NORTHWEST
Fishing activity was low this last week in the Black Hawk District. Ponds and lakes are now covered in skim ice. As 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 still being caught on a variety of baits. You may have to fish several areas to find them. You need a 2016 fishing license (age 16 and older) and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.
Most lakes in the area are 80 to 100% ice-covered, but not safe for fishing yet. For information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Big Spirit Lake
No fishing activity at this time. Anglers Bay and North Grade are recently ice covered; areas of open water holes are present. Skim ice is on the main lake. Look for ice conditions to improve in the next week.
East Okoboji Lake
Fishing activity has been nonexistent. North end of the lake to the area south of East Okoboji Beach is ice covered with many open water holes present. South end of the lake has skim ice. Look for ice conditions to improve with below normal temperatures in the forecast.
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)
A few backwaters have skim ice but nothing is thick enough to walk on yet.
Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are in excellent condition and continue to fish well. This weekend is second shotgun deer season, so make sure to wear a lot of orange. A spinner or crank bait will catch trout. Brook Trout – Good: Use flies or lures that look like sculpins, dace or suckers. Brown Trout – Good: Anglers have had success using a nymph rig with a scud dropper, but most fish were hitting wet flies. 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
Lake Hendricks is currently closed to public access through shotgun deer season. The lake froze over Wednesday evening. Ice depths will depend on snowfall amounts.
Lake Meyer
Ice is slowly forming in the areas protected by the wind. Weekend snowfall amounts will dictate how quickly ice forms.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Vernon Spring impoundment near Cresco froze over Wednesday. Use extreme caution when going out on new ice and check ice depths often. Snowfall amounts will affect ice depth and formation especially in areas with current.
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
No ice reported yet.
Winter is finally here and ice fishing is just around the corner. There is a chance for snow over the weekend. Amounts are unknown at this time, but higher amounts will slow ice development. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 9.4 feet at Lansing and is predicted to stay high over the next week. Fish are finding structure in the deeper water. New Albin ramp is open but may close if the river raises more. Skim ice is still unsafe for ice fishing. Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows under a bobber in the tree piles in backwater areas. Find areas with little to no current. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth are holding tight up in vegetation beds near overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Lots of current in the river makes for great smallmouth fishing. Try crankbaits along exposed riprap on main channel borders. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill are in the backwater overwintering holes. Use crawlers under a bobber fished tight up against tree lines out of the current. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing has been variable in the tailwaters of the dams and closing dams in deeper running sloughs. Sauger – Slow: Use jigs tipped with minnows fished below the lock and dams with a slow presentation. Yellow Perch – Fair: 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 19.1 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to stay high next week. Rising water level is stirring up vegetation and water clarity is poor making fishing conditions a challenge. Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows under a bobber in the tree piles in backwater areas. Find areas with little to no current. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth are holding tight up in vegetation beds near overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Lots of current in the river makes for great smallmouth fishing. Try crankbaits along exposed riprap on main channel borders. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are in the backwater overwintering holes. Use crawlers under a bobber fished tight up against tree lines out of the current. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing has been variable in the tailwaters of the dams and closing dams in deeper running sloughs. Sauger – Slow: Try jigs tipped with minnows fished below the lock and dams with a slow presentation. 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 at Guttenberg has risen two feet this week to 10.6 feet. The gates at the Lock and Dam are raised. Levels are expected to gradually recede over the next week. Rising water level is stirring up vegetation and water clarity is poor. Water temperature is 34. Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows under a bobber in the tree piles in backwater areas. Find areas with little to no current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth are holding tight up 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 – Slow: Walleye fishing has been variable in the tailwaters of the dams and closing dams in deeper running sloughs. Sauger – Slow: Try jigs tipped with minnows fished below the lock and dams with a slow presentation. Yellow Perch – Good: Perch are gathering in the vegetation in backwater lakes. Use a minnow under a bobber in the lily-pads or tree piles. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are in the backwater overwintering holes. Use crawlers under a bobber fished tight up against tree lines out of the current.
Upper Mississippi River water levels have risen about two feet this week making fishing conditions a challenge. Some skim ice is forming on backwaters, but ice is still unsafe for ice fishing with the fluctuating water levels. Water temperature is 34.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is near 10 feet at Dubuque tailwater and near 12.1 feet at the RR bridge. These levels are up from last week and are expected to fall slowly all week. The main channel is around 34 degrees. Some tailwater fishing is happening, but that is about it. Many anglers are waiting for the ice to form. Bluegill – No Report: Expect to see a number of medium sized gills this ice fishing season with some nice ones thrown in. You may need to sort, but the numbers of bluegills are very good. Black Crappie – No Report: Crappie bite seems to be off for many anglers this fall, but they appear to have pulled off a good spawn this year. Walleye – Good: Most walleye fishing taking place in the tailwater is by anglers using a jig and minnow. Yellow Perch – No Report: 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 fishing for bluegills. Sauger – Good: Most anglers are using some form of a three way minnow and jig in the tailwater. Northern Pike – No Report: Tip up fishing is still an option for pike as decent numbers are still in the Mississippi River.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is near 11.1 feet at Bellevue, up from last week. The water is expected to start recede all week. Water temperature is around 34 degrees. Tailwater fishing is the only thing going on right now. Walleye – Good: Walleye are being taken in the tailwater mostly on jigs and minnows or three way minnow rigs. Black Crappie – No Report: The crappie bite was a bit off this fall for many, but some anglers found good numbers. The year class of young crappie produced appears strong, so fishing should be good into the future. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills have moved into their winter backwater homes. Size has been an issue, but some anglers are catching large numbers. Sauger – Good: Lots of sauger are being caught with walleyes in the tailwater area. Yellow Perch – No Report: Lots of yellow perch were seen in the tailwater this fall and in many backwaters. Mostly caught by people fishing for bluegills.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The level is near 10.4 feet at Fulton, 13.2 feet at Camanche and 7.5 feet at Le Claire. Levels are falling maybe a foot or so this upcoming week. The water temperature is near 34 degrees. Walleye – Good: Use a jig and minnow in the tailwater areas. Black Crappie – No Report: Crappies were difficult for some anglers to find this fall. Hope they show up in the ice fishing creels. Sauger – Good: Anglers are catching sauger in the tailwater mostly on jigs and minnow rigs. Yellow Perch – No Report: 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. Expect to see some nice fish in the 14 to 15 inch range reported again this year. Bluegill – No Report: Lots of medium sized bluegills seen in Pool 14 surveys this year. We hope that turns into a good winter ice fishing season.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 10.5 feet at Rock Island, which is up from last week. Water will fall slowly all week. Water temperature is around 34 degrees in the main channel. No fishing was reported in Pool 15 this week.
River stages have been rising the past few days. Main channel water temperature is 35 degrees. Tailwater fishing for walleye and sauger has been slow with the rising water levels and recent cold weather. If you have any angling questions, please contact Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 10.54 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and has been rising the past few days. Main channel water temperature is around 35 degrees. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow. Troll three-way rigs with stick baits or jigs and minnows. Sauger – Slow: Fishing for saugers in Sylvan Slough by the Arsenal has been slow. Mostly small saugers are being caught. Vertical jig with minnows or pull three-way rigs with stick baits.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 9.23 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has risen the past few days. Main channel water temperature is 35 degrees. As of today, Big Timber still has open water. Some walleye and sauger were caught this past weekend below the dam, but that may have changed with the rising river levels. 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.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 10.9 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and has been rising the past few days. We have not received any tailwater walleye and sauger fishing information for this pool this week. The Toolsboro access is now open. Main channel water temperature is around 35 degrees.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 7.09 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and has been rising the past few days. Main channel water temperature is around 35 degrees. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week.
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
The arrival of the cold has anglers hanging it up and getting out the ice fishing gear in preparation for when the ice gets good, which is still a ways off.
Lake Darling
There is a little skim ice back in the most protected areas. The docks have been pulled for the winter.
Lake Geode
The docks are pulled for the winter.
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 12/8 is at fall pool of 686.4′ and is holding steady. The only dock in now is at the Macbride ramp.
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Walleye – Fair: Use live bait in deeper wintering holes and where creeks dump in.
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 are still in. Black Crappie – Slow: 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.
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 – Slow. Walleye – 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
Skim ice has started to form around the edges of the lake. Geese and the wind will stop much ice until later in the season.
Lake Sugema
Skim ice has started to form around the edges. Use caution if trying to launch a boat.
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. The edges of the pond will start to skim over with thin ice.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.36 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Few anglers have been out lately with the cold temperatures. Ice has started to skim over along the edges out about 3 feet in the coves.
Red Haw Lake
The lake has started to skim over around the edges.
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
Boone District Farm Ponds
Central Iowa ponds are beginning to freeze over as of Dec. 8th. Anglers looking to get some ice fishing in before the larger lakes are ready will likely be able to get out by the end of the weekend or early during the week of the 12th.
Farm ponds and small lakes are beginning to freeze over in central Iowa. Larger lakes are all open as of Dec. 8th. 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.
Greenfield Lake
Greenfield is historically a good lake to ice fish. The lake has a good crappie population and bluegills averaging 8 inches.
Hacklebarney East
Hacklebarney East has a small population of large black crappie. The lake also supports good numbers of 8 inch bluegill.
Lake Anita
Lake Anita will provide good panfishing this winter. Anglers will find a large crappie population in the lake averaging 9 inches and bluegills up to 9.5 inches.
Littlefield Lake
Littlefield lake has quality size black crappies and bluegill. Target winter fish around the cedar tree piles placed in the lake.
Nodaway Lake
Fisheries samples in 2016 showed good numbers of 8 to 11 inch crappies. Bluegills will average 8 inches.
Orient Lake
Orient has a good population of 9 to 10 inch crappies. The lake will be a good ice fishing destination this winter.
Prairie Rose Lake
Expect to catch quality size bluegills again this winter. The crappies stocked by DNR personnel are 7 to 8 inches at this time.
Viking Lake
Viking lake supports populations of white and black crappies. The blacks will range from 7 to 9 inches, while the white crappies are fewer in numbers but are larger on average ranging from 9 to 12 inches. Expect to catch bluegills averaging 7 inches.
This is a good time for anglers to prepare for the winter fishing season. Small lakes and ponds are beginning to skim over with ice. More fishing reports will become available when the ice fishing season gets underway. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587.
