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Bacon Creek Lake
Approximately 1700 rainbow trout were stocked on November 8th. Use small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons or live minnows under a bobber.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is around 50 degrees. Water level is about 5 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill can be caught anywhere, but the best luck may be in 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 spinner baits. 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 – Fair: Look for walleye along the east shoreline and around the outlet. Try also near the rock piles in the east basin.
Brushy Creek Lake
Surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees. 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: Try 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 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.
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.
Water temperatures in the Black Hawk District are in the upper 40’s to around 50 degrees. River fishing for walleye has recently been productive. Some small water bodies and marshes have skim ice. As the open water season comes to an end and ice fishing begins, more reports will become available as we receive them. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
There will be an Urban Trout Stocking at Blue Pit in Mason City on Wednesday, November 23rd. 1,500 Rainbow trout will be stocked at around 11:00 a.m. Anglers need a 2016 fishing license (age 16 and older) and trout stamp to fish for or possess trout.
Clear Lake
Water temperature is 37 degrees. Fishing activity has slowed with colder weather and high winds.
All area lakes are ice free. Some of the smaller ponds and wetlands have formed skim ice. . For information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Cedar River water levels have stabilized with much improved clarity. Visithttp://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for more information on water levels. Walleye – Good: Use a jighead tipped with nightcrawler, minnow or plastic twister tails. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Anglers are using a variety of baits but jigs tipped with worms work well. Channel Catfish – Slow: A few anglers are using stink bait but try a frog or cut bait. Northern Pike – Slow: Crankbaits are working but try using a dead chub fished under a bobber. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie in the off current areas or along brushy edges using a jig tipped with a minnow.
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. Be aware it is hunting season so be courteous to other recreational users. Spinner baits have been successful on rainbows and browns. There have been good late day hatches of small mayflies and caddis flies. Brook Trout – Good: Use flies or lures that look like sculpins, dace or suckers. Brookies are spawning and really colored up well. 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. Fish are in 8 to 10 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels on the Turkey River have stabilized with improved clarity. Flows remain high so find fish in areas with little current. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Anglers using rubber skirted jigs may find fish. Black Crappie – Slow: Try fishing along the brushy edges for best luck. Walleye – Slow: Use live baits in off channel areas.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is good. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for more information on water levels. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find fish along the rocky ledges out of the current. Use a jig tipped with a worm or plastic twister tail. Walleye – Slow: Look for fish in the deeper areas with little current. Run a shallow water crankbait around boulders.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is about 5 feet. Flows are still up so fish in slack water areas. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for more information on water levels. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: A jig tipped with a nightcrawler may turn an eye. Look for fish in the off channel eddies and deeper pools. Walleye – Slow: Live baits should turn on a hungry walleye.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is good. Water temperatures are in the low 40’s. Walleye – Fair: Anglers bank fishing and floating were 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
The docks have been taken out for the winter. Water clarity is good. Try along the rocky shoreline in the afternoon and evenings. Bluegill – Good: Use red worms or wax worms fished under a bobber from rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small ice fishing jigs tipped with a minnow under a bobber.
DDecorah area rivers and streams are in good condition. Be prepared for rain/snow Thursday into Friday. Temperature highs will be in the low 40’s during the day to low 30’s and into the 20’s at night. After an afternoon of food and fun with the family, take advantage of this time to get the whole family outside and walk off that turkey along a beautiful Northeast Iowa stream or visit a state park. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports on the Cedar River have been fair for walleye in Black Hawk County. Bremer County reports are good for walleye and northern pike. Most catches of smallmouth have been incidental while fishing for walleye. Walleye – Good: Jig and twister tipped with a minnow is a deadly combination for walleye this time of year. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Jig and twister tipped with a minnow is a deadly combination for smallmouth bass this time of year. Northern Pike – Good: Float a live chub under a bobber.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
There have been fair to good reports of walleye being caught on the Maquoketa River in Delaware County. Walleye – Fair: Jig and twister tipped with a minnow is a deadly combination for walleye this time of year.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports on the Shell Rock River have been fair for walleye and smallmouth bass. Most catches of smallmouth have been incidental while fishing for walleye. Walleye – Fair: Jig and twister tipped with a minnow is a deadly combination for walleye this time of year.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River is in the best condition that it has been in months as far as clarity and water levels. Walleye and smallmouth bass fishing should be fair and reports for northern pike fishing have been good. Northern Pike – Good: Float a live chub under a bobber.
Reports are fair on the interior rivers for walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike. With the recent onset of colder temperatures angling activity has declined. Panfish reports are very limited as we approach late fall and early winter water temperatures. Trout streams remain full of trout for anglers to get out and harvest. There have been good reports of brown and rainbow trout being caught on area streams. For further information, call the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level has fallen to 8.2 feet at Lansing and is predicted to stay stable over the next week. Fishing conditions continue to improve as the river stabilizes. Find fish near structure in the deeper water. New Albin ramp is open. 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. Try 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 – Good: Walleye fishing is picking up below the tailwaters and on wing dams. Sauger – Good: Sauger are moving toward the tailwaters of the lock and dam. Use jigs tipped with minnows fished over deep-water structures. Yellow Perch – Good: Perch are gathering in the vegetation in backwater lakes. Try a minnow under a bobber in the lily-pads or tree piles.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level has fallen to 15.8 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to stay stable over the next week. The gates at Lock and Dam 9 are lowered; expect tailwater fishing to pick up with the stabilizing water levels. Water temperatures are in the low to mid 40’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. Try 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 – Good: Walleye fishing is picking up below the tailwaters and on wing dams. Sauger – Good: Sauger are moving toward the tailwaters of the lock and dam. Use Jigs tipped with minnows fished over deep-water structures. Yellow Perch – Good: Perch are gathering in the vegetation in backwater lakes. Try a minnow under a bobber in the lily-pads or tree piles.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level has fallen to 7.2 feet at Guttenberg and is predicted to stay stable over the next week. The gates at Lock and Dam 10 are down; expect tailwater fishing to pick up as the water stabilizes. Water temperatures are in the mid to lower 40’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 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. Try crankbaits along exposed riprap on main channel borders. Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing is picking up below the tailwaters and on wing dams. Sauger – Good: Sauger are moving u toward the tailwaters of the lock and dam. Use jigs tipped with minnows fished over deep-water structures. Yellow Perch – Good: Perch are gathering in the vegetation in backwater lakes. Try a minnow under a bobber in the lily-pads or tree piles. 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.
Water temperatures have fallen into the low 40’s this week. Look for fish seeking deeper water refuge for the winter. Fall fishing has been good overall. Fish are actively feeding to prepare for overwintering. Water levels are predicted to remain stable this week.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is near 7.5 feet at Dubuque tailwater and near 9.7 feet at the RR bridge. These levels are down from last week and are expected to recede slowly. The main channel is around 50 degrees but expect it to drop to the mid to upper 40’s this week. Fishing has been excellent for numerous species. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Catch bass in huge numbers near the higher quality backwaters where they will spend the winter. Use spinner baits and scatter shads. Bluegill – Good: Lots of bluegills are coming out 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. Action is fast when they are found. Black Crappie – Fair: Expect good fishing for crappies to return this fall. Lots of nice crappies are in the Mississippi River. Crappies are hanging in flowing water sloughs but should move to the woody structure this week. Walleye – Good: Use a jig and minnow in the tailwater. 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 crankbaits. Rock Bass – Good: Lots of rock bass reported this year from both the backwaters and the shallow areas in the tailwater. Yellow Perch – Good: Looks to be another excellent perch year; another year class is present which bodes well for the future. Most ring perch have been caught by anglers fishing for bluegills. Sauger – Good: Lots of tailwater fishing going on with most anglers using some form of a three way minnow and jig.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is near 8.1 feet at Bellevue, down from last week. The water temperature is around 52 degrees but expect it to fall in the mid 40’s after the cold front moves through. Water levels are expected to recede slowly all week. Fishing has been very good this fall. Walleye – Good: Use jigs and minnows or three way minnow rigs in the tailwater. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Many good catches of bass were reported this week. Bass are eating shad as their primary food item. Use larger silver colored crank baits and try your best to keep vegetation off your line. 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. Black Crappie – Good: Some crappies are being taken mostly by anglers catching bluegills. Move often and fish in areas of slight current. White Bass – Good: White bass schools are being reported in the tailwater area in the shallow areas. Try a spinner or minnow imitation lure. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegills have moved into their winter backwater homes. Size has been an issue but some anglers reporting large numbers being caught. Sauger – Excellent: Lots of sauger being caught with walleyes in the tailwater area. Rock Bass – Good: Rock bass are still being caught in the tailwaters at 5 feet and in backwater slough while crappie fishing.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The level is near 8.2 feet at Fulton, 11.1 feet at Camanche and 5.8 feet at Le Claire. The water temperature is near 53 degrees but expect it to fall into the mid 40’s after the cold front passes. Fishing has been excellent for many species. Walleye – Good: Anglers are returning 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 again. Find bass in the edges of the main channels and side sloughs; fish out of the high current areas. Pockets and eddies give you the best shot at quality bass. White Bass – Fair: White bass and an occasional hybrid striped bass are being reported in the tailwater area. Use minnow imitations such as spinners in the tailwater. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie bite is gearing up, the water receding should help anglers find crappies. Some anglers report it is difficult to find crappies in high water. Sauger – Good: Use jigs and minnow rigs in the tailwater. Yellow Perch – Good: Some anglers report catching yellow perch in the backwaters while fishing for bluegills. A few are being taken in the tailwaters by sauger anglers, especially when they are in more shallow water less than 10 feet deep.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 7.8 feet at Rock Island, which is down from last week. Water will fall a bit more this week. Water temperature is around 53 degrees in the main channel but will fall dramatically after this cold snap. Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum are abundant in Pool 15. Try worm and egg sinkers in the eagles landing area or the outside channel south of I 74. White Bass – Good: Some white bass are reported in the tailwater and along the bank in Bettendorf and near the Duck Creek mouth.
Water temperatures will creep into the upper 40 throughout the district this week. The water levels are still a bit higher than most anglers are used to at this time of year, but water levels are receding slowly. If you have an angling question, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 7.35 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. Main channel water temperature is around 44 degrees. Walleye – Fair: Fishing in Sylvan Slough has slowed some this past week. Troll stick baits on three-way rigs. Try also jigging and trolling from the opening at Sunset Marina to the mouth of the Rock River. Sauger – Fair: Fishing for saugers in Sylvan Slough has slowed some this past week. Troll stick baits on three-way rigs. Try also jigging and trolling from the opening at Sunset Marina to the mouth of the Rock River. White Crappie – No Report: We have not received any reports for crappie fishing; look for fish in the backwaters around brush piles. Try jigs and minnows, minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 17
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week. Sauger – Slow: There have been a few boats below the dam fishing for saugers but fishing has been slow. Vertical jig or troll three-way rigs with stick baits. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing below the dam has been slow. White Crappie – No Report: We have not received any crappie fishing reports; look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles. Use jigs and minnows, minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics in Big Timber and Cleveland Slough.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 7.85 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Fishing below the dam has been slow. The Toolsboro access is now open. Main channel water temperature is around 44 degrees. Sauger – Slow: Sauger fishing below the dam has been slow. Vertical jig or troll three-way rigs with stick baits. White Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles. Use jigs and minnows, minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics at Huron Island.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 4.70 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Main channel water temperature is 44 degrees. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Sauger – No Report: Look for saugers up by the dam. Vertical jig or troll three-way rigs with stick baits. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles. Use minnows under a bobber, jigs and minnows or jigs and plastics.
River stages are falling. Main channel water temperature is 44 degrees. Tailwater fishing has been slow. Some crappies have been caught in the backwaters. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Walleye – Fair.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake level on 11/22 is at fall pool of 686.4′ and is holding steady. The only dock in now is at the Macbride ramp. Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows or bright jigs over brush or along steeper rock banks.
Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station and restroom is closed for the season. The boat dock remains in all year. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift/troll for suspended fish in deeper water. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try around brush and rip rap.
Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
Bluegill – Fair: Use wax worms around brush. Fish up to 9 inches are being reported. Black Crappie – Fair: Try wax worms around brush. Many fish are 9-11 inches.
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Walleye – Good: Use live bait in wintering holes and where creeks dump in.
Kent Park Lake
The boat dock has been taken out for the season. Bluegill – Slow. Black Crappie – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Slow.
Lake Macbride
Any size motor may be operated at no wake (5 mph). The fish cleaning station is shut down and the boat docks are out for the season. Black Crappie – Fair: Try jigs or minnows over brush/stumps in 10-15 feet of water. Walleye – Slow: Best reports have been from anglers vertical jigging over structure in 14-18 feet of water.
Otter Creek Lake
The boat dock has been taken out and the fish cleaning station is closed for the season. Bluegill – Slow.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is currently down 15′ for the restoration project. Much of the dirt work has been done and rock work has begun. The main boat ramp is being replaced and the concession stand ramp will be replaced soon. There are no fishing reports at this time.
Prairie Park Fishery
Rainbow Trout – Good: 2000 trout were stocked here on 11/18. You must have a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.
Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Des Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Wipers and channel catfish are being caught below the dam in Ottumwa. Use jigs for wipers and cut bait for channel catfish.
Lake Sugema
Crappie fishing has started to pick up slightly. Try minnows tipped on small jigs or a minnow and a bobber. Keep moving until you find active fish. For bluegill, try small jigs tipped with a waxworm in the edge of the aquatic vegetation or open pockets among the lily pads. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use 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. Walleye – Slow: 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 should.
Lake Wapello
If fishing for largemouth bass, try spinner baits or rubber worms in areas with submerged structure and also along the edge of the aquatic vegetation. Catch bullheads with nightcrawlers fished on the bottom.
Ottumwa Park Pond East (Trout Pond)
Trout were stocked in late October. Use small spinners or prepared trout baits. A fishing license and trout fee is required to fish for or to possess trout.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.27 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. The current surface water temperature is in the lower 50’s °F. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. White Crappie – Fair: Use small jigs or minnows off the docks and around submerged structure. White Bass – Fair: Cast jigs or crankbaits along the shorelines. Wipers are being caught along with the white bass.
Red Haw Lake
Use small jigs tipped with live bait for bluegills. Target the shorelines and keep moving until you find active fish. Bass anglers should target shorelines, the dam and the fishing jetties with rubber worms or spinner baits.
Take your trash with you so your favorite fishing spot is clean and litter free. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions regarding angling in south central Iowa.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Friday, November 18th. Use small in-line spinners, spoons, small tube jigs and wax worms or minnows under a bobber.
Banner Lake (south)
Rainbow Trout – Good: Rainbow trout were stocked on October 20th. Use small in-line spinners, spoons, small tube jigs and wax worms or minnows under a bobber.
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie can still be caught on the nicer days up until ice up. Slowly troll jigs in 12-20 feet of water. When a crappie is caught, continue to fish that area as the fish are suspended in large schools. Use 1/8 ounce jigs tipped with minnows or small white or chartreuse twister tails. The middle portion of the lake has the most consistent catches.
Lake Petocka
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked in Lake Petocka on October 21st. Use small in-line spinners, spoons, small tube jigs and wax worms or minnows under a bobber.
Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie – Fair: Any remaining days that get into the 50s in November are worth targeting crappies in Red Rock. Drift or slowly troll jigs with twisters or tipped with minnows in the small bays and arms out of the wind that come off the main lake. Try also vertical jigging near the docks and wave breakers in the marina cove.
The open water season is starting to wind down in central Iowa. More fishing reports will become available when the ice fishing season gets under way. For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823
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