Iowa River Fishing Reports

[Rick]

Upper Iowa River (Winneshiek): Walleye fishing is slow, but a few are being caught on jigs tipped with a twister tail or minnow. Water temperature is in the 40s. Traditionally sucker fishing hits its peak on Good Friday, so stick with those worms and get out there.

[JIvers]

Upper Iowa River:

I headed home to SE Minnesota today (June 19) to prepare for a week fishing up north. I had some errands to run on my ag. and hunting ground near the Iowa border, and stopped by the Upper Iowa to do some smallmouth fishing.

Unfortunately, the week's rains have the river high, muddy, and pretty much un-fishable. The area trout streams, even the small headwaters, didn't look much better. I wish I had a better report, but if you're planning a fishing trip to NE Iowa this weekend, you're facing an uphill battle.

[Joe]

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

Water levels are slowly dropping and water clarity is improving. Not many anglers have been out but the river is fishable.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

Water levels are dropping. The river is fishable but few anglers have been out. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been having good success using stink bait and chicken livers.

[Joe]

Water levels have dropped to close to normal flow for this time of year, but the river is still cloudy. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Anglers are catching a few smallmouth bass, but it has been slow. Walleye - Slow: Anglers are reporting very few walleyes being caught with muddy water.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

Water are close to normal, but the river is still a touch muddy. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have been having some success using stink bait and chicken livers. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: A few smallmouth bass have are being caught from the lower dam downstream on white and yellow twister tails and jig heads.

[Joe]

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

Water levels have dropped to close to normal flow for this time of year. Smallmouth and walleye are being caught from the mouth of Canoe Creek to the Ellingson Bridge. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching a few smallmouth bass, but it has been slow. Most fish have been in the 10 to 14-inch range. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are reporting a few walleyes being caught.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

Water levels are good this week. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have been having some success using stink bait and chicken livers around the Lundy Bridge area. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: A few smallmouth bass have are being caught with a twister and jig.

[Joe]

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

Water levels have dropped and are now at normal flow for this time of year. Smallmouth and walleye are being caught all along the river above Decorah. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching smallmouth bass. Most fish have been 10 to 14 inches. Try using twister tails with a slow retrieve. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are reporting a few walleyes being caught while fishing for smallmouth.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

Water levels are good this week. Smallmouth bass are being caught from the Ellingson Bridge to the Hwy. 76 Bridge. Anglers are also having luck around the lower dam. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have been having some success using stink bait and chicken livers around the Lundy Bridge area. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth bass are being caught with a twister and jig. Most of anglers have been using white twister tails.

[Joe]

Water levels are normal. Smallmouth and walleye are being caught all along the river above Decorah and should continue for the weekend. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Anglers are catching smallmouth bass. Most fish have been 10 to 14 inches. Try using twister tails with a slow retrieve of jigging. Walleye - Excellent: Anglers are reporting walleyes being caught using twisters and crankbaits. Most fish range from 11 to 13 inches.

Water levels are normal. Smallmouth are being caught all along this stretch of river. Anglers were also having luck around the lower dam. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have been having some success using stink bait and chicken livers around the Lundy Bridge area. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth bass have are being caught with a twister and jig. Most of anglers have been using white twister tails. Walleye - Excellent: Anglers have been doing well on walleye using both twisters and crankbaits.

[Joe]

Fish are moving into their overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Walleye - Fair:

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

Target walleye and smallmouth bass in overwintering holes. Fish have been aggressive. Anglers are using jigs and twisters while paddling over the deeper holes. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Walleye - Good: