baits and night crawlers are working for finicky catfish. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Bass can be found along the weed edges and around the rock reefs. A jig tipped with a twister or worm will get some attention.

 

Lake Meyer

As of 8/6, water levels continue to be about 9 feet below normal. The boat ramp is unusable and will remain so until water levels are allowed to return to normal. DNR and Winneshiek CCB personnel have been busy installing a variety of fish habitat. Water retention structure construction should be completed by November 1, 2015 when water levels will be allowed to return to normal. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers willing to brave the rocks to get to water can find bluegills. Successful anglers are using a hook tipped with a small piece of night crawler under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - No Report: ,Channel Catfish - Slow: Little angling is being attempted due to low water levels but fish can still be caught.

 

New Hampton Pond (Garnant)

Garnant Pond has an abundance of small sunfish and carp. It is scheduled for renovation the middle of August. The pond will be drained and a fish toxicant will be applied to all wet areas to make sure no fish will be left. The pond will then be restocked with bluegills, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. This combination assures an excellent fishery for all to enjoy. Common Carp – Slow.

 

Split Rock Lake

Split Rock Lake experienced a complete fish kill in 2014. It was stocked with 7000 inch bluegill in the fall of 2014 and 700 two inch channel catfish and 490 two inch largemouth bass this spring. Bluegill - No Report.

 

Ringneck Haven

Ringneck Haven had a partial winterkill in 2014 and is now overpopulated with green sunfish. The Iowa DNR is currently in the process of rebuilding the fishery. This spring it was stocked with 200 fingerling northern pike, 400 two inch channel catfish, 280 two inch largemouth bass, 5,000 inch long yellow perch, and 100 eight to ten inch largemouth. Anglers are asked to release any bass, pike, perch, and catfish if caught until the sunfish population is under control. Green sunfish – Fair.

 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

Water levels have stabilized with improved clarity. Be mindful of new strainers, such as log jams, tree falls, and other obstructions. The best spots to fish at this time of year are where the tributaries empty into the river. Many types of fish can be caught here including trout. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth bass are hitting jigs tipped with twister tails. Crankbaits imitating crawdads should turn a smallie head.

 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

Be mindful of new snags, log jams, and other strainers when paddling in water with increased flows. Visibility has improved. Fish are hanging out near the mouths of the tributaries. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Successful anglers are using a jig tipped with a dark twister tail with a flash of color or crankbait. Cast around log jams and other woody structure. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a crawler or stink bait. Walleye - Good: Successful anglers are using an crayfish imitation crankbait. Anglers fishing around current breaks toward evening are finding fish. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Anglers using a hook tipped with a crawler can expect to catch drum.

 

Turkey River (below Clermont)

New snags, log jams, submersed logs and other debris may be observed. Use care when paddling around obstructions. Water temperatures are in the mid 70's. Water clarity has improved this week. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Fish a jig tipped with a twister tail along seams and eddies.

 

Cedar River (above Nashua)

Water levels have stabilized and clarity improved. It'll be a great weekend to get on the river and wet a line. Channel Catfish - Good: Successful anglers are using chubs and chicken liver fished around brush piles and log jams. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Fish a jig tipped with a twister tail or night crawler in eddies below the dams and off current areas. Walleye - Slow: A few anglers have been catching walleye but you really have to be patient.

 

Decorah District Streams

Trout streams are in good condition. Much of the wild parsnip (yellow lacey flower) is dying back but still be careful around this plant. The sap reacts with sunlight and can cause the skin to blister. Spin fishers using silver spinner baits with a variety of shiny blades should catch fish. Look for more frequent Tricorythodes and Ephoron (mayfly species) hatches through August. Ants, beetles and grasshoppers will become more prevalent as summer progresses. Brown Trout - Good: Off color or slightly turbid water is a great time to catch brown trout. Use a flashy spinner to antagonize finicky browns. Rainbow Trout - Good: A good quality trout stream will typically have trout, sculpins, and white suckers but outstanding insect diversity. Brook Trout - Good: Seven coldwater streams in Northeast Iowa have consistent brook trout natural reproduction.

 

Another fabulous weekend is in store for us. Temperatures will be in the low 80's for daily highs and 60's at night. Water levels on area rivers have stabilized with improved clarity. Reminder to trout anglers, during the heat of the summer, a few trout streams are not stocked in July and August. Abundant opportunities to catch trout continue to be available. For more information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)

Angling success has been good for bluegill and channel catfish. Bluegill - Good: Float a small piece of worm or crawler under a slip bobber near the edge of weed beds around the lake. Fishing has been best early morning or later evening hours. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting well during all hours of the day. Shrimp, cut bait, stink baits and chicken livers fished on the bottom are all good choices for Casey Lake. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Weedless spinnerbaits fished off of the dam and near and around jetties are your best bet for largemouth bass action during early morning and late evening hours.

 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)

Reports have been good for smallmouth bass and walleye. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Artificial crankbaits and spinner baits or live bait tipped on a jig fished around rocky shorelines and tail ends of riffles is good this time of year. Walleye - Good: Artificial crankbaits or half a crawler tipped on a light jig can be deadly for walleye this time of year. Fish near woody structure and off current breaks and eddies.

 

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)

Creel information on the Maquoketa River reflects anglers as having good success on walleye and smallmouth bass. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Artificial crankbaits and spinner baits or live bait tipped on a jig fished around rocky shorelines and tail ends of riffles is good this time of year. Walleye – Fair. Artificial crankbaits or half a crawler tipped on a light jig can be deadly for walleye this time of year. Fish near woody structure and off current breaks and eddies.

 

Interior river levels remain in excellent condition making for a perfect weekend to get out and fish. Fishing reports for the inland lakes in and around Blawk Hawk County have been slow this past week. Trout streams in N.E. Iowa remain in excellent condition, for further information contact the N.E. Iowa District Office at 563-927-3276.

 

Edited August 7, 2015 by Rick

[JIvers]

Some drive-by ice reports for the I-380 corridor from my trip to Clear Lake yesterday.

A couple ponds around Brandon were capped, while a couple others looked to be mostly open.

Meyers Lake in Evansdale, just south of Waterloo, was mostly capped over, but there was open water around the aerators.

Most of the water at George Wyth, just north of Waterloo, was still open.

North of there every pond I saw was capped, but I did not see anyone out on them until I was almost to Clear Lake.

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Ice conditions in the impoundments are unsafe, especially with fluctuating water levels. Water clarity is improving. Walleye - Slow: Use a worm hooked in a worm harness fished below the dams. 

Decorah District Streams
Many streams remain slightly off color. Slack water in deeper holes may freeze, but should melt by afternoon With a slower bite, use bigger flashier flies and lures. Parking lots on wildlife management areas are not plowed. Use care when parking along the road. Brook Trout - Fair: Midges hatch all season. Try wholly buggers or a flashy fly for a hungry brookie. Brown Trout - Brown Trout are aggressive with melt water or run-off inputs. Increasing numbers of insects are hatching on sunny afternoons. Use small midge or caddis patterns. With off color water, try a flashy spinner or fly. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Drift a feathered spinner, crankbait or a hook tipped with worm along an undercut bank. 

Lake Hendricks
Ice thickness is at least 12 inches. Few anglers are out. Open water around the aerator. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the ice. Black Crappie - Slow: Move around to find fish. Use a small jig tipped with a minnow head. Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes around structure. 

Lake Meyer
Ice thickness is about 12 inches.Water clarity is improving. Early morning bite is best. When the bite slows, move to a different spot. Few anglers have been out.  Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs tipped with spikes or waxworms. Black Crappie - Slow: Key in to brush and dangle a small jig about a foot or two above the stems.

Volga Lake
Ice thickness is 12+ inches. Early and late bite is best. Culverts were placed on the ice for habitat; avoid this area as ice may not be safe. Black Crappie - Slow: Drop your lure about 3 feet above structure and watch them swim up to the bait. Use small teardrop shaped jigs tipped with spikes or waxworms. Bluegill - Slow: Fish around structure in 14-16 feet water about a foot off the bottom. 

Temperatures warm to the upper 30s through the weekend. Possibility of rain/snow Saturday night into Sunday. River and stream clarity is improving.For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports of a few walleye being caught on the Cedar River in Black Hawk and Bremer Counties.  Walleye – Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow; concentrate on areas of deeper open water. 

Manchester District Streams
Trout Streams are in good condition. Continue to use winter tactics including streamers, jigs, and crankbaits.  Brown Trout - Good: Browns can be easier to catch on days where the water color is stained. Rainbow Trout – Slow. Brook Trout – Slow.  

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
There have been no reports on the Maquoketa River, but levels remain good for walleye angling opportunities. Walleye - No Report: Cast and retrieve a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow; concentrate on areas of deeper open water. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
There have been no reports on the Shell Rock River, but levels remain good for walleye angling opportunities. Walleye - No Report: Cast and retrieve a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow; concentrate on areas of deeper open water. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
There have been no reports on the Shell Rock River, but levels remain good for walleye angling opportunities. Walleye - No Report: Cast and retrieve a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow; concentrate on areas of deeper open water. 

Ice fishing is not recommended anywhere as conditions are not safe. Eastern Iowa rivers are beginning to open; open water fishing opportunities are available on the Cedar, Shell Rock, Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa. Flows are above seasonal averages on rivers, but are not excessively high for spring. Area trout streams are in good condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is fairly stable at 7.9 feet.Main channel ice has broken up and the ice flows have moved through. Ice conditions are variable with very few areas having safe access. Walleye - Fair: Expect the bite to pick up as water temperatures rise. Use crankbaits fished on a 3-way rig or jigs with minnows. Black Crappie - No Report: Occasional crappie being caught in just 2-4 feet of water just under the ice. Yellow Perch - Excellent: Late ice can be a good time for perch fishing with some of the larger fish being caught this time of year. Sauger - Fair: Use jig and minnows fished off the bottom in the tailwater areas. Bluegill - Good: Some last ice bluegills are still being caught in backwaters with no current. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern pike will start to feed actively before the spawn. Look for the bite to pick up with warming temperatures.

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville has fallen a foot to 14.3 feet. . Main channel ice has broken up and the ice flows have moved through. Ice conditions are variable in the backwaters with very few areas having safe access. Walleye - Fair: Expect the bite to pick up as warmer water temperatures rise. Use crankbaits fished on a 3-way rig or jigs with minnows. Yellow Perch - Excellent: Late ice can be a good time for perch fishing with some of the larger fish being caught this time of year. Sauger - Fair: Some fish are in the tail-waters. Expect the bite to pick up with warmer water temperatures this week. Bluegill - Fair: Some last ice bluegills are still being caught in backwaters with no current. Black Crappie - No Report: Occasional crappie being caught in just 2-4 feet of water just under the ice. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern pike will start to feed actively before the spawn. Look for the bite to pick up with warming temperatures. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
Guttenberg tail-waters have fallen several feet to 6.08 feet this week. Main channel ice has broken up and the ice flows have moved through. Backwater ice conditions are variable with very few areas having safe access. Walleye - Fair: Expect the bite to pick up as water temperatures rise. Use crankbaits fished on a 3-way rig or jigs with minnows. Black Crappie - No Report: Occasional crappie being caught in just 2-4 feet of water just under the ice. Yellow Perch - Excellent: Late ice can be a good time for perch fishing with some of the larger fish being caught this time of year. Sauger - Slow: Some fish are in the tail-waters. Expect the bite to pick up with warmer water temperatures this week. Bluegill - Fair: Some last ice bluegills are still being caught in backwaters with no current. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern pike will start to feed actively before the spawn. Look for the bite to pick up with warming temperatures. 

Upper Mississippi River levels have fallen slightly this week with main channel areas mostly free of ice flows with water temperatures still in the low 30's. Water clarity is still poor from the spring melt-off. Ice fishing is not recommended due to unsafe ice. 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are stabilizing at 5.7 feet at the Dubuque Lock and the RR bridge is 8.3 feet. This is down a few feet from last week. Some ice flows still reported. Places like O'Leary's backwater still have some ice in them, but it is melted along the shore. Yellow Perch - No Report: Look for the perch bite to pick up as the ice melts. Northern Pike - No Report: Expecting the northern pike creel to increase over the next couple of months. Walleye - Fair: Some scattered reports of walleyes being taken in the tailwaters and more along wing dams. Fishing is fair to poor, but could improve with better weather conditions. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels are stabilizing at 6.5 feet at Bellevue. This down over a foot from last week. Both Bellevue City ramp and the DNR ramp are open, but some minor ice flows are still seen.  Paddlefish season is now underway. Please review the Paddlefishing regulations. Paddlefish - Fair: Some were caught, especially on the opener, but fish are reported up off the bottom. Sauger - Fair: Hit or miss. Some reported good catches when weather was nice while others struggled. Walleye – Fair.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are falling and are 6.2 feet at Fulton, 10.3 feet at Camanche and 5.1 feet at LeClaire. This down over a foot from last week. Paddlefish season season is underway;  Ramps are mostly open and free of ice, but you will find periodic ice chunks. Paddlefish - No Report: Season is underway; please review the Paddlefishing regulations. Sauger - Fair: Anglers report sauger fishing as scattered, but it could get decent if water levels stabilize. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are falling and are 7.8 feet at Rock Island. This is down two feet from last week and will be much more "fishable" this week. Sauger - Fair: Fish are scattered, but some are being reported on jigs and minnow. 

The River levels have dropped throughout the district. Tailwaters are open for boat launching, but some ice flows are still occurring. Ice fishing appears to be over in the district, but some ice remains in backwaters especially in Pool 12. Most backwaters are now open water in Pool 13 through 15. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 7.81 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is falling. Marquette St boat ramp is open. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been slow. Sauger - Slow: Reports of a few saugers being caught in Sylvan Slough. Try vertical jigging with minnows or pulling three-way rigs with stick baits or minnows. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 6.78 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. We have not received any reports on tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers. Sauger - No Report: Try fishing below the dam with jigs and minnows or pulling three-way rigs with stick baits or minnows. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 8.99 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is falling. We have not received any tailwater fishing information for walleye and saugers this week. Sauger - No Report: Look for saugers below the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or pulling three-way rigs with stick baits or minnows. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 6.12 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. We have not received any tailwater fishing reports for walleyes and saugers. 

River stages have been falling the past few days. Water clarity is poor. Tailwater fishing for walleye and saugers has been slow. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Open water fishing is around the corner. Large chunks of free-floating ice are causing hazardous boating conditions. Walleye - Fair: Use a worm hooked in a worm harness fished below the dams. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers fishing below dams are catching catfish using a big hook loaded with nightcrawlers. 

Decorah District Streams
Catchable trout stocking starts April 2 – check out this year’s trout stream stocking calendar. Plan a trip to your favorite trout stream. Snow melt continues. Better water clarity in the morning turning off color by afternoon. Gravel roads and parking areas are rough and mushy as the frost comes out.  Brook Trout - Good: Early morning is a good time to catch a brookie. Use a streamer to mimic minnows or subsurface flies like scuds or pheasant tail nymphs. Brown Trout - Good: Melt water and run-off inputs drive Brown Trout into a feeding frenzy. Use small midge, caddis, or flashy streamer patterns. Rainbow Trout - Good: Catch a post-spawn Rainbow Trout below a riffle. Float a feathered spinner or crankbait past a hungry mouth and hang on. 

Lake Hendricks
Ice fishing not recommended. 

Lake Meyer
Ice fishing not recommended. Anglers have not been out. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Upper Iowa is mostly ice-free. Anglers are finding fish below the dams and in deeper holes. Walleye - Fair: Use jigs with twister tails and crankbaits. White Sucker - Fair: Anglers report suckers are starting to hit. 

Volga Lake
Ice fishing not recommended. Open water around edges. 

Rain Friday night, turning to snow Saturday; snow accumulation is likely. Temperatures in the low 40s for highs, but dipping below freezing at night. Rivers and streams are fishable. Ice covers most lakes,  but not safe to walk on.For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports of a few walleye being caught on the Cedar River in Black Hawk and Bremer Counties. Anglers have also been successful on northern pike in Black Hawk County. Walleye – Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow; concentrate on areas of deeper open water. Northern Pike - Fair: Float a live chub or shiner under a bobber in slack water areas off of the main current break. 

Manchester District Streams
Trout Streams are in excellent condition. Use streamers, jigs, and crankbaits. With spring like temperatures, there have been good afternoon hatches. Brown Trout - Good: Browns can be easier to catch on days where the water color is stained. Rainbow Trout – Slow. Brook Trout – Slow.  

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
There have been a few reports of anglers catching walleye on the Maquoketa River; river levels remain good for walleye angling opportunities. Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow; concentrate on areas of deeper open water. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
There have been a few reports of anglers catching walleye on the Shell Rock River; river levels remain good for walleye angling opportunities. Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow; concentrate on areas of deeper open water. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
There have been reports of anglers catching walleye on the Wapsipinicon River in Buchanan County. Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow; concentrate on areas of deeper open water. 

Eastern Iowa rivers are open; open water angling opportunities are available on the Cedar, Shell Rock, Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa. Area trout streams are in excellent condition. Anglers are beginning to catch walleye as the spring walleye spawn approaches. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is 8.3 feet and is expected to rise slowly over the next week.Many overwintering fish are still in backwaters, but starting to move out as temperatures warm. Walleye - Good: Walleye are a couple of weeks away from spawning and should be actively feeding. Troll three way rigs with crank baits. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch bite is getting better; many 10+ inch fish are being reported. Sauger - Good: Sauger bite is picking up as fish are in pre spawn feeding mode. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike should be spawning soon, but some nice pike have been caught on live bait. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville is 15.3 feet and is expected to rise slowly over the next week.
Many overwintering fish are still in backwaters, but starting to move out as temperatures warm. Tailwaters are concentrating a lot of active fish right now. Walleye- Good: Walleye are a couple of weeks away from spawning and the bite is picking up in the tailwaters. Troll three way rigs with crank baits. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch bite is getting better along the shorelines in the tailwaters; many 10+ inch fish are being reported. Sauger - Good: Sauger bite is picking up in the tailwaters as fish are in pre-spawn feeding mode. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike should be spawning soon, but some nice pike have been caught on live bait. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg is 6.7  feet is expected to rise slowly over the next week. Many overwintering fish are still in backwaters, but starting to move out as temperatures warm. Tailwaters are concentrating a lot of active fish right now.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye are a couple of weeks away from spawning and the bite is picking up in the tailwaters. Troll three way rigs with crank baits. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch bite is getting better along the shorelines in the tailwaters; many 10+ inch fish are being reported.  Sauger - Good: Sauger bite is picking up in the tailwaters as fish are in pre-spawn feeding mode. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike should be spawning soon, but some nice pike have been caught on live bait. 

Upper Mississippi River levels are slowly starting to rise as the spring thaw continues. Most backwater areas are now free of ice with water temperatures slowly climbing into the lower 40's. Spring fishing is starting to get better as water temperatures warm up.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are near stable at 6.5 feet at the Dubuque Lock and the RR bridge is 8.9 feet. This is up a bit from last week.  A slight rise in water levels may occur this upcoming week, but it will be fairly stable. Yellow Perch - Slow: A few scattered reports; no big catches yet, but some might be on these elusive fish. Northern Pike - Fair: More and more reports of northern pike being picked up occasionally by tailwater anglers. Some of the melted backwaters also may see some pike angling. Walleye - Fair: Some scattered reports of walleyes being taken in the tailwaters and more along wing dams. Fishing is fair to poor, but could improve with better weather conditions. Some nice slot fish are being reported. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels at Bellevue are 6.5 feet and are stable. This is up a bit from last week. Both Bellevue City ramp and the DNR ramp are open, but but no courtesy dock yet at the DNR ramp. Paddlefish season is now underway. Please review the Paddlefishing regulations. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few scattered catches of sizable perch mostly from the tailwaters.  Paddlefish - Fair: Some paddlefish were caught early; fishing has slowed a bit, but pods of Paddlefish could return to the tailwater. Sauger - Fair: Hit or miss. Some good reports of few, but nice sauger. Other reports of people really struggling.  Walleye – Fair: Fairly slow fishing, but some nice slot fish are being picked up. Northern Pike - Fair: Tailwater anglers report catching a few northern pike. They will be preparing to spawn soon. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are falling and are 5.9 feet at Fulton, 10.2 feet at Camanche and 4.8 feet at LeClaire. This is up a bit from last week.  Paddlefish season season is underway;  please review the Paddlefishing regulations. Ramps are open and ready for use. Paddlefish - Fair: Good fishing seen early in the season; it has slowed greatly, but some fish are still present. Sauger - Fair: Anglers report sauger fishing as scattered, but it could get decent if water levels stabilize. The bite has been spotty all spring. Most anglers are using minnow rigs. Walleye - Fair: Not many being caught, but reports of some very nice sized fish. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are falling and are 6.8 feet at Rock Island. This is up from last week; conditions should remain favorable for angling this week. Sauger - Fair: Fish are scattered, but some are being reported on jigs and minnow. 

River levels are holding near steady throughout the district. Tailwaters are all open for boat launching. Most backwaters are now open water, especially in Pool 13 through 15, but some ice still reported in Pool 12. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Open water fishing is around the corner. Large chunks of free-floating ice are causing hazardous boating conditions. Walleye - Good: Use a worm hooked in a worm harness or a jig tipped with twister tail fished below the dams. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers fishing below dams are catching catfish using a big hook loaded with nightcrawlers. 

Decorah District Streams
Catchable trout stocking starts April 2 – check out this year’s trout stream stocking calendar. Plan a trip to your favorite trout stream. Most of snow is gone. Gravel roads and parking areas are rough and mushy as the frost comes out.  Brook Trout - Good: Early morning is a good time to catch a brookie. Use a streamer to mimic minnows or subsurface flies like scuds or pheasant tail nymphs. Brown Trout - Good: Melt water and run-off inputs drive Brown Trout into a feeding frenzy. Use small midge, caddis, or flashy streamer patterns. Rainbow Trout - Good: Catch a post-spawn Rainbow Trout below a riffle. Float a feathered spinner or crankbait past a hungry mouth and hang on. 

Lake Hendricks
Ice fishing not recommended. 

Lake Meyer
Ice fishing not recommended. Anglers have not been out. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Upper Iowa is mostly ice-free. Anglers are finding fish below the dams and in deeper holes. Walleye - Good: Use jigs with twister tails and crankbaits. White Sucker - Fair: Anglers report suckers are starting to hit. 

Volga Lake
Ice fishing not recommended. Open water around edges. 

Rain Friday night, turning to snow Saturday. Temperatures in the upper 30s for highs, but dipping below freezing at night. Rivers and streams are fishable. Ice covers most lakes, but it is not safe to walk on. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports of a few walleye being caught on the Cedar River in Black Hawk and Bremer Counties. Anglers have also been successful on northern pike in Black Hawk County. Walleye – Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow; concentrate on areas of deeper open water. Northern Pike - Fair: Float a live chub or shiner under a bobber in slack water areas off of the main current break. 

Manchester District Streams
Trout Streams are in excellent condition. Use streamers, jigs, and crankbaits. With spring like temperatures, there have been good afternoon hatches. Brown Trout - Good: Browns can be easier to catch on days where the water color is stained. Rainbow Trout – Slow. Brook Trout – Slow.  

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
There have been a few reports of anglers catching walleye on the Maquoketa River; river levels remain good for walleye angling opportunities. Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow; concentrate on areas of deeper open water. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
There have been a few reports of anglers catching walleye on the Shell Rock River; river levels remain good for walleye angling opportunities. Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow; concentrate on areas of deeper open water. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
There have been reports of anglers catching walleye on the Wapsipinicon River in Buchanan County. Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow; concentrate on areas of deeper open water. 

Eastern Iowa rivers are open; open water angling opportunities are available on the Cedar, Shell Rock, Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa. Area trout streams are in excellent condition. Anglers are beginning to catch walleye as the spring walleye spawn approaches. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is 8.21 feet and is expected to rise slowly over the next week.Many overwintering fish are still in backwaters, but starting to move out as temperatures warm. Walleye - Good: Walleye are a couple of weeks away from spawning and should be actively feeding. Troll three way rigs with crankbaits. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch bite is getting better; many 10+ inch fish are being reported. Sauger - Good: Sauger bite is picking up as fish are in pre-spawn feeding mode. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike should be spawning soon, but some nice pike have been caught on live bait. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville has risen about a foot at 16.2 feet and is expected to rise slowly and level off over the next week. Many overwintering fish are still in backwaters, but starting to move out as temperatures warm. Tailwaters are concentrating a lot of active fish right now. Walleye- Good: Walleye are a couple of weeks away from spawning and the bite is picking up in the tailwaters. Troll three way rigs with crankbaits. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch bite is getting better along the shorelines in the tailwaters; many 10+ inch fish are being reported. Sauger - Good: Sauger bite is picking up in the tailwaters as fish are in pre-spawn feeding mode. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike should be spawning soon, but some nice pike have been caught on live bait. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has risen about a foot at 7.7 feet is expected to rise slowly over the next week. Many overwintering fish are still in backwaters, but starting to move out as temperatures warm. Tailwaters are concentrating a lot of active fish right now.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye are a couple of weeks away from spawning and the bite is picking up in the tailwaters. Troll three way rigs with crankbaits. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch bite is getting better along the shorelines in the tailwaters; many 10+ inch fish are being reported.  Sauger - Good: Sauger bite is picking up in the tailwaters as fish are in pre-spawn feeding mode. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike should be spawning soon, but some nice pike have been caught on live bait. 

Upper Mississippi River levels are slowly starting to rise as the spring thaw continues. Most backwater areas are now free of ice with water temperatures slowly climbing into the lower 40's. Spring fishing is starting to get better as water temperatures warm up.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are rising and are 7.3 feet at the Dubuque Lock and the RR bridge is 9.7 feet. The water will continue to rise this upcoming week. The channel water temperature is around 40 degrees. Yellow Perch - Good: Several reports scattered around the pool, but mostly from the tailwater. Northern Pike - Fair: More reports of northern pike being picked up by tailwater anglers. Some of the melted backwaters also may see some pike angling. Walleye - Good: Some scattered reports of walleyes being taken in the tailwaters and more along wing dams. Some nice slot fish are being are being seen every week. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels at Bellevue are 7.9 feet and are rising. Both Bellevue City ramp and the DNR ramp are open, but no courtesy dock available yet at the DNR ramp. Paddlefish season is now underway. Please review the Paddlefishing regulations. The channel water temperature is around 40 degrees. Yellow Perch - Good: Yellow perch of all sizes are being caught in the tailwaters.  Paddlefish - Slow: Some paddlefish were caught early; now only an occasional fish is reported. Sauger - Good: Hit or miss. Some good reports of nice sauger. Most are being taken on minnow rigs. Walleye – Good: Nice slot fish still being reported.  Minnow and jig or pulling crank baits are the most popular strategies. Northern Pike - Fair: Tailwater anglers report catching a few northern pike. They will be preparing to spawn soon. They are a little late in spawning this year and as of yet have not spent their eggs. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are rising and are 7.8 feet at Fulton, 10.8 feet at Camanche and 5.7 feet at LeClaire. This is up a bit from last week.  The water temperature is around 42 degrees.
Paddlefish season season is underway;  please review the Paddlefishing regulations. Ramps are open and ready for use. Paddlefish - Slow: Good fishing seen early in the season; it has slowed greatly. Sauger - Fair: Lots of good reports mixed with some anglers having troubles catching sauger. Most anglers are using minnow rigs. Walleye - Fair: Not many being caught, but reports of some very nice sized fish. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are falling and are 8.8 feet at Rock Island. This is up from last week; conditions should remain favorable for angling this week. 

River levels are rising slowly throughout the district. Water levels are still very conducive to angling! Some ice is still reported in Pool 12 in a few backwaters. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water clarity is poor. Water levels are stable, but will rise with snow melt. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information.  

Decorah District Streams
Catchable trout are stocked in all streams as weather and water conditions permit. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily plans. Plan a trip to your favorite trout stream. Check out this year’s trout stream stocking calendar. Trout country received 6-12 inches of snow. Most snow covered roads should melt quickly when the sun comes out. Fun in snow covered woods continues for hearty trout anglers. Brook Trout - Good: Use a streamer to mimic minnows or subsurface flies like scuds or pheasant tail nymphs. Brown Trout - Good: Melt water and run-off inputs drive Brown Trout into a feeding frenzy. Use small midge, caddis, or flashy streamer patterns. Rainbow Trout - Good: Float a feathered spinner or crankbait past a freshly stocked fish. A piece of worm under a bobber also works in the deeper holes.

Lake Hendricks
Few anglers have been out. 

Lake Meyer
Anglers have not been out. Water is off color with recent snow event and melt water. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is poor. Water levels are up, but currently stable. Conditions could change fast depending on snow melt. Water temperatures were low 40. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are relatively stable, but clarity is poor. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. 

Volga Lake
Few anglers have been out. Docks are in. 

Temperatures reaching upper 50s for highs, dipping into 30's at night. Cooler nights will help slow the snow melt. Our area received 6-12 inches of snow on Wednesday. Turbid conditions on area rivers and streams. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
River levels remain high and muddy. Backwater areas may produce some catfish. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait. 

Heritage Pond
Heritage Pond was stocked last Saturday, April 14th with both rainbow and brook trout. Trout fishing should be good; the weather forecast looks to be more of average seasonal temperatures next week. Brook Trout - Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or similar jigs and spinners. Rainbow Trout - Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or similar jigs and spinners. 

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Reports of anglers catching walleye, smallmouth bass, channel catfish and even an occasional trout on the Maquoketa River in Delaware County. The river remains up a bit, but clarity is not bad. Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait fished on the bottom. 

North Prairie Lake
North Prairie Lake was stocked last Saturday, April 14th with both rainbow and brook trout. Trout fishing should be good; the weather forecast looks to be more of average seasonal temperatures next week.  Brook Trout - Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or similar jigs and spinners. Rainbow Trout - Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or similar jigs and spinners. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River has been high and muddy, but is starting to drop in water levels. No fishing reports for this week. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
No reports on the Wapsipinicon River as the river continues to rise and remains muddy. It may the perfect time to try for some catfish on the backwater areas of the river. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait fished on the bottom. 

Few fishing report this past week as winter will not let go of its grasp. Interior river levels have been on the rise and conditions are muddy with the snow melt. Trout stream stockings continue and streams remain in good condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing has risen nearly a foot with a steady rise predicted this week. Water temperature is 36 degrees. Look for backwaters and areas of lesser current away from the main channel that concentrate fish. Walleye - Slow: Walleye are in spawning mode, but the recent cool down in water temperatures will prolong the spawn. Yellow Perch - Slow: Perch are still in spawning areas along the rocky shorelines and near the tailwaters of the dam. Expect the bite to pick up again once temperatures rise. Sauger - Slow: Sauger are in spawning mode, but the recent cool down in water temperatures will prolong the spawn. Northern Pike - Slow: Pike spawn is ending; anglers report catching some nice pike with live bait. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville has come up several feet to 18.8 feet with a slow steady rise expected.. Water temperature is 36 degrees. Look for backwaters and areas of lesser current away from the main channel that concentrate fish. Walleye- Slow: Walleye are in spawning mode, but the recent cool down in water temperatures will prolong the spawn. Yellow Perch - Slow: Perch are still in spawning areas along the rocky shorelines and near the tailwaters of the dam. Expect the bite to pick up again once temperatures rise. Sauger - Slow: Sauger are in spawning mode, but the recent cool down in water temperatures will prolong the spawn. Northern Pike -  Slow: Pike spawn is ending; anglers report catching some nice pike with live bait.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has risen two feet at 10.3 feet with a slow steady rise this week. The gates are all up at the Lock and Dam. Water temperature is 36 degrees. Look for backwaters and areas of lesser current away from the main channel that concentrate fish. Walleye - Slow: Walleye are in spawning mode, but the recent cool down in water temperatures will prolong the spawn. Yellow Perch - Slow: Perch are still in spawning areas along the rocky shorelines and near the tailwaters of the dam. Expect the bite to pick up again once temperatures rise. Sauger - Slow: Sauger are in spawning mode, but the recent cool down in water temperatures will prolong the spawn. Northern Pike - Slow: Pike spawn is ending; anglers report catching some nice pike with live bait.

The Upper Mississippi River is on the rise with heavy snowfalls and melting. Water clarity is diminishing as levels rise. The bite has slowed with water temperature staying unseasonably cold near 36 degrees. Expect a fast warm-up and increase in fish activity as temperatures rise.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are rising at 9.3 feet at the Dubuque Lock and the RR bridge is 11.5 feet. Levels are up from last week and will continue to rise all week. The channel water temperature is still only around 39 degrees. Yellow Perch - No Report: Some scattered reports of ring perch catches earlier, but not many people out fishing for them. Northern Pike - No Report: The pike spawn is late this year due to the weather; they might be still spawning some. Once done, pike can go on a good bite. Try flashy spinners. Walleye - Slow: Fishing has been good at times for walleye and sauger this spring, but poor weather is limiting activity and slowing the spawning season. Some walleyes may still be spawning. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels at Bellevue are 10.3 feet and rising. Both Bellevue City ramp and the DNR ramp are open, but no courtesy dock is available yet at the DNR ramp. Paddlefish season is over for the year. The channel water temperature is around 40 degrees. Paddlefish - No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Sauger - Slow: Hit or miss. Some reports of sauger being caught. Most are being taken on minnow rigs. Walleye – Slow: Nice slot fish are still being reported, but fishing is slow. Minnow with a jig or pulling crank baits are the most popular strategies. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are rising and are 9.7 feet at Fulton, 12.6 feet at Camanche and 7.3 feet at LeClaire. The water temperature is around 41 degrees. Paddlefish season is now closed for the year. Paddlefish - No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Sauger - Slow: Just not many people out walleye or sauger fishing in the cold weather. Both species are still spawning due to the extended cold water season. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are 9.8 feet at Rock Island. Water levels are up from last week and will be on a steady rise this upcoming week. Conditions are still favorable for angling. 

The River levels will be rising this upcoming week. Water conditions are conducive to angling, but the weather has not been. Paddlefish season is closed for the year.  If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 9.85 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and has been rising the past few days. There has been some walleye and sauger fishing in Sylvan Slough. Sauger - Slow:Some saugers are being caught in Sylvan Slough. Try fishing with jigs and minnows or trolling three-way rigs with stick baits.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 8.29 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has been rising the past few days. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been slow. Sauger - Slow: Try fishing fishing in the tailwaters with jigs and minnows or pulling three-way rigs and stick baits. Walleye - Slow: Look for walleyes in the tailwaters or down by GPC. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with stick baits. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 9.98 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. The gates are out of the water at the dam. River stage is forecasted to reach 11.9 feet over the weekend. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 6.39 feet at Lock and Dam 19 above Burlington and is rising. River stage is forecasted to reach 8.2 feet over the weekend. Flood stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10 feet. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. 

River stages have been on the rise the past few days. Main channel water temperature dropped to 41 degrees; water clarity has been fair. We have not received much for fishing reports this week. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water clarity is improving slowly. Water levels up but stable. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye - No Report: Walleye bite slowed down a lot with rise and low visibility. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch catfish in the impoundments with dead chubs fished on bottom. 

Decorah District Streams
Area trout streams are in good condition. Catchable trout are stocked weekly as weather and water conditions permit. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily plans. Plan a trip to your favorite trout stream. Check out this year’s trout stream stocking calendar. Brook Trout - Good: Use a streamer to mimic minnows or subsurface flies like scuds or pheasant tail nymphs. Brown Trout - Good: Insect hatches are on the rise, especially in the afternoons. Use small midge, caddis, or flashy streamer patterns. Rainbow Trout - Good: Float a feathered spinner or crankbait past a freshly stocked fish. A piece of worm under a bobber also works in the deeper holes.

Lake Hendricks
Ice went off earlier this week. Water levels are up and the water is off color. Black Crappie - No Report: The bite should improve as water temperature warms. 

Lake Meyer
Anglers are out, but the bite is slow. The boat dock is out. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is poor, but improving. Water is bank full, but is currently stable. Water temperatures are rising. White Sucker - Slow: Bite should improve with warmer temperatures. Use worms fished on the bottom. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are relatively stable, but clarity is poor. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. 

Volga Lake
Anglers are enjoying the sun and dunking worms. Docks are in. Black Crappie - Slow: Shallow, warmer areas are more productive. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use a shallow jerk bait with slow retrieve. 

Spring is finally here - just in time for the weekend. Temperatures are reaching low 60s for highs, staying above freezing at night. Turbid and high water levels on area rivers and streams. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
River levels remain high and muddy. Anglers are very well catching channel catfish.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use cut bait. 

Heritage Pond
Heritage Pond was stocked April 14th with both rainbow and brook trout. Trout fishing should be good; the weather forecast looks to be more of average seasonal temperatures next week. Brook Trout - Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or similar jigs and spinners. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or similar jigs and spinners. 

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Reports of anglers catching walleye, smallmouth bass, channel catfish and even an occasional trout on the Maquoketa River in Delaware County. The river remains up a bit, but clarity is not bad. Walleye - Good: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait fished on the bottom. 

North Prairie Lake
Reports of anglers catching trout. Trout fishing should be good; the weather forecast looks to be more of average seasonal temperatures next week.  Brook Trout - Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or similar jigs and spinners. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or similar jigs and spinners. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast artificial crankbaits. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River has been high and muddy, but is starting to drop in water levels. No fishing reports for this week. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
No reports on the Wapsipinicon River as the river continues to rise and remains muddy. It may the perfect time to try for some catfish on the backwater areas of the river. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait fished on the bottom. 

Few fishing report this past week as interior rivers are high and muddy from recent precipitation.  Trout stream stockings continue and streams remain in good condition. There have been few reports of crappie being caught on area lakes. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is still rising at 10.4 feet and is expected to reach 13.4 feet this week.  Water temperature is near 50 degrees. Look for backwaters and areas of lesser current away from the main channel that concentrate fish. Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite should pick up after spawning. Look for alternate areas to fish as the tailwaters have a lot of current.  Yellow Perch - Slow: Perch are still in spawning areas along the rocky shorelines and near the tailwaters of the dam. Expect the bite to pick up again once temperatures rise. Sauger - Slow: Sauger are in spawning mode, but the recent cool down in water temperatures will prolong the spawn. Northern Pike - Slow: Pike spawn is ending; anglers report catching some nice pike with live bait. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville has come up several feet to 20.1 feet with a steady rise to 23.6 feet expected. Water temperature is 51 degrees. Look for backwaters and areas of lesser current away from the main channel that concentrate fish. Walleye- Fair: Walleye bite should pick up after spawning. Look for alternate areas to fish as the tailwaters have a lot of current. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch are still in spawning areas along the rocky shorelines and near the tailwaters of the dam. Expect the bite to pick up again once temperatures rise. Sauger - Fair: Sauger are in spawning mode, but the recent cool down in water temperatures will prolong the spawn. Northern Pike -  Fair: Pike spawn is ending; anglers report catching some nice pike with live bait.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has risen to 11.1 feet with a steady rise to 14.6 feet predicted. The gates are all up at the Lock and Dam. Water temperature is 51 degrees. Look for backwaters and areas of lesser current away from the main channel that concentrate fish. Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite should pick up after spawning. Look for alternate areas to fish as the tailwaters have a lot of current. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch are still in spawning areas along the rocky shorelines and near the tailwaters of the dam. Expect the bite to pick up again once temperatures rise. Sauger - Fair: Sauger are in spawning mode, but the recent cool down in water temperatures will prolong the spawn. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike spawn is ending; anglers report catching some nice pike with live bait.

The Upper Mississippi River is on the rise with snow-melt from up north. Water clarity is diminishing as levels rise. The bite has improved this week with water temperatures jumping into the 50's. Expect a fast warm-up and increase in fish activity as temperatures rise.

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are rising and presently at 9.7 feet at the Dubuque Lock and 11.5 feet at the RR Bridge. Levels are up from last week, and will continue to rise all week. The channel water temperature is around 46 degrees. Yellow Perch - No Report: Some scattered reports of ring perch catches earlier, but not many people out fishing for them. Northern Pike - No Report: The pike spawn is late this year due to the weather; they might be still spawning some. Once done, pike can go on a good bite. Try flashy spinners. Walleye - Fair: Fishing picked up a bit this week. Most anglers are using crankbaits. Some walleyes may still be spawning. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels at Bellevue are 10.8 feet and are rising. Both Bellevue City ramp and the DNR ramp are open, but no courtesy dock is available yet at the DNR ramp. Paddlefish season is over for the year. The channel water temperature is around 48 degrees. Paddlefish - No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Sauger - Slow: Hit or miss. Some reports of sauger being caught. Most are being taken on minnow rigs. Walleye – Fair: Nice slot fish are occasionally reported, but fishing is slow. Pulling crank baits is the most consistent method. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Expect the bite for bass and panfish to really start to pick up this week. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are rising and are 9.7 feet at Fulton, 12.6 feet at Camanche and 7.3 feet at LeClaire. The water temperature is around 50 degrees. Paddlefish season is now closed. Paddlefish - No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Walleye - Slow: Walleye had an extended spawn on the Mississippi River this year. Some are being taken on crankbaits mostly in the tailwater area. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Expect the largemouth bass fishing to really pick up this week. Fish the newly flooded areas in the backwaters as the water rises this week. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are 9.8 feet at Rock Island. Water levels are up from last week and will be on a steady rise this upcoming week. Conditions are still favorable for angling. 

Expect a significant water rise this week throughout the district. Water temperatures have reached 50 degrees in some places. Paddlefish season is closed for the year.  If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 10.71 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and has been rising the past few days. There has been some walleye and sauger fishing in Sylvan Slough. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being caught in Sylvan Slough with jigs and plastics. Try fishing around the outflows by the power dam and Arsenal Dam. White Crappie - Fair: Use waxworms or minnows under a bobber in Sunset Marina. Bluegill - Fair: Use waxworms under a bobber in Sunset Marina. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 9.46 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has been rising the past few days. River stage is forecasted to reach 12.3 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. Walleye - Slow: Look for walleyes in the tailwaters or down by GPC. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with stick baits. White Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Use jigs and plastics or minnows under a bobber in Big Timber or Cleveland Slough. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 11.27 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. The gates are out of the water at the dam. River stage is forecasted to reach 13.6 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. White Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber around brush piles. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 7.47 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising. River stage is forecasted to reach 9 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10 feet. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. 

River stages have been on the rise the past few days. Main channel water temperature has risen to 52-53 degrees. We have not received much for fishing reports this week. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water clarity is off-color, but should improve with fewer inputs. Water temperatures range from mid 50's to low 60's. Water levels are up, but stable. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye - Fair: A variety of lures and baits are working; many anglers are using worms. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch catfish in the impoundments with dead chubs fished on bottom. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Nice sized smallies are finding their way to the creel. A variety of tackle is working; use a slow retrieve as the water is cold. 

Decorah District Streams
It is turkey hunting season. Respect hunters and their sport. Avoid wearing red, blue and white colors. Catchable trout are stocked weekly as weather and water conditions permit. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily plans. Plan a trip to your favorite trout stream. Check out this year’s trout stream stocking calendar. Brook Trout - Good: A variety of insects are hatching, especially on warm sunny afternoons. Match the hatch, but use care not to spook a feeding fish.  Brown Trout - Good: Blue wing olive, midge, and stonefly hatches are occurring; some exceptional lately. Use blue wing olive, hendrickson, gnat, or beadhead nymph patterns and watch the water boil.  Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank.

Lake Hendricks
Water levels are up and water is off-color. Water temperatures in shallow areas are in the low 60's. Black Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try a jerkbait or spinner retrieved slowly in shallow areas. Channel Catfish - Fair:  Use a worm or smashed minnow along a windblown shoreline. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline. 

Lake Meyer
Anglers are out as the bite improves. The boat dock is in. Bluegill - Fair: Use a hook tipped with a worm in shallow water. Black Crappie - Fair: Try a hook tipped with a worm or small spinner bait along a rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Jigs tipped with a variety of plastics or a jerk bait catch bass; fish shallow bays for best luck. Northern Pike - Fair: Use a nightcrawler fished along the shallow weedy bays. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is off-color, but should improve with fewer inputs. Water levels are relatively stable. Water temperatures are in the mid 50's. Walleye - Fair: Bring an assortment of tackle to find what works best for your location and time of day. White Sucker - Fair: Sucker bite should improve with warmer temperatures. Use worms fished on bottom. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are relatively stable but clarity is limited. Conditions should improve as weather calms. Visit USGS Current Water Data website for more information at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt. Walleye - Fair: With warmer temperatures, fish are moving to find suitable areas for spawning. Use worms or spinners. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use jerkbaits or jigs tipped with natural colored twister tail; slow down your retrieve. White Sucker - Good: Worms fished off the bottom work for a hungry sucker. 

Volga Lake
Anglers are enjoying the sun and dunking worms. Water temperatures are in the upper 50's. Docks are in. Black Crappie - Fair: Shallow, warmer areas are more productive. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use a jerkbait in shallow water with a slow retrieve. Channel Catfish - Good: Find catfish shallow in evening. Use worm or smashed minnow fished on the bottom. 

Be prepared for rainy weather this weekend. Temperatures are reaching mid 70s for highs and mid 40's for lows. Water clarity is improving after the rain. Water levels on area rivers and streams are steady or falling after rain earlier in week. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Reports of anglers catching largemouth bass. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try topwater spinner baits or sinking plastic baits. 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
River levels have receded, but there is more rain on the way. Anglers had good reports of crappie, channel catfish and smallmouth bass this past week. Channel Catfish - Good: Use cutbait. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast and retrieve crankbaits. Black Crappie - Good: Cast tube jigs or minnow under a bobber on backwater areas near structure. 

George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching nice largemouth bass. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try topwater spinner baits or sinking plastic baits. 

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Reports of anglers catching walleye, smallmouth bass, channel catfish and even an occasional trout on the Maquoketa River in Delaware County. Walleye - Good: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait fished on the bottom. 

North Prairie Lake
Reports of anglers catching trout. Trout fishing should be good; the weather forecast looks to be more of average seasonal temperatures next week.  Brook Trout - Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or similar jigs and spinners. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or similar jigs and spinners. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast artificial crankbaits. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
No fishing reports for this week. 

South Prairie Lake
Anglers are starting to catch bluegill and crappie. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing a piece of worm under a slip bobber near vegetation. Black Crappie - Fair: Cast colored tube jigs or fish a minnow under a slip bobber three to six feet down near vegetation. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
No reports on the Wapsipinicon River as tthe river continues to stay at higher flows. It may the perfect time to try for some catfish on the backwater areas of the river. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait fished on the bottom. 

Few fishing report this past week with the variable weather. Anglers are starting to catch largemouth bass on area lakes. Trout stream stockings continue and streams remain in good condition. There have been few reports of crappie being caught on area lakes. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is is up 4 feet this week at 14.1 feet and is expected to reach 14.7 feet this weekend before slowly receding. Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite should pick up after spawning. Look for alternate areas to fish as the tailwaters have a lot of current.  Yellow Perch - Slow: Perch are still in spawning areas along the rocky shorelines and near the tailwaters of the dam. Expect the bite to pick up again once temperatures rise. Sauger - Slow: Sauger are in spawning mode, but the recent cool down in water temperatures will prolong the spawn. Northern Pike - Slow: Pike spawn is ending; anglers report catching some nice pike with live bait. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville has come up another 4 feet with a steady rise to 25.1 feet expected next week. Gates have been raised at the Lock and Dam. Boat ramps are under water. Water temperature is 55 degrees. Walleye- Fair: Walleye bite should pick up after spawning. Look for alternate areas to fish as the tailwaters have a lot of current. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch are still in spawning areas along the rocky shorelines and near the tailwaters of the dam. Expect the bite to pick up again once temperatures rise. Sauger - Fair: Sauger are in spawning mode, but the recent cool down in water temperatures will prolong the spawn. Northern Pike -  Fair: Pike spawn is over; anglers report catching some nice pike with live bait. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has risen to 15.4 feet and is predicted to crest around 16 feet this week. The gates are all up at the Lock and Dam. Water temperature is 52 degrees. Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite should pick up after spawning. Look for alternate areas to fish as the tailwaters have a lot of current. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch are still in spawning areas along the rocky shorelines and near the tailwaters of the dam. Expect the bite to pick up again once temperatures rise. Sauger - Fair: Sauger are in spawning mode, but the recent cool down in water temperatures will prolong the spawn. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike spawn is over; anglers report catching some nice pike with live bait. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. 

The Upper Mississippi River is in moderate flood stage and is expected to crest next week. Boat ramps are under water and difficult to access. Many shore anglers are having success along flooded shorelines this week. Water temperatures are in the mid 50's. 

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are rising and presently at 15.6 feet at the Dubuque Lock and 17.4 feet at the RR Bridge. This is at minor to moderate flooding stages. Levels are up from last week and will continue to rise all week. The channel water temperature is around 57 degrees. White Bass - Fair: Some white bass were being caught on spinners before the high rising water levels. Common Carp - No Report: Later in the week, expect good conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas. Look for hot sunny days to rapidly warm flooded waters. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels at Bellevue are 15.3 feet and are rising. Bellevue is presently in the flood action stage. The Bellevue City ramp is available for use, but the DNR ramp is under water. The channel water temperature is around 59 degrees. White Bass - Fair: Some white bass and smallmouth bass were being taken along flooded rocky areas with spinners. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Lots of anglers will pursue bass in the big flooded expanses of some of Pool 13’s largest backwater complexes such as Spring Lake. Common Carp - No Report: Later in the week, expect good conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas. Look for hot sunny days to rapidly warm flooded waters. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are rising and are 14.5 feet at Fulton, 16.3 feet at Camanche and 9.9 feet at LeClaire. These levels are at minor flooding action stages.The water temperature is around 60 degrees. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Fish the newly flooded areas in the backwaters as the water rises this week. Common Carp - No Report: Later in the week, expect good conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas. Look for hot sunny days to rapidly warm flooded waters. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
As of May 9, water levels are receding. Baring more rain, water levels should stabilize, but clarity remains poor. Water temperatures range from mid 50's to low 60's. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Channel Catfish - Slow: Catch catfish in the impoundments with dead chubs fished on bottom. 

Decorah District Streams
It's turkey hunting season. Respect hunters and their sport. Avoid wearing red, blue and white colors. Catchable trout are stocked weekly as weather and water conditions permit. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily plans. Area trout stream flows remain high with continued rain. Streams with better watersheds will clear faster.  Brook Trout - Fair: A variety of insects are hatching, especially on warm sunny afternoons. Match the hatch, but try not to spook a feeding fish.  Brown Trout - Fair: Blue wing olive, midge, and stonefly hatches are occurring; some exceptional lately. Use blue wing olive, hendrickson, gnat, or beadhead nymph patterns and watch the water boil.  Rainbow Trout - Fair: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank.

Lake Hendricks
Water levels are up and water is off-color. Water temperatures in shallow areas are in the low 60's. Black Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try a jerkbait or spinner retrieved slowly in shallow areas. Channel Catfish - Fair:  Use a worm or smashed minnow along a windblown shoreline. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline. 

Lake Meyer
Anglers are out as the bite and weather improves. The boat dock is in. Bluegill - Excellent: Use a hook tipped with a worm in shallow water. Black Crappie - Excellent: Try a hook tipped with a worm or small spinner bait along a rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Jigs tipped with a variety of plastics or a jerk bait catch bass; fish shallow bays for best luck. Northern Pike - Fair: Use a nightcrawler fished along the shallow weedy bays. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity remains poor. Water temperatures are in the mid 50's. Water levels are stabilizing after rain. Paddling activities are not recommended. Walleye - No Report: Bring an assortment of tackle to find what works best for your location and time of day. White Sucker - Slow: Sucker bite should improve with warmer temperatures. Use worms fished on bottom. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
As of May, water levels are receding and should continue baring additional rain this weekend. Clarity remains poor. Paddling is not recommended.  Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for  for more information. White Sucker - Slow: Worms fished off the bottom work for a hungry sucker. 

Volga Lake
Anglers are enjoying the sun and dunking worms. Water temperatures are in the low 60's. Docks are in. Black Crappie - Fair: Shallow, warmer areas are more productive. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use a jerkbait in shallow water with a slow retrieve. Channel Catfish - Good: Find catfish shallow in evening. Use worm or smashed minnow fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Find gills along shallow rocky areas. Use small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm. 

As of May 9, the Decorah Management area continues to receive rain. Rivers and streams are high and muddy; most have crested. Be prepared for rainy weather this weekend. Temperatures will reach the upper 60s for highs and mid 40's for lows.For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Reports of anglers catching largemouth bass and bluegill. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try topwater spinner baits or sinking plastic baits. Bluegill - Fair: Use a piece of worm under a slip bobber at various depths. 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
No reports this week as the Cedar River remains high and muddy. 

George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching nice largemouth bass. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try topwater spinner baits or sinking plastic baits. 

Harold Getty Lake
Reports of anglers catching crappie. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing a crappie minnow under a slip bobber at various depths or cast and retrieve colored tube jigs. 

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Reports of anglers catching walleye, smallmouth bass, channel catfish and even an occasional trout on the Maquoketa River in Delaware County. Walleye - Good: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait fished on the bottom. 

North Prairie Lake
Reports of anglers catching trout. Trout fishing should be good; the weather forecast looks to be more of average seasonal temperatures next week.  Brook Trout - Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or similar jigs and spinners. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or similar jigs and spinners. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast artificial crankbaits. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
No fishing reports for this week. 

South Prairie Lake
Anglers are starting to catch bluegill and crappie. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing a piece of worm under a slip bobber near vegetation. Black Crappie - Fair: Cast colored tube jigs or fish a minnow under a slip bobber three to six feet down near vegetation. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
No reports on the Wapsipinicon River as the river continues to stay high and muddy. 

Few fishing report this past week with the variable weather. Anglers are starting to catch largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie on area lakes. Trout stream stockings continue and streams remain in good condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing remains around  14 feet this week and will slowly recede to around 11 feet next week. The Lansing Village Creek ramp and parking lot will be closed for construction starting July 5th. For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Slow: Walleye bite has slowed; high water makes for difficult fishing. Yellow Perch - Fair. Sauger - Slow. Northern Pike - Fair. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on topwaters and crankbaits in warm shallow bays and marina areas out of the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Warm water temperatures and slowly receding flood waters will have smallmouth working the rocky shorelines. Toss inline spinners along rock points.

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 24.7 feet at Lynxville with a slow fall expected next week. Gates remain raised at the Lock and Dam. Boat ramps are still flooded.  Water temperature is 62 degrees. Walleye- Slow: Walleye bite has slowed; high water makes for difficult fishing. Yellow Perch - Fair. Northern Pike -  Fair. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on topwaters and crankbaits in warm shallow bays and marina areas out of the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Warm water temperatures and slowly receding flood waters will have smallmouth working the rocky shorelines. Toss inline spinners along rock points. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg will crest around 16 feet and slowly recede.The gates remain up at the Lock and Dam. Water temperature is 59 degrees. Walleye - No Report: Walleye bite has slowed; high water makes for difficult fishing. Yellow Perch - Fair. Northern Pike - Fair. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on topwaters and crankbaits in warm shallow bays and marina areas out of the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Warm water temperatures and slowly receding flood waters will have smallmouth working the rocky shorelines. Toss inline spinners along rock points. 

The Upper Mississippi River will crest this week then slowly recede. Boat ramps are under water and difficult to access. Many shore anglers are having success along flooded shorelines this week. Water temperature has jumped to 60's. 

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are 17.4 feet at the Dubuque Lock and 19.3 feet at the RR Bridge. This is at moderate flooding stages. Levels have peaked and are predicted to slowly fall. The channel water temperature is around 60 degrees. White Bass - No Report: Some white bass were being caught on spinners before the flooding conditions. Common Carp - No Report: Conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas look good. You can find carp and other rough fish thrashing about on hot sunny days. Channel Catfish - No Report: Catfish like flooded water. Fish worms in shallow water near shore along freshly flooded banks.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels at Bellevue are 17.4 feet; the water is cresting. Bellevue is presently in the flood action stage. The Bellevue City ramp is available for use, but the DNR ramp is under water. The channel water temperature is around 61 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Good: Lots of anglers will pursue bass in the big flooded expanses of some of Pool 13’s largest backwater complexes such as Spring Lake. Common Carp - No Report: Conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas look good. You can find carp and other rough fish thrashing about on hot sunny days. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are cresting at 17.5 feet at Fulton, 19 feet at Camanche and 12.3 feet at LeClaire. These levels are at moderate flooding action stages.The water temperature is around 63 degrees. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Fish the newly flooded areas in the backwaters as the water rises this week. Common Carp - No Report: Conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas look good. You can find carp and other rough fish thrashing about on hot sunny days. Channel Catfish - No Report: Fish worms near the shore as catfish feed along newly flooded shorelines. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels continue to fall and clarity is improving. Baring more rain, water levels should stabilize. Water temperatures are in the mid 60's. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye - Good: Bite improves toward evening. Use a jig tipped with a crawler, minnow or twister tail. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch catfish in the impoundments with dead chubs fished on bottom. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use a variety of jigs or spinners near brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are keying into shallow rocky shorelines. Use small jigs tipped with twister tail or minnow. Bluegill – Fair. 

Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are in good condition, but flows remain elevated. Family friendly locations abound. A light spinning rod/reel combo is a perfect set up for beginning trout anglers. Catchable trout are stocked weekly as weather and water conditions permit. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily plans. Area trout stream clarity is greatly improved. Flows remain elevated. Brook Trout - Good: A variety of insects are hatching. Match the hatch, but try not to spook a feeding fish.  Brown Trout - Good: Blue wing olive, midge, and stonefly hatches are occurring; some exceptional lately. Use blue wing olive, hendrickson, gnat, or beadhead nymph patterns and watch the water boil.  Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits also work.

Lake Hendricks
Excellent shoreline access; aquatic vegetation is relatively low. Black Crappie - Good: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish along edges of vegetation for a cruising bass. Channel Catfish - Fair:  Use a worm or smashed minnow along a windblown shoreline. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline. 

Lake Meyer
Perfect time to enjoy being on the water with family. Lake Meyer is fishing well. Bluegill - Excellent: Use a hook tipped with a worm in shallow water. Black Crappie - Excellent: Try a hook tipped with a worm or small spinner bait along a rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Jigs tipped with a variety of plastics or a jerk bait catch bass; fish shallow bays for best luck. Northern Pike - Fair: Use a nightcrawler fished along the shallow weedy bays. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is much improved. Water temperatures are in the low 60's. Water levels are falling. Flows remain up. Use care when paddling as strainers and snags may have moved. Walleye - Good: Bring an assortment of tackle to find what works best for your location and time of day. White Sucker - Excellent: Use worms fished on bottom. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are falling baring additional rainfall this weekend. Clarity is excellent. Use care when paddling. Flows remain elevated. Submersed hazards increase with falling water levels. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Walleye - Good: Cast bright colored jigs and twister tails near undercut banks and log jams. Best fishing is toward dusk. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinners around tributaries. Light colored jigs and crankbaits work best. Fish 10-12 inches common. White Sucker - Good: Worms fished off the bottom work for a hungry sucker. 

Volga Lake
Many water related activities available in the Volga River Recreation area. Explore the park. Water temperatures are in the mid 60's. Black Crappie - Good: Shallow, rocky, warmer areas are more productive. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use a jerkbait in shallow water with a slow retrieve. Channel Catfish - Good: Find catfish shallow in evening. Use worm or smashed minnow fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Find gills along shallow rocky areas. Use small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm. 

Area rivers and streams continue to improve. Summer is coming early to northeast Iowa; temperatures in the upper 80s for highs to mid 60's for lows and very humid. Rain potential present daily. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Reports of anglers catching largemouth bass and bluegill. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try topwater spinner baits or sinking plastic baits. Bluegill - Excellent: Use a piece of worm under a bobber. Cast out and retrieve slowly over bluegill spawning beds.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
There have been a few reports of anglers catching catfish on the Cedar River, but the river remains high yet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try dead cutbaits or stinkbait fished on the bottom. 

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Reports of anglers catching walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait, nightcrawler or stinkbait fished on the bottom. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
No fishing reports for this week. 

South Prairie Lake
Anglers are starting to catch bluegill and crappie. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing a piece of worm under a slip bobber near vegetation. Black Crappie - Fair: Cast colored tube jigs or fish a minnow under a slip bobber 3 to 6 feet down near vegetation. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
No reports on the Wapsipinicon River as the river continues to stay high and muddy. 

Fishing reports have been good on most interior rivers and area lakes for most all gamefish. Trout stream stockings continue and streams remain in good condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 9.4 feet at Lansing. Water temperature is near 66 degrees. New Albin ramp road is expected to reopen this week. The Lansing Village Creek ramp and parking lot will be closed for construction starting July 5th. For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Fair: Expect walleye to settle in on the closing dams and wing dams as the river falls and stabilizes in the next week or two. Yellow Perch - Fair: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Fair: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on topwaters and crankbaits in warm shallow bays and marina areas out of the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Warm water temperatures and slowly receding flood waters will have smallmouth working the rocky shorelines. Toss inline spinners along rock points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs or a plain hook tipped with a crappie minnow along the trees in backwater lakes. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville has fallen to 19.3 feet with a steady fall to 17 feet expected next week. Gates remain raised at the Lock and Dam. Water temperature is 66 degrees. Walleye- Slow: Expect walleye to settle in on the closing dams and wing dams as the river falls and stabilizes in the next week or two. Yellow Perch - Fair: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Fair: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike -  Fair: Northern are feeding along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on topwaters and crankbaits in warm shallow bays and marina areas out of the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Warm water temperatures and slowly receding flood waters will have smallmouth working the rocky shorelines. Toss inline spinners along rock points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs or a plain hook tipped with a crappie minnow along the trees in backwater lakes.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has receded several feet this week at 10.9 feet with predictions to reach 9 feet late next week. The gates remain up at the Lock and Dam. Water temperature is 61 degrees at the dam. Walleye - No Report: Expect walleye to settle in on the closing dams and wing dams as the river falls and stabilizes in the next week or two. Yellow Perch - Fair: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Fair: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. Try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on topwaters and crankbaits in warm shallow bays and marina areas out of the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Warm water temperatures and slowly receding flood waters will have smallmouth working the rocky shorelines. Toss inline spinners along rock points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Black Crappie - Good: Fish small jigs or a plain hook tipped with a crappie minnow along the trees in backwater lakes. 

The Upper Mississippi River levels are on a steady decline this week. Warmer water temperatures in the upper 60's have many species of fish active. Use caution at ramps to avoid remaining mud and flood debris.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are 11.3 feet at the Dubuque Lock and 13.5 feet at the RR Bridge. The flooding is over and the river is dropping fast. The channel water temperature is around 64 degrees. White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are biting on spinners. Common Carp - Fair: Conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas look good. Find carp and other rough fish thrashing about on hot sunny days. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Both channel cat and flatheads like flooded water. Fish worms in shallow water near shore along freshly flooded banks. Bluegill - Fair: Reports of some bluegills being caught on worms in near shore flooded areas. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing for smallies along rock current lines is getting to be real productive. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels at Bellevue are 12.7 feet and are dropping fast. Bellevue is presently out of flood action stage. The Bellevue City ramp is available for use, but the DNR ramp is being cleaned but may have debris on it. The channel water temperature is around 65 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Anglers are after large bass in the big flooded expanses of some of Pool 13’s largest backwater complexes such as Spring Lake and Browns Lake. Some bass are being caught out of Middle Sabula Lake and Green Island. Common Carp - Excellent: Conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas are perfect. Find carp and other rough fish thrashing about on hot sunny days in Green Island and Middle Sabula Lakes. Please take fish with you; don’t leave them on the bank. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers will start to target channel cats along rock lines soon as they begin to spawn. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are cresting 12.6 feet at Fulton, 15 feet at Camanche and 8.9 feet at LeClaire. Levels are dropping fast. The water temperature is around 67 degrees. Some ramps may still have debris on them. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Flooding made access to bass fishing difficult last week, but fishing for bass should really pick up the next few weeks. Common Carp - No Report: Conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas look good. Find carp and other rough fish thrashing about on hot sunny days. Channel Catfish - No Report: Fish worms near the shore as catfish feed along newly flooded shorelines. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels continue to fall and clarity is improving. Baring more rain, water levels should stabilize. Water temperatures are in the mid 70's. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye - Good: Bite improves toward evening. Use a jig tipped with a crawler, minnow or twister tail. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch catfish in the impoundments with dead chubs fished on bottom. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use a variety of jigs or spinners near brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are keying into shallow rocky shorelines. Use small jigs tipped with twister tail or minnow. Bluegill – Fair. 

Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are in good condition, but flows remain high. Family friendly locations abound. A light spinning rod/reel combo is a perfect set up for beginning trout anglers. Catchable trout are stocked weekly as weather and water conditions permit. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily plans. Area trout stream clarity is greatly improved. Flows remain elevated. Brook Trout - Good: A variety of insects are hatching. Match the hatch, but try not to spook a feeding fish.  Brown Trout - Good: Blue wing olive, midge, and stonefly hatches are occurring; some exceptional lately. Use blue wing olive, hendrickson, gnat, or beadhead nymph patterns and watch the water boil.  Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits also work.

Lake Hendricks
Excellent shoreline access; aquatic vegetation is relatively low. Black Crappie - Good: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish along edges of vegetation for a cruising bass. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a worm under a bobber in the later evening. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline. 

Lake Meyer
Perfect time to enjoy being on the water with family. Lake Meyer is fishing well with water temperatures in the mid to upper 70's. Bluegill - Excellent: Use a hook tipped with a worm in shallow water. Black Crappie - Excellent: Try a hook tipped with a worm or small spinner bait along a rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use buzz or spinner baits. Northern Pike - Fair: Use a nightcrawler fished along the shallow weedy bays. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is much improved. Water temperatures are in the low 70's. Water levels are falling. Flows remain up. Use care when paddling as strainers and snags may have moved. Walleye - Good: Bring an assortment of tackle to find what works best for your location and time of day. White Sucker - Excellent: Use worms fished on bottom. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are falling baring additional rainfall this weekend. Clarity is excellent. Use care when paddling. Flows remain high. Submersed hazards increase with falling water levels. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Walleye - Good: Cast bright colored jigs and twister tails near undercut banks and log jams. Best fishing is toward dusk. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinners around tributaries. Light colored jigs and crankbaits work best. Fish 10-12 inches common. White Sucker - Good: Worms fished off the bottom work for a hungry sucker. 

Volga Lake
Many water related activities available in the Volga River Recreation area. Explore the park. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70's. Black Crappie - Good: Shallow, rocky, warmer areas are more productive. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use top water lures in shallow water. Channel Catfish - Good: Find catfish shallow in early morning or late night. Use worm or smashed minnow fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm along shallow rocky areas. Common Carp - Good: Anglers are doing well in shallow bays at night. 

Area rivers and streams continue to improve. Temperatures somewhat cooler in the upper 70s for highs and humid. Rain potential present daily. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Reports of anglers catching largemouth bass and bluegill. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try topwater spinner baits or sinking plastic baits. Bluegill - Good: Use a piece of worm under a bobber. Cast out and retrieve slowly over bluegill spawning beds.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports of anglers having success catching walleye, smallmouth bass, channel catfish and some northern pike on the Cedar River. Channel Catfish - Good: Try dead cutbaits stinkbait or nightcrawlers fished on the bottom. Walleye - Good: Fish the usual jig tipped with half a nightcrawler. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast artificial lures in rocky shorelines. Northern Pike - Fair: Cast larger spinner baits in backwater areas or submerged wood. 

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Reports of anglers catching walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait, nightcrawler or stinkbait fished on the bottom. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
There have been few reports from the Shell Rock this past week, but anglers should expect success with walleye and smallmouth bass. Walleye - Fair: Fish the usual jig tipped with half a nightcrawler. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast artificial lures in rocky shorelines. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
No reports this past week as the river has stayed high this past spring and early summer. Expect fair to good action on walleye and smallmouth bass.

Fishing reports have been good on most interior rivers and area lakes for most all gamefish. Trout stream stockings continue and streams remain in good condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 8.6 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain stable. Water temperature is near 78 degrees. New Albin ramp road is open this week. The Lansing Village Creek ramp and parking lot will be closed for construction starting July 5th. For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Fair: Expect walleye to settle in on the closing dams and wing dams as the river falls and stabilizes in the next week or two. Yellow Perch - Fair: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Fair: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on topwaters and crankbaits in warm shallow bays and marina areas out of the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Warm water temperatures and slowly receding flood waters will have smallmouth working the rocky shorelines. Toss inline spinners along rock points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs or a plain hook tipped with a crappie minnow along the trees in backwater lakes. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill have moved into the shallows for spawning. Use light tackle tipped with a garden worm. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville is stabilizing around 17.3 feet. Gates are in at the Lock and Dam. Water temperature is 77 degrees at the Lock 9. Walleye- Fair: Expect walleye to settle in on the closing dams and wing dams as the river falls and stabilizes in the next week or two. Yellow Perch - Fair: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Fair: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike -  Fair: Northern are feeding along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on topwaters and crankbaits in warm shallow bays and marina areas out of the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Warm water temperatures and slowly receding flood waters will have smallmouth working the rocky shorelines. Toss inline spinners along rock points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs or a plain hook tipped with a crappie minnow along the trees in backwater lakes. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill have moved into the shallows for spawning. Use light tackle tipped with a garden worm. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has stabilized near 8.8 feet. The gates are in at the Lock and Dam. Water temperature is 73 degrees at the dam. Walleye - Fair: Expect walleye to settle in on the closing dams and wing dams as the river falls and stabilizes in the next week or two. Yellow Perch - Fair: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Fair: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Good: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. Try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on topwaters and crankbaits in warm shallow bays and marina areas out of the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Warm water temperatures and slowly receding flood waters will have smallmouth working the rocky shorelines. Toss inline spinners along rock points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Black Crappie - Good: Fish small jigs or a plain hook tipped with a crappie minnow along the trees in backwater lakes. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill have moved into the shallows for spawning. Use light tackle tipped with a garden worm. 

The Upper Mississippi River levels are stable this week. Water temperatures have soared into the upper 70's in the main channel and 80's in backwaters. Flood debris is still present, but water clarity is improving. With record heat, look for fish in deeper cooler water with some current.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are 8.64 feet at the Dubuque Lock and 10.87 feet at the RR Bridge. The flooding is over and the river is dropping fast. The channel water temperature is around 75 degrees. White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are biting on spinners. Common Carp - Fair: Conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas look good. Find carp and other rough fish thrashing about on hot sunny days. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Both channel cat and flatheads like flooded water. Fish worms in shallow water near shore along freshly flooded banks. Bluegill - Good: Reports of some bluegills being caught on worms near shore and by structure in the back waters. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing for smallies along rock current lines is getting to be real productive. 

 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are on the rise with poor visibility. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Watercraft activities are not recommended.
 Walleye - Slow: Use a jig tipped with a crawler, minnow or twister tail. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch catfish in the impoundments with dead chubs or chicken liver fished on the bottom. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Use a variety of jigs or spinners near brush piles. Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie are keying into shallow rocky shorelines. Use small jigs tipped with twister tail or minnow. 

Decorah District Streams
Yellow wild parsnip is blooming. Wear long sleeved clothing when walking through it to prevent skin contact. Flows are up and most streams are muddy after rains on 6/26.
Catchable trout are stocked weekly as weather and water conditions permit. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily plans. Brook Trout - Fair: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are more numerous. Use care not to spook a feeding fish. Brown Trout - Fair: Hendrickson, caddis, and cranefly hatches occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson, gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black, brown, and grey colors work best. Try using terrestrial patterns for crickets and ants. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits also work.

Lake Hendricks
Water is stained green with vegetation around the boat dock. Limited visibility.  Black Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Anglers are finding large numbers of small fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinnerbaits and soft plastics along edges of vegetation. Bluegill - Good: Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline. 

Lake Meyer
Lake Meyer has about 1 feet visibility. Water is stained a brown color. Fish activity is variable. Bluegill - Fair: Use a hook tipped with a worm in shallow water along vegetated edges. Black Crappie - Slow: Try a hook tipped with a worm or small spinner bait along a rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use buzz or spinner baits in shallow bays and along weed edges. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity poor. Water levels are rising. Watercraft activities are not recommended. Walleye - No Report: Bring an assortment of tackle to find what works best for your location and time of day. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are rising with poor visibility. Watercraft activities are not recommended. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Walleye - No Report: Cast bright colored jigs and twister tails near undercut banks and log jams. Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Use spinners around tributaries. Light colored jigs and crankbaits work best. 

Volga Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Find fish near submersed structure or in open water. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater lures around structure. Channel Catfish - Fair: Find catfish shallow in early morning or late night. Use worm, chicken liver, or cut bait fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm along shallow rocky areas. Common Carp - Good: Fish the shallow bays at night using bright lights and bows. 

As of 6/26, rain over saturated ground is causing area water bodies to rise and turn muddy. Clearing by the weekend, but high humidity could pop-up more showers. Temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s for highs over weekend. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Big Woods Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Slow. Black Crappie – Slow. 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Vegetation has become abundant around lake edges, so adjust strategies to fish over or through plants. Largemouth Bass – Size has been good. Bluegill – Good. Channel Catfish - Good: 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is running at 16,900 CFS as of June 28 in Waterloo or about 4 times above median flow. These flows are creating difficult conditions for smallmouth bass and walleye, but channel catfish action has been good at times. Smallmouth Bass – Slow. Walleye – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair.

George Wyth Lake
George Wyth Park is subject to closure during Cedar River flood events. The ramp and lake access are open as of June 28. Bluegill - Fair: Small fish with good catch rates. Black Crappie - Fair: Small fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

Manchester District Streams
Trout streams go up fast and fall more quickly than rivers following rain events. Watch weather reports as you plan your trout fishing trips. Brown trout fishing can be excellent in slightly high and turbid water conditions. Trout stocking has continued mostly as planned during the week of June 25 - 29. Brown Trout – Fair. Brook Trout – Good. Rainbow Trout – Good.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River at Manchester is flowing at about 475 CFS as of June 28 or about twice median flow for this time of year. These high water conditions are creating difficult conditions for fishin, but the Maquoketa is starting to clear and is fishable at current levels. With limited rainfall during the next few days, it is expected that the Maquoketa River could provide good fishing during the upcoming weekend and 4th of July holiday. Watch the rainfall and river levels. Smallmouth Bass – Slow. Walleye – Slow. Channel Catfish – Slow. 

Plainfield
Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

South Prairie Lake
Vegetation has become abundant; adjust strategies accordingly, including topwater baits and "weedless" baits. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater baits. Bluegill – Slow. Black Crappie - Slow.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River at Independence has a flow of about 3800 CFS as of June 28; this water discharge rate is about 5 times above median levels for this time of year. Fishing has been limited. Northern Pike – Slow. Smallmouth Bass – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair.

Weather continues to impact fishing success and opportunities in east-central Iowa with heavy rainfall causing high water conditions on all area rivers. Summer fishing opportunities including channel catfish and largemouth bass are available where conditions are fit. Trout streams are providing excellent fishing in between storm events. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is up 4 feet from last week at 14.7 feet. Levels are predicted to gradually fall to 12 feet by late next week. Water temperature is near 76° degrees. New Albin ramp road is closed due to high water. The Lansing Village Creek ramp and parking lot construction is expected to start July 30 and the ramp will be closed through October. For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water. Some walleye are being picked up bottom bouncing crawlers on side channel and bottom structure Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Slow: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding in the vegetation along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use a large shiner or sunfish in deeper holes. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom in current eddies. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in the current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill will move out of the heavy floodwaters current. Look for them in the lilly pads in protected backwater lakes. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville jumped 5 feet from last week to 624.2 feet. The River is cresting and a slow fall is predicted. Water temperature is 76 degrees at the Lock 9. Walleye- Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water. Some walleyes are being picked up bottom bouncing crawlers on side channel and bottom structure. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Slow: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding in the vegetation along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use a large shiner or sunfish in deeper holes. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a crawler fished on the bottom in current eddies. Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in the current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill will move out of the heavy floodwaters current. Look for them in the lilly pads in protected backwater lakes. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg is cresting at around 15 feet this week. A slow fall is expected over the next week. Water temperature is 71 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water. Some walleyes are being picked up bottom bouncing crawlers on side channel and bottom structure. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Slow: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use a large shiner or sunfish in deeper. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in the current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill will move out of the heavy floodwaters current. Look for them in the lilly pads in protected backwater lakes. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Upper Mississippi River is cresting this week with gradual fall predicted. Most ramps are currently under water. Water temperature is in the mid 70's.

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels will rise to minor and moderate flood stages by this weekend. Presently levels are 16.3 feet at the Dubuque Lock and 18.2 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is turbid. The channel water temperature is around 75 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: In flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are being reported out of nearly every section of Pool 12. Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flatheads are in the midst of their spawning period and often the bite temporarily slows for a bit. Anglers are mostly using green sunfish for bait. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Pool 13 will experience minor flooding as water will crest by this weekend. Water level presently is 18.2 feet. Many smaller boat ramps are flooded. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. The water is turbid. The channel water temperature is around 75 degrees.Channel Catfish - Good: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Flathead Catfish - Good: Use live chubs, green sunfish or bullheads in deep holes or above large brush piles. The flathead spawning period is underway. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels will crest by this weekend; expect minor to moderate flooding. Presently levels are near 16.5 feet near Fulton, 18.2 feet at Camanche and 11.4 feet at LeClaire. The water temperature is around 76 degrees. Water clarity is poor. Channel Catfish - Good: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Find fish near the shoreline in flooded conditions. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels should crest by Monday. Expect smaller boat ramps to be flooded. Presently the water is 17 feet at Rock Island. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is near 76 degrees. Channel Catfish - No Report: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - No Report: Use an egg sinker and worm rig and fish near shore in flooded conditions. Drum will use freshly washed in food in newly flooded habitats. 

Expect water to crest this weekend at various flood stages throughout the district. Many boat ramps will be out of operation. Water clarity is generally turbid. Lots of debris is floating in the channel. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are falling with improved visibility. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Watercraft activities are not recommended.
 Walleye - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a crawler, minnow or twister tail. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch catfish in the impoundments with dead chubs or chicken liver fished on the bottom. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use a variety of jigs or spinners near brush piles. Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie are keying into shallow rocky shorelines. Use small jigs tipped with twister tail or minnow. 

Decorah District Streams
Yellow wild parsnip is blooming. Wear long sleeved clothing when walking through it to prevent skin contact. Flows remain high, but most can be fished. Catchable trout are stocked weekly as weather and water conditions permit. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily information. Brook Trout - Fair: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are more numerous. Use care not to spook a feeding fish. Brown Trout - Fair: Hendrickson, caddis, and cranefly hatches are occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson, gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black, brown, and grey colors work best. Try using terrestrial patterns for crickets and ants. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits also work.

Lake Hendricks
Water is stained green with vegetation around the boat dock. Limited visibility.  Black Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Anglers are finding large numbers of small fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinnerbaits and soft plastics along edges of vegetation. Bluegill - Good: Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline. 

Lake Meyer
Water is stained a brown color. Fish activity is variable. Bluegill - Good: Use a hook tipped with a worm in shallow water along vegetated edges. Black Crappie - Slow: Try a hook tipped with a worm or small spinner bait along a rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use buzz or spinner baits in shallow bays and along weed edges. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is poor. Water levels are rising. Use extreme caution when floating on muddy water. Trees may be down along the river corridor due to high winds and heavy rain. Walleye - No Report: Bring an assortment of tackle to find what works best for your location and time of day. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are stabilizing with poor water clarity. Use extreme caution when on rain swollen waters; trees and other debris may be blocking the main channel.  Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Walleye - No Report: Cast bright colored jigs and twister tails near undercut banks and log jams. Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Use spinners around tributaries. Light colored jigs and crankbaits work best. 

Volga Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Find fish near submersed structure or in open water. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater lures around structure. Channel Catfish - Fair: Find catfish shallow in early morning or late night. Use worm, chicken liver, or cut bait fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm along shallow rocky areas. Common Carp - Good: Use bright lights and bows in the shallow bays at night . 

Scattered showers over saturated ground continues to cause area water bodies to rise and turn muddy. Clearing and cooler by the weekend. Temperatures in the 80s. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Big Woods Lake
We have not received information about fishing on this water body this week. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Slow. Black Crappie – Slow.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Vegetation has become abundant around lake edges, so adjust strategies to fish over or through plants. Largemouth Bass – Size has been good. Bluegill – Good. Channel Catfish - Good: Use frogs, shrimp or stink baits in deep water.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is running at 14,100 CFS as of July 5 in Waterloo or about 4 times above median flow. These flows are creating difficult conditions for smallmouth bass and walleye, but channel catfish action has been good at times. Smallmouth Bass – Slow. Walleye – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair.

George Wyth Lake
George Wyth Park has excellent water clarity. Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

Manchester District Streams
Most trout streams in Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson Counties are in good condition. Trout stocking has continued mostly as planned during the week of July 2 -6. Brown Trout – Fair. Brook Trout – Good. Rainbow Trout – Good.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River at Manchester is flowing at about 308 CFS as of July 5 or about 1.5 times greater than median flow for this time of year. The Maquoketa River is providing the best conditions and opportunity for river fishing in east-central Iowa given less recent rainfall in the watershed. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair. 

Martens Lake
Expect to fish through and around vegetation. Adjust tactics as needed, including heavy baits or topwater options. Largemouth Bass – Good.

Plainfield
Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

South Prairie Lake
Vegetation has become abundant; adjust strategies accordingly, including topwater baits and weedless baits. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater baits. Bluegill – Fair. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River at Independence has a flow of about 3390 CFS as of July 5; this water discharge rate is about 7 times above median levels for this time of year. Fishing has been limited. Northern Pike – Slow. Smallmouth Bass – Slow. Channel Catfish – Slow.

Weather continues to impact fishing success and opportunities in east-central Iowa with heavy rainfall causing high water conditions on all area rivers. Summer fishing opportunities, including channel catfish and largemouth bass, are available where conditions are fit. Trout streams are providing excellent fishing in between storms. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is 13.4 feet with a slow fall this week. Levels are predicted to gradually fall to 12 feet by late next week. Water temperature is near 78° degrees. New Albin ramp road is closed due to water over the road. The Lansing Village Creek ramp and parking lot construction is expected to start July 30 and the ramp will be closed through October. For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water. Some walleye are being picked up bottom bouncing crawlers on side channel and bottom structure. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Slow: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding in the vegetation along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use a large shiner or sunfish in deeper holes. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom in current eddies. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in the current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing for bluegills in the flooded trees; use a surface lure or poppers to imitate the mayflies.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 622.7 feet at Lynxville and is slowly receding. Water temperature is 79 degrees at the Lock 9. Sny Magill ramp is still closed due to high water. Walleye- Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water. Some walleyes are being picked up bottom bouncing crawlers on side channel and bottom structure. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Slow: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding in the vegetation along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use a large shiner or sunfish in deeper holes. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a crawler fished on the bottom in current eddies. Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in the current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing for bluegills in the flooded trees using a surface lure or poppers to imitate the mayflies. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 13.7 feet at Guttenberg and is slowly receding. Water temperature is 73 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Guttenberg ramp and Turkey River landing is still under water. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water. Some walleyes are being picked up bottom bouncing crawlers on side channel and bottom structure. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Slow: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use a large shiner or sunfish in deeper holes. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing for bluegills in the flooded trees using a surface lure or poppers to imitate the mayflies. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Upper Mississippi River is on a gradual fall this week. Most ramps are currently under water. Be aware of floating flood debris. Water temperature is in the mid to upper 70's. Look for fish to be in the clearer water in backwater sloughs and lakes away from the main channel. Try fishing surface lures as the Mayfly hatch is going now. 

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are receding and are 13.8 feet at the Dubuque Lock and 15.6 feet at the RR bridge. Expect water to drop a couple feet this upcoming week. Water clarity is fairly turbid. The channel water temperature is around 80 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: In flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass were being caught while they were feeding along the edge of flooding water. If water returns to lower levels, expect the bass bite to pick up. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Pool 13 is out of flood stages for now. Water level is 14.4 feet and is receding. Expect a two foot drop in levels this upcoming week. Most smaller boat ramps are still flooded or will have debris on them. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. The water is turbid. The channel water temperature is around 81 degrees.Channel Catfish - Good: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Largemouth Bass - Good: Both largemouth and smallmouth were caught this week, even with the high water levels. Most are feeding along the flooding edge. Use a bright colored spinner in the turbid water. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are receding throughout Pool 14; expect it to continue to recede up to 2 feet by next week. Presently levels are near 14.7 feet near Fulton, 16.6 feet at Camanche and 10.1 feet at LeClaire. The water temperature is around 82 degrees. Water clarity is poor. Channel Catfish - Good: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Find fish near the shoreline in flooded conditions. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bright colored spinners fished along flooded shorelines are picking up some bass. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are stabilizing, but flows remain high. Visibility has improved. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye - Good: Use a jig tipped with a crawler, minnow or twister tail. Look for fish near deep water drop offs. Channel Catfish - Slow: Target snags for catfish using stink baits or chicken liver fished on bottom. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use a variety of jigs or spinners near brush piles. Black Crappie - Fai: Crappie are keying into shallow rocky shorelines. Use small jigs tipped with twister tail or minnow. 

Decorah District Streams
Yellow wild parsnip is blooming. Wear long sleeved clothing when walking through it to prevent skin contact. Flows remain high, but most can be fished. Catchable trout are stocked weekly as weather and water conditions permit. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily information. Brook Trout - Fair: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are more numerous. Use care not to spook a feeding fish. Brown Trout - Good: Hendrickson, caddis, and cranefly hatches are occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson, gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black, brown, and grey colors work best. Try using terrestrial patterns for crickets and ants. Rainbow Trout - Good: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits also work.

Lake Hendricks
Water is stained green; limited visibility.  Black Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Anglers are finding large numbers of small fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinnerbaits and soft plastics along edges of vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline. 

Lake Meyer
Green algae bloom is starting. Water clarity is good. Fish activity and fishing has slowed. Bluegill - Fair: Use a hook tipped with a worm in shallow water along vegetated edges. Black Crappie - Slow: Try a hook tipped with a worm or small spinner bait along a rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use buzz or spinner baits in shallow bays and along weed edges. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is much improved. Water levels are stabilizing, but flows remain high. Be aware of river conditions ahead of you; snags and log jams may have moved or trees may be blocking the river corridor.  Walleye - Slow: Bring an assortment of tackle to find what works best for your location and time of day. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs imitating crawdads or other small fish near rocky ledges. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are stabilizing with much improved clarity. Trees and other debris may be blocking the main channel. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Walleye - Fair: Cast bright colored jigs and twister tails over deep water drop offs. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use spinners around tributaries. Light colored jigs and crankbaits work best. 

Volga Lake
Algae blooms are starting as water temperatures warm. Black Crappie - Slow: Find fish near submersed structure or in open water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures around structure. Channel Catfish - Fair: Find catfish shallow in early morning or late night. Use worm, chicken liver, or cut bait fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm along shallow rocky areas. Common Carp - Good: Use bright lights and bows in the shallow bays at night . 

Hot, humid weather, typical this time of year, will bring scattered thunderstorms through the weekend. Temperatures in the 80's. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Big Woods Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Slow. Black Crappie – Slow.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Vegetation has become abundant around lake edges, so adjust strategies to fish over or through plants. Largemouth Bass – Size has been good. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish - Good: Use frogs, shrimp or stink baits in deep water.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is running at 6500 CFS as of July 12 in Waterloo or about 2 times above median flow. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.

George Wyth Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

Manchester District Streams
Trout streams in Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson Counties are in good condition. Trout stocking was completed as scheduled during the week of July 9-13. Brown Trout – Fair. Brook Trout – Good. Rainbow Trout – Good.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River at Manchester is flowing at about 200 CFS as of July 12; this is near average for median flows on this date. The Maquoketa River is providing the best conditions and opportunity for river fishing in east-central Iowa given less recent rainfall in the watershed. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair. 

Martens Lake
Expect to fish through and around vegetation. Adjust tactics as needed, including heavy baits or topwater options. Largemouth Bass – Good.

Plainfield
Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

South Prairie Lake
Vegetation has become abundant; adjust strategies accordingly, including topwater baits and weedless baits. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater baits.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River at Independence has a flow of about 975 CFS as of July 12; this water discharge rate is about 3 times above median levels for this time of year. Fishing has been slow, but opportunities should improve with limited rainfall in the watershed. Northern Pike – Slow. Smallmouth Bass – Slow. Channel Catfish – Slow.

Water flows in east-central Iowa rivers have improved greatly since last week, but are still high in the Cedar, Shell Rock, and Wapsipinicon. Lakes are generally providing some fair bass fishing. Trout streams are providing excellent fishing opportunity. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is 12.3 feet and is predicted to fall a foot this week. Water temperature is near 79° degrees. New Albin ramp road is closed due to water over the road. The Lansing Village Creek ramp and parking lot construction is expected to start July 30 and the ramp will be closed through October. For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water. Some walleye are being picked up bottom bouncing crawlers on side channel and bottom structure. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Slow: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding in the vegetation along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use a large shiner or sunfish in deeper holes. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats should be spawning. Use a crawler fished on the bottom in current eddies. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing for bluegills in the flooded trees; use a surface lure or poppers to imitate the mayflies.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 621.3 feet at Lynxville and is slowly receding. Water temperature is 80 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Sny Magill ramp still has water over the road. Walleye- Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water. Some walleyes are being picked up bottom bouncing crawlers on side channel and bottom structure. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Slow: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding in the vegetation along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use a large shiner or sunfish in deeper holes. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats should be spawning. Use a crawler fished on the bottom in current eddies. Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing for bluegills in the flooded trees using a surface lure or poppers to imitate the mayflies. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 12.1 feet at Guttenberg and is slowly receding. Water temperature is 75 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Guttenberg south ramp is now open. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water. Some walleyes are being picked up bottom bouncing crawlers on side channel and bottom structure. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Slow: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use a large shiner or sunfish in deeper holes. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats should be spawning.Use a crawler fished on the bottom in current eddies. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing for bluegills in the flooded trees using a surface lure or poppers to imitate the mayflies. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Upper Mississippi River continues on a gradual fall this week. Level is expected to fall about a foot by late week. Many ramps have reopened. Be aware of floating flood debris. Water temperature is in the upper 70's to 80's. Clarity is still poor. Look for fish to be in the clearer water in backwater sloughs and lakes. 

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are receding and are 12.1 feet at the Dubuque Lock and 14.1 feet at the RR bridge. Expect water to drop a foot or so this upcoming week. Water clarity is fairly turbid. The channel water temperature is around 81 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: In flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass were being caught while they were feeding along the edge of flooding water. If water returns to lower levels, expect the bass bite to pick up. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 12.9 feet at Bellevue and is receding. Expect a one foot drop in levels this upcoming week. Most smaller boat ramps have debris on them, but are usable. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. The water is turbid, but is clearing up. The channel water temperature is around 81 degrees.Channel Catfish - Excellent: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Largemouth Bass - Good: Both largemouth and smallmouth are being caught. Most are feeding along the flooding edge. Use a bright colored spinner in the turbid water. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are receding throughout Pool 14; expect it to continue to continue to recede. Presently levels are near 12.5 feet near Fulton, 14.7 feet at Camanche and 8.6 feet at LeClaire. The water temperature is around 82 degrees. Water clarity is poor, but is improving. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Find fish near the shoreline in flooded conditions. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bright colored spinners fished along flooded shorelines are picking up some bass. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are receding and are out of flooding stages in Pool 15. Expect most smaller boat ramps to have debris on them. Presently the water is 12.5 feet at Rock Island.  Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is near 82 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use an egg sinker and worm rig fished near shore in flooded conditions. Drum will use freshly washed in food in newly flooded habitats. 

Water levels are high, but are receding; we are out of flood stages throughout the district. Boat ramps are getting back in working order. Water clarity is improving, but may be turbid. Some debris is floating in the channel. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are stabilizing, but flows remain high. Visibility has improved. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye - Good: Use a jig tipped with a crawler, minnow or twister tail. Look for fish near deep water drop offs. Channel Catfish - Slow: Target snags for catfish using stink baits or chicken liver fished on bottom. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use a variety of jigs or spinners near brush piles. Black Crappie - Fai: Crappie are keying into shallow rocky shorelines. Use small jigs tipped with twister tail or minnow. 

Decorah District Streams
Yellow wild parsnip is blooming. Wear long sleeved clothing when walking through it to prevent skin contact. Flows remain high, but most can be fished. Catchable trout are stocked weekly as weather and water conditions permit. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily information. Brook Trout - Good: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are more numerous. Use care not to spook a feeding fish. Brown Trout - Good: Hendrickson, caddis, and cranefly hatches are occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson, gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black, brown, and grey colors work best. Try using terrestrial patterns for crickets and ants. Rainbow Trout - Good: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits also work.

Lake Hendricks
Water is stained green; limited visibility.  Best bite is in the evening and early morning. Black Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Anglers are finding large numbers of small fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinnerbaits and soft plastics along edges of vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline. 

Lake Meyer
Green algae bloom continues. Water clarity is good. Water temperatures are in the mid 80's. Bluegill - Fair: Use a hook tipped with a worm in shallow water along vegetated edges. Black Crappie - Slow: Try a hook tipped with a worm or small spinner bait along a rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater baits  along weed edges. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is much improved. Water levels are stabilizing, but flows remain high. Be aware of river conditions ahead of you; snags and log jams may have moved or trees may be blocking the river corridor.  Walleye - Fair: Bring an assortment of tackle to find what works best for your location and time of day. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use feathered spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky ledges. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are stabilizing with much improved clarity. Trees and other debris may be blocking the main channel. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Walleye - Fair: Cast bright colored jigs and twister tails over deep water drop offs. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinnerbaits and crankbaits near rock ledges and undercut banks. 

Volga Lake
Algae bloom continues with warm water temperatures. Fish activity is better toward evening. Black Crappie - Good: Find fish near submersed structure or in open water. Use a light colored jig with twistertail. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures around structure. Channel Catfish - Fair: Find catfish shallow in early morning or late night. Use worm, chicken liver, or cut bait fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm along shallow rocky areas. Common Carp - Fair: Use bright lights and bows in the shallow bays at night . 

Rain Thursday and Friday; breezy. Temperatures will be in the 80's. Rivers and streams with better watersheds will clear faster .For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Big Woods Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Vegetation has become abundant around lake edges, so adjust strategies to fish over or through plants. Catfish anglers are fishing deep water with frogs, shrimp or stink baits. 
 Largemouth Bass – Fair: Size has been good. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish are biting on a variety of baits. Best bite is early morning and late evening. Catfish size has been excellent. 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is running at 5100 CFS as of July 19 in Waterloo or about 2 times above median flow. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stinkbaits or fresh baits.

George Wyth Lake
Bluegill - Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

Manchester District Streams
Trout streams in Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson Counties are in good condition. Trout stocking was completed as scheduled during the week of July 16-20. Try caddis in the late evening and hoppers during midday. Stocked fish are biting on a variety of presentations. Brown Trout – Fair. Brook Trout – Good. Rainbow Trout – Good.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River at Manchester is flowing at about 136 CFS as of July 19; this is near average for median flows on this date. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair. 

Maquoketa River (below Monticello)
White Sucker – Fair. Walleye - Fair: Use crankbaits or live bait. Smallmouth Bass – Slow. 

Martens Lake
Expect to fish through and around vegetation. Adjust tactics as needed, including heavy baits or topwater options. Largemouth Bass – Good.

Plainfield
Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

South Prairie Lake
Vegetation has become abundant; adjust strategies accordingly, including topwater baits and weedless baits. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater baits.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River at Independence has a flow of about 675 CFS as of July 19; this water discharge rate is about 2 times above median levels for this time of year. Fishing has been improving with better water conditions . Northern Pike – Slow. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.

Water flows in east-central Iowa rivers have improved greatly since last week, but are still high in the Cedar, Shell Rock, and Wapsipinicon. Lakes are generally providing some fair bass fishing. Trout streams are providing excellent fishing opportunity. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is 11.7 feet with a very gradual fall. Water temperature is near 81 degrees. New Albin ramp road is closed due to water over the road. The Lansing Village Creek ramp and parking lot construction is expected to start July 30 and the ramp will be closed through October. For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water. Some walleye are being picked up bottom bouncing crawlers on side channel and bottom structure. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Slow: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding in the vegetation along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use a large shiner or sunfish in deeper holes. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats should be spawning. Use a crawler fished on the bottom in current eddies. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing for bluegills in the flooded trees; use a surface lure or poppers to imitate the mayflies. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 620.5 feet at Lynxville and is slowly receding. Water temperature is 81 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Sny Magill ramp still has water over the road. Walleye- Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water. Some walleyes are being picked up bottom bouncing crawlers on side channel and bottom structure. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Slow: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding in the vegetation along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use a large shiner or sunfish in deeper holes. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats should be spawning. Use a crawler fished on the bottom in current eddies. Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing for bluegills in the flooded trees using a surface lure or poppers to imitate the mayflies. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 11.4 feet at Guttenberg and is slowly receding. Water temperature is 75 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Guttenberg south ramp is now open. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water. Some walleyes are being picked up bottom bouncing crawlers on side channel and bottom structure. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - Slow: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - Fair: Northern are feeding along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use a large shiner or sunfish in deeper holes. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats should be spawning.Use a crawler fished on the bottom in current eddies. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing for bluegills in the flooded trees using a surface lure or poppers to imitate the mayflies. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Upper Mississippi River levels remain high with only a slight downward trend. Many ramps have reopened. Be aware of floating flood debris. Water temperature is in the upper 70's to 80's. Fish have been elusive in the high water, but clarity has improved this week. 

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are near 11 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and near 13 feet at the RR bridge. Expect water to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity is improving. The water temperature is around 81 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: In flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stinkbait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are being caught along the edge of flooding water. White Bass - Good: Looks for schools of white bass feeding on the surface in the morning and evening hours. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegill have finally returned to angler creels. Try bobber and worms in clearer backwater areas. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 12.5 feet at Bellevue and is receding. Expect a small drop in levels this upcoming week. Smaller boat ramps still have water and debris on them. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. The water is turbid, but is clearing up. The channel water temperature is around 81 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stinkbait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Largemouth Bass - Good: Both largemouth and smallmouth are being caught. Most are feeding along the flooding edge. Use a bright colored spinner in the turbid water. White Bass - Good: Look for feeding schools of white bass in the morning and evenings. Small spinners and white jigs work best. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are receding throughout Pool 14; expect it to continue to continue to recede. Presently levels are near 12 feet near Fulton, 14.2 feet at Camanche and 8.4 feet at LeClaire. The water temperature is around 82 degrees. Water clarity is poor, but is improving. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stinkbait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Find fish near the shoreline in flooded conditions. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bright colored spinners fished along flooded shorelines are picking up some bass. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are receding in Pool 15. Most smaller boat ramps have debris on them, but most are useable. Presently the water is 12 feet at Rock Island. Water clarity is poor, but is improving. The water temperature is near 82 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stinkbait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use an egg sinker and worm rig fished near shore in flooded conditions. Drum will use freshly washed in food in newly flooded habitats. 

Water levels are high, but are receding slowly; we are out of flood stages throughout the district. Boat ramps are getting back in working order, but some are still under water. Water clarity is fair. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are stabilizing and low. Flows remain high. Visibility has improved. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye - Good: Use a jig tipped with a crawler or minnow in slack water pockets. Use a jig tipped with twister tail in deep water drop offs. Channel Catfish - Slow: Target snags for catfish using stink baits, chicken liver or crawdads fished on bottom. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Use crawdad crankbaits along rocky shorelines.

Decorah District Streams
Yellow wild parsnip is blooming. Wear long sleeved clothing when walking through it to prevent skin contact. Catchable trout are stocked weekly. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily information. Brook Trout - Good: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are more numerous. Use care not to spook a feeding fish. Brown Trout - Good: Hendrickson, caddis, and cranefly hatches are occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson, gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black, brown, and grey colors work best. Try using terrestrial patterns for crickets and ants. Rainbow Trout - Good: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits also work.

Lake Hendricks
Water is stained green; limited visibility.  Best bite is toward evening and early morning. Black Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Anglers are finding large numbers of small fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinnerbaits and soft plastics along edges of vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline. 

Lake Meyer
Green algae bloom continues. Water clarity is good. Water temperatures are in the low 80's. Fish activity is improving with cooler temperatures. Bluegill - Good: Use a hook tipped with a worm in shallow water along vegetated edges. Black Crappie - Slow: Try a hook tipped with a worm or small spinnerbait along a rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater baits  along weed edges. 

Turkey River (below Clermont)
Anglers are finding fish from Clermont to Elkader. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinner or crawfish crankbait in drop offs or undercut banks. Walleye - Good: Try spinners or jig tipped with worm or twister tail in slack water and eddies. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is much improved. Water levels are stabilizing, but flows remain high. Be aware of river conditions ahead of you; strainers may have moved or trees may be blocking the river corridor.  Walleye - Good: Use jigs tipped with natural colored twister tails or a flashy spinner. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use feathered spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky ledges. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
River is in good condition. Use caution when floating on an unfamiliar section of river; trees and other debris may be blocking the main channel. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Walleye - Good: Cast bright colored jigs tipped with twister tails or larger spinner baits into deep water drop offs or eddies. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Use spinnerbaits and crankbaits near rock ledges and undercut banks. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish actively taking baits at night bank fishing. 

Volga Lake
Algae bloom continues. Fish activity improving with cooler temperatures. Black Crappie - Good: Find fish near submersed structure or in open water. Use a light colored jig with twister tail. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures around structure. Channel Catfish - Fair: Find catfish shallow in early morning or late night. Use worm, chicken liver, or stink bait fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm along shallow rocky areas. Anglers are catching lots of small gills with a few keepers. 

Weather couldn't be better for the end of July. Temperatures are in the 70's. Rivers and streams are in good condition. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Big Woods Lake
We have not received information about fishing on this water body this week.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Casey Lake is in good condition with clear water. Vegetation remains abundant around edges, but it is starting to die back a bit.  Catfish anglers are fishing deep water with frogs, shrimp or stink baits. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Size has been good. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish are biting on a variety of baits. Best bite is early morning and late evening. Catfish size has been excellent. 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is running at 5280 CFS as of July 26 in Waterloo or about 2 times above median flow. The river is reported as clearing and providing decent fishing despite flows that are still high for this time of year. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Use jig and night crawler combinations or crankbaits. Not too many big fish, but catch has been good for smaller fish. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink baits or fresh baits.

George Wyth Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Good catch rates, but fish are mostly small. Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

Lake Delhi
Lake Delhi is providing good fishing for panfish and bass. This is a popular boating lake, so fishing conditions are often best on weekdays and mornings. Bluegill - Good: Lots of smaller fish with some keepers, too. Black Crappie - Fair: Fish near structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Lots of small fish. Smallmouth Bass – Fair.

Manchester District Streams
Trout streams in Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson Counties are in good condition. Trout stocking was completed as scheduled during the week of July 23-27. Stocked fish are biting on a variety of presentations. Brown Trout – Fair. Brook Trout – Good. Rainbow Trout – Good.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River at Manchester is flowing at about 126 CFS as of July 26; this is near average for median flows on this date. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair. 

Maquoketa River (below Monticello)
The lower Maquoketa was high and "dirty" early in the week, but conditions are improving. White Sucker – Fair. Walleye - Fair: Use crankbaits or live bait. Smallmouth Bass – Slow. 

Martens Lake
Expect to fish through and around vegetation. Adjust tactics as needed, including heavy baits or topwater options. Largemouth Bass – Good.

Plainfield
Clear water and plants around the lake perimeter are creating some challenging conditions. Adjust tactics including lighter gear for panfish or weedless options for bass. Bluegill – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

South Prairie Lake
Vegetation has become abundant; adjust strategies accordingly, including topwater baits and weedless baits. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater baits.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River at Independence has a flow of about 500 CFS as of July 26; this water discharge rate is about 1.5 times above median levels for this time of year. Fishing has been improving with better water conditions . Northern Pike – Good. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.

River conditions are improving in eastern Iowa. The Shell Rock and Cedar remain high, but are providing decent fishing. The Maquoketa and Wapsipinicon have river flows near median levels for this time of year and are in excellent condition for fishing. Lakes are providing fair bass fishing. Trout streams are providing excellent fishing opportunity. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing has fallen about a foot to 10.9 feet and is predicted to reach 9.5 feet midweek. Water temperature is near 78 degrees. New Albin ramp road is closed due to water over the road. The Lansing Village Creek ramp and parking lot construction is expected to start July 30 and the ramp will be closed through October. For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are feeding in the shallow water out of the current.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - Excellent: Northern are feeding in the trees in the backwaters on crawler rigs with a leader. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent:  Bluegills are biting on small piece of worm fished about mid depth in 8 feet of water in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville has dropped a foot to 19.6 feet and is expected to reach 18 feet midweek.  Water temperature is 79 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Sny Magill ramp has water over the road. Walleye- Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water current. Some walleyes are feeding in the shallow water out of the current. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - Excellent: Northern are feeding in the trees in the backwaters on crawler rigs with a leader. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are biting on small piece of worm fished about mid depth in 8 feet of water in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has fallen to 10.7 feet and is slowly receding to 9 feet late next week. Water temperature is 71 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Guttenberg south ramp is open. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water current. Some walleyes are up feeding in the shallow water out of the current. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - Excellent: Northern are feeding in the trees in the backwaters on crawler rigs with a leader. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are biting on small piece of worm fished about mid depth in 8 feet of water in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Upper Mississippi River levels are on a steady fall this week with good water clarity. Still lots of current in main channel areas, but fishing has picked up in side channels and backwater lakes. Water temperatures are in mid to upper 70's.

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are near 10.8 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 12.9 feet at the RR bridge. Expect water to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: In high water conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stinkbait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are being caught along the edge of flooding water. White Bass - Good: Look for schools of white bass feeding on the surface in the morning and evenings. Bluegill - Good: Some bluegill have finally returned to angler creels. Try angling along the vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water.  

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level at the Bellevue Lock and Dam is 12.0 feet. Expect water to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: In high water conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stinkbait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Largemouth Bass - Good: Both largemouth and smallmouth are being caught. Most are feeding along the high water edge. Use a bright colored spinner in the turbid water. White Bass - Good: Look for feeding schools of white bass in the morning and evenings. Small spinners and white jigs work best. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are starting to return to the creel. Try fishing along vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are 11.4 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 13.9 feet at Camanche and 7.9 feet at LeClaire. Expect water to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: In high water conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stinkbait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Find fish near the shoreline in flooded conditions. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bright colored spinners fished along flooded shorelines are picking up some bass. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are stabilizing and low. Flows remain high. Visibility has improved. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye - Good: Use a jig tipped with a crawler or minnow in slack water pockets. Use a jig tipped with twister tail in deep water drop offs. Channel Catfish - Slow: Target snags for catfish using stink baits, chicken liver or crawdads fished on bottom. Use stink bait once the water warms. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use crawdad crankbaits or jigs with twister tails along rocky shorelines. Black Crappie - Slow Use minnows or red worms in shallow snags and slack water. 

Decorah District Streams
Wear long sleeved clothing when walking through large patches of wild parsnip to prevent skin contact. Catchable trout are stocked weekly. Due to marginal stream temperatures, some streams are not stocked during August. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily information. Brook Trout - Good: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are more numerous. Use care not to spook a feeding fish. Brown Trout - Good: Hendrickson, caddis, and cranefly hatches are occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson, gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black, brown, and grey colors work best. Try using terrestrial patterns for crickets and ants. Rainbow Trout - Good: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits also work.

Lake Hendricks
Water is stained green; limited visibility.  Best bite is mid-day. Black Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Anglers are finding large numbers of small fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinnerbaits and soft plastics along edges of vegetation or near submersed rock features. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline. 

Lake Meyer
Water clarity is excellent. Water temperatures are in the mid 70's. Fish activity is improving with cooler temperatures. Bluegill - Good: Use a hook tipped with a red worm or cricket along vegetated edges. Black Crappie - Fair: The bite is improving; try a hook tipped with a minnow  or small spinnerbait suspended over submersed structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater baits  along weed edges. 

Turkey River (below Clermont)
The Turkey River has been hit and miss this week. Water temperatures are in the mid 70's with higher flows. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use jig tipped with a twister tail in drop offs or undercut banks. Walleye - Fair: Try spinners or jig tipped with worm or twister tail in slack water and eddies. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is much good. Water levels are stabilizing, but flows remain high. Be aware of river conditions ahead of you; strainers may have moved or trees may be blocking the river corridor.  Walleye - Fair: Use jigs tipped with natural colored twister tails or a flashy spinner. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use feathered spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky ledges. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Clarity is good. Use caution when floating on an unfamiliar section of river; trees and other debris may be blocking the main channel. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Walleye - Good: Cast bright colored jigs tipped with twister tails or crawlers into deep water drop offs or eddies. Try a mid-day bite. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use jigs tipped with worms or twister tails near rock ledges, undercut banks and current breaks. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are actively taking baits at night bank fishing. 

Volga Lake
Algae bloom continues. Fish activity is improving with cooler temperatures. Black Crappie - Good: Find fish near submersed structure or in open water. Use a light colored jig with twister tail. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures around structure. Channel Catfish - Fair: Find catfish shallow in early morning or late night. Use worm, chicken liver, or stink bait fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm along shallow rocky areas. Anglers are catching lots of small gills with a few keepers. 

Temperatures and humidity are rising with a chance of thunderstorms on Sunday. Rivers and streams are in good condition. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Big Woods Lake
We have not received information about fishing on this water body this week. Black Crappie - Good: Try fishing various depths near structure with a slip bobber and minnow or jigging colored tube jigs. 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Casey Lake is in good condition with clear water. Vegetation remains abundant around edges, but it is starting to die back a bit. Catfish anglers are fishing deep water with frogs, shrimp or stink baits. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Best bite is mornings and evenings. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing various depths with a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of weeds or structure. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish are biting on a variety of baits. Best bite is early morning and late evening. Catfish size has been excellent. 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River continues to improve daily for angling. Walleye anglers are back out and the channel catfish bite has been hot yet. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast artificial baits along rocky shorelines for some good action. Walleye – Fair: A jig tipped with a half crawler and twister tail is a deadly combination this time of year. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink baits in the top or upstream end of log jams.

Lake Delhi
Lake Delhi is providing good fishing for panfish and bass. This is a popular boating lake, so fishing conditions are often best on weekdays and mornings. Bluegill - Good: Lots of smaller fish with some keepers, too. Black Crappie - Fair: Fish near structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Lots of small fish. 

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River remains in excellent condition. Walleye - Fair: A jig tipped with a half crawler and twister tail is a deadly combination this time of year. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast artificial baits along rocky shorelines. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish the top or upstream end of log jams with stink bait. 

Martens Lake
Expect to fish through and around vegetation. Adjust tactics as needed, including heavy baits or topwater options. Reports of some quality size bass being caught. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use weedless artificial lures with the dense vegetation. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports have been good for walleye and some northern pike. Walleye - Fair: A jig tipped with a half crawler and twister tail is a deadly combination this time of year. Northern Pike - Fair: Float a live chub or shiner under a bobber or cast larger artificial spoons or lures. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon river is the lowest it's been all summer. Anglers report catches of walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish the top or upstream end of log jams with stink bait. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast artificial baits along rocky shorelines. Walleye - Fair: A jig tipped with a half crawler and twister tail is a deadly combination this time of year. 

The interior rivers remain in good condition, the Cedar and Shell Rock continue to drop. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS IOWA, WISCONSIN & ILLINOIS

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 9.3 feet at Lansing with a gradual fall predicted. Water temperature is near 78 degrees. New Albin ramp road reopened. The Lansing Village Creek ramp is closed through October.  For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water current. Some walleyes are up feeding in the shallow water out of the current. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - Excellent: Northern are feeding in the trees in the backwaters on crawler rigs with a leader. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent:  Bluegills are biting on a small piece of worm fished about mid depth in 8 feet of water in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville has fallen to 17.3 feet with a gradual fall expected. Water temperature is 78 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Sny Magill ramp has reopened. Walleye- Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water current. Some walleyes are feeding in the shallow water out of the current. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - Excellent: Northern are feeding in the trees in the backwaters on crawler rigs with a leader. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are biting on small piece of worm fished about mid depth in 8 feet of water in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has fallen to 8.5 feet and will slowly recede next week. Water temperature is 70 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water current. Some walleyes are up feeding in the shallow water out of the current. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - Excellent: Northern are feeding in the trees in the backwaters on crawler rigs with a leader. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are biting on small piece of worm fished about mid depth in 8 feet of water in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Upper Mississippi River levels continue on a steady fall this week with good water clarity. Boaters should use caution with the lower water with wing dams and sandbars now just below the water surface. As water levels settle back to summertime lows, look for fish along side channels as the temperatures warm up.

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are 8.4 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 10.8 feet at the RR bridge. Expect water to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent:Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are being caught along flooded weed lines and in weedy backwater using lures like scum frogs.  White Bass - Good: Look for schools of white bass feeding on the surface in the morning and evenings. Bluegill - Good: Some bluegill have finally returned to angler creels. Try angling along the vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water.  

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level at the Bellevue Lock and Dam is 9.8 feet. Expect water to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Move often if you are not finding catfish. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Largemouth Bass - Good: Most are feeding along the high water edge. Use a bright colored spinner that imitate minnows. Try also scum frogs in the weedy backwaters. White Bass - Good: Look for feeding schools of white bass in the morning and evenings. Small spinners and white jigs work best. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are starting to return to the creel. Try fishing along vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are 9.2 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 12.3 feet at Camanche and 6.8 feet at LeClaire. Expect water to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: In high water conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Find fish near the shoreline in flooded conditions. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bright colored spinners fished along flooded shorelines are picking up some bass. White Bass - Fair: Some schools of white bass have been seen in the tailwater area. Use bright jigs or flashy lures. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are 9.3 feet at Rock Island. Expect water to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: In high water conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use an egg sinker and worm rig fished near shore in high water conditions. 

Water levels continue to drop throughout the district this week. The river is getting down to much more fishable levels. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are on a slight rise, but remain low after recent rain events.  Flows remain high. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye - Good: Use a jig tipped with a crawler or minnow in slack water pockets. Use a jig tipped with twister tail in deep water drop offs. Channel Catfish - Slow: Target snags for catfish using chicken liver or crawdads fished on bottom. Use stink bait once the water warms. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use crawdad crankbaits or jigs with twister tails along rocky shorelines. Black Crappie - Slow Use minnows or red worms in shallow snags and slack water. 

Decorah District Streams
Some streams in Fayette and Clayton Counties are off color due to spotty heavy rainfall events mid-week; stream conditions should quickly improve. Due to marginal stream temperatures, some streams are not stocked during August. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily information. Brook Trout - Good: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are more numerous. Use care not to spook a feeding fish. Brown Trout - Good: Hendrickson, caddis, and cranefly hatches are occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson, gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black, brown, and grey colors work best. Try using terrestrial patterns for crickets and ants. Rainbow Trout - Good: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits also work.

Lake Hendricks
Water is stained green; limited visibility.  Best bite is mid-day. Black Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Anglers are finding large numbers of small fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinnerbaits and soft plastics along edges of vegetation or near submersed rock features. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline. 

Lake Meyer
Water clarity is excellent. Water temperatures are in the mid 70's. Fish activity is improving with cooler temperatures. Bluegill - Good: Use a hook tipped with a red worm or cricket along vegetated edges. Black Crappie - Fair: The bite is improving; try a hook tipped with a minnow  or small spinnerbait suspended over submersed structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater baits  along weed edges. 

Turkey River (below Clermont)
The Turkey River has been hit and miss this week. Water temperatures are in the mid 70's with higher flows. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use jig tipped with a twister tail in drop offs or undercut banks. Walleye - Fair: Try spinners or jig tipped with worm or twister tail in slack water and eddies. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is much good. Water levels are relatively stable, but flows remain high. Be aware of river conditions ahead of you; strainers may have moved or trees may be blocking the river corridor.  Walleye - Fair: Use jigs tipped with natural colored twister tails or a flashy spinner. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use feathered spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky ledges. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are on a slight rise. Clarity is good. Use caution when floating on an unfamiliar section of river; trees and other debris may be blocking the main channel. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Walleye - Good: Cast bright colored jigs tipped with twister tails or crawlers into deep water drop offs or eddies. Try a mid-day bite. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use a crankbait imitating a crawdad  near rock ledges, undercut banks and current breaks. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are actively taking baits at night bank fishing. 

Volga Lake
Algae bloom continues. Fish activity is improving with cooler temperatures. Black Crappie - Good: Find fish near submersed structure or in open water. Use a light colored jig with twister tail. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures around structure. Channel Catfish - Fair: Find catfish shallow in early morning or late night. Use worm, chicken liver, or stink bait fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm along shallow rocky areas. Anglers are catching lots of small gills with a few keepers. 

More seasonal temperatures are forecast for the weekend with humid conditions. Most area rivers and streams are in good condition. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Big Woods Lake
Reports of anglers catching crappie. Black Crappie - Good: Try fishing various depths near structure with a slip bobber and minnow or jigging colored tube jigs. 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Casey Lake is in good condition with clear water. Vegetation remains abundant around edges, but it is starting to die back. Catfish, bluegill, crappie and bass are biting well. Largemouth Bass – Good: Best bite is mornings and evenings. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing various depths with a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of weeds or structure. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting on a variety of baits. Best bite is early morning and late evening. Catfish size has been excellent. Black Crappie - Good: Jig tube jigs or fish a minnow under a bobber near structure in the lake towards the dam area. 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River continues to improve. Good reports of walleye and smallmouth bass and fair reports on northern pike and crappie in Butler County. The Cedar in Black Hawk County received more rain, but reports are good on channel catfish.  Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast artificial baits along rocky shorelines. Walleye – Fair: A jig tipped with a half crawler and twister tail is a deadly combination this time of year. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink baits in the top or upstream end of log jams.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River received a lot of rain and is falling and beginning to clear. There are no reports this past week. 

Martens Lake
Expect to fish through and around vegetation. Adjust tactics as needed, including heavy baits or topwater options. Reports of some quality size bass being caught. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use weedless artificial lures with the dense vegetation. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports have been good for walleye, smallmouth bass and some northern pike. Walleye - Good: A jig tipped with a half crawler and twister tail is a deadly combination this time of year. Northern Pike - Fair: Float a live chub or shiner under a bobber or cast larger artificial spoons or lures. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits along and near rock shorelines. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River received heavy rainfall and remains high and muddy in Buchanan County. Reports of anglers doing well on northern pike on the Upper Wapsipinicon in Bremer County. Northern Pike - Good: Cast large bucktail spinners. 

All interior rivers received some rain, but some more than others. The Cedar and Shell Rock in Butler County remain in good condition and anglers are doing well. The Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa Rivers remain a bit high and mudd. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS IOWA, WISCONSIN & ILLINOIS

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 8.7 feet at Lansing and is expected to fall slowly over the next week to 8.2 feet. Water temperature is near 78 degrees. New Albin ramp road is open. The Lansing Village Creek ramp is closed through October.  For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Fair: Water levels are at a good level to find walleyes on wing dams. Use a 3-way rig with a floating jig and a worm. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - Good: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: : With lower water levels, bass will be pulling out to wing dams and structure along the main channel. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent:  Bluegills are biting on a small piece of worm fished about mid depth in 8 feet of water in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 15.6 feet at Lynxville and is expected to fall slowly to 15 feet. Water temperature is 78 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Sny Magill ramp is open. Walleye- Fair: Water levels are at a good level to find walleyes on wing dams. Use a 3-way rig with a floating jig and a worm. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike -Good: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Good: With lower water levels, bass will be pulling out to wing dams and structure along the main channel. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are biting on small piece of worm fished about mid depth in 8 feet of water in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 7.2 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to drop over a foot to 6 feet by next week. Water temperature is in the upper 70's at Lock and Dam 10. Walleye - Fair: Water levels are at a good level to find walleyes on wing dams. Use a 3-way rig with a floating jig and a worm. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - Excellent: This time of year, pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: With lower water levels, bass will be pulling out to wing dams and structure along the main channel. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are biting on small piece of worm fished about mid depth in 8 feet of water in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. 

Upper Mississippi River levels continue on a steady fall this week with good water clarity. Boaters should use caution with the lower water with wing dams and sandbars now just below the water surface. As water levels settle back to summer lows, look for fish along side channels as the temperatures warm up. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70's.

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are 7 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 9.4 feet at the RR bridge. Expect water levels to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent:Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are being caught along flooded weed lines and in weedy backwater using lures like scum frogs.  White Bass - Good: Look for schools of white bass feeding on the surface in the morning and evenings. Bluegill - Good: Some bluegill have finally returned to angler creels. Try angling along the vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water. Flathead Catfish - Good: Current areas along rocks are starting to again produce some nice eating sized flathead catfish. Walleye - Good: Use crankbaits on the wing dams. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 8.3 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Expect water levers to recede this upcoming week. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Move often if you are not finding catfish. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Largemouth Bass - Good: Most are feeding along the high water edge. Use a bright colored spinner that imitates minnows. Try also scum frogs in the weedy backwaters. White Bass - Good: Look for feeding schools of white bass in the morning and evenings. Small spinners and white jigs work best. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are starting to return to the creel. Try fishing along vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water. Flathead Catfish - Good: Try along rock lines or current eddies near the tailwater. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Water clarity was setback last week which slowed the smallmouth bite; focus on rock lines and piles with strong current. Spinners, jigs and crankbaits work best. White Crappie - Good: Some nice crappies were reported coming out of brush piles in clearer water in major backwater areas. Fishing small minnows was often a key to success. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are 8.2 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 11.4 feet at Camanche and 6.4 feet at LeClaire. Expect water levels to drop this upcoming week. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: In high water conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Find fish near the shoreline in flooded conditions. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bright colored spinners fished along flooded shorelines are picking up some bass. White Bass - Good: Some schools of white bass have been seen in the tailwater area. Use bright jigs or flashy lures. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Water clarity was setback last week which slowed up the smallmouth bite; focus on rock lines and rock piles with strong current. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some flatheads are hitting crankbaits and jigs along rocky areas. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are 8.9 feet at Rock Island. Expect water levels to drop this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water temperature is around 79 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: In high water conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use an egg sinker and worm rig fished near shore in high water conditions. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flatheads are starting to be caught as the water levels recede enough so anglers can get to large brush piles and rock lines. 

Despite a mid-week rise in water levels due to heavy rains in eastern Iowa, the Mississippi River water level is again receding. Water levels are still below last week’s height. Avoid tributary streams to the Mississippi River as they are still running turbid with some floating debris. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

 

 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTSD

Big Woods Lake
Reports of anglers catching crappie. Black Crappie - Good: Try fishing various depths near structure with a slip bobber and minnow or jigging colored tube jigs. 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Casey Lake is in good condition with clear water. Vegetation remains abundant around edges, but it is starting to die back. Catfish, bluegill, crappie and bass are biting well. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Best bite is mornings and evenings. Bluegill – Good: Try fishing various depths with a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of weeds or structure. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting on a variety of baits. Best bite is early morning and late evening. Catfish size has been excellent. Black Crappie - Fair: Jig tube jigs or fish a minnow under a bobber near structure in the lake towards the dam area. 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River continues to improve. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast artificial baits along rocky shorelines. Walleye – Good: A jig tipped with a half crawler and twister tail is a deadly combination this time of year. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use stink baits in the top or upstream end of log jams. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Fish the larger snags with live bait. 

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River is in excellent condition. Smallmouth bass and walleye fishing should be good throughout Delaware and Jones counties. 

Martens Lake
Expect to fish through and around vegetation. Adjust tactics as needed, including heavy baits or topwater options. Reports of some quality size bass being caught. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use weedless artificial lures with the dense vegetation. Try also topwater frog imitation baits. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports have been good for walleye, smallmouth bass and some northern pike. Walleye - Good: A jig tipped with a half crawler and twister tail is a deadly combination this time of year. Northern Pike - Fair: Float a live chub or shiner under a bobber or cast larger artificial spoons or lures. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits along and near rock shorelines. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River continues to fall in Buchanan County; conditions have vastly improved. Reports of anglers doing well on northern pike on the Upper Wapsipinicon in Bremer County. Northern Pike - Good: Cast large bucktail spinners. 

All interior rivers received some rain, but some more than others. The Cedar and Shell Rock in Butler counties remain in good condition and anglers are doing well. The Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa Rivers remain a bit high and mudd. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS IOWA, WISCONSIN & ILLINOIS

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 8.3 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain steady. Water temperature is near 81 degrees. New Albin ramp road is open. The Lansing Village Creek ramp is closed through October.  For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Good: Water levels are at a good level to find walleyes on wing dams. Use a 3-way rig with a floating jig and a worm. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - Good: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: : With lower water levels, bass will be pulling out to wing dams and structure along the main channel. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Use light tackle tipped with small piece of worm under a bobber in 4-6 feet of water. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Good: Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 14.7 feet at Lynxville and is expected to fall slowly to 14 feet. Water temperature is 82 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Sny Magill ramp is open. Walleye- Fair: Water levels are at a good level to find walleyes on wing dams. Use a 3-way rig with a floating jig and a worm. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike -Good: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Bluegill - Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on small tackle under a bobber. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Good: With lower water levels, bass will be pulling out to wing dams and structure along the main channel. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in the main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Use light tackle tipped with small piece of worm under a bobber in 4-6 feet of water. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Good: Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 6.2 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to fall slowly and stabilize near 5 feet. Water temperature is 76 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Walleye - Fair: Water levels are at a good level to find walleyes on wing dams. Use a 3-way rig with a floating jig and a worm. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - Excellent: This time of year, pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: With lower water levels, bass will be pulling out to wing dams and structure along the main channel. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find smallmouth along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Use light tackle tipped with small piece of worm under a bobber in 4-6 feet of water. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Good: Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. 

Upper Mississippi River levels are leveling off this week with good water clarity, but lots of vegetation present. Boaters should use caution with the lower water with wing dams and sandbars now at or just below the water surface. As water levels settle back to summer lows, look for fish along side channels as the temperatures warm up. Water temperatures are in the upper 70's to low 80's.

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are 6.1 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 8.6 feet at the RR bridge. Expect water levels to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 81 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent:Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Largemouth bass are being caught along flooded weed lines and in weedy backwater using lures like scum frogs.  White Bass - Good: Look for schools of white bass feeding on the surface in the morning and evenings. Bluegill - Good: Try along the vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water. Flathead Catfish - Good: Current areas along rocks are starting to again produce some nice eating sized flathead catfish. Walleye - Good: Use crankbaits on the wing dams. White Crappie - Good: Try small minnows in newly exposed brush piles along major side channels or deeper backwater areas. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinners or crankbaits along rocky areas with strong current. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 6.5 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Expect water levels to recede this upcoming week. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 82 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Move often if you are not finding catfish. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Most are feeding along the edge of weed lines. Use a bright colored spinner that imitates minnows. Try also frog imitation lures in the weedy backwaters. White Bass - Good: Look for feeding schools of white bass in the morning and evenings. Small spinners and white jigs work best. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills have returned  to the creel. Try fishing along vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water. Flathead Catfish - Good: Try live bait in high current areas or above large brush piles.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Focus on rock lines and piles with strong current. Spinners, jigs and crankbaits work best. White Crappie - Good: Some nice crappies were reported coming out of deeper backwater areas along newly exposed brush piles. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are 6.1 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 10.2 feet at Camanche and 5 feet at LeClaire. Expect water levels to drop this upcoming week. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 82 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stink bait or worms near shore or along brush piles. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Find fish near the shoreline in flooded conditions. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bright colored spinners fished along flooded shorelines are picking up some bass. White Bass - Good: Some schools of white bass have been seen in the tailwater area. Use bright jigs or flashy lures. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Focus on rock lines and rock piles with strong current. Flathead Catfish - Good: Some flatheads are hitting crankbaits and jigs along rocky areas. Anglers are using live baits on trot lines with some success. Bluegill - Good: Lower ends of Rock Creek and Catfish Slough have produced some nice bluegills; mainly using worms and bobbers. White Crappie - No Report: Try newly exposed brush piles with small minnows and jigs. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are 6.3 feet at Rock Island. Expect water levels to drop this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water temperature is around 82 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use an egg sinker and worm rig fished near shore in moderate current areas. Flathead Catfish - Good: Use live bait above large dead falls. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try spinners, jigs and crankbaits in rock lines and piles with strong current. 

Water levels are receding throughout the district. Levels are below what anglers have seen in a few years. Be careful boating; many underwater hazards are now exposed. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels crested after Tuesday’s rain. Flows remain high. Clarity is poor. Use caution when boating as large woody debris and other materials may be on the move.  Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye - Slow: Use a jig tipped with a twister tail or minnow in deeper water or a spinnerbait in slack water pockets. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Fish midday on overcast days or dawn and dusk. A variety of baits are working. Channel Catfish - Good: Fresh food inputs from recent rain should turn the catfish bite on; use chicken liver or dead chubs. 

Decorah District Streams
Streams with better watersheds will clear quicker, especially after Tuesday’s rain. Without more rain, streams should clear enough to fish by the weekend. Due to marginal stream temperatures, some streams are not stocked during August. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily information. Brook Trout - Fair: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are more numerous. Use care not to spook a feeding fish. Brown Trout - Excellent: Hendrickson caddis and cranefly hatches are occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black, brown, and grey colors work best. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits work well.

French Creek
The bridge on Mays Prairie Road (CR X6A) is being replaced. Work is scheduled through mid-November. Access the parking lot from the south. Brown Trout - Good: The best time to fish French Creek is after rain events so fish will be less spooky. This stream rarely turns off color. 

Lake Hendricks
Planktonic green algae bloom continues on the lake. Water temperatures are in the low 70's. Cooler weather should help clear the bloom. Black Crappie - Fair: Slowly reel a minnow on a hook over structure. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try near submersed rocky habitat or depth contours in the early morning.  Channel Catfish - Good: Use a large nightcrawler fished off the bottom near woody structure. Bluegill - Fair: Activity should pick up with cooler temperatures. Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm off rocky shoreline or near submersed logs. 

Lake Meyer
Water temperatures are in the mid 70's. With Tuesday’s rain, lake clarity is poor. Bluegill - Slow: Use a hook tipped with a small piece of worm or cricket under a bobber near weed edges. Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait or cut baits fished just off the bottom in the evening. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use topwater baits along weed edges on overcast days and late evenings. Black Crappie - Slow: Use a jig and minnow near submersed structure. 

Osborne Pond
Osborne Pond is currently being renovated. The dam was breached in July and a water retention basin installed. Material will be removed over the winter and new habitat installed in the spring. After repairs to the dam are made, it will be allowed to fill. The pond will then be restocked with bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. 

Turkey River (above Clermont)
The Turkey River continues to rise. Flows remain high. Visit the USGS Current Condition website for more information. Use care when boating, especially with unpredictable currents. Water temperatures are in the low 70's. Visibility is poor. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Use crawfish imitators or spinners in slack water areas off riffles. Walleye - Slow: Try minnows or lures imitating minnows in deep water drop offs. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are variable with poor clarity. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Paddling activities are not recommended. Walleye - Slow: Catch varies. Try natural colored jigs and twister tails or a spinnerbait. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Use crankbaits near rocky ledges undercut banks and current breaks. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water clarity is poor. Water levels are dropping. Current velocities are very swift. Paddling activities are not recommended. Visit the USGS Current Conditions website for more information. Walleye - Slow: Cast a jig and twister tail into deep water drop offs and eddies. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Cast a crankbait or spinner near a rock ledge or into a current break. 

Volga Lake
The algae bloom continues, but should clear with cooling temperatures. Black Crappie - Slow: Slowly retrieve a lure over structure at dawn and dusk. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater lures over structure or run a jig tipped with a twister tail along a rocky shoreline. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use stink bait worms or cut baits fished off the bottom in the evening near woody structure. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a small piece of worm along rocky shorelines.

Prepare for a stormy holiday weekend in Northeast Iowa. Temperatures ranging from upper 70's for highs to upper 50's for lows. Area rivers and streams are up and muddy after recent rain events. Trout streams are currently off color and should clear without more heavy downpours. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Big Woods Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Try finding structure; use a crappie minnow under a slip bobber at various depths. 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Casey Lake is in good condition with clear water. Vegetation remains abundant around edges, but it is starting to die back. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing various depths with a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of weeds or structure. 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River received a fair amount of rain this past week; there have been no angling reports. Channel catfish may be the best opportunity on the river right now. Channel Catfish – Good Use stink baits in the top or upstream end of log jams. 

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River is in excellent condition. Smallmouth bass and walleye fishing should be good throughout Delaware and Jones counties. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River received a fair amount of rain this past week; there have been no angling reports. Channel catfish may be the best opportunity on the river right now. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink baits in the top or upstream end of log jams.

South Prairie Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Try finding structure; use a crappie minnow under a slip bobber at various depths. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River received a little rain in Buchanan County, but conditions remain good for angling opportunities.  Northern Pike - Good: Cast large bucktail spinners. 

The Cedar and Shell Rock in Butler County received a fair amount of rain this past week. The Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa Rivers remain in decent shape for angling opportunities. Trout streams remain in excellent condition, but the extended forecast is calling for potential heavy rains. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing has risen to 9.8 feet and is expected to rise another foot next week. Water temperature is near 73 degrees. The Lansing Village Creek ramp is closed through October.  For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Fair: Water levels are rising; you will need to move around to find walleyes.  Use a 3-way rig with a floating jig and a worm. Yellow Perch - No Report: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - No Report: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Slow: The bass bite has slowed with the poor water clarity this week. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: The bite has slowed with the poor water clarity this week. White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Slow: Expect the crappie bite to pick up after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville rose 3 feet this week to 16.4 feet. It is expected to remain around this level pending any more precipitation. Water temperature is 75 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Walleye- Fair: Water levels are rising; you need to move around to find walleyes.  Use a 3-way rig with a floating jig and a worm. Yellow Perch - No Report: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike -No Report: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Largemouth Bass - Slow: The bass bite has slowed with the poor water clarity this week.  Smallmouth Bass - Slow: The bass bite has slowed with the poor water clarity this week.  White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in the main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Find the bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Slow: Expect the crappie bite to pick up after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has risen several feet to 7.4 feet and is expected to reach 9.5 feet next week. Water temperature is 68 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Walleye - Fair: Water levels are rising; you need to move around to find walleyes. Use a 3-way rig with a floating jig and a worm. Yellow Perch - No Report: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - No Report: This time of year, pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Slow: The bass bite has slowed with the poor water clarity this week. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: The bass bite has slowed with the poor water clarity this week.  White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Slow: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Slow: Expect the crappie bite to pick up after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. 

Upper Mississippi River levels are rising with recent heavy rainfalls. Water clarity is poor with much floating vegetation and debris. Water temperatures are in the low 70's.

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels will rise to around 9.1 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 11.2 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 76 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent:Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Largemouth bass are being caught along flooded weed lines and in weedy backwater using lures like scum frogs.  White Bass - Good: Look for schools of white bass feeding on the surface in the morning and evenings. Bluegill - Excellent: Try along the vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water. Flathead Catfish - Good: Current areas along rocks are starting to again produce some nice eating sized flathead catfish. Walleye - Slow: Use crankbaits on the wing dams. White Crappie - Good: Try small minnows in brush piles along major side channels or deeper backwater areas. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinners or crankbaits along rocky areas with strong current. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level will drop to around 10 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is fair, but avoid all the tributary streams as they are muddy. The water temperature is around 77 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Move often if you are not finding catfish. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Most are feeding along the edge of weed lines. Use a bright colored spinner that imitates minnows. Try also frog imitation lures in the weedy backwaters. White Bass - Good: Look for feeding schools of white bass in the morning and evenings. Small spinners and white jigs work best. Bluegill - Good: Try fishing along vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water. Flathead Catfish - Good: Try live bait in high current areas or above large brush piles. White Crappie - Good: Some nice crappies were reported coming out of deeper backwater areas along newly exposed brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes were taken off wing dams with crankbaits, but the bite has been somewhat slow. Lots of drifting aquatic vegetation was reported, making angling difficult. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are predicted to rise to 9.5 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 12.2 feet at Camanche and 7 feet at the LeClaire. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 77 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stink bait or worms near shore or along brush piles. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bright colored spinners fished along flooded shorelines are picking up some bass. White Bass - Good: White bass are using the tailwater area. Many small fish can be caught; use bright jigs or flashy lures.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Focus on rock lines and rock piles with strong current. Flathead Catfish - Good: Some flatheads are hitting crankbaits and jigs along rocky areas. Anglers are using live baits on trot lines with some success. Bluegill - Good: Lower ends of Rock Creek and Catfish Slough have produced some nice bluegills; mainly using worms and bobbers. White Crappie - Good: Try newly exposed brush piles with small minnows and jigs. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are 9.5 feet at Rock Island. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is around 77 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use an egg sinker and worm rig fished near shore in moderate current areas. Flathead Catfish - Good: Use live bait above large dead falls. Some may also be caught in the tailwater in large eddies. Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Try spinners jigs and crankbaits in rock lines and piles with strong current. Dirty water will slow this bite. 

Conditions will significantly change during the week as water will rise nearly three feet due to extreme rains upstream. Logs and debris will be common, so be careful boating. Avoid tributary streams as they are running muddy. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels stabilized with improved clarity. Use caution when boating. Flows or current are still high. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye - Fair: A variety of baits are working; try a jig tipped with a minnow floated through an eddy. Channel Catfish - Good: The catfish bite is on; use chicken liver, stink bait or dead chubs. 

Decorah District Streams
Small game hunting seasons are open in Iowa. Many trout streams flow through areas with hunting. Wear bright colors. All catchable streams are stocked. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily information. Brook Trout - Good: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are more numerous. Try small spinnerbaits and jigs tipped with twister tails work. Brown Trout - Good: Hendrickson caddis and cranefly hatches are occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black, brown, and grey colors work best. Rainbow Trout - Good: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits work well.

French Creek
The bridge on Mays Prairie Road (CR X6A) is being replaced. Work is scheduled through mid-November. Access the parking lot from the south. Brown Trout - Good: The best time to fish French Creek is after rain events so fish will be less spooky. This stream rarely turns off color. 

Lake Hendricks
Water temperatures are in the mid 60's. Black Crappie - Fair: Slowly reel a minnow on a hook over structure. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try near submersed rocky habitat or depth contours in the early morning.  Channel Catfish - Good: Use a large night crawler fished off the bottom near woody structure. Bluegill - Fair: Activity should pick up with cooler temperatures. Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm off rocky shoreline or near submersed logs. 

Lake Meyer
Lake clarity is slightly stained. Few people have been fishing. Bluegill - Fair: Use a hook tipped with a small piece of worm or cricket under a bobber near weed edges. Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait or cut baits fished just off the bottom in the evening. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater baits along weed edges on overcast days and late evenings. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a jig and minnow near submersed structure. 

Osborne Pond
Osborne Pond is currently being renovated. The dam was breached in July and a water retention basin installed. Material will be removed over the winter and new habitat installed in the spring. After repairs to the dam are made, it will be allowed to fill. The pond will then be restocked with bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. 

Turkey River (above Clermont)
The Turkey River continues to fall and is off color.  Flows remain high. Use caution when boating. Visit the USGS Current Condition website for more information. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows or lures imitating minnows in deep water drop offs

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water level is falling at Decorah with improved clarity. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Paddling activities are not recommended. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water clarity is poor. Water levels are stabilizing. Current velocities are very swift. Paddling activities are not recommended. Visit the USGS Current Conditions website for more information. 

Volga Lake
Lake conditions are improving. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a small piece of worm along rocky shorelines.Black Crappie - Fair: Slowly retrieve a lure over structure at dawn and dusk. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater lures over structure or run a jig tipped with a twister tail along a rocky shoreline. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use stink bait worms or cut baits fished off the bottom in the evening near woody structure. 

Beautiful weather for the weekend. Temperatures ranging from mid-80's for highs to mid-60'. Area rivers and streams stabilized and are off color. Trout streams are in good condition.  For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Casey Lake is in good condition with clear water. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing various depths with a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of weeds or structure. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater artificial baits. 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use crawlers, cut baits, dead minnows and stink baits. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try artificial lures near rocky shoreline areas. Walleye - Fair: Fish a jig tipped with plastic and crawler near the current breaks and bar drop-offs. 

Manchester District Streams
Delaware, Jackson, Dubuque and southern Clayton County streams are in excellent condition and are being stocked. 

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River received a fair amount of rainfall this past week, but is falling quickly and clearing up well. 

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River received a fair amount of rain this past week; there have been no angling reports. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink baits in the top or upstream end of log jams.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River received a fair amount of rainfall this past week; there have been no angling reports. Northern Pike - Good: Cast large bucktail spinners. 

There are not many reports on the interior rivers this past week as most areas remain high and turbid. The upper Cedar and Maquoketa Rivers are the best angling opportunities right now. Most Black Hawk County area lakes have been overwhelmed with flood waters and remain high and turbid. Trout streams have fallen and are in excellent condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is 10.4 feet and is expected to begin a fall to 8.8 feet next week. Water temperature is near 70 degrees. The Lansing Village Creek ramp is closed through October.  For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Good: Fishing wing dam areas will get easier with a drop in river levels. Use crankbaits or 3-way rigs fished along rock structure. Yellow Perch - Excellent: Perch bite has picked up. Many fish 13 inch fish are being caught with live minnow floated under a bobber. Northern Pike - Good: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Cast spoons along the edge of weed beds. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth activity has picked up. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in faster current.  White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville is 20 feet and is expected to fall to 17 feet next week. Water temperature is 71 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Walleye- Good: Fishing wing dam areas will get easier with a drop in river levels. Use crankbaits or 3-way rigs fished along rock structure. Yellow Perch - Excellent: Perch bite has picked up. Many 13 inch fish are being caught with live minnow floated under a bobber.  Northern Pike -Good: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Cast spoons along the edge of weed beds. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Bluegill - Excellent: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs.  Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth activity has picked up. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in faster current.  White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in the main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Find the bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg is 12 feet and is expected to fall to 8.1 feet by next week. Water temperature is 64 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Walleye - Good: Fishing wing dam areas will get easier with a drop in river levels. Use crankbaits or 3-way rigs fished along rock structure. Yellow Perch - Excellent: The perch bite has picked up. Many 13 inch fish are being caught with a live minnow floated under a bobber.  Northern Pike - Good: This time of year, pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Cast spoons along the edge of weed beds.
Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth activity has picked up. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in faster current.  White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent:: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. 

Upper Mississippi River levels will fall over the next week. Water clarity is improving as well as the fishing. Water temperatures are near 70 degrees.

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels will hold around 12.1 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 14.2 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is around 70 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good:Try stink bait or worms near shore. Channel cats feed heavily near shore during flooded conditions. Freshwater Drum - Good: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas. Bluegill - Fair: Try finding clear water in the upper reaches of backwater areas; use worms and bobber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish the upper ends of backwater areas in cleaner water. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level will hold around 13.5 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is poor; avoid all the tributary streams as they are muddy. The water temperature is around 70 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Move often if you are not finding catfish. Freshwater Drum - Good: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Largemouth Bass - Good: Some nice bass were reported in the upper ends of backwater areas deep in the vegetated areas. Most anglers are using frog imitation lures. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are predicted to hold around 13.4 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 15.8 feet at Camanche and 9.8 feet at the LeClaire. Small boat ramps will be flooded or have debris on them. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is around 70 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait or worms near shore or along brush piles. Channel cats feed heavily in flooded waters. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are near 15.4 feet at Rock Island. This is "moderate" flood stages, so most boat ramps are flooded. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is around 70 degrees. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Fish near shore in flooded waters. Freshwater Drum - No Report: Use an egg sinker and worm rig fished near shore in moderate current areas. 

Expect the water to hold at this high level for most of the week and then start dropping by this weekend. Most small boat ramps are flooded or will have debris on them. Avoid tributary streams as they are running muddy. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Cedar River (above Nashua)
The river is rising and extremely muddy. Boating is not recommended. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye -Slow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver, stink bait or dead chubs. Catfish will be in a slow pocket or area out of the current. 

Decorah District Streams
Small game hunting seasons are open in Iowa. Many trout streams flow through areas with hunting. Wear bright colors. Due to recent rain, streams will be stocked depending on stream conditions the day of stocking. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily information. Brook Trout - Fair: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are more numerous. Try small spinnerbaits and jigs tipped with twister tails. Brown Trout - Good: Hendrickson caddis and cranefly hatches are occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black, brown, and grey colors work best. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits work well.

French Creek
The bridge on Mays Prairie Road (CR X6A) is being replaced. Work is scheduled through mid-November. Access the parking lot from the south. Brown Trout - Good: The best time to fish French Creek is after rain events so fish will be less spooky. This stream rarely turns off color. 

Lake Hendricks
Water temperatures are in the upper 60's. Clarity remains poor. Black Crappie - Slow: Drift a minnow in deeper water. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try near submersed rocky habitat or depth contours in the early morning.  Channel Catfish - Good: Use a large night crawler fished off the bottom near woody structure. Bluegill - Slow: Activity should pick up with cooler temperatures. Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm off rocky shoreline or near submersed logs. 

Lake Meyer
Lake clarity is about 5 feet, but will likely be much less after this current rainy period. Water temperatures are in the upper 60's. Few people have been out fishing. Bluegill - Fair: Use a hook tipped with a small piece of worm or cricket under a bobber in deeper water. Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait or cut baits fished just off the bottom in the evening. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater baits along weed edges on overcast days and late evenings. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a jig and minnow near submersed structure. 

Osborne Pond
Osborne Pond is currently being renovated. The dam was breached in July and a water retention basin installed. Material will be removed over the winter and new habitat installed in the spring. After repairs to the dam are made, it will be allowed to fill. The pond will then be restocked with bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. 

Turkey River (above Clermont)
The Turkey River is rising again and muddy. Flows remain high. Boating is not recommended.  Visit the USGS Current Condition website for more information. Boat docks at Vernon Springs are out for the season. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Try spinner and crankbaits. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows or lures imitating minnows in deep water drop offs.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are rising with poor water clarity. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Boating is not recommended. The dock is out at Lime Springs for the season.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
The Upper Iowa is rising and clarity is poor. Paddling activities are not recommended. Visit the USGS Current Conditions website for more information. 

Volga Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Find gills along rocky shoreline or suspended deeper. Use a small jig tipped with a small piece of worm. Black Crappie - Slow: Slowly retrieve a lure over structure in deeper water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures over structure or run a jig tipped with a twister tail along a rocky shoreline. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait worms or cut baits fished off the bottom in the evening near woody structure. 

Recent rainfall events have turned a majority of area rivers and streams off color and running high. Temperatures are cooling greatly for the weekend. Trout streams are off color and high. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Casey Lake is in good condition with clear water. Bluegill – Good: Try fishing various depths with a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of weeds or structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater and plastic artificial baits. Black Crappie - Good: Try small pink and white tube jigs or a crappie minnow fished under a slip bobber by the jetties and dam areas in about 4 feet of water. 

The recent wet weather may provide a great opportunity to gather up bow hunting gear for the upcoming weekend! Heavy rains and flooding is occurring on all cold and warm water streams and rivers.Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 8.6 feet at Lansing and is expected to stay stable. Water temperature is near 73 degrees. The Lansing Village Creek ramp is closed through October.  For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Good: Fishing wing dam areas will get easier with a drop in river levels. Use crankbaits or 3-way rigs tipped with crawlers in 8-12 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Excellent: Perch bite has picked up. Many 13 inch fish are being caught with live minnow floated under a bobber. Northern Pike - Good: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Cast spoons along the edge of weed beds. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth activity has picked up. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in faster current.  White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 16.4 feet at Lynxville and will stabilize near 15.5 feet next week. Water temperature is 74 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Walleye- Good: Fishing wing dam areas will get easier with a drop in river levels. Use crankbaits or 3-way rigs tipped with crawlers in 8-12 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Excellent: Perch bite has picked up. Many 13 inch fish are being caught with live minnow floated under a bobber.  Northern Pike -Good: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Cast spoons along the edge of weed beds. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Bluegill - Excellent: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs.  Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth activity has picked up. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in faster current.  White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in the main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has dropped several feet to 8.9 feet and is expected to reach 7.5 feet by next week. Water temperature is 68 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Walleye - Good: Fishing wing dam areas will get easier with a drop in river levels. Use crankbaits or 3-way rigs tipped with crawlers in 8-12 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Excellent: The perch bite has picked up. Many 13 inch fish are being caught with a live minnow floated under a bobber.  Northern Pike - Good: This time of year, pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Cast spoons along the edge of weed beds.
Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth activity has picked up. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in faster current.  White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. 

Upper Mississippi River level is falling back into normal fall range. Look for fish to be more active as they start fall feeding activity. Water temperatures are near 70 degrees.

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels will fluctuate this week, starting at 8.2 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and at 10.7 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 72 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good:Try stink bait or worms near shore. Channel cats feed heavily near shore during flooded conditions. Freshwater Drum - Good: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas. Bluegill - Good: Try finding clear water in the upper reaches of backwater areas; use worms and bobber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish the upper ends of backwater areas in cleaner water. Black Crappie - Fair: Use small minnows in the clear upper reaches of backwater areas. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level will fluctuate this week, starting out at 9.2 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is fair. Avoid large tributary streams as they are muddy. The water temperature is around 73 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Move often if you are not finding catfish. Freshwater Drum - Good: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try frog imitation lures and spinner baits in the upper ends of backwater areas and deep in the vegetated areas. Bluegill - Good: Find the clear water in the upper reaches of large backwater complexes; use a simple bobber and worm. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a small minnow and bobber in the upper reaches of backwaters in clear water. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are predicted to fluctuate this week, starting at around 9 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 12 feet at Camanche and 6.7 feet at the LeClaire. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 73 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait or worms near shore or along brush piles. Channel cats feed heavily in flooded waters. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Walleye - Slow: A few walleye were caught off the bank with jigs and minnows. Bluegill - Good: Use a bobber and worm in the upper reaches of Rock Creek or Cattail Slough. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are near 10.2 feet at Rock Island and will rise to 12.3 feet. This level will again approach "action" flood stage, so some boat ramps will be flooded. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is around 74 degrees. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Fish near shore in flooded waters. Freshwater Drum - No Report: Use an egg sinker and worm rigs fished near shore in moderate current areas. 

The water levels will fluctuate this week. Most ramps are usable again, but some will have water on them. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

[Rick]

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Woods Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching some bluegill. Use a piece of night crawler under a slip bobber at various depths to find bluegill. Try fishing along and near any known structure. 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Casey Lake is in good condition with clear water. Bluegill – Good: Try fishing various depths with a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of weeds or structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater and plastic artificial baits. Black Crappie - Good: Try small pink and white tube jigs or a crappie minnow fished under a slip bobber by the jetties and dam areas in about 4 feet of water. 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports of anglers catching a few walleye on the Cedar River in Black Hawk County. Walleye - Fair: Use jig and plastics tipped with half a crawler or crankbaits below woody structure or off of current break areas and below riffles. 

River angling reports are few as interior rivers remain higher than normal with the recent flooding. Extended forecast calls for showers over the next week. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing has risen to 10 feet and is expected to stay there through next week before tapering off. Water temperature is near 65 degrees. The Lansing Village Creek ramp is closed through October.  For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Good: Fishing wing dam areas will get easier with a drop in river levels. Use crankbaits or 3-way rigs tipped with crawlers in 8-12 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Excellent: Perch bite has picked up. Many 13 inch fish are being caught with a live minnow floated under a bobber. Northern Pike - Good: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Cast spoons along the edge of weed beds. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth activity has picked up. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in faster current.  White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville is up several feet at 18.5 feet and is expected to remain there next week. Water temperature is 66 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Walleye- Good: Fishing wing dam areas will get easier with a drop in river levels. Use crankbaits or 3-way rigs tipped with crawlers in 8-12 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Excellent: Perch bite has picked up. Many 13 inch fish are being caught with a live minnow floated under a bobber.  Northern Pike -Good: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Cast spoons along the edge of weed beds. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Bluegill - Excellent: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs.  Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth activity has picked up. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in faster current.  White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in the main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for big fish action. Black Crappie - Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has risen to 10.2 feet and is expected to remain there this week before tapering off. Water temperature is 63 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Walleye - Good: Fishing wing dam areas will get easier with a drop in river levels. Use crankbaits or 3-way rigs tipped with crawlers in 8-12 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Excellent: The perch bite has picked up. Many 13 inch fish are being caught with a live minnow floated under a bobber.  Northern Pike - Good: This time of year, pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Cast spoons along the edge of weed beds. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth activity has picked up. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in faster current.  White Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie - Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. 

Upper Mississippi River levels have popped up after last week's rain. Water clarity is better in backwaters and side sloughs. Look for fish to be more active as they start fall feeding activity. Water temperatures are falling into the mid 60's this week.

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels will recede this week, starting at 10.6 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 12.6 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 67 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good:Try stink bait or worms near shore. Channel cats feed heavily near shore during flooded conditions. Freshwater Drum - Good: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out near shore in moderate current areas. Bluegill - Slow: Try finding clear water in the upper reaches of backwater areas; use worms and bobber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish the upper ends of backwater areas in cleaner water. Black Crappie - Slow: Use small minnows in the clear upper reaches of backwater areas. Bowfin - Good: Bowfin are feeding in the leftover lotus patches. Spinners are working well, but some may also be taken on night crawlers. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level should recede this week, starting out at 11.5 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is poor. Avoid large tributary streams as they are muddy. The water temperature is around 67 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Move often if you are not finding catfish. Freshwater Drum - Good: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try frog imitation lures and spinner baits in the upper ends of backwater areas and deep in the vegetated areas. Bluegill - Slow: Find the clear water in the upper reaches of large backwater complexes; use a simple bobber and worm. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a small minnow and bobber in the upper reaches of backwaters in clear water. Bowfin - Good: Try a spinner in the dying lotus patches or a night crawler for this hard fighting fish. White Bass - No Report: Good numbers of nice sized white bass are in the system, but recent water clarity issues have hampered fishing for them. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels will recede this week, starting at 11.1 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 13.7  feet at Camanche and 8 feet at the LeClaire. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is around 67 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait or worms near shore or along brush piles. Channel cats feed heavily in flooded waters. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Walleye - No Report:  A few walleye were caught off the bank with jigs and minnows. Bluegill - Slow: Use a bobber and worm in the upper reaches of Rock Creek or Cattail Slough. The water needs to clear up for fishing will improve. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are near 12.5 feet. This level is slightly below "action" flood stage, so some boat ramps will be flooded. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is around 67 degrees. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Fish near shore in flooded waters. Freshwater Drum - No Report: Use an egg sinker and worm rigs fished near shore in moderate current areas. 

The water levels will fluctuate this week, but should recede. Most ramps are usable again, but some will have water on them. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.