NORTHWEST

Arrowhead Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Catch 8- to 9-inch bluegills near structure in about 5 feet of water. Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler fished about 3 feet below a bobber.

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is around 80 degrees. Bluegill – Fair: Pick up bluegill just about anywhere along the shoreline in 2- to 5-feet of water. Use a small jig tipped with live bait or a small piece of crawler fished below a bobber off the floating fishing pier, the west stone pier, and the inlet bridge. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are mostly off shore now, but a few are being picked up by shore anglers along Ice House Point. Walleye – Fair:  Use leeches fished under a bobber and twisters near rock piles in the early morning. The rock pile off of Cottonwood point has been producing fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Catch largemouth all over the lake using the traditional bass lures. Fishing Ice House Point and the lake side of the inlet bridge has provided good bass action for many anglers. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait, stink bait and leeches 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.

Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler in about 10 feet of water. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small piece of crawler or minnow on a jig in 10- to 15-feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Throw topwater lures, weedless baits, spinners and plastic worms along weed lines, near cover and wood structure. Fish deeper for larger fish. Pick up small fish in the shallows. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are around 80 degrees. 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 crawlers 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: Use cut bait, stink bait or crawlers near rocks along shore.

Swan Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler or minnow under a bobber near shore along weed lines. Expect 6- to 9-inch fish.

Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills can reach 9 inches or more. Look for bluegills in 5- to 10-feet of water near the arm north of the swim beach and the coves on the south shore.

For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Bluebill Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are biting on a variety of baits fished near vegetation.

Clear Lake
The water temperature is 75 degrees. Early morning bite is best. Clean, Drain, and Dry your boats to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. Yellow Bass – Good: Drift small jigs tipped with a piece of crawler in 8- to 13-feet of water. Walleye – Fair: Use a slip bobber and leech or minnow in the rock reefs. Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut bait, stink bait or chicken liver on the windward side of the lake.

Crystal Lake
The boat ramp is closed for construction. It should be open by the weekend. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small piece of crawler under a slip bobber near the dredge cut. Black Crappie – Slow: Drift a small jig or minnow 4- to 5-feet below a slip bobber in the dredged area. Look for suspended fish on your electronics and adjust depth accordingly.

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

Center Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Cast mini jigs along the shoreline for excellent pole bending activity.

Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of acceptable size fish.

Spirit Lake
Walleye – Good: Use using traditional baits fished shallow for angler acceptable size fish.

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

NORTHEAST

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
The park ranger reports that the bluegill and largemouth bass fishing has been fair with channel catfish picking up on Casey Lake. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use sub-surface artificial baits and plastics off of the jetties and dam. Bluegill – Fair: Try off of the jetties and in the cove areas in 2 to 4-feet of water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use stink bait, chicken livers and leopard frogs.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River has received some substantial rainfall over the past week. The river is falling quickly and conditions should improve with the next week’s dry forecast.

Manchester District Streams
Anglers are doing well catching trout on imitation hoppers on Spring Branch Creek and other area streams; there is a banner crop of grasshopper this summer. Recent rainfall events have made streams rise and fall fast; call ahead if you are travelling from far away. Brown Trout – Good: Use imitation hoppers on the surface.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River in Delaware County has been very high, but is beginning to fall fast. Little or no fishing will likely take place over the coming weekend.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River is being reported as being in the best condition of all of the interior rivers. Angling opportunities may be best for catching walleye or smallmouth bass.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Recreation is not recommended over the coming weekend on the swollen Wapsipinicon River as flows remain dangerous. Northern Pike – Good: Use large spinnerbaits or live chubs under a bobber.

Interior river fishing has been fairly unpredictable with fluctuating river levels. Most rivers remain high and turbid. Trout streams remain in good condition, but call ahead for stream conditions if travelling from far away. Contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level has fallen to 8.7 feet at Lansing and is predicted to remain stable this week. Water temperature is near 76 degrees. Bluegill – Excellent: Use small hooks with a small piece of worm fished under a bobber in the backwaters where there is vegetation. Channel Catfish – Good:Try nightcrawlers or stink bait fished on the bottom in areas of moderate current where side channels form an eddy. 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. 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. 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. Walleye – Fair: Use crankbaits in off channel areas. Fish the shallows in early morning or late evening. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are sitting in 4-5 feet of water in the backwaters. Use small minnows or worms fished on the bottom. Northern Pike – Fair: Northern pike fishing is picking up in the shallows or in the mouths of tributary streams. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Try live shiners or small bluegill in woody debris to attract flatheads in slack areas off the side channels.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Lynxville water level has fallen to 16.6 feet and is predicted to fall about another foot next week. Water temperature is 76 degrees at the lock and dam. Some area boat ramps may be difficult to access due to storm damage clean up in the McGregor/Marquette area. Bluegill – Excellent: Use small hooks with a small piece of worm fished under a bobber in the backwaters where there is vegetation. Channel Catfish – Good: Try nightcrawlers or stink bait fished on the bottom in areas of moderate current where side channels form an eddy. 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. 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.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth fishing is expected to pick up as river levels recede and water clarity improves. Try jerk baits in protected backwaters with clearer water.  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. Northern Pike – Fair: Northern pike fishing is picking up in the shallows or in the mouths of tributary streams. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Use live shiners or small bluegill in woody debris to attract flatheads in slack areas off the side channels.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Mississippi River at Guttenberg has dropped to 9.3 feet and is predicted to stabilize near 7 feet. Water temperature is 70 degrees at the Lock and Dam; gates are all lowered this week. Bluegill – Excellent: Use small hooks with a small piece of worms fished under a bobber in the backwaters where there is vegetation. Channel Catfish – Good: Try nightcrawlers or stink bait fished on the bottom in areas of moderate current where side channels form an eddy. 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. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: 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. Largemouth Bass -Fair: Largemouth fishing is expected to pick up as river levels recede and water clarity improves. Try jerk baits in protected backwaters with clearer water.  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. Northern Pike – Fair: Northern pike fishing is picking up in the shallows or in the mouths of tributary streams. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Try live shiners or small bluegill in woody debris to attract flatheads in slack areas off the side channels.

Water levels are receding quickly on the Upper Mississippi. Conditions are expected to be near normal summer levels again next week. Water clarity is still somewhat stained from last week’s rains, but is improving daily. Fishing is picking up with water levels falling and stabilizing. 

Mississippi River Pool 12
River levels rose dramatically after the substantial rains in the Mississippi River watershed. River levels are now around 9.6 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 11.8 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is poor with some debris still in the water. Water levels are predicted to rapidly recede this week. Water temperature is around 77 degrees. Channel Catfish – Good:Channel catfish are biting on worms and stink bait; they like flooded water. Freshwater Drum – Excellent:  A simple egg sinker and worm rig works best. White Crappie – No Report: A few nice white crappie have been reported all spring. Some black crappies were also showing before the floods. Walleye – No Report: Changing water levels and floating weeds have limited fishing for walleyes most of this spring. Populations are very good. White Bass – No Report: This spring has seen a nice run of white bass on Pool 12. Some white bass were caught along main channel rock lines before the large rain event. Bluegill – No Report: Angle near the mouths of large backwater complexes as bluegills should be in these areas as water recedes;  most are being caught on worm rigs. Flathead Catfish – Good: Pull worm rigs near rocky habitats. Lots of flatheads have been caught this year. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: The smallmouth bite was progressing nicely before the large rainfall event and turbid water. Throw spinners or small crankbaits in the evening. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Largemouths have pulled out of the shallow backwater areas and are on trees and sandy shoals often chasing minnows.

Mississippi River Pool 13
River levels rose dramatically after the substantial rains in the Mississippi River watershed last week. Levels have begun to recede and are 11.6 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is poor with some debris still in the water. Water levels are predicted to rapidly recede all week.  Water temperature is around 77 degrees in the main channel. Northern Pike – No Report: Use flashy white lures lures in the mouths of cooler tributary streams. Channel Catfish – Good: Use worm rigs and stink bait above log jams and rock piles to lure the catfish out. Move often if you don’t find fish. Freshwater Drum – Good: Use egg sinker rigs with worms. Drum bite in all types of river conditions. Walleye – Slow: The rapid rise and turbid conditions from the large rains have hampered conditions, but angling should improve this week.  Water clarity is still turbid but getting better. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: The smallmouth bite had just started along rock piles, but the rapidly raising water may stall the bite. Bluegill – No Report: Receding water levels will pull the gills out in the shallow backwater areas. Angle near the mouths of large backwater complexes as bluegills should concentrate in these areas; most are being caught on worm rigs. Flathead Catfish – Good: : Flatheads bite well in flooded water; put bait along the flooded shorelines. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Largemouth bite was very good just before last week’s big rains; it is expected to be good again once clarity improves.

Mississippi River Pool 14
River levels rose dramatically after the substantial rains in the Mississippi River watershed.
Levels are receding and are around 11.9 feet at Fulton, 14.4 feet at Camanche and 8.8 feet at LeClaire.  Water clarity is poor with lots of  floating debris. Water levels are predicted to recede rapidly this week.  Water temperature is 77 degrees in the main channel.  Largemouth Bass – No Report: Bass had moved out of the large shallow areas into deeper adjacent habitats. This river bump may move them back into shallow expanses. Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum are biting on worm rigs. Channel Catfish – Good: : Use worm rigs and prepared stink baits fished close to shore or along rock lines. Walleye – No Report: Before the river rise, some anglers were reporting walleyes off the wing dams with worm rigs. Conditions should greatly improve this week. 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 levels rose dramatically after the substantial rains in the Mississippi River watershed.
Levels are now around 14.4 feet, which is at moderate flood levels.  Water clarity is poor with lots of floating debris. Water levels are predicted to recede rapidly this week. Channel Catfish – Good: Many anglers are fishing stink bait along the rock piles near Campbells 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 – No Report: Use large live bait fished near shore during the night and evening hours.

The main channel water temperature is still at 78 degrees. Fishing conditions radically changed this week.  Water levels rose from recent rains and many parts of the River are in action to moderate flooding stages.  The River is extremely turbid with lots of floating debris. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities is 15.09 feet and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 15.90 feet at Fairport and flood stage is 14 feet. The docks have been pulled out at the Fairport Recreational area and the lower ramp is underwater. The ramp is closed at Clarks Ferry. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine is 15.20 feet and has started to fall. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 16.63 feet at Muscatine and flood stage is 16 feet. Ramps at Big Timber are closed. Kilpeck Landing is closed. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 16.01 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is forecast to crest on July 26th. Floodstage is 15 feet. River stage is 14.91 feet at Keithsburg and flood stage is 14 feet. The Toolsboro landing is closed. We have not received any fishing reports with the high and muddy water conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 11.28 feet at Lock and Dam 18. Flood stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 15.98 feet and currently forecast to crest by Thursday. Flood stage is 15 feet at Burlington. River stage at Fort Madison is 528.05 feet and flood stage is 528.0 feet. We have not received much for fishing reports from this pool with the high and muddy water conditions.

River stages are above flood stage. Many of the ramps are underwater. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temperature is around 78 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

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The river level had a nice little bounce up this week, but will start to head back down on Friday. Channel Catfish – Fair: Most catfish are around the brush piles in the deeper pools.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is around 85 degrees by mid-day. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers are having trouble finding the bigger bluegills; mostly smaller ones biting. They remain out in the deeper water.

Lake Darling
The water temperature is in the lower 80’s. A blue-green algae bloom is on the surface of the water; water is clear below that. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Hot weather has slowed the bass fishing. Look for them to be off the drop off in deep water around the structure. Use soft plastics worked slowly. Black Crappie – Slow: All the boats are out in 12- to 14-feet of water over the rock piles and brush piles.

Lake Geode
The water temperature is around 84-85 degrees. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are hanging out in the deeper water off the drop offs.

Lake Odessa
The outlet has been closed because of the rising Mississippi River water levels. The water level in Odessa is currently about what it is in the fall. All the ramps are usable and the Toolesboro road is open.  Black Crappie – Fair: Look around the woody habitat and beaver lodges for the fish that were spending most of their time on the flooded island. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait and chicken liver.

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is 83 to 85 degrees during the day. Most anglers are out in the early morning and late evening. More boats were on the lake this last few days because of the high water in the Mississippi River. Black Crappie – Slow: Work the flooded timber along the old creek channel down about 12 feet. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills are out in deeper water around the flooded timber

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The river continues to drop. Most boats were having trouble getting too far on the river this week; most won’t be able to get through the rock riffles without being dragged. Channel Catfish – Fair: They are back in the log jams and brush piles trying to stay cool.

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

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool of 683.4′. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait in the channel.

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Black Crappie – Slow. Bluegill – Good: Many fish are shallow now. Channel Catfish – Good.

Hannen Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair. Channel Catfish – Good. Black Crappie – Slow.

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
Bluegill – Good. Largemouth Bass – Good. Channel Catfish – Good. Black Crappie – Fair.

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 in the low to mid 80’s. Black Crappie – Slow: Most have pulled off to deeper structure. Try jigs or minnows over/around deeper brush/stumps. Walleye – Fair: Most fish are being caught in 7- to 11-feet of water. Troll crawler rigs or crankbaits. Bluegill – Good: Most fish are small, but slightly better fish are around deeper stumps. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.

Otter Creek Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Evening bite is best; use stink bait. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use small spinners. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small jig or worm .