Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 50 degrees. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 3-6 feet of water in Town Bay from the stone piers along the north shoreline of Town Bay along Ice House Point and near the inlet bridge. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake. Yellow Perch – Fair: Catch perch up to 12 inches with small powerbaits like crappie nibbles, perch eyes and crawlers fished 2-4 feet below a bobber.

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye – Fair: Troll slowly crawler rigs, minnows or leaches in 10-15 feet of water. Yellow Perch – Fair: Find perch along the vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. Bluegill – Fair: Try tube jigs tipped with crawlers in 5-15 feet of water.

Crawford Creek Impoundment
Black Crappie – Fair: A recent survey showed crappie up to 10 inches along shore. Use minnows or crawlers fished below a bobber in the mornings and evenings. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use traditional bass lures along the shoreline.

North Twin Lake
Water temperatures are around 50 degrees. White Crappie – Slow: A recent survey showed most crappie are 6-10 inches with a few up to 14 inches. Walleye – Slow: Walleye up to 27 inches have been seen in recent netting surveys.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
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: Use crawler rigs and troll crankbaits along the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake. Try twisters and leaches fished under a bobber from shore. White Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits and crawlers fished from shore. Black Crappie – Fair: A recent survey showed crappie up to 10 inches can be found near shore; use a crawler or minnow fished on a small jig below a bobber.

Water temperatures around 50 degrees in Black Hawk District lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. Yellow Bass – Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig. Shore anglers should fish a small piece of crawler or cut bait off the bottom.

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 47 degrees. Muskellunge – Fair: Fish the edge of the vegetation and near docks. Walleye – Good: Fish off the jetties after dark.

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs or a minnow in the dredge cut or on the edge of vegetation. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig and minnow in the area near the old road bed.

Rice Lake
Yellow Perch – Slow: Use a small minnow or a plastic bait in the deeper water.

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

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Don’t overlook the evening bite from docks as these fish will move shallow at dusk. Walleye – Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Northern Pike – Good: Anglers report northern pike action on the lake; best area is where there is flow into the lake.

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Good numbers of large angler acceptable size fish being caught. Channel Catfish – Good: Report of a good fall bite with large angler acceptable size fish being caught.

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught with black crappie and yellow perch up to 10 inches mixed in the catch. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Bluegill – Good: Recent surveys show numbers of fish approaching 7 inches in the lake. Black Crappie – Good: Reports of fish being caught from the lake. Look for the bite to continue. Anglers are catching yellow perch and crappie from the shore. Walleye – Good: The fall walleye bite has started. Use traditional baits during “prime time”. Yellow Perch  – Fair: Some fish are being caught in the evening from shore with walleyes mixed into the catch.

Ocheyedan Pit #1
Channel Catfish – Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of 17 -23 inch channel catfish.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: The fall walleye bite is on. Troll crankbaits during the day; wader fishing is your best chance to catch trophy size fish.

Spirit Lake
Walleye – Good: The fall walleye bite has started with action improving. Wader angler action has picked up with the best bite during the evening. Yellow Perch – Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught with sorting needed; anglers continue to harvest numbers of angler acceptable size fish. Use mini jigs tipped with wigglers or a minnow. Northern Pike – Good: Angler reports of northern pike action on the lake; best area is where there is flow into the lake.

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish.

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

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are falling with improved clarity. Please visit the USGS Water Data website for more information.

Decorah District Streams
Check our fall community trout stocking schedule to find out when trout are coming to a lake near you. Catchable trout stocking is now unannounced. Stocking frequency and amounts are the same as conditions allow. Many trout streams run through wildlife management areas where hunting is allowed. Wear bright colors to be seen.  Brown Trout – Fair: As brown trout start spawning, watch the stream bottom for cleared areas in gravel (trout nests). Avoid stepping in the nests. Use larger flies mimicking grasshoppers or minnows. Rainbow Trout – Good: Catch a freshly stocked trout with a small piece of worm or cheese on a hook under a bobber in a deeper hole.

Lake Hendricks
Few anglers have been out. Water is clearing. Black Crappie – Fair: Shoreline anglers are using a tube jig fished under a bobber.

Lake Meyer
Water temperatures are falling with improved clarity. Angling has been spotty. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Slow.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
The Turkey River water levels are falling with improved clarity. Use care around swollen rivers.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are falling with improved clarity. Water temperatures are in the 50’s. Visit the USGS Water Data website for current information. Use crankbaits or a hook tipped with a minnow in eddies and deeper water.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are falling, but the river remains muddy. Water temperatures are in the upper 50’s. Paddling activities are not recommended. Visit the USGS Water Data website for current information.

Area waters are slowly clearing, but water levels and flows are high. Rain Friday then clearing and cold. Temperatures in the upper 40’s to below freezing at night. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City
Reports of anglers catching walleye, smallmouth bass and some northern pike on the Cedar River in Black Hawk County. Walleye – Good: Use jigs and plastics in sandbar drop-offs or current breaks. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try jig and plastics or crankbaits. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast and retrieve spoons or crankbaits.

Manchester District Streams
Most Manchester District streams are in excellent condition. Flows will remain swift, but clarity should be good.

Silver Lake (Delaware)
Silver Lake is in excellent condition for angling, but there have been no reports. Bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and northern pike are the main species in this lake.

Rivers and streams are falling. There have been angling reports on the Cedar River. Trout streams should be in good condition for the upcoming weekend. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is expected to crest at 13.4 feet and slowly recede over next week. Water temperature is near 48 degrees. New Albin ramp road is closed due to high water. The Lansing Village Creek ramp construction is complete and the ramp is open. Walleye – Fair: High water and current will make fishing difficult this week. Try fishing side channel sloughs with less debris and current. Yellow Perch – Fair: Expect the perch bite to pick up into late fall. Look for fish out of the main channel using live minnow floated under a bobber.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouth action has slowed with the high muddy water. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in current.  Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Black Crappie – Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs.

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville is expected to crest at 23.1 feet with a slow fall next week. Sny Magill road is closed due to high water. Water temperature is 50 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Walleye– Slow: High water and current will make fishing difficult this week. Try fishing side channel sloughs with less debris and current. Yellow Perch – Fair: Expect the perch bite to pick up into late fall. Look for fish out of the main channel using live minnow floated under a bobber. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Largemouth Bass – Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs.  Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouth action has slowed with the high muddy water. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in current. Black Crappie – Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg is predicted to crest at 14.7 ft and gradually recede next week. Water temperature is 46 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Walleye -Fair: High water and current will make fishing difficult this week. Try fishing side channel sloughs with less debris and current. Yellow Perch – Fair: Expect the perch bite to pick up into late fall. Look for fish out of the main channel using a live minnow floated under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouth action has slowed with the high muddy water. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in current. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from the main channel and sloughs. Black Crappie – Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs.

Upper Mississippi River levels cresting this week. Many ramps are under water. Water clarity is poor with a lot of debris. Water temperatures are near 50 degrees. Fish are starting to move toward the overwintering holes.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels will rise this week and peak near a predicted 14.8 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 16.8 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 52 degrees. Channel Catfish – Good:Try stink bait or worms near shore. Channel cats feed heavily near shore during flooded conditions especially along rock shorelines. Freshwater Drum – Good: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out near shore in moderate current areas.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels will rise this week and peak near a predicted 15.7 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is poor. Avoid large tributary streams as they are muddy. The water temperature is around 53 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Channel cats feed heavily near shore during flooded conditions especially along rock shorelines. Freshwater Drum – Good: Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas near shorelines.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels will rise this week and are predicted to be 15.5 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 17.1 feet at Camanche and 10.7 feet at the LeClaire. These are Action and Moderate flood levels. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is around 53 degrees. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Channel cats feed heavily near shore during flooded conditions especially along rock shorelines.  Freshwater Drum – Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is predicted to be near 17 feet. This level is in a moderate flood stage, so boating is not advisable. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is around 53 degrees.

Significant flooding in much of the district. Water levels range from Action to Moderate flood stages. Most of the smaller boat ramps are usable and will have water and debris on them. 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 Davenport is 16.21 feet and has been falling this past week. Flood stage for Lock and Dam 15 is 15 feet. Many of the boat ramps are inaccessible due to the high water. The ramps at Marquette St, Credit Island, Clark’s Ferry, Shady Creek, and Fairport are all under water. Fishing has been slow with the high-water conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 16.92 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has been falling this past week. Flood stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 15 feet.The ramps at Big Timber and Kilpeck are closed due to high-water. Fishing has been slow.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 19.19 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Toolsboro landing is closed due to high water. The Hawkeye Dolbee ramps will be underwater. The Ferry Landing is closed. Fishing has been slow with the high-water conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 15.26 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions.

River stage is still above flood stage throughout the pools. River levels have been falling this past week. Most boat ramps are under water due to the flooding conditions. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Environmental Discovery Park North Pond
The fall trout release will be Oct. 27th at 10 am; 1000 trout will be released with 100 trout tagged for prizes. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Two weeks to go until the release

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
NOAA is forecasting the Iowa River to still be above flood stage through the end of next week.

Lake Belva Deer
Still plenty of water leaving the lake. Water clarity is almost back to normal. Water temperature is in the low to mid 50’s. Black Crappie – Fair: Cappies are sticking to the deeper water; drift the lower end of the lake. Start in 16 to 18 feet of water and work your way into shallower water until you find fish. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Picking up a few bass in the more shallow water along the rocks and gravel bottom areas.

Lake Darling
Water level is still about 6 inches above normal. Water clarity continues to improve. Water temperature is in the low 50’s.Bluegill – Fair: On the less windy days, anglers are catching some nice bluegills in 5 to 8 feet of water around the habitat. Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers are starting to once again catch some crappies, but they have moved back out to deeper water (10-12 feet). Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching some decent bass in fairly close to shore; use a little flash to the lure with the water clarity.

Lake of the Hills
The fall trout release of 2000 trout is scheduled for Oct. 20th at 10:30 am; there will be 200 tagged trout for prizes. Rainbow Trout – Good: Since the river is still going to be above flood stage, why not try a little trout fishing this Saturday?

Lost Grove Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Get back into the standing flooded timber out of the wind; look for fish to be in 6 to 8 feet of water. Maybe a little shallower on the north side when it’s sunny. Black Crappie – Fair: Still are out in deeper water; they should start moving in shallower if the weather calms down.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The river is off the boat ramp parking lot at Brighton and continues to drop. Level is still above flood stage.

Wilson Lake
The fall trout release is scheduled for Oct. 27th at noon; 1000 trout released with 200 tagged for prizes. Rainbow Trout – Good: One week to go!

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