NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 73 degrees. 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 – Slow: Boat anglers are picking up a few walleye. Use leeches fished under a bobber and twisters during late evening and early morning in Town Bay and the shoreline along Ice House Point. 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 baitf ished 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 low 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. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up some suspended crappie out mid-lake in the dredge cuts while fishing for walleye. Walleye – Good: Boat anglers are doing well trolling shad raps or ripple shads 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 low 70’s. Bluegills are still close to shore in many lakes and ponds. Catfish can be found in the rocks along shore spawning. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The water temperature is 70 degrees. McIntosh Woods State Park boat ramp is closed for repairs. 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 a slip bobber and leech or minnow in the rock reefs. Troll spinners with a crawler or leech in 8-12 feet of water. Yellow Bass – Slow: Drift small jigs with a piece of crawler. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a jig and crawler in the rock structures. Muskellunge – Fair: Work the edge of vegetation with top water lures.
Crystal Lake
Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting on a variety of baits.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting on top water baits and jigs. Bluegill – Fair: Use a bobber and a piece of crawler near shore.
For information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
Fish are active with many people leaving the lake with full buckets. Yellow Bass – Good: Yellow bass activity has started to slow on the north end of East Okoboji Lake. Use live baits under bobbers. Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch are active on the north end of the lake. Use live bait off of the public docks. Walleye – Good: Walleye have been very active; use live bait in shallow rock piles.
Five Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are active on Five Island Lake. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are very abundant in shallow areas near structures such as downed trees.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Use mini jigs and artificial baits near the weed lines.
Lost Island Lake
Walleye – Good: Nice sized walleye are coming off the lake. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are active; cast traditional catfish baits.
Mill Creek (Lake)
Bluegill – Good: Angler acceptable bluegill are abundant here. Largemouth Bass – Good: Good numbers of largemouth bass are being caught.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The fish on Silver Lake are very active. Walleye – Good: Many fish are being caught; use live baits such as minnows.
Spirit Lake
The fish are very active with many people leaving the lake with limits. Yellow Perch – Good: The yellow perch activity has started to pick up recently. Walleye – Excellent: Walleye are moving to deeper water, but remain very active.
West Okoboji Lake
The fishing continues to be very good. Northern Pike – Good: Nice northerns are being caught. Walleye – Good: Anglers are having a high success rate fishing for walleye; use live bait such as minnows and leaches. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills continue to be very active in the canals.
The fishing on the Iowa Great Lakes continues to be very active. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water clarity is decreasing and water levels are rising with recent rainfall events. Temperatures are in the mid 70’s. Visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Decorah District Streams
Streams with better water quality will clear quicker. Wild parsnip is in full bloom. Wear light clothing to protect exposed skin from this plant’s effects. Call 563-927-5736 for catchable trout stocking locations. Use jigs tipped with twister tails, feathered spinnerbaits, or flashy spoons. Use a nightcrawler to catch a freshly stocked fish. Brook Trout – Good: With grasses and other forbs in full bloom, consider switching to terrestrial insects – ants, flies, caddis, and small gnat imitations for insects falling or flying around the water. Brown Trout – Good: Catch has been variable lately. Off color water is a great time to fish for brown trout. Try caddis fly and mayfly imitations hatching off the water. Use leach or streamer patterns for more aggressive fish. Rainbow Trout – Good: Scuds, stonefly, and common garden hackle imitations should turn a rainbow head.
Lake Hendricks
Clean off your boat trailer before you leave the boat ramp. Boat anglers are finding fish over structure in deeper water. Bluegill – Good: Use a small jig tipped with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Crawlers or stink bait work best as water temperatures rise. Fish around stumps and other woody structures. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a hook tipped with a minnow under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try a jig tipped with a plastic twister or top water lure.
Lake Meyer
Water clarity is 2.5 feet. Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. Clean off your boat trailers and drain boats before you move to another water body. Find the latest hot spots on the Iowa DNR’s fishing atlas. Set your GPS coordinates to WGS84 to key in to your structure preference. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a small piece of worm under a bobber in shallow water. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink baits with warmer temperatures or a crawler fished on the bottom. Dawn and dusk are best. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use frog or mouse topwater lures fished along the weed beds. Overcast, windy days are best. Black Crappie – Slow: Catch crappie in the evening in shallow water along a rocky shoreline. Try deeper water in the daytime. A minnow or artificial scented baits fished under a bobber will catch a nice fish. Northern Pike – Fair: Try a spinnerbait for a pike hanging in 1 to 4 feet of water.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are quickly rising with recent rain and visibility is poor. Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. Smallmouth Bass – Slow. Walleye – Slow.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are on the rise with temperatures in the low 70’s. Visibility is poor. Visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are falling with temperatures in the low 70’s. Visibility is poor. Bank anglers should toss a lure upstream and let it float through the current along a ledge or current seam. Walleye – Fair: Use jig tipped with a plastic twister tail fished through deeper holes or tributary mouths. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use a variety of artificial lures. Anglers are catching many pound to 2 pound fish. White Sucker – Good: Try a hook with a worm and enough weight to get the worm to the bottom. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are actively seeking food with rising muddy water; use crawlers and stink baits.
Volga Lake
Find fish attracting structure locations on the Iowa DNR’s fishing atlas. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with small piece of nightcrawler or red worm fished deep. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie hovering over submersed trees or cruising open water. Use a hook tipped with a small minnow under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Start using stink baits as temperatures rise. Late evenings are best. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass fishing has been hit and miss. Try a spinnerbait or a top water lure.
Typical summer weather will play a part in weekend activities, but temperatures will be comfortable through the holiday. Rainfall amounts over saturated soils are causing area rivers and streams to rise. Many are off color. Watersheds with best management practices applied will clear faster. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River has been producing catches of walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. River conditions may change for the worse heading into the weekend due to rainfall events. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try live bait or artificial crankbaits on areas of rock habitat. Walleye – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a night crawler or artificial crankbaits in eddies or current breaks below fallen trees or log jams. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try dead cut baits or stink baits.
Manchester District Streams
Trout streams remain in excellent condition as long as heavy rains hold off for the upcoming weekend.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River has been producing catches of walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. River conditions may change for the worse heading into the upcoming weekend due to rainfall events. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try live bait or artificial crankbaits in areas of rock habitat. Walleye – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a nightcrawler or artificial crankbaits in eddies or current breaks below fallen trees or log jams. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try dead cut baits or stink baits.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River has been producing catches of walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. River conditions may change for the worse heading into the upcoming weekend due to rainfall events. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try live bait or artificial crankbaits in areas of rock habitat. Walleye – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a nightcrawler or artificial crankbaits in eddies or current breaks below fallen trees or log jams. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try dead cut baits or stink baits.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
There have been no reports for the Wapsipinicon River this week, but should provide good opportunities for smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. River conditions may change for the worse heading into the upcoming weekend due to rainfall events.
Interior river levels are on the rise with the recent rainfall events. Lake fishing has slowed as most fish species have completed spawning. Trout streams may rise quickly with area rainfall, you may want to call ahead to check on local trout stream conditions. Contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276 for more information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 12
River levels are 10.8 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 13 feet at the RR bridge. These are down 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 – Fair: Use worms along rock piles and lines as catfish spawn along this habitat. High water is making this a challenge. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum bite well in higher water levels. A simple egg sinker and worm rig works best. White Crappie – Good: A few nice white crappie have been reported all spring. Not many numbers, but size has been quality. Walleye – Fair: Some walleyes are biting on crankbaits or pitching jigs into eddy areas. White Bass – Good: This spring has seen a nice run of white bass on Pool 12. It is slowing some, but some nice white bass can still be caught on small spinners. Bluegill – Good: Smaller gills are being reported out of the clearer backwater areas. Most being caught on worm rigs.
Mississippi River Pool 13
River level is at 12.4 feet at Bellevue. This down a bit from last week and water level may hold steady or start receding this upcoming week. Many small boat ramps in the pool still have water or debris on them. Northern Pike – Fair: Use flashy white lures. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are hitting on worms rigs. Catfish are in tail end of spawning, so fish along rock piles or wingdam areas. The cool weather and sinking water temperatures have slowed the bite. 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 – Slow: Find walleye in eddy currents. High water makes this a challenge, but keep pitching jigs until you find them. Wing dams have just a bit too much current on them to fish effectively. Floating weeds are starting to challenge anglers’ patience early this year. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Pitch jigs or on worms in flooded rocky areas.
Mississippi River Pool 14
River level is 11.5 feet at Fulton, 14 feet at Camanche and 8.1 feet at Le Claire. These are similar to last week’s levels. Some boat ramps will have water and debris on them due to the high water. 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. Catfish are in tail end of spawning cycle, so fish along rock piles or wing dam areas. 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.
Mississippi River Pool 15
River level is at 12.0 feet at Rock Island. This is similar to last week and flow levels should start falling later in the week. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are in the tail end of spawn with many anglers fishing the rock piles along 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.
The main channel water temperature has fallen and is 72 degrees. Water levels have peaked and may recede this week. Many of the smaller boat ramps in the district are under water or will have debris on them. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 11.81 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and currently forecast to reach 13.5 feet over the weekend. Forecasts may change with the recent heavy rains. Flood stage is 15 feet. Channel Catfish – Fair: 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.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 10.97 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is forecast to reach 12.6 feet over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 16. The gates are out of the water at the dam. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. The ramp at Big Timber has been closed once again due to high water. 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 12.44 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is forecast to reach 14.4 feet over the weekend. Floodstage is 15 feet. Forecasts may change with the recent heavy rains. The Toolsboro ramp will be closed tomorrow, June 30. 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.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 8.69 feet at Lock and Dam 18 and currently forecast to reach 9.9 feet over the weekend. Forecasts may change with the recent heavy rains. Flood stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10 feet. 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.
River stages have been fairly steady the past few days. River stages are below flood stage. Main channel water temperature is around 72 degrees. Main channel 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
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are out in deeper water in the flooded timber down about 8 feet.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The river level forecast is for the Iowa at Wapello to start rising later on Thursday and continue rise until sometime on Saturday, then start to fall again. Channel Catfish – Good: Work the mouths of some of the feeder streams; catfish will be looking there for food washed in by the rains. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass fishing has picked up. Go shallow In the early morning and deeper during the day before coming back in shallow in the evening.
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 between 8 and 10 feet down around the trees. Some very nice fish are being caught. Bite is best before 10 am and after about 6 pm in afternoon. Channel Catfish – Good: Work the face of the dam and around the mounds at the upper end of the lake.
Lake Darling
The cool nights and wind have ended the algae bloom; water is very clear. The water temperature has dropped to 74 degrees. 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: Find some nice bass working the shallows near the deeper water areas in the early mornings and evenings.
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 Toolesboro road was opened up last week; on Sunday the water was right up to the edge of the road, but on the road in several spots. They are hoping to be able to leave it open over the weekend, but the rain and water coming down the Mississippi might change that. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Still a lot of extra land underwater, so finding bass is a little tougher. Concentrate around the rip rap and down around the beaver lodges. Channel Catfish – Fair: Look for catfish near where the islands are still under water and around the button bushes.
Lost Grove Lake
Lost Grove got a little under an inch and a half of rain on Wednesday (6/28), but the water quality is still in pretty good shape. Still a good amount of filamentous algae around the shorelines and in the trees. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are in deeper water around the trees. Don’t be surprised if you pick up a few crappies in the same areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Early in the morning is the best time to catch some of the nicer sized bass in shallow before they head for deeper water.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The river level is still good enough to run boats on without too much trouble. The water temperature dropped to 69 degrees earlier this week after a couple of cool nights. <
