NORTHWEST
Bacon Creek Lake
Approximately 1700 rainbow trout were stocked into Bacon Creek Lake on November 8th. They are being caught on a variety of methods including small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons and live minnows under a bobber.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is in the low 50’s. Water level is about 5 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing continues to be productive. Find fish in at Town Bay, the floating dock, near the inlet bridge and the outlet. Use a small hook tipped with a worm suspended from a bobber fished about 2 feet deep near shore. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish areas with rock and structure along shore, such as the north side of Ice House Point. Use crankbaits, plastics and spinnerbaits. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Black Hawk Lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish are 8-10 inches. Use live minnows below a bobber or a small tube jig. Try Town Bay, Ice House Point and near the inlet bridge. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are being picked up along the east shoreline and around the outlet. Try also near the rock piles in the east basin.
Black Hawk Pits
Black Crappie – Fair: Black crappies are being picked up on minnows fished in areas along shore and areas with contour and structure 5-10 feet deep. Bluegill – Fair: Drift in deeper areas or fish near shore with a small black jig tipped with bait suspended below a bobber.
Brushy Creek Lake
Surface water temperatures are in the mid 50’s. Water clarity is good. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are picking up some bluegill in 10-15 feet of water. Use small jigs tipped with bait. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish plastics and spinners near structure in 4-10 feet of water. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some perch are being picked up near structure in 10-15 feet of water along the creek channel.
Moorland Pond
Approximately 2000 rainbow trout were stocked into Moorland Pond on November 9th. Use small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons or live minnows under a bobber. Most are having the best luck with small spinners and anything that will grab the trout’s attention.
Nelson Park Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have picked up nice sized bluegills near the dam and along the shoreline with jigs tipped with bait fished below a bobber. Drift jigs along submerged trees and structure. Black Crappie – Good: Try near the dam and along structure and submerged trees near shore. Use a small jig such as a 1/32nd ounce jig tipped with crawler or power bait fished below a bobber.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
There is a daily limit of 3 walleye at Storm Lake and all 17 to 22-inch walleye must be released; and no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye – Fair: Use crankbaits, leeches or minnows and a slip bobber. Drift in the dredge cuts and fish near shore in morning and evenings to find fish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Storm Lake has a good catfish population; target catfish from shore using stink bait or cut bait fished off the bottom.
Water temperatures in the Black Hawk District are in the mid to low 50’s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Big Spirit Lake
As of 11/9 – Marble beach, Templar and Orleans docks are still in the lake at the respective ramps. Yellow Perch – Good: Fishing has heated up with excellent numbers of fish being caught. Try along the weed lines; best action is early morning and evening, but perch have been caught throughout the day. Walleye – Good: Walleye action has picked up this last week. Reports of fish being caught at the north grade; early morning and evening hours are best. Dock and wader anglers are also catching fish; best bite is early morning and evening hours. Yellow perch anglers fishing the weed lines are also catching walleye. Black Crappie – Good: Reports of bluegill and crappie being caught at the north grade; morning and evening hours are best.
Center Lake
Dock at the Center Lake ramp has been removed.
Dog Creek (Lake)
Bluegill – Good: Recent survey shows good numbers of quality sized fish up to 8 inches in the lake.
East Okoboji Lake
As of 11/9 – Boat ramp docks at Hwy 9 and East Okoboji Beach are still in the lake. Majority of the public docks have been removed from the lake. Yellow Bass – Good: Good action early morning and evening hours; fish bridge sites for the best action. Fish are also being caught in the East Okoboji Beach area from a boat. Bluegill – Good: Fish are being caught on the south end of the lake. As the water cools, look for shallow water rock piles, docks associated with deeper water and aquatic plants. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish early morning and evening for the best action. Walleye – Good: Report of fish being caught in the lakes basin; troll crank baits or crawlers. Yellow Perch – Good: Anglers are catching fish off the public dock located at the Elinor Bedell State Park and in boats in the shallow bay.
Five Island Lake
Bluegill – Good: Anglers are catching bluegill in Town Bay; sorting is needed. Patience and persistence will result in good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Good: Recent surveys show numbers of 1.5 – 3.5 pounds walleye in Ingham Lake. Black Crappie – Good: Black crappie will provide an upswing for anglers and will sustain the fishery for the next couple of years.
Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Walleye – Good: Good walleye bite reported from the river.
Little Spirit Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Reports of fish being caught on the south end of the lake.
Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Good numbers of yellow bass are being caught from shore. Sorting is needed; persistence will be rewarded with good numbers of fish harvested. Yellow Perch – Good: Yellow perch has been reported caught from the lake. Black Crappie – Good: Shore anglers report numbers of fish caught; best action is during the morning hours.
Scharnberg Pond
Rainbow Trout – Good: Scharnberg Pond was stocked with rainbow trout on Saturday, November 5th.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
As of 11/9 – State dock at the ramp (west end) has been removed; docks at the city ramps were still in the lake. Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching walleye; use crank baits for the best action. Wader fishing has heated up; this is when trophy size fish are caught from Silver Lake. Day fishing has been reported as slow.
Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Yellow Perch – Good: Report of anglers catching fish from Silver Lake. Walleye – Good: Walleye action has improved with the cooler water temperatures.
West Fork Des Moines (Emmetsburg to Humboldt)
Walleye – Good: Good walleye bite reported from the river.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are moving inshore as the water cools; fish weed lines and docks. Yellow Perch – Good: Fish are being caught in 10 feet; fish traditional baits.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Spirit Lake Fisheries Station at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Cedar River water levels have stabilized with much improved clarity. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are in good condition and continue fishing well. Thank you to all our faithful anglers who took advantage of our catchable trout stocking program this year. It is hunting season; be courteous to other recreational users. Spinner baits have been successful on rainbows and browns. There have been good hatches of small mayflies and caddis flies midday. Brook Trout – Good: Use flies or lures that look like sculpins or suckers in flood ravaged streams where there is no aquatic vegetation. Brown Trout – Good: Avoid stepping in the small indentations in the stream bottom called redds. Rainbow Trout – Good: Find Rainbow Trout hiding in the upper and lower ends of pools. Dance a meaty looking fly or lure in these areas and wait.
Lake Hendricks
A fishing jetty project is complete, but anglers are asked to wait to fish from it for a while yet. Fish when the sun is overhead and along the shoreline for best luck. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a wax worm fished under a slip bobber about 2 feet off the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Lake Meyer
The lake is in good condition and anglers are catching fish. Look for fish in the shallow bays in the afternoons and evenings. Bluegill – Good: Tip a small jig with a wax worm then cast out and slowly reel in. Anglers are catching a variety of sizes. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels on the Turkey River have stabilized with improved clarity. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Anglers using rubber skirted jigs may find fish. Black Crappie – Slow: Try along the brushy edges for best luck. Walleye – Slow: Anglers using live baits may have best luck. Try fishing in off channel areas.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is improving. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is good. The stream is looking fishy. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is good. Walleye – Slow: Anglers bank fishing and floating are having success using a jig tipped with a nightcrawler or light colored plastic twister tail. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try a jig tipped with a nightcrawler. Sauger – Good: Anglers using light colored jigs and plastics are doing well fishing from shore.
Volga Lake
Water clarity is good. Try along the rocky shoreline in the afternoon and evenings. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Decorah area streams are in good condition. It’s another amazing weekend to get out and enjoy the best of Iowa’s natural resources. Temperature highs will be in the 50’s during the day to upper 30’s at night with no rain in the forecast. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing has fallen to 8.9 feet and is predicted to fall slowly over the next week. A lot of vegetation and debris is still present in the river after multiple high water events. New Albin ramp has reopened. Black Crappie – Fair: Some anglers are reporting a few crappies this week as the river has returned to its banks. Use minnows under a bobber in the tree piles in backwater areas Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouths are holding tight in vegetation beds near overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Lots of current in the river makes for great smallmouth fishing. Fish crankbaits along exposed riprap on main channel borders. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing is picking up in backwaters and side sloughs. Use crawlers under a bobber fished tight up against tree lines out of the current. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing is picking up below the tailwaters and on wing dams. Sauger – Fair: Sauger are making the move up toward the tailwaters of the lock and dam. Use jigs tipped with minnows fished over deep-water structures. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are congregating in the vegetation in backwater lakes. Fish a minnow under a bobber in the lily-pads or tree piles.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 17.9 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to fall a foot over the next week. The gates at Lock and Dam 9 are lowered and tailwater fishing is expected to pick up with the stabilizing water levels. Water temperatures are in the low to mid 50’s. Black Crappie – Fair: Some anglers are reporting a few crappies this week as the river has returned to its banks. Use minnows under a bobber in the tree piles in backwater areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth are holding tight in vegetation beds near overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Lots of current in the river makes for great smallmouth fishing. Fish crankbaits along exposed riprap on main channel borders. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing is picking up in backwaters and side sloughs. Fish tight up against tree lines out of the current using crawlers under a bobber. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing is picking up below the tailwaters and on wing dams. Sauger – Fair: Sauger are making the move up toward the tailwaters of the lock and dam. Use jigs tipped with minnows fished over deep-water structures. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are congregating in the vegetation in backwater lakes. Fish a minnow under a bobber in the lily-pads or tree piles.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 9.3 feet at Guttenberg and is predicted to drop a foot over the next week. The gates at Lock and Dam 10 were lowered this week and tailwater fishing is expected to pick up as the water stabilizes. Water temperatures are in the mid to lower 50’s. Black Crappie – Fair: Some anglers are reporting a few crappies this week as the river has returned to its banks. Use minnows under a bobber in the tree piles in backwater areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth are holding tight in vegetation beds near overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Lots of current in the river makes for great smallmouth fishing. Fish crankbaits along exposed riprap on main channel borders. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing is picking up below the tailwaters and on wing dams. Sauger – Fair: Sauger are making the move up toward the tailwaters of the lock and dam. Use jigs tipped with minnows fished over deep-water structures. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are congregating in the vegetation in backwater lakes. Fish a minnow under a bobber in the lily-pads or tree piles. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing is picking up in backwaters and side sloughs. Fish tight up against tree lines out of the current using crawlers under a bobber.
The Upper Mississippi River levels are gradually falling to normal levels. Expect fishing for all species to pick up as water levels stabilize. Water temperatures remain in the lower to mid-50’s. There is still a lot of vegetation floating which can make shoreline fishing a challenge.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is near 9.4 feet at Dubuque tailwater and near 11.3 feet at the RR bridge. These levels are down from last week and are expected to recede some more. The main channel is near 55 degrees. Fishing has generally been good so enjoy the last real nice weather of the fall. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are being caught in huge numbers in the higher quality backwaters where they plan on spending the winter. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Cut out all the red meat and they are a fine eating fish. If you plan on eating drum throw them immediately on ice after catching them and try to avoid freezing them. Channel Catfish – Good: Find channel cats right along the shoreline, in one or two feet of water. Try rock lines for best results. Bluegill – Good: Lots of bluegills are coming out of the better backwater areas. Some places are nonstop action but size tends to be smaller. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth bass are doing very well in the Mississippi River with numerous year classes present. The combination of rock and current are a must to catch smallmouth bass, which often hold very tight to the rocks. The high water has made angling for them a challenge. Black Crappie – Fair: Expect good fishing for crappies to return this fall. Lots of nice crappies are present in the Mississippi River. Walleye – Good: Most walleye angling is taking place in the tailwater using a jig and minnow. Some larger walleye are still coming off the wing dams. White Bass – Good: These fish can school up and action can be fast. Use spinners or small crank baits.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is near 10.0 feet at Bellevue, down from last week. The water temperature is around 55 degrees. Water levels are expected to recede slowly all week. Walleye – Good: Walleye are being taken in the tailwater mostly on jigs and minnows or three way minnow rigs. Largemouth Bass – Good: Many good catches of bass were reported this week. Bass are on the bite often feeding on shad as their primary food item. Try larger silver colored crank baits; try your best to keep vegetation off your line. Freshwater Drum – Good: Loads of freshwater drum are available and good fishing should return. Use large crayfish to catch really large drum. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are being seen very close to the shoreline. Do not be afraid to try to catch them in one or two feet of water. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth bass are doing very well in the Mississippi River with numerous year classes present. The combination of rock and current are a must to find smallmouth bass. Smallies often hold very tight to the rocks. Stay away from the turbid tributary streams as smallmouths are sight feeders. Black Crappie – Good: Some crappies are being taken mostly by anglers catching bluegills. Those targeting crappies specifically are moving from brush pile to brush pile. White Bass – Fair: White bass schools are being reported in the tailwater area at times. Try a spinner or minnow imitation lure. Bluegill – Excellent: They are starting to move into their winter backwater homes. Size has been an issue but some anglers are reporting catching large numbers.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The level is near 9.3 feet at Fulton, 12.4 feet at Camanche and 6.8 feet at Le Claire. The water temperature is near 56 degrees. Some debris and aquatic vegetation is still floating in the main channel and side channels. Freshwater Drum – Good: Use a simple sliding sinker and worm fished in current. Worms are the best bait. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish are near shoreline in one to three feet of water. Walleye – Good: Anglers are returning back to the tailwaters for a chance at walleyes and sauger. Use a jig and minnow. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth bass are doing very well in the Mississippi River with numerous year classes present. The combination of rock and current are a must to find smallmouth bass, which often hold very tight to the rocks. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass are biting once again. They are still out in the edges of the main channels and side sloughs but you need to fish out of the high current areas. Pockets and eddies give you the best shot at quality bass. White Bass – No Report: Expect the white bass and hybrid striped bass catches to improve greatly. Try fishing in the tailwater this fall using minnow imitations such as spinners. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie bite is gearing up; the water receding should help people find the crappies.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 9.6 feet at Rock Island, which is down from last week. Water will fall more this week. Water temperature is up slightly and is around 57 degrees in the main channel. Less eel grass floating then last week but it is still a nuisance for anglers in current areas. Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum are abundant in Pool 15. Try fishing the eagles landing area or the outside channel south of I 74 with a with worm and egg sinkers. Channel Catfish – Good: Rising water levels usually trigger what has already been a good catfish bite. Lots of varieties of stink bait are being used. Move often if the fish do not bite in 15 minutes or so. Fish close to the shorelines for best success. White Bass – No Report: Seen a lot of nice white bass in a recent survey of Pool 15. Target these fish in near shore current eddies or in the tailwater area.
Water temperatures are still holding steady around 55 degrees throughout the district. The water levels are still a bit higher than most anglers are accustomed to at this time of year, but water levels are receding. We expect water to fall over a foot again this week in most places.
SOUTHEAST
Environmental Discovery Park North Pond
With nice weather forecast for this weekend, take the kids trout fishing before the weather changes. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Still plenty of trout left in the North Pond.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa is dropping pretty fast with a drop of a little over three feet in the last week.
Lake Darling
Water temperature has dipped down into the upper 50’s with the colder nights. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie fishing has slowed a little bit; they are still in fairly shallow but it won’t be too long before they head out to deeper water for the winter. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are catching more than a few bluegills while fishing for crappies.
Lost Grove Lake
Still fairly good numbers of anglers out on the lake. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching crappies on the backside (main lake side) of the causeway in shallow water. Try also along the riprap on the north side of the lake.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The Skunk river level has remained steady even with the dry weather. It is starting to get down to the level where you need to be more careful getting around in a boat. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few catfish. Target the slower water as the catfish grab one last bite to eat before heading to the overwintering holes.
Wilson Lake
The fall trout release was last Saturday. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: The trout have figured out that they don’t have to stay in four feet of water. Some may still be in shallow, but also look in deeper water.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake level on 11/10 is at fall pool of 686.4′ and holding steady. The only dock in now is at the Macbride ramp.
Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift/troll for suspended fish in deeper water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish around brush and rip rap. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish around brush and rip rap.
Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
Bluegill – Fair: Fish wax worms around brush. Fish up to 9 inches are being reported. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish wax worms around brush. Many fish are 9-11 inches.
Lake Macbride
Any size motor may be operated at no wake (5 mph). The fish cleaning station is shut down and boat docks are expected to be taken out soon. Black Crappie – Fair: Try jigs or minnows over brush/stumps in 10-20 feet of water. Walleye – Slow: Best reports have been from anglers vertical jigging over structure in 15-20 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use spinner baits and crankbaits fished along rip rap. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Fish are hit and miss. Most fish are smaller, but some bigger fish have been reported in the past week. Most fish are deeper during the day and shallower towards evening.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is currently down 15′ for the restoration project. Much of the dirt work has been done and rock work will begin soon. The main boat ramp is formed up and will be poured starting 11/10. The ramp will not be usable for quite a while, and may not be usable the rest of the open water season. There are no fishing reports at this time.
Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
The river conditions look great and water temps are around 50 degrees. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Corydon Reservoir
The fisheries renovation at Corydon Reservoir has been completed. Fish will be restocked.
Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try spinner baits or rubber worms in areas along the edge of the aquatic vegetation and around rocky shorelines. Lake Sugema has a slot limit so all largemouth bass 12-18 inches must be immediately released. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill fishing is improving. Try small jigs tipped with a wax worm fished below a bobber around the edge of the aquatic vegetation or submerged structure. Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers are starting to catch crappies. Use minnows fished under a bobber or small jigs tipped with live bait. Walleye – Slow: Recent surveys show 15-20 inch walleye. Drift or troll nightcrawlers or minnows along the rip-rapped shorelines and along submerged points. Try also casting crankbaits.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Good: Try spinner baits or rubber worms in areas with submerged structure. Slow down your presentation as the water cools. Target areas along the edge of the aquatic vegetation and around structure. Black Bullhead – Fair: Try nightcrawlers fished on the bottom in 4-6 feet of water. Most fish are around 10 inches.
Ottumwa Park Pond East (Trout Pond)
Trout were stocked on Friday, October 28th. Use small spinners or prepared trout baits. Nightcrawlers can also be productive for trout.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.53 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. The current surface water temperature is in the upper 50’s °F. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Walleye – Slow: Anglers are still picking up a few walleye using crankbaits that mimic gizzard shad. Target submerged points and rock piles. Try casting minnows and jigs near the shore. White Crappie – Fair: Some anglers have been doing well for crappies. Anglers are catching fish off docks and around submerged structure using small jigs or minnows. White Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching white bass and wipers casting toward shore with jigs. Try also small crankbaits.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait. Cast along the shoreline and keep moving until you find active fish. Look for structure and the edges of aquatic vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try rubber worms or spinner baits in submerged structure, shorelines a
