NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s. Panfish action has been good. Walleye are starting to pick up. 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 – Fair: Anglers have had 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 are being picked up in Town Bay and from Ice House Point. Anglers have had luck from shore using leeches fished under a bobber. Fishing is starting to pick up and should get better as the water warms. Fish are 15- to 20-inches. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some yellow perch are being picked up near the inlet bridge and in Town Bay. Keepers are 10- to 13-inches.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s. 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 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 are in the mid to upper 50’s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Catch crappie near the shoreline with jigs and slip bobber rigs tipped with minnows.
Clear Lake
The water temperature is 50 degrees. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use live bait at the jetties or around the island. Walleye – Good: Try a slip bobber and leech or a jig tipped with minnow around rocky structure. White Bass – Fair: Use live bait off the jetties at dawn or dusk. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small minnows or jigs near the vegetation.
Rice Lake
Walleye and perch fishing are still fair. Try fishing early mornings or near dusk with minnows or leeches.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Yellow Perch – Fair: Use small jigs and a minnow off the jetty.
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: Cast twisters for the best action.
East Okoboji Lake
Fish on East Okoboji are extremely active right now with many people leaving the lake with full buckets. Yellow Bass – Good: Yellow bass activity has greatly 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 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 – Slow: 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; active fish are still being caught in shallow areas on sunny days. Try fishing with 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. Use light jig heads and artificial baits in the shallows.
Fish are very active on the Iowa Great 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
The road to Decorah Fish Hatchery will be under construction through June. Rainfall amount through the weekend will determine how muddy streams get. Call 563-927-5736 for current stocking locations. Use jigs tipped with twister tails, feathered spinnerbaits, or flashy spoons. Use a nightcrawler to catch a freshly stocked fish. Brook Trout – Fair: Use scuds or stonefly imitations for fish not rising to the surface. Brown Trout – Fair: A great time to fish for brown trout is when water turns off color from rainfall events. 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 – Good: Fish 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
Cooler weather predicted for the weekend may slow the bite. Boat anglers are finding fish in deeper water. Bluegill – Fair: Catch gills moving into shallower water with a small jig. Let it sink and slowly reel it in. Channel Catfish – Slow: Use cut baits 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: Try a jerk bait fished slowly over rock piles.
Lake Meyer
Water clarity is improving. Find the latest hot spots on Iowa DNR’s fishing atlas. Set your GPS coordinates to WGS84 to key in to your structure preference. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small jig with a slow retrieve. Channel Catfish – Slow: Try a dead chub or crawler along a rocky windblown shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use 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. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a minnow or feathered spinnerbait around a current break. Walleye – Fair: 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. Try a hook tipped with a nightcrawler fished off the bottom. Black Crappie – Good: Let a small jig sink in a slack water area and slowly reel it in.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are falling with temperatures in upper 50’s. Visibility is improving. Visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are falling and temperatures are in the upper 50’s. Visibility is improving. 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
Volga Lake State Park staff and volunteers placed about 40 cedar trees in five locations and added a rock field this week. Find fish attracting structure locations on the Iowa DNR’s fishing atlas. 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. Try 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 this week. Northern Pike – Good: Use spoons or hook tipped with a chub.
Daytime temperatures will be in the low 50’s with mid 30’s overnight. Rainfall amounts through Sunday 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
Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits or spinner baits.
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 was stocked with trout April 22nd. Rainbow Trout – Fair: 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.
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 – Good: Use jig and minnow in rip-rap or rocky shoreline areas. Many anglers will catch smallmouth while fishing for walleye.
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 – Good: Try jig and minnow combinations in rip-rap or rocky shoreline areas. Many anglers will catch smallmouth while fishing for walleye.
Fishing reports are fair to good for walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and channel catfish on the interior rivers. Black Hawk County lakes are providing some crappie also. 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 11.1 feet at Lansing this week and is expected to remain at this level all week. Army Road at New Albin is under water. 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 21.4 feet, and is expected to remain high for another week before receding. 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 13 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to remain high 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 as 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.
Water levels remain high on the Upper Mississippi River with recent heavy rains. Boat ramps are under water. Debris and poor water clarity will make fishing a challenge. Water temperature is 55 degrees in the main channel.
Mississippi River Pool 12
River levels are 12.6 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 16.3 feet at the RR bridge. These are up nearly two feet from last week; expect levels to crest then start to recede later this week. Sauger – Slow: The sauger bite slowed after the species began spawning. The spawn is over and saugers typically disperse throughout the pool. Yellow Perch – No Report: Find yellow perch in tailwaters near shore, but out of the main current. Yellow perch are done spawning as well, but the bite seems to continue. Northern Pike – Fair: Use flashy spoons along the channel edges and backwater openings. White Crappie – Fair: Hit the brush piles with a small minnow or around dock areas. Channel Catfish – Good: Some small channel catfish have been reported biting on worms. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum bite well in higher water levels. A simple egg sinker and worm rig works best.
Mississippi River Pool 13
River level is 13.5 feet at Bellevue. This is up 1 1/2 foot from last week and water will rise some more then begin to recede later in the week. Several boat ramps are now under water including the DNR boat ramp at Bellevue. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Sauger – Slow: The sauger spawn is over, and as often happens after the spawn fishing slows. Yellow Perch – Fair: Find yellow perch in tailwaters near shore, but out of the main current. Northern Pike – Slow: Use flashy white lures. Black Crappie – Slow: Use small jigs and minnows. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are hitting on worms; the bite for this species improves with the dirty water we are experiencing. Freshwater Drum – Good: Use egg sinker rigs with worms.
Mississippi River Pool 14
River level is 13.1 feet at Fulton, 15.3 feet at Camanche and 9.3 feet at Le Claire. This is up a foot from last week and levels should begin to hold steady. Some boat ramps will have water and debris on them from the high water levels. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Sauger – Slow: The spawn for walleye and sauger is mostly over, and as often happens the bite slows 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. Flathead Catfish – Good: Several catfish were reported this week mostly by anglers using a sinker and worm rig.
Mississippi River Pool 15
River level is 13.5 feet at Rock Island. This is up from last week and levels should begin to hold stable this week. Flooding is in action stage, so some boat ramps may be under water or have debris on them. No fishing was reported to us this week, but fishing is gearing up on Pool 15.
The main channel water temperature is 59 degrees, which is the same as last week. Water levels may rise a bit yet and then begin to recede. 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 13.61 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. River stage has risen close to a foot this past week. 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 Bass – Slow: A few white bass are being caught in Sunset Marina. Try fishing with crankbaits or jigs and twister tails.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 13.08 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. River stage is forecast to rise over the 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. Channel Catfish – No Report: Use crawlers or cut bait along the flooded timber.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 14.86 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage at Keithsburg is 14.05 feet. Flood stage at Keithsburg is 14 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 10.69 feet at Lock and Dam 18. Flood stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 15.62 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 59 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
An angler caught a muskie close to 40-inches long last weekend. It was released alive. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing was slowing down by the end of last weekend. Look for them out in the deeper 8-10 foot water. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The river remains about two feet from being bank full; it hasn’t dropped much in the last week.
Lake Belva Deer
Fishing has slowed with the cold rainy weather. Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers were having trouble finding crappies after a weekend of good fishing. Bluegill – Slow.
Lake Darling
The water temperature over the weekend was up to 63 degrees; it dropped to 59 Thursday morning. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie fishing was very good through Monday afternoon, but they kept moving out to deeper water until Tuesday when fishing slowed down. Bluegill – Slow: Slowed down about the same time as the crappies.
Lake Geode
As the weather has declined, so has the number of anglers. Black Crappie – Slow: Look for crappies along the edges of the steep drop-offs. They should be there waiting for the weather and water to warm back up. Bluegill – Slow.
Lost Grove Lake
Windy weather on this lake keeps the number of boats out on the water down. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Even with the turn in the weather, you still can catch some bass out in deeper water in the flooded trees. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies have moved back out into deeper water.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
A few boats were out last weekend. Water levels have held steady. Channel Catfish – Fair: Start with using nightcrawlers or cut baits; they work the best this time of year.
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
No minnows are allowed here. Black Crappie – Good: Use a jig/waxworm around the jetties and shallow brush. Most fish are 7- to 10-inches. Bluegill – Fair: Try a jig/waxworm around the jetties and shallow brush.
Hannen Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good. Bluegill – Good. Black Crappie – Slow.
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. The lake is currently being lowered. For more information, contact the Kent Park office at 319-645-2315. Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows around brush. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Lake Macbride
All boats/motors may operate at no wake (5 mph) speed. The fish cleaning station and grinder are open at the Primitive Campground ramp. Water temperature this week was in the low 60’s. 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.
Prairie Park Fishery
You must possess 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 were stocked here on Saturday, April 22. 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. Black Crappie – Good: Fishing with minnows, especially towards evening, has been the most productive.
Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Bluegill – Fair: Some fish are being caught in the backwaters on worms. Channel Catfish – Fair: Minnows have been working well.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try rubber worms or spinnerbaits along the shallows and around the jetties as the water warms. Bluegill – Slow: Use small jigs fished in the shallows.
Lake Keomah
Bluegill – Slow: Try small jigs in the shallows as the water warms. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Anglers are catching a few largemouth bass along the dam. Also try along the jetties with spinnerbaits or plastic worms.
Lake Sugema
Channel Catfish – Slow: Try nightcrawlers along the shorelines. Black Crappie – Fair: 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 target cedar tree piles as the water warms.
