NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s. Panfish action has been good. The walleye bite is fair now, but expect it to pick up in the next week or two. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are moving in tighter to shore and can be picked up just about anywhere along the shoreline. The fish are averaging 7.5-inches. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of bait under a bobber. Most action has been from the floating fishing pier, but the west stone pier and inlet bridge are also producing lots of fish. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers have had good luck fishing from Ice House Point, the floating dock, the stone piers, and the inlet bridge. Some crappies up to 11-inches have been picked up near the ends of the dead falls (about 20 to 30 feet from shore) in Town Bay and along Ice House Point. 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 15- to 20-inches. Muskellunge – Fair: Anglers continue to catch some muskies. The largest fish are around 38-inches long. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some yellow perch are being picked up near the inlet bridge and in Town Bay. Keepers are anywhere from 10- to 13-inches.
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 fair to good. Some are catching limits. 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 the mid 50’s. Panfish action has picked up on many of our lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Use jigs and slip bobber rigs tipped with minnows near the shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try jigs and artificial baits along the weed edges and the shoreline near deeper water.
Clear Lake
The current water temperature is 55 degrees. Walleye – Fair: Boat anglers are catching fish near Billys Reef and the Island fishing with a slip bobber and a minnow or leech. Wader fishermen are catching fish near the outlet and around the Island. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use live bait at the jetties early in the morning or towards dusk. White Bass – Fair: Try live bait on hooks or jigs at the jetties.
Lake Cornelia
Catch small panfish off the docks in the harbor using live bait.
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 good walleye fishing; cast twisters for the best action.
East Okoboji Lake
Fish on East Okoboji are very active with many people leaving the lake with full buckets. Yellow Bass – Good: Yellow bass activity has picked up on the north end of East Okoboji Lake. Use live baits under bobbers. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are active on the north end of the lake. Try fishing with mini jigs and artificial baits off of the public docks. Yellow Perch – Good: Yellow perch are active on the north end of the lake. Use live bait on off of the public docks.
Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Walleye – Fair: A fair number of fish are being caught from the river using traditional baits.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: Wader anglers fishing after dark will catch fish; use a slow presentation.
Spirit Lake
The fishing on Big Spirit is slowly picking up as the water temperature increases. Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow Perch fishing has started to pick up on Big Spirit. Use live baits or mini jigs. Black Crappie – Slow: The crappie bite has started to slow in the lagoons; there are still active fish being caught in shallow areas on sunny days. Try mini jigs and artificial baits. Black Bullhead – Good: Fishing for bullheads has been very popular on the north end of the lake by the grade.
West Okoboji Lake
Panfish are very active on West Okoboji. Black Crappie – Good: Many keeper crappies are being caught. Use light jig heads and artificial baits in the shallows. Bluegill – Good: Many keeper bluegills are being caught. Try light jig heads and artificial baits in the shallows.
Fishing has picked up on the Iowa Great Lakes over the past week. Lots of nice fish have been coming off all of our area lakes. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Currently, the river is fishable and water levels are falling. Visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Decorah District Streams
Streams with better water quality will clear faster. Rainfall amount and severity will determine how muddy streams get. Visit www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Trout-
Lake Hendricks
Boat anglers are finding fish in deeper water. Please stay off the 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: Warmer shore temperatures are drawing crappies in. Use a hook tipped with a minnow under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use jerk bait fished slowly over rock piles.
Lake Meyer
Water clarity is improving after last week’s 4-inch downpour. Wednesday’s rainfall over saturated soils may cause clarity to decline. Channel Catfish – Slow: Try a dead chub or crawler on 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 falling and temperatures are in the mid to upper 50’s. Visibility is fair. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try a jig tipped with a minnow or feathered spinnerbait around a current break. Walleye – Good: Try a jig tipped with a soft plastic twister tail. Use a slow retrieve in cooler water. 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 falling with temperatures on the rise. Visibility is poor. Visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are falling and temperatures are rising. Visibility is poor. The sucker bite is on. Walleye – Slow: Try spinnerbaits and jerk baits along rocky shorelines. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Use jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or ringworms. Try also bright colored twister tails. White Sucker – Good: Use a hook with a worm and enough weight to get the worm to the bottom.
Volga Lake
Few anglers have been out this week. Bluegill – Slow: Use small jigs tipped with waxworm along a sunny shoreline. Black Crappie – Slow: Panfish anglers should start to see fish in shallow water. Use a hook tipped with a small minnow under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead minnows or other dead fish along windblown shores to attract a cruising cat. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try a jig tipped with a twister tail. A slow retrieve is key in cooler weather.
Wapsipinicon River (state line to Tripoli)
We have received no information about fishing on this water body. Northern Pike – Good: Use spoons or hook tipped with a chub.
Temperatures will be in the low 60’s. Rainfall amounts through Thursday will determine stream conditions for the weekend. Anglers 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 some 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 – Excellent: Use dip baits and cut baits fished on the bottom. Northern Pike – Fair: Try bucktail spinners or live bait fished under a bobber.
Heritage Pond
Heritage Pond will be stocked with trout this Saturday, April 22nd. Rainbow Trout – Good: Try various trout baits under a bobber or cast and retrieve “flashy” spinner baits.
Manchester District Streams
Trout stockings are under way in the Manchester District area trout streams. Stocking calendars are available online on the DNR website.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Walleye – Good: Try jig and minnow in eddies or slack water areas off of main. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use jig and minnow combinations in rip-rap or rocky shoreline areas. Many anglers will catch smallmouth while fishing for walleye.
North Prairie Lake
Anglers are still reporting trout fishing as being fair to good on North Prairie Lake. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Use spinner baits 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 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: Use jig and minnow combinations in eddies or slack water areas off of main flow. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast bucktail spinner baits or float a live shiner or chub under a bobber. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Try jig and minnow combinations in rip-rap or rocky shoreline areas. Many anglers will catch smallmouth while fishing for walleye.
Fishing 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 this 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 up a foot at Lansing this week at 9.8 feet and is still on the rise and expected to reach 10.7 feet on Wednesday. Army Road at New Albin is expected to go under water this week. Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s. Walleye – No Report: Fishing for walleyes has slowed since the spawn is almost over. Yellow Perch – Slow: Use minnows under a bobber in structure off side channels with little or no current. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills are becoming more active. Check shoreline brush in backwaters using a slow presentation as the water is still cold. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively feeding. Try bouncing a nightcrawler on jigs in side channels and backwater areas with slight current.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Lynxville river level is 20.2 feet, up two feet from last week and is expected to climb another foot next week. Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s. Walleye – No Report: Fishing for walleyes has slowed since the spawn is almost over. Sauger – No Report: The sauger spawn is almost over, but a few fish are still being caught in the tailwaters. Yellow Perch – Slow: Use minnows under a bobber in structure off side channels with little or no current. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills are becoming more active. Check shoreline brush in backwaters using a slow presentation as the water is still cold. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively feeding. Try bouncing a night crawler on jigs in side channels and backwater areas with slight current.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level has reached 12.4 feet, two feet higher at Guttenberg and is expected to rise near 13 feet next week. Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s. Gates are out of the water at Lock and Dam 10. Walleye – No Report: Fishing for walleyes has slowed since the spawn is almost over. Sauger – No Report: Fishing for sauger has slowed since the spawn is almost over, but a few fish are still being caught in the tailwaters. Yellow Perch – Slow: Try minnows under a bobber in structure off side channels with little or no current. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills are becoming more active. Check shoreline brush in backwaters using a slow presentation as the water is still cold. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively feeding. Try bouncing a night crawler on jigs in side channels and backwater areas with slight current.
High water levels on the Upper Mississippi have water overtopping most boat ramps. Debris and poor water clarity will make fishing a challenge. Water temperature is 55 in main channel.
Mississippi River Pool 12
River levels are 11.4 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 13.6 feet at the RR bridge. These are up nearly two feet from last week and expect the water to rise further. Water clarity is poor after recent rains. Poor water quality has a negative impact on angling success. Sauger – Slow: Post spawn for most saugers; fishing has slowed but 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 – No Report: Find yellow perch in tailwaters near shore, but out of the main current. They are done spawning, but the bite seems to continue. Northern Pike – Fair: Northern Pike also done spawning; they are biting hard on flashy spoons. The poor water quality affects the catch of predators like northern pike. White Crappie – Fair: Crappies were biting well, but poor water clarity affected the fish this week making it hard to find crappies. Hit the brush piles with a small minnow or around dock areas.
Mississippi River Pool 13
River level is 12.3 feet at Bellevue. This is up 1 1/2 foot from last week and water will rise again this week. The poor water quality from recent runoff is having a negative impact on fishing success. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Sauger – Slow: The sauger spawn is now nearly over and fishing has slowed down. Yellow Perch – Fair: 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 is usually poor for a few weeks. Northern Pike – Slow: The northern pike spawning run is complete; they are starting to readily hit lures. Black Crappie – Slow: Use small jigs and minnows. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are hitting on worms; the catfish bite improves with the dirty water we are experiencing.
Mississippi River Pool 14
River level is 11.8 feet at Fulton, 14.3 feet at Camanche and 8.4 feet at Le Claire. This is up a foot from last week and levels will continue to rise. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Sauger – Slow: The spawn for walleye and sauger is mostly over; the bite will be slow for a week or two. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Some reports of largemouth bass being caught in the near shore areas and in backwater lakes. Freshwater Drum – Good: Use simple egg sinker rigs with worms for bait.
Mississippi River Pool 15
River level is at 12.9 feet at Rock Island. This is up from last week and levels will rise into flood action stage this coming week. No fishing was reported to us this week, but angling is gearing up on Pool 15.
The main channel water temperature is 59 degrees; this is up several degrees from last week. Water levels will rise up to two feet this week. The paddlefish season is now closed. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 12.93 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is rising. River stage has risen 2 feet since this past weekend. The docks are not in at the Marquette St. landing. The ramp at Clark’s Ferry is closed due to high water. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. Channel Catfish – Slow: Some channel catfish are being caught along the flooded timber. Use crawlers or cut bait. White Crappie – Slow: Look for crappies in the Andalusia Island Complex. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber around brush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 12.47 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. River stage has risen close to 2 feet since this past weekend. The gates are out of the water at the dam. The ramp at Big Timber (The Breaks) is still closed due to water over the parking area. Kilpeck landing is also closed due to high water. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 14.43 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates at the dam are being reported as out of the water. The Toolsboro ramp is closed. The Hawkeye Dolbee access most likely has water over it. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 10.22 feet at Lock and Dam 18. Flood stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 15.21 feet and flood stage is 15 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 61 degrees. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
Crappie fishing was good earlier this week when the sun was out and the temperatures were in the 70’s. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie fishing is improving with more warm days. Look for them in the flooded timber in the shallows to out to about 4 feet deep.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River by Wapello is near flood stage, but should go back down by the end of the weekend. Not much for anglers out on the river.
Lake Belva Deer
Fishing is picking up when the weather is nice. Black Crappie – Good: Find crappies up along the rocks down by the beach and around down to the dam on the warmer sunny days. Bluegill – Good: Looking for bluegill at the upper end of the lake along the gravel and rock bottomed shallows.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is up to 60 degrees. Water clarity is pretty good. Black Crappie – Excellent: Catch 9- to 10-inch crappies on warm sunny days. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Still pretty slow; most anglers are concentrating on the crappies. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are picking up some nice bluegills while crappie fishing.
Lake Geode
The nice weather is bringing out a good number of anglers. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are picking up crappies along the north side and along the dam. They are not spawning yet, mostly in shallow looking for something to eat. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are finding bass in shallow on the sunny warm days. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are catching bluegills in the shallow waters of the bays. These fish are in shallow to feed on the insects brought up by the warming water.
Lost Grove Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Work a crankbait slowly along the habitat on the warmer sunny days. Black Crappie – Good: The warm temperatures earlier this week brought the crappies in shallow. Hopefully the cooler weather doesn’t push them back out.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
We keep missing the rains and the Skunk is just over 1/2 bank full. A few anglers have been out catching some catfish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use nightcrawlers or cut baits.
For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Shovelnose sturgeon – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal spring pool. 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.
Diamond Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Try around the jetties and shallow brush. Average size has been around 9-inches. Bluegill – Fair.
Green Castle Lake
Bluegill – Good: Fish are moving to the shallows in the afternoons. Black Crappie – Fair.
Hannen Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Channel Catfish – Fair. Shovelnose sturgeon – Fair.
Kent Park Lake
The fishing regulations for Kent Park Lake have been relaxed to take advantage of the fish before the lake is drained for a renovation project. For more information, contact the Kent Park office at 319-645-2315. Black Crappie – Good: Minnows work best. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Lake Macbride
All boats/motors may operate at no wake (5 mph) speed. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies have started moving to shallow bays/pockets; some fish remain suspended in 15-25 feet of water. Walleye – Fair: Some males still remain along shallow shorelines, especially towards evening. Other post spawn fish have pulled out to structure such as rock or points.
Otter Creek Lake
Yellow Bass – Fair.
Prairie Park Fishery
You must have a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Use small jigs/spinners or live/scented baits.
Sand Lake
2000 trout will be stocked here on Saturday, April 22 at noon. A family fishing event will he held with stocking. You must have a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good: Try small jigs/spinners or live/scented baits. Brook Trout – Fair: Use small jigs/spinners or live/scented baits. Black Crappie – Good.
Terry Trueblood Lake
You must have 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.
