NORTHWEST
Bacon Creek Lake
About 1700 rainbow trout were stocked here on November 8th. Use small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons or live minnows under a bobber.
Black Hawk Lake
Water level is about 4 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill – Fair: Catch 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. Walleye – Fair: Some have been picked up along Ice House Point using twisters.
Moorland Pond
About 2000 rainbow trout were stocked here on November 9th. Use small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons or live minnows under a bobber. Try small spinners or 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 mid 40’s. 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
Trout are being caught on a variety of baits. You may have to fish several areas to find them. You need a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.
Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 30’s. With the high winds and colder temperatures, no fishing activity was reported this week.
All area lakes are ice free. Some of the smaller ponds and wetlands have formed skim ice. For lake updates and fishing information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Big Spirit Lake
Very limited fishing activity at this time.
East Okoboji Lake
Few anglers fishing the trestle, otherwise fishing activity has been nonexistent.
West Okoboji Lake
No fishing activity reported from West Okoboji Lake.
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 bumped up a bit with this last rain. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are in good condition and continue to fish well. This weekend is opening shotgun deer season so make sure to wear a lot of orange. A spinner or crankbait will catch trout. Brook Trout – Good: Use flies or lures that look like sculpins, dace or suckers. Brown Trout – Good: Post spawn fish will be actively looking for small fish. 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
Water clarity is excellent. Few anglers have been out this week.
Lake Meyer
The lake is in good condition. Few anglers have been out. No ice yet.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels on the Turkey River increased a bit. Flows remain high so find fish in areas with little current. Few anglers have been out. Many are waiting for ice.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
We have received no information about fishing on this water body this week.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
We have received no information about fishing on this water body this week.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
We have received no information about fishing on this water body this week.
Volga Lake
Water clarity is excellent. No ice reported yet.
Decorah area rivers and streams are in good condition. Flows remain unseasonably high on most especially with the last round of weather. Temperatures will be in the 30’s. There is a chance in the forecast for snow on Sunday. 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, smallmouth bass and northern pike in Black Hawk County. Bremer County reports are good yet for walleye and northern pike. Most catches of smallmouth have been by anglers 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 or cast and retrieve spinner baits.
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 good for walleye and fair for smallmouth bass. Most catches of smallmouth have by anglers fishing for walleye. Walleye – Fair: 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.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River is currently at 6.09 feet and holding fairly steady. Reports for walleye and northern pike have been good this past week. Northern Pike – Good: Float a live chub under a bobber or cast and retrieve spinner baits. Walleye – Good: Jig and twister tipped with a minnow is a deadly combination for walleye this time of year.
Reports are fair to good on the interior rivers for walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike. With the recent onset of colder temperatures and windy conditions, angling activity has dropped. Panfish reports have been very limited as we approach late fall and early winter water temperatures. 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
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 8.5 feet at Lansing and is predicted to rise slightly but remain fairly stable over the next week. Fish are finding 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 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 making the move up 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 risen to 17.1 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to rise to over 18.3 feet next week. Rising water level is stirring up vegetation and water clarity is poor making fishing conditions a challenge. 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 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 making the move up 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 risen to 8.5 feet at Guttenberg and is predicted to rise to 10.3 feet over the next week. Rising water level is stirring up vegetation and water clarity is poor making fishing conditions a challenge. Water temperature is in the 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 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. 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 – 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 tight up against tree lines out of the current.
Look for fish seeking deeper water refuge for the winter. Fall fishing has been good overall. Recent rains have the river on the rise again this week and water clarity has diminished. Water temperatures have fallen to 40 degrees.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is near 7.9 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and near 10.3 feet at the RR bridge. These levels are up from last week and are expected to rise nearly two feet. The main channel is around 40 degrees. Fishing has been good for many species this fall but appears to be tapering off. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Slow way down and use live baits. 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 – No Report: Smallmouth bass are doing very well in the Mississippi River with many year classes present. The combination of rock and current are a must to catch smallmouth bass, which often hold very tight to the rocks. They are in groups and action is fast when you find them. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie bite seems to be off for many anglers this fall. They appear to have pulled off a good spawn this year. 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 crank baits. A few still reported in the tailwaters. Yellow Perch – Good: Looks to be another excellent perch year and another year class is present which bodes well for the future. Most ring perch have been caught by anglers targeting bluegills. Sauger – Good: Lots of tailwater angling going on with most anglers using some form of a three way minnow and jig.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is near 10.3 feet at Bellevue, up from last week. Water levels are high and are expected to rise nearly two feet again this week. Water temperature is around 42 degrees. Fishing this fall has been decent. Walleye – Good: Use jigs and minnows or three way minnow rigs in the tailwater. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Need to slow way down in cool water and use live presentations. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Smallmouth bass are doing very well in the Mississippi River with many 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: The crappie bite was a bit off this fall for many, but some anglers found good numbers. The year class of young crappies appears strong so fishing should be good into the future. 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 – Good: Bluegills have moved into their winter backwater homes. Size has been an issue but some anglers are reporting large numbers being caught. Sauger – Good: Lots of sauger are being caught with the walleyes in the tailwater area.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The level is near 7.9 feet at Fulton, 11.4 feet at Camanche and 6.1 feet at Le Claire. Levels are rising again. The water temperature is near 42 degrees. It was a good fall for fishing but has slowed with the cooler temperatures. Walleye – Good: Anglers are coming back to the tailwaters for a chance to catch walleyes and sauger. Use a jig and minnow. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Smallmouth bass are doing very well in the Mississippi River with many 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 – Fair: Largemouth bass are still biting in their winter backwater homes, but the bite has slowed greatly. 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 this fall. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies have been hard for some to find, but the season is not over. Use minnows in backwater lakes especially in deep brush cover. Sauger – Good: Try jigs and minnow rigs in the tailwater. Yellow Perch – Good: Some anglers are 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 8.4 feet at Rock Island, which is up from last week. Water will rise all week. Water temperature is around 42 degrees in the main channel. White Bass – No Report: Some white bass are being reported in the tailwater and along the bank in Bettendorf and near the Duck Creek mouth.
Water temperatures are in the mid to lower 40’s throughout the district this week. The water levels are still a bit higher than most anglers are used to at this time of year and are rising again. If you have any angling questions, please contact Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 8.92 feet and rising at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. Main channel water temperature is around 41 degrees. Walleye – Slow: A few anglers have been drifting jigs with minnows from the opening of Sunset down to the mouth of the Rock River then trolling crankbaits back upstream. Fishing has been slow. Sauger – Slow: Fishing for saugers in Sylvan Slough up by the Arsenal has been slow. Mostly small saugers being caught. Vertical jig with minnows or pull three-way rigs with stick baits. White Crappie – No Report: We have not received any reports for crappie fishing; look for fish in the backwaters around brush piles. Use jigs and minnows, minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics. Look for crappies around the commercial docks in Sunset Marina.
Mississippi River Pool 17
We have received no information about fishing on this water body this week. Sauger – Slow: A few saugers were caught below the dam trolling three-way rigs with stick baits this past weekend. Walleye – Slow: A few walleyes were caught this past weekend trolling three-way rigs with stick baits below the dam. White Crappie – No Report: We have not received any crappie fishing reports; look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles. Try jigs and minnows, minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics in Big Timber or Cleveland Slough.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 8.67 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 41 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 5.48 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Main channel water temperature is 41 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 have been rising once again due to the recent rains. Main channel water temperature is 41 degrees. Tailwater fishing has been slow. There have been some crappies caught in the backwaters. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is in the mid 40’s. Very little angler activity with the colder windy weather.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is 46 degrees and holding. Water clarity is very good. Very little angler activity. Black Crappie – Fair: A few anglers are still coming out on the warmer days and catching a few crappies around the jetties. Most of the fish have gone out deep for the winter.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River has gotten a slight bump up from the recent rains, but probably not enough that you could tell.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The river is coming up a little bit (less than a foot) from the recent rains. You can probably still get around in a boat if you are careful. Water temperature is down into the 40’s. Most of the fish have migrated to their overwintering sites.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Walleye – Fair.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake level on 12/1 is at fall pool of 686.4′ and is holding steady. The only dock in now is at the Macbride ramp.
Lake Macbride
Any size motor may be operated at no wake (5 mph). The fish cleaning station at the primitive campground is shut down and the boat docks are out for the season. The floating dock and fish cleaning station at the main ramp is still in. Water temperatures this week were in the mid 40’s. Black Crappie – Fair: Use jigs or minnows over brush/stumps in 10-20 feet of water. Walleye – Slow: A few fish are being caught around rock in 10-15 feet of water.
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Walleye – Fair: Most anglers are using live bait. Target deeper wintering holes and where creeks dump in.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is currently down 15′ for the restoration project. Most of the dirt work has been done and rock work is underway. The main boat ramp replacement is almost finished.
Prairie Park Fishery
Rainbow Trout – Fair: 2000 trout were stocked here on Nov. 18. You need a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.
Wapsipinicon 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 the wipers and cut bait for the channel catfish.
Lake Keomah
Few anglers have been out. Crappie anglers should try minnows tipped on a jig or below a bobber about 12-14 inches. Bluegill anglers should try a piece of live bait on a small jig.
Lake Sugema
For crappies, 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 wax worm. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinner baits or rubber worms 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.
Ottumwa Park Pond East (Trout Pond)
Trout were stocked in late October. Use small spinners or prepared trout baits. You need a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.36 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. The current surface water temperature is in the mid 40’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 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.
SOUTHWEST
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked here on Nov. 18th. Use small in-line spinners, spoons, small tube jigs or wax worms or minnows under a bobber.
Banner Lake (south)
Rainbow Trout – Good: Rainbow trout were stocked
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