NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 70’s. Bluegill – Good: Pick up bluegill 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 crawler fished under a bobber off the floating fishing pier, the west stone pier, and the inlet bridge. Many bluegills are still close to shore. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are mostly off shore now, but a few are being picked up while fishing for bluegill. Walleye – Fair: Boat anglers are picking up some walleye near rock piles.The rock pile off of Cottonwood point has been producing fish. Use leeches fished under a bobber and twisters early morning. Largemouth Bass – Good: Catch largemouth all over the lake using the traditional bass lures. Fishing Ice House Point, the east shoreline, and the lake side of the inlet bridge has provided good bass action for many anglers. Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut bait and stink bait fished on the bottom along shore. Try also in the marina and near the floating dock in Town Bay. Catch fish up to 25 inches long.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70’s. Dredge is in operation in the northeast portion of the lake; boaters must maintain a 100 foot distance from the dredge, booster pump and dredge pipes at all times. Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye – Fair: Boat anglers are doing well trolling shad raps or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake. White Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing dredge cuts. Channel Catfish – Fair: Find spawning channel catfish along shore in the rocks this time of year. Use cut bait, stink bait or crawlers.
Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are in the upper 70’s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The water temperature is 79 degrees. McIntosh Woods State Park boat ramp is open. There is a 14 inch minimum length limit for walleyes on Clear Lake with a daily limit of three fish per person; only one walleye can be greater than 22 inches. Clean, Drain, and Dry your boats to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. Walleye – Fair: Use jigs tipped with live bait at the docks and areas with tree shade. Boat anglers are trolling with leeches or minnows around the artificial and rock reefs. Yellow Bass – Fair: Boat anglers are trolling with artificial lures and small minnows around Fisherman’s, Billy’s and Gilmore’s reef. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use live and artificial lures near dawn and dusk.
For information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 9.4 feet at Lansing and is predicted to fall another foot over the next week. Water temperature is near 70 degrees. Army Road at New Albin has reopened. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegills are biting in the backwaters where there is vegetation. Use a small hook with small pieces of worm fished under a bobber. Walleye – Fair: Use crankbaits in off channel areas. Fish the shallows in early morning or late evening. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are sitting in 4- to 5-feet of water in the backwaters. Use small minnows or worms fished on the bottom. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Lots of drum are still being caught in the swifter current breaks. Bounce a nightcrawler along the bottom or try crayfish for bigger fish. Channel Catfish – Good: Use nightcrawlers or stinkbait fished on the bottom in areas of moderate current where side channels form an eddy. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth fishing is expected to pick up as river levels recede and water clarity improves. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouth fishing should pick up as water clarity improves over the next week. Fish rock piles at the tips of the islands and backside of islands with current. Use jerk baits in protected backwaters with clearer water. Northern Pike – Fair: Northern pike fishing is picking up in the shallows or in the mouths of tributary streams.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Lynxville level has fallen to 18.4 feet and is predicted to fall to 17 feet later next week. Water temperature is in the mid 60’s at the lock and dam. Walleye – Fair: TUse crankbaits in off channel areas. Fish the shallows in early morning or late evening. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are sitting in 4- to 5-feet of water in the backwaters. Use small minnows or worms fished on the bottom. Bluegill – Excellent: Use a small hook with small pieces of worm fished under a bobber in the backwaters where there is vegetation. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Lots of drum are still being caught in the swifter current breaks. Bounce a night crawler along the bottom or try crayfish for bigger fish. Channel Catfish – Good: Use nightcrawlers or stinkbait fished on the bottom in areas of moderate current where side channels form an eddy. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth fishing is expected to pick up as river levels recede and water clarity improves. Use jerk baits in protected backwaters with clearer water. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouth fishing should pick up as water clarity improves over the next week. Fish rock piles at the tips of the islands and backside of islands with current. Northern Pike – Fair: Northern pike fishing is picking up in the shallows or in the mouths of tributary streams.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Mississippi River is 11.1 feet at Guttenberg; a steady fall is predicted this week. The lock gates are still open and water temperature is 70 degrees at the Lock and Dam. Walleye – Fair: Use crankbaits in off channel areas. Fish the shallows in early morning or late evening. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are sitting in 4- to 5-feet of water in the backwaters. Use small minnows or worms fished on the bottom. Bluegill – Excellent:
Upper Mississippi River levels are still running high but are expected to start receding this week. Heavy localized rains have many tributaries running muddy and will impact the Mississippi water clarity. Expect fishing to pick up this week with water levels falling. Water temperature is in the upper 60’s to 70.
Mississippi River Pool 12
River levels are 7.9 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 10.3 feet at the RR bridge. These are down almost three feet from last week and water levels are predicted to keep receding. Many of the smaller boat may still be flooded out or have debris on them. Channel Catfish – Good: Use worms and stink bait. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker and worm rig works best. White Crappie – Good: A few nice white crappie have been reported all spring. Walleye – Fair:Floating weeds are making pulling crank baits a challenge. Some anglers reported very poor fishing, while others say it is good. Keep moving and try different techniques if you don’t find fish. White Bass – No Report: This spring has seen a nice run of white bass on Pool 12. Bluegill – Good: Receding water levels have pulled the gills out in the shallow backwater areas. Angle near the mouths of large backwater complexes as bluegills should gather in these areas. Most are being caught on worm rigs.
Mississippi River Pool 13
River level is at 9.1 feet at Bellevue. This is down three feet from last week and water level should keep receding. Some boat ramps may still have debris on them. Northern Pike – Fair: Use flashy white lures. As water warms up try fishing in the mouths of cooler tributary streams as some pike gather in these locations. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are hitting on worms rigs and stink bait. Fish above log jams and rock piles and lure the catfish out. Move often if you don’t find fish. Freshwater Drum – Good: Use egg sinker rigs with worms. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find bass in large backwater areas such as Spring Lake. Many anglers are slow rolling spinnerbaits. Walleye – Fair: The water is still a little turbid, but some anglers are finding walleyes with worm rigs on the wing dams. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Pitch jigs or on worms in flooded rocky areas. Bluegill – Fair: Receding water levels have pulled the gills out in the shallow backwater areas. Angle near the mouths of large backwater complexes as bluegills should gather in these areas. Most are being caught on worm rigs.
Mississippi River Pool 14
River level is 9.6 feet at Fulton, 12.3 feet at Camanche and 6.8 feet at Le Claire. These are down two feet from last week’s levels. Some boat ramps will have still have water and debris even though the water has fallen. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass in the backwater complexes such as cattail and rock creek. Try slow rolling spinnerbaits and other flashy lures in the stained waters. Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum are biting on worm rigs. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are hitting on worm rigs and prepared stink baits. Walleye – Good: Some walleyes were being caught in eddy areas by people pitching jigs. Use bright colors in dirty water. Lures that have a rattle in them may also help walleyes find your lure. Flathead Catfish – Good: Some people are trot lining flathead catfish using large bullheads as bait. Flathead are active most during the night and evening hours.
Mississippi River Pool 15
River level is 10.4 feet at Rock Island. This is down around two feet from last week and flow levels should recede all week. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink bait along the rock piles near Campbell’s and Arsenal Island. Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum bite well this time of year. Put them on ice immediately if you are going to clean them. Flathead Catfish – Good: Use large live bait fished near shore during the night and evening hours.
The main channel water temperature has fallen and is 79 degrees, up seven degrees from last week. Water levels are on rapid decline throughout the district. Some boat ramps still may have debris on them from being under water for a long time. Water levels are approaching conditions where many anglers like to fish, so it is time to hit the Mississippi River. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 10.64 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and has been falling steadily over the past few days. Floodstage is 15 feet. Channel Catfish – Fair: Look for channel catfish along the rocks. Float leeches or crawlers under a bobber along the rocks. Some catfish are being caught along the rocks in Sylvan Slough. Use nightcrawlers or dip baits in the main channel and side channel snags. Bluegill – Good: Use worms under a bobber in Sunset Marina. Try fishing backwater areas like the Andalusia Island along brush piles and snags. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the Andalusia Island backwater complex. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows around brush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 9.93 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and and has been falling the past few days. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 16. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. As of July 6th, the Big Timber ramp was being reported as closed. Channel Catfish – No Report: Float leeches or worms under a bobber along the rocks. Try fishing dip baits above snags along the main channel and side channels. Bluegill – No Report: Use worms under a bobber along the brush piles in the backwaters. White Crappie – Fair: Reports of some crappies being caught in Cleveland Slough. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows around brush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 11.79 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and has been falling. Floodstage is 15 feet. The Toolsboro ramp is open. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Float leeches or worms under a bobber along the rocks in riprap shorelines. Try fishing dip baits above snag piles along the main channel or side channels. White Crappie – No Report: Look Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows around brush piles and logs in the backwater and side channels.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 8.16 feet at Lock and Dam 18 and is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Float leeches or crawlers under a bobber along the rocks in riprap shorelines. White Crappie – No Report: Look Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows around brush piles and logs in the backwater and side channels.
River stages have been falling the past few days. River stages are below flood stage. River levels are forecast to continue to fall. Main channel water temperature is around 77 degrees. Water clarity is still poor. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
With the windy weather last weekend, there wasn’t a lot of activity on the lake. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are out in deeper water in the flooded timber down about 8 feet.Some anglers were also catching fish from shore around the jetties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use soft plastics in the flooded timber.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The river came up about half a foot over the last few days, but is forecast to start falling later today. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing picked up with the rise in water levels. Flathead Catfish – Good: Bank poles run over the holiday weekend did fairly well with some nice flatheads caught.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature has dropped into the mid 70’s. The curly leaf is nearly all gone. Water clarity is very good. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill continue to be in deeper water; look down in 12- to 14-feet of water around the trees. Some very nice fish are being caught. Bite is best before 10 am and after about 6 pm in afternoon. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: The evening bite in the last few hours of daylight is best. Some are using soft plastics while others are using crankbaits.
Lake Darling
The water has warmed back up into the 80’s. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing continues to be good using a variety of baits. Most fish are 1 to 1 1/2 pounds. Bluegill – Good: Most bluegills are in the deeper habitat, but anglers are finding a few pockets of bluegills in shallow still nesting. Black Crappie – Good: You can still find crappies out around the deeper willow bats in 8- to 10-feet of water. Vertical jig or use slip bobbers to get down to them. Largemouth Bass – Good: Work the shallow water near the deeper parts of the lake in the late evening. Use soft plastics on the bottom or deep diving crankbaits.
Lake Geode
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are hanging out in the deeper water off the drop offs. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for catfish off the face of the dam and along the deeper ledges along the north side of the lake.
Lake Odessa
The Mississippi came up a little bit and put some water on the River ramp parking lot at the end of the Toolesboro road, but the road stayed dry and is open. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies in some of the trees that are still flooded.Channel Catfish – Good: Use Cut bait and chicken livers.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The river level is still good enough to run boats on without too much trouble. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers out over the holiday weekend did fairly well. Use stink baits, cut baits and chicken liver.
For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Channel Catfish – Fair.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool of 683.4′. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or shad guts in the channel. The area by Curtis Bridge has been reported as good.
Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Good: Many fish are shallow now. Channel Catfish – Good.
Hannen Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good. Channel Catfish – Good. Black Crappie – Fair.
Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
Bluegill – Good. Largemouth Bass – Good. Channel Catfish – Good. Black Crappie – Fair.
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use live chubs on bank lines. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Try live chubs on bank lines.
Kent Park Lake
The lake is now drained. The fishing regulations for Kent Park Lake have been relaxed to take advantage of the fish due to the renovation project. For more information, contact the Kent Park office at 319-645-2315.
Lake Iowa Pond
Bluegill – Good. Largemouth Bass – Good.
Lake Macbride
The motor restriction is now in effect. Motors greater than 10hp are not to be used and all boats must run at no-wake speed (5mph). Water temperature this week was mid 70’s. Black Crappie – Fair: Most have pulled off to deeper structure. Try jigs or minnows over/around deeper brush/stumps. Walleye – Fair: Most fish are being caught in 8- to 15-feet of water. Troll crawler rigs or crankbaits. Bluegill – Good: Some better fish are being caught in 10- to 15-feet of water around rock or stumps. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.
Otter Creek Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink bait in the evening. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use small spinners. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small jig or worm.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still about 9 feet low from the restoration project. The main boat ramp is usable, but still shallow; use caution. The far east lane is best. There is also a boat dock in at the ramp. Walleye – Fair: Troll crankbaits or crawler rigs over hard bottoms after dark. Bluegill – Fair: Use small leeches in about 6 feet of water. Muskellunge – Fair. White Bass – Fair: Sunrise and sunset are usually best. Look for topwater action as they chase young shad. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Sunrise and sunset are usually best. Look for topwater action as they chase young shad. Channel Catfish – Fair: The dam area has been producing fish.
Rodgers Park Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Use small worms under a bobber. Most fish are under 7 inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Decent sized fish are being caught on artificials, especially those that are more weedless.
Sand Lake
Rainbow Trout – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use fast moving crankbaits. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs with plastics. Many fish are small, but some large fish have also been caught.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try topwater lures in the mornings and evenings along the shorelines. Use rubber worms or spinnerbaits along rip-rapped shorelines and around the rock piles. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Sorting is needed for larger fish.
Lake Keomah
Bluegill – Slow: Try small jigs tipped with live bait along the shorelines with structure and around the fishing jetties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast the shorelines early in the mornings, fish deeper as the day heats up. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try nightcrawlers or liver around the shorelines.
Lake Sugema
Black Crappie – Fair: Use live bait presentations around structure. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Walleye – Slow: Drift or troll nightcrawler rigs along the dam. Try also crankbaits. Bluegill – Fair: Use live bait and a small jig. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try topwater lures fished in the mornings and evenings. Use spinnerbaits or crawdad imitating baits along rip-rapped shorelines and around the jetties.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Good: Use jerk baits or spinnerbaits around the cedar tree piles and along th
