NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is around 51 degrees. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill action has been fast. The fish are averaging 7.5-inches. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of bait under a bobber. Action has been best from the floating fishing pier, but the west stone pier and inlet bridge are also producing. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers have had good luck fishing from Ice House Point, the floating dock, the stone piers and the inlet bridge. Catch larger (10- to 12-inch) crappie near the ends of the dead falls (about 20 to 30 feet from shore) in Town Bay. Walleye – Fair: Walleye have been caught in Town Bay and from the east shore. Fishing is starting to pick up and should get better as the water warms. Fish are ranging from 15- to 20-inches. Muskellunge – Fair: Anglers continue to catch a fair number of muskies. The largest fish are around 38-inches long.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water temperature is around 50 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappie in the Marina and near the inlet. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing has been hit and miss for some anglers. Some are catching their limits while others are striking out. Try fishing along the east shore from the boat ramp on to the Kings Pointe Resort and the north shore west of Chautauqua point.

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes have warmed to 50 degrees. Fishing for bluegill, crappie, and walleye has picked up on many of our lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
The current water temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Walleye – Good: Shore anglers are catching walleyes off the jetties using jigs tipped with minnows near dusk. Wader anglers are catching walleyes near the outlet after sunset. Boat anglers are fishing the rock reefs and near the outlet. Yellow Bass – Good: Use hooks or jigs tipped with small minnows off the Ventura jetty. White Bass – Fair: Try marabou jigs or minnows off the jetty.

Lake Cornelia
Catch small panfish off the docks in the harbor using live bait.

Morse Lake
Catch yellow perch using minnows.

Rice Lake
Walleye – Good: Catch fish during low light conditions using live bait.

For information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

East Fork Des Moines (state line to Algona)
Walleye – Good: Anglers report great walleye fishing; cast twisters for the best action.

East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut bait or other traditional baits after dark for “pole bending” action. Yellow Perch – Good: Cast small jigs on the north end of the lake; sorting is needed. Yellow Bass – Fair: Report of fish being caught from the lake. Bluegill – Good: Many fish are being caught from the trestle; expect the action to pick up as the water warms.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Walleye – Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught from the river using traditional baits.

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Fair: Report of anglers catching fish from the lake. Black Crappie – Good: Use small jigs tipped with wax worms or wigglers under a bobber in shallow water areas such as the canal and the little lake. Yellow Perch – Good: Use a minnow under a bobber in shallow water.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: Wader anglers fishing after dark will catch fish; use a slow presentation.

Spirit Lake
Smallmouth Bass – Good: On sunny days as the water warms, fish shallow rock piles for active fish. Use a slow presentation such as a jig and minnow. Black Crappie – Fair: Action has slowed; expect action to improve with sunshine and warmer temperatures in the forecast. Try in Trickles Slough, Anglers Bay and Templar Park Lagoon for the best action. Black Bullhead – Fair: Expect excellent “pole bending” action at the north grade to improve as the water warms.

West Okoboji Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Use tradition bass baits in the canals. Bluegill – Good: Fish shallow water areas such Triboji and Turtle Lake canal area. Sorting is needed; persistent anglers will be rewarded with good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish.

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels have stabilized. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Fish should become more active as water temperatures warm. Walleye – Excellent: Try a jig tipped with a minnow or nightcrawler below dams in the pockets. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Shore anglers are using dead chubs or shad fished under a bobber. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth bass are taking everything, but prefer a jig tipped with a crawler. Northern Pike – Fair: Pike are being caught while fishing for other species.

Decorah District Streams
All catchable trout streams are stocked; check the proposed stocking schedule. Streams are in excellent condition. Use jigs tipped with twister tails, feathered spinnerbaits, or flashy spoons. Try a nightcrawler to catch a freshly stocked fish. Brook Trout – Good: Use scuds or stonefly imitations for fish not rising to the surface. Brown Trout – Good: Try caddis fly and midge larvae imitations hatching off the water. Nice hatches of blue wing olives and dark hendricksons are occurring on warmer sunny afternoons. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Fish for rainbow trout in the head end of riffles. Slowly pull a black bead head fly with a light colored scud or midge dropper through the upper and lower ends of pools for trout in deeper water.

Lake Hendricks
Boat anglers are finding fish in deeper water. Please stay off jetties until further notice; County Conservation Board Staff are establishing grassed walkways. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a nightcrawler on a hook in shallower water on windblown rocky shorelines. Black Crappie – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try a jerk bait fished slowly over rock piles.

Lake Meyer
Cedar tree piles were recently added to the lake. All docks are in. Channel Catfish – Slow: Try a dead chub or crawler in a rocky windblown shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a nightcrawler or bright colored plastic tail. Use a slow retrieve in cooler water.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are stabilizing and temperatures are in the low 50’s. Water clarity is improving.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try a jig tipped with a minnow or feathered spinnerbait around a current break.  White Sucker – Excellent: The sucker bite is on. Use a hook tipped with a nightcrawler fished off the bottom.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are stable and temperatures are on the rise. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Walleye – Fair: Use a blade bait or bigger crankbait near coldwater tributaries. Brown Trout – Fair: Try spinnerbaits near the mouths of coldwater tributaries. White Sucker – Good: Use a worm with enough weight for it to sit on the bottom. Watch your rod tip. When it bends, set the hook.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are stable and temperatures are rising. Catch a nice trout near cold water tributaries. The sucker bite is on. Anglers floating are doing better than shore anglers. Walleye – Good: Floating from Iverson access to Highway 76 bridge is good. Try spinnerbaits and jerk baits along rocky shorelines. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Use jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or ringworms. Try also bright colored twister tails. White Sucker – Excellent: Use a hook tipped with a nightcrawler fished on the bottom. Northern Pike – Good: Anglers are catching pike around tributary mouths on anything thrown.

Volga Lake
The boat docks are in.  Bluegill – Slow: Use small jigs tipped with waxworm along a sunny shoreline.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead minnows or other dead fish along windblown shores to attract a cruising cat. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use a jerk bait over rocky structure. Give two to three good pulls then let it set. Get ready to hook a nice bass.

Wapsipinicon River (state line to Tripoli)
Popular areas to fish are around North Washington, Frederika, and Independence. Northern Pike – Good: Use spoons or hook tipped with a chub.

Temperatures will be in the mid 60’s. Thunderstorms and showers are forecast through Saturday. Enjoy the weekend with family and go fishing. You must get a landowner’s permission to fish private property, even if it can be accessed through public property. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Brinker Lake
There have been reports of some anglers catching crappie on Brinker Lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift a minnow under a slip bobber for good crappie action.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Walleye – Fair:  Use jig and minnow combinations in eddies or slack water areas off of main flow. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Try jig and minnow combinations in rip-rap or rocky shoreline areas. Many anglers will catch smallmouth while fishing for walleye. Channel Catfish – Good: Use dip baits and cut baits fished on the bottom. Northern Pike – Fair: Try bucktail spinners or live bait fished under a bobber.

Manchester District Streams
Trout stockings are under way in the Manchester District area trout streams. Check the proposed stocking calendar.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Walleye – Good: Use jig and minnow combinations in eddies or slack water areas off of main flow. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try jig and minnow combinations in rip-rap or rocky shoreline areas. Many anglers will catch smallmouth while fishing for walleye.

North Prairie Lake
Rainbow Trout – Fair: Use spinnerbaits or lures that create a “flashy” appearance. Try also a minnow or other trout baits fished under a bobber.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Walleye – Fair: Try jig and minnow combinations in eddies or slack water areas off of main flow. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Use jig and minnow combinations in rip-rap or rocky shoreline areas. Many anglers will catch smallmouth while fishing for walleye.

South Prairie Lake
There have been reports of some anglers catching crappie on South Prairie Lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a minnow under a bobber or cast small tube jigs retrieved slowly along the edges of weed beds.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Walleye – Fair: Try jig and minnow combinations in eddies or slack water areas off of main flow. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast bucktail spinnerbaits or float a live shiner or chub under a bobber. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Use jig and minnow combinations in rip-rap or rocky shoreline areas. Many anglers will catch smallmouth while fishing for walleye.

Angling reports remain good to fair for walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and channel catfish on the interior rivers. Black Hawk County lakes are providing some crappie also. Heritage Pond in Dubuque County will be stocked with trout on Saturday April, 22nd.  Area trout streams are in excellent condition, contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 8.8 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain stable this week. The boat ramp at New Albin is now open. Water temperatures are in the low 50’s. Walleye – Slow: Fishing for walleyes has slowed since spawn is almost over. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are spawning and the bite will drop off until after the spawn. Use minnows under a bobber in structure off side channels with little or no current. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are becoming more active. Check shoreline brush in backwaters using a slow presentation as water is still cold.

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is up from last week at 18.2 feet at Lynxville and is expected to stabilize. Water temperatures are in the low 50’s. Walleye – Slow: Fishing for walleyes has slowed since the spawn is almost over. Sauger – Slow: The sauger spawn is almost over, but a few fish are still being caught in the tailwaters. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are spawning and the bite will drop off until after the spawn. Use minnows under a bobber in structure off side channels with little or no current. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are becoming more active. Check shoreline brush in backwaters using a slow presentation as water is still cold.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 10.2 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to be stable to slightly rising. Water temperatures are in the low 50’s. Walleye – Slow: Fishing for walleyes has slowed since the spawn is almost over. Sauger – Slow: Fishing for sauger has slowed since the spawn is almost over, but a few fish are still being caught in the tailwaters. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are spawning and the bite will drop off until after the spawn. Use minnows under a bobber in structure off side channels with little or no current. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are becoming more active. Check shoreline brush in backwaters using a slow presentation as water is still cold.

The Upper Mississippi River levels are slightly high but predicted to remain stable this week. Water temperatures have risen into the lower 50’s. Fishing is expected to pick up with warmer temperatures and stable water levels.

Mississippi River Pool 12
River levels are 9.8 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 12 feet at the RR bridge.  These are up from last week and should hold steady.  Sauger – Slow: Post spawn for most saugers and fishing for this species has slowed up although a few are still being reported. Walleye – Slow: Most of the walleyes have spawned and seem to be taking a break from the spawning stress. Some small immature fish are still being taken. Yellow Perch – Good: Find yellow perch in tailwaters near shore but out of the main current. Yellow perch are done spawning, but the bite seems to continue for this species. Northern Pike – Good: Northern Pike are done spawning and are biting hard on flashy spoons. White Crappie – Good: Crappie in general are being caught, but an unusual number of white crappie are being creeled. Hit the brush piles with a small minnow or around dock areas.

Mississippi River Pool 13
River level is 10.9 feet at Bellevue. This is up 1/2 foot from last week and water will hold steady most of the week. Paddlefish – Slow: Paddlefish season runs through April 15; review all rules on fishing for paddlefish. Sauger – Slow: The sauger spawn is now nearly over after the spawn fishing slows. A few are being reported on jigs and minnow. Yellow Perch – Good: Find yellow perch in tailwaters near shore but out of the main current. Walleye – Fair: Some immature fish are still being reported, but the post spawn bite for walleyes is usually poor for a few weeks. Northern Pike – Good: The northern pike spawning run is complete and they are beginning to readily hit lures. Black Crappie – Fair: Some other species like Crappie and white bass are being reported on small jigs and minnows.

Mississippi River Pool 14
River level is 10.3 feet at Fulton, 13.1 feet at Camanche and 7.5 feet at Le Claire. This is up 1/2 foot from last week and levels will hold steady this week. Paddlefish – Slow: Find paddlefish in the deeper holes in the tailwater areas.  Please review paddlefish rules before venturing out. Paddlefishing season is open through April 15th. Sauger – Slow: The spawn for walleye and sauger is mostly over, and the bite will slow down for a week or two. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Some reports of largemouth bass being caught in the near shore areas and in backwater lakes.

Mississippi River Pool 15
River level is 11.3 feet at Rock Island. This is up 1/2 foot from last week and levels will hold steady this week. No fishing was reported to us this week, but fishing is gearing up on Pool 15.

The main channel water temperature is 54.5 degrees, this is up several degrees from last week. Water levels will hold steady most of this week. The paddlefish season runs through April 15th. Review snagging rules before you go fishing for paddlefish. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 11.28 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and has been fairly steady the past few days. The docks are not in at the Marquette St. landing and there is some debris that could make launching difficult. Tailwater fishing has slowed down below the dam and in Sylvan Slough.  Sauger – Slow: Fishing for saugers has slowed down in Sylvan Slough. Try vertical jigging with minnows or pulling three-way rigs with minnows or stickbaits. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing has slowed down below the dam and Sylvan Slough with the recent rains. Try vertical jigging with minnows or pulling three-way rigs with minnows or stickbaits.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 10.85 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. The ramp at Big Timber (The Breaks) is still closed due to water over the parking area. Tailwater fishing has been slow for walleyes and saugers. Walleye – Slow: Fishing has been slow. Sauger – Slow: Fishing below the dam has been slow.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 12.88 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates at the dam are being reported as out of the water. The Toolsboro ramp is still closed, but it might be open by the weekend if the river continues to drop. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 9.12 feet at Lock and Dam 18 and has been falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week.

River levels are still high. Main channel water temperature is around 55 degrees. Tailwater fishing has been slow with the recent rains. Water clarity is poor. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Fairly quiet. Water temperature is in mid 50’s.  Black Crappie – Fair: Has been real hit and miss. You can catch them on warm sunny days but have to work for them the rest of the time.

Lake Belva Deer
Just a few boats have been out. Black Crappie – No Report: Look for crappie around the beach area and along the rocky shorelines at the upper end of the lake on a warm sunny day.

Lake Darling
Water temperature is 56 degrees. Water clarity  is 3 to 4 feet.  Black Crappie – Fair: Real hot or really cold; you can do well in shallow on warm sunny days, but you have to work for just a few on cold rainy days. Largemouth Bass – Slow: About the same as crappies. The warmest days are the best.

Lake Geode
The boat dock is in. The fish cleaning station will not be in until the risk of freezing is gone. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappies along the north side and along the dam. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are finding bass in shallow on the sunny warm days.

Lost Grove Lake
The boat docks went in early last week. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass fishing has been hit and miss. Work the north side in the trees and brush in shallow during the warmest part of the day.

For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is a few inches below normal spring pool (679.3′) at 679.0′. At this level, boating is difficult to impossible above Lake Macbride State Park. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or shad guts. White Crappie – Fair: Try bright jigs or minnows in brush piles.

Lake Macbride
All boats/motors may operate at no wake (5 mph) speed at this time. Black Crappie – Fair: Use jigs and/or minnows in brush piles. Walleye – Fair: Look for fish on shallow rock bars/banks.

Prairie Park Fishery
You need a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. 2000 trout will be stocked here on Saturday, April 15 at 10:30am. The city of Cedar Rapids will hold a family fishing event as part of the stocking. Rainbow Trout – Good: Use small jigs/spinners or live/scented baits. Brook Trout – Fair: Try small jigs/spinners or live/scented baits.

Terry Trueblood Lake
You need a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Try small jigs/spinners or live/scented baits.

For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Hawthorn Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Try nightcrawlers along windblown shorelines. Largemouth Bass – No Report: As the water warms, try rubber worms or spinnerbaits along the shallows and around the jetties.

Lake Keomah
Bluegill – No Report: Try small jigs in the shallows as the water warms.

Lake Sugema
Channel Catfish – Slow: Try nightcrawlers along the shorelines. Black Crappie – No Report: Use live bait presentations and different depths as the water warms.

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish – Slow: Try nightcrawlers around the jetties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use jerk baits or spinnerbaits in cedar tree piles as the water warms.

Ottumwa Park Pond East (Trout Pond)
Trout were stocked on Saturday, March 25th. Try jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler or in- line spinners.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 907.10 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. White Crappie – Slow: Some anglers have been catching a few crappies around docks. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or nightcrawlers along the shoreline. Look for areas with the wind blowing into the shoreline.

Red Haw Lake
Channel Catfish – Slow: Try nightcrawlers along the shorelines. Bluegill – No Report: Use small jigs in the shallows as the water warms.

Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

SOUTHWEST

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good: April and May are good months to catch trout in Ada Hayden. Try spinners, panfish jigs and waxworms or minnows under a bobber.

Banner Lake (south)
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Saturday, April 8th. Cast small inline spinners, spoons, panfish jigs or live minnows under a bobber.

Boone District Farm Ponds
Bluegill – Fair: Find good early season fishing for bluegill, largemouth bass and crappies as farm ponds and urban ponds warm up. Fish live bait or small plastics slowly. The north and west shorelines that receive the most sunlight are good places to start.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Anglers interested in snagging big head and silver carp should try below the Red Rock spillway. The fish are there in high numbers and anglers are doing well. Walleye – Fair: Fishing below the dams from Saylorville through Des Moines is picking up. A mixed bag of walleye, white bass and catfish are being caught. Slowly retrieve jigs tipped with twister tails, paddle tail swimbaits or live minnows.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Some crappie are being caught on the warmer, sunny days on the upper half of the lake slowly fishing jigs or live minnows.

Hickory Grove Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie fishing has been slow this spring, but water temperatures are rising into the low 50s. This usually starts a fair to good crappie bite on the east end of the lake near the road tubes.