NORTHWEST

Arrowhead Lake
Boat ramp courtesy dock has been removed for the season.

Black Hawk Lake
Look for perch, crappie, and walleye along shore in areas where you can wade in. Try along Ice House Point, Gunshot Hill, the outlet, and the North Shore picnic area. All state courtesy docks along boat ramps (except at the marina) have been removed. Yellow Perch – Good: Anglers have had success fishing from the floating pier in Town Bay. Also try anywhere along shore in Town Bay, near the outlet along Gunshot Hill and the outlet. Walleye – Fair: Look for walleye along the north shore, Ice House Point and near the outlet on the east shoreline. Bluegill – Fair: Pick up bluegill along shore with small jigs. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig or a small live minnow under a bobber in and around the fish house in Town Bay and along Ice House Point.

Brushy Creek Lake
Brushy Creek water level remains about 4-5 feet low.

North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 bridge near Auburn)
River levels are low; fish are concentrated in deeper holes. Channel Catfish – Fair: Target catfish in the deeper areas with cut bait, liver or stinkbait fished on the bottom. Walleye – Fair: Water clarity is good. Look for walleye in deeper areas; use crawlers, twisters or crankbaits.

North Twin Lake
Water levels are about 1-2 feet below crest. South and southeast boat ramp courtesy docks have been removed for the season. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler or waxworm fished under a small bobber along shore in 3-6 feet of water. Yellow bass are 6-10 inches long. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are numerous in North Twin Lake. If fishing from shore, let the bait sit near the bottom. Use crawlers or dip baits. Walleye – Slow: With cooler water temperatures, try fishing near shore with twisters or leeches.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water clarity is good. 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: Try in the marina near the inlet and areas you can wade in along the north and east shorelines. White Bass – Fair: Pick up white bass from shore. Use twisters, crawlers or crankbaits in the marina, near the inlet and north and east shores in the main lake. Bluegill – Slow: Find bluegill along shore near rocks and remaining patches of vegetation. Use a small jig with a piece of crawler fished under a small bobber. Yellow Perch – Fair.

Most lake levels are over a foot low. Water temperatures are in the low 40’s; some areas have skim ice in the mornings. Most boat ramp courtesy docks have been pulled. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Blue Pit
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout are biting on a variety of baits. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily bag limit is 5.

Clear Lake
The water temperature is in the mid-30’s. The Ventura Access boat ramp is closed while a new boat ramp is installed. All courtesy docks have been pulled for the season. Walleye – Slow: A few anglers are having success fishing a jig from the wind swept shoreline after sunset. Yellow Bass – Slow: Yellows are biting on small jigs tipped with a piece of crawler.

Lower Pine Lake
Courtesy docks have been pulled for the season.

Upper Pine Lake
Courtesy docks have been pulled for the season.

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

East Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is open. The water temperature is 40 degrees. All hoists and docks have been pulled out for the season. Bluegill – Fair: Find schools in deeper water. Black Crappie – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair.

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Use small jigs tipped with waxworms. Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs tipped with waxworms. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use rubber worms or other slow-moving jigs.

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are catching 9- to10-inch perch in 10 feet of water. Walleye – Fair.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Fair.

Spirit Lake
The walleye season is open; the bite should pick up as water temperatures continue to fall. The water temperature is 37 degrees. All hoists and docks have been pulled out for the season. Bluegill – Good: Schools are starting to move move out to deeper water around structure. Walleye – Fair: Try bottom bouncers or crankbaits to cover more water. Yellow Perch – Good: The bite has really picked up; fish are starting to be found closer to shore from accessible areas such as docks. Other areas to try are small humps in the main basin or weed edges.

West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is open. The water temperature is 40 degrees. All hoists and docks have been pulled out for the season. Bluegill – Fair: Schools are deeper off shore. Try fishing in 20-30 feet of water off most points. Anglers have had success using pilkies. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallmouth bass on rock piles or on the points. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find largemouth bass on the weed lines. Yellow Perch – Fair: Schools have started to move deeper off shore. Yellow Bass – Fair: Easily find yellow bass while fishing for bluegill.

Iowa Great Lake water temperatures are around 40 degrees or lower with a few areas starting to ice over at night. After this week, air temperatures are expected to be in the 30’s to upper 40’s. Most area hoists and docks have been pulled from the lakes to prepare for ice-up. The area bite has been slow lately. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels remain low. Water clarity is variable due to resuspension of leaves and sediment. Use caution; access to fishing holes by boat may be difficult. Walleye – Good: Cooler temperatures are bringing on the bite. Fish moved into deeper holes. Be prepared to run your lure near the bottom of pools. Use live bait for best luck. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use a minnow on a hook under a bobber in the back eddies and deeper pools with little current.

Decorah District Streams
All fall community trout locations have been stocked. Check our website at www.iowadnr.gov/trout to find out where they were stocked. Take advantage of fishing trout streams this fall. Iowa’s trout season is open all year. Plenty of rainbow trout were stocked and many streams maintain excellent populations of brown trout. Thanks to all who take advantage of our catchable stockings. We look forward to seeing you on the streams next year. Rainbow Trout – Good: Use flies imitating midges, mayflies and small fish. Use hair jigs, spinnerbaits or small shallow water crankbaits for aggressive fish. Plenty of fish remain in streams over winter. Brown Trout – Fair: Avoid stepping on trout nests or redds; these are freshly cleaned areas on stream bottoms. Brownies may be slow to take bait. A keen eye and a fly box filled with a variety of sizes and colors will help match a hatch. Brook Trout – Fair: The spawn is over for most brookies. Walk around cleared areas in the stream bottom; these are trout nests or redds. Use small flies imitating midges, minnows or mayflies. Please respect private property open to angling; pick up trash and be considerate.

Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is good. Water temperatures is in the mid-30’s. Few anglers are out. Slow presentation down as water cools. Bluegill – Slow: Shore anglers will find fish around the jetties. Use a small ice fishing jig tipped with waxworm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use a jig and a minnow around rocky structure. Black Crappie – Slow: Try a hook tipped with a minnow under a slip bobber.

Lake Meyer
Few anglers were out this week. Lake levels are normal. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperatures are in the mid-30’s. Bluegill – Slow: Use an ice fishing jig tipped with a waxworm or spike under a bobber.. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try a jerk bait; a slow retrieve works best with cooler water.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels remain low with excellent clarity. Fish moved to overwintering holes. Walleye – Fair: Find fish in the evening or overcast days; use a spinner bait or jig tipped with ringworm.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are low with excellent clarity. Walleye – Good: Use a lure imitating a shiner or sucker fished in the deeper pools with little current. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try live bait fished around current breaks or impoundments.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are low with excellent clarity. Walleye – Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow or bright colored twister tail fished in deep holes with little current. Smallmouth Bass – Fair.

Volga Lake
Few anglers are out this week. Water clarity is good. Water temperatures are in the mid-30’s. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small ice fishing jig with a waxworm or spike under a bobber. Wait for the bobber to go under the water, then give the line a quick jerk to set the hook. Black Crappie – Slow: Try a small jig tipped with waxworm or spike fished under a bobber around rocky shorelines or submersed woody habitat.

Water levels on area rivers remain low with excellent clarity on most. Seeing skim ice on smaller ponds and lakes. Mixed precipitation early this week with temperatures in the mid-40’s to below freezing. Iowa’s hunting seasons are in full swing; wear plenty of orange. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
The boat ramp is open on Casey Lake. Anglers are catching bluegill off the jetties and near the dam. Bluegill – Fair: Use a piece of worm under a bobber or cast small hair jigs.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports have been fair to good for walleye on the Cedar River; concentrate on the deeper overwintering holes. Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve large running crankbaits for active fish. Jig and plastics tipped with or without live bait has been very productive.

Manchester District Streams
Trout streams in the Manchester District are in excellent condition. All three trout hatchery offices are still closed.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
No reports for the Maquoketa River this past week.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve large running crankbaits for active fish; concentrate on the deeper overwintering holes. Jig and plastics tipped with or without live bait has been very productive.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Reports have been good for walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike on the Wapsipinicon River, concentrate on the deeper overwintering holes. Pike have been biting really well on portions of the Upper Wapsipinicon. Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve large running crankbaits for active fish. Jig and plastics tipped with or without live bait has been very productive. Northern Pike – Good: Larger spinnerbaits are working well on the Upper Wapsipinicon River. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use larger spinnerbaits.

Interior rivers are in excellent condition – November can provide excellent fishing opportunities. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. Call the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276 for more information. All three trout hatcheries are closed; please call ahead to set up any appointments you need.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Pool level is near 8.1 feet at Lansing and is expected to stabilize close to this level over the next week. Water temperature is 40 degrees. Walleye – Good: Try jigging spoons or a jig tipped with a minnow in tailwaters of Lock and Dams. Largemouth Bass – Good: As water temperatures cool, slow presentations down for bass in backwater lakes. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills should be in overwintering locations. Fish slow with a small piece of worm just off the bottom along weed-beds. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try a jig and minnow along the brush piles and weed edge-lines in slack water off of side channels and sloughs. Black Crappie -Good: Try minnows fished under a bobber in 6-8 feet of water in the backwaters. Sauger – Good: Try vertical jigging with jigs in tailwaters of the Lock and Dam. Northern Pike – Good: Northern are on the feed in shallow backwaters later afternoon as the water warms up.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level at Lynxville is 16.1 feet and is expected to stabilize at this level over next week. Water temperature is 42 degrees at the Lock & Dam. Walleye – Good: Try jigging spoons or a jig tipped with a minnow in tailwaters of Lock and Dams. Largemouth Bass – Good: As water temperatures cool, slow presentations down for bass in backwater lakes. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills should be in overwintering locations. Fish slow with a small piece of worm just off the bottom along weed-beds. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a jig and minnow along the brush piles and weed edge-lines in slack water off of side channels and sloughs. Black Crappie – Good: Try minnows fished under a bobber in 6-8 feet of water in backwater lakes. Sauger – Good: Try vertical jigging with jigs in tailwaters of the Lock and Dam. Northern Pike – Good: Northern are on the feed in shallow backwaters later afternoon as the water warms up.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Guttenberg tailwater level has dropped to 8 feet and is expected to stabilize near this level over the next week. Water temperature is 40 degrees at the dam. Walleye – Good: Try jigging spoons or a jig tipped with a minnow in tailwaters of Lock and Dams. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills should be in overwintering locations. Fish slow with a small piece of worm just off the bottom along weed-beds. Largemouth Bass – Good: As water temperatures cool, slow presentations down for bass in backwater lakes. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a jig and minnow along the brush piles and weed edge-lines in slack water off of side channels and sloughs. Black Crappie – Good: Try minnows fished under a bobber in 6-8 feet of water in backwater lakes. Sauger – Good: Try vertical jigging with jigs in tailwaters of the Lock and Dam. Northern Pike – Good: Northern are on the feed in shallow backwaters later afternoon as the water warms up.

Upper Mississippi River levels have stabilized at slightly higher levels and are expected to remain that way over the next week. Water temperatures are hovering near 40 degrees. Stable water levels should help with fishing success. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches long must be released immediately. Only one walleye greater than 27 inches can be kept. Combined walleye/sauger daily harvest limit of 6 and possession of 12.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are expected to rise this week. The water level is 7.6 feet at the Lock and Dam and 10 feet at the RR bridge. The water temperature is around 42 degrees. The water clarity is good. Northern Pike – Excellent: Flashy spinnerbaits in eddy areas or along weed lines will take this toothy predator. They are still actively eating shad in around 4 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Try in the upper ends of the backwater areas in the sunny warm waters. Bluegills will be in shallow water finding the warmest sun soaked water possible this time of year. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find bass on wood in backwater areas. They are also found chasing shad in these vegetated backwaters. Try gaudy white or green spinnerbaits. Slow way down in cold water temperatures. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are being taken out of brush piles and marina areas on small jigs and minnows. Anglers are moving from log pile to log pile with 2 or 3 fish being taken from each. Walleye – Good: Most walleye and sauger angling is near the Lock and Dam in 15 to 30 feet of water. Jig and minnow is commonly used this time of year.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is 8.4 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam and is rising. The water temperature is around 42 degrees. The water clarity is good. Repairs are complete on the Bellevue City Ramp and it’s open. Northern Pike – Good: Try flashy spinners fished along weed edges in backwater areas. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass are on wood structure in deeper backwater areas. Some are also seen chasing shad in vegetated backwater areas. Use gaudy spinnerbaits to catch large bass before the hard water hits. Slow way down as the water cools and fish during the peaks of sunny days. Bluegill – Good: Try in the upper end of the best backwaters in sun soaked shallow areas. Fish are looking for as warm of temperatures as possible. Walleye – Good: Most walleye and sauger angling is near the Lock and Dam in 15 to 30 feet of water. Jig and minnow is commonly used this time of year. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie are being taken in backwater areas in fallen wood structure.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is 7.7 feet at the Fulton Lock and Dam, 11.1 feet at Camanche and 6.1 feet at LeClaire. Water temperature is around 42 degrees. Water clarity is fair. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass are in deeper backwater areas hiding in wood structure. Bass are heavily feeding on shad in vegetated backwaters such as Cattail Slough. Slow way down on the retrieves as the water cools. Northern Pike – Good: Use flashy spinners along backwater shorelines or in the tailwaters for this aggressive fish. Bluegill – Good: Try in the shallow areas of deep backwaters, like near Rock Creek or Cattail Slough. Walleye – Good: Most walleye and sauger angling is near the Lock and Dam in 15 to 30 feet of water. Jig and minnow is commonly used this time of year. Black Crappie – Excellent: Look for brush piles in backwater sloughs. Most anglers are using small jigs, some tipped with minnows. Pumpkinseed – Good: Find this colorful fish in Rock Creek and Joyces Slough. Most anglers catch them along with bluegills in backwaters with fallen wood.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is 8.3 feet at Rock Island and is rising. The water temperature is near 42 degrees. Water clarity is fair. Walleye – Fair: Most walleye and sauger angling is near the lock and dam in 15 to 30 feet of water. Jig and minnow is commonly used this time of year.

Favorable fishing conditions returned to the Mississippi River; fishing improved greatly. Water temperatures are in the low 40’s. Some aquatic vegetation is floating at times due to wind and it is limiting pulling crankbaits for walleye. If you have any fishing questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 8.28 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is forecast to reach 9.4 feet by Friday. Some grass and leaves coming down the main channel has made tailwater fishing difficult. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Use jigs and plastics or minnows fished around brush piles in Sunset Marina or Andalusia Island Complex. Bluegill – No Report: Try pieces of worm under a bobber in Sunset Marina or Andalusia Island Complex. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow in Sylvan Slough. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Sauger – Slow: Sauger fishing in Sylvan Slough and the tailwaters has been slow. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 6.84 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is forecast to reach 7.5 feet by Friday. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been slow. Some grass and leaves coming down the main channel has made tailwater fishing difficult. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber fished around brush piles in Big Timber or Cleveland Slough. Walleye – Slow: Look for walleyes in the tailwaters. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics around brush piles at Big Timber and Cleveland Slough. Sauger – Slow: Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 7.77 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is forecast to reach 9.4 feet by Saturday. Some grass and leaves coming down the main channel has made tailwater fishing difficult. Walleye – No Report: Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows below the dam. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles; try minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics. Sauger – No Report: Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 4.56 feet at Lock and Dam 18 and is forecast to reach 6 feet by Sunday. River stage is 10.33 feet at Burlington. River stage is 525.98 feet at Ft. Madison. Some grass and leaves coming down the main channel has made tailwater fishing difficult. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics fished around brush piles. Sauger -Slow: Look for saugers in the tailwaters. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.

Tailwater stages have been slowly falling the past few days, but are forecast to start to rise due to recent rains. Main channel water temperature is 42 degrees. Water clarity is poor. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers is being reported as slow. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperatures have fallen back into the 40’s. Bluegill – Slow: Look for bluegills out in 8 to 12 feet of water. Work the flooded timber or the big brush piles at the upper end of the lake past the beach. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Work slowly around the trees out in 10-12 feet of water using soft plastics or jigs.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperatures are back into the low 40’s. Just a very few boats out this week. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills are out deep, 10-15 feet down in the trees, and look to stay there. Black Crappie – Slow: Most crappies have moved out to deeper water. Try vertically jigging or drift or troll small jigs. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Work slowly around in the flooded timber in 10 to 15 feet of water using soft plastics or jigs.

Lake Darling
Water temperatures have been dropping since last Thursday. Largemouth Bass – Slow: The weather forecast makes it look like bass will stay out deep until next spring. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills are out in 10 – 14 foot of water around the habitat. The bite will be light on small jigs tipped with bait; think ice fishing. Black Crappie – Slow: Last Friday (11/20), an angler caught crappie in 8 to 9 feet of water over the rock piles using a slip bobber and live bait. Lots of crappies are being marked out in 12-14 foot of water.

Lost Grove Lake
The fish are getting ready for ice to start to form. Look for them out deep around the habitat where you find them during the ice fishing season. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Bass are out in 8-12 feet of water around the flooded trees. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills are out deep. Work the habitat in 12-16 feet of water. Successful anglers are vertical jigging small jigs tipped with a little live bait.

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

Diamond Lake
The boat dock remains in year round here, but the other facilities are closed for the winter. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs around brush piles.

Lake Macbride
Any sized motor may be used at a maximum of 5 mph. A dock is available at the main ramp, along with a new boat slip at the main ramp and Opie Ave ramp. Water temperature this week was around 45 degrees. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Try soft plastics in 10-20 feet of water. Some fish are on the bottom while some are suspended under schools of shad. Walleye – Slow: Try jigging on or along rock in 10-20 feet of water. Black Crappie – Fair: A few fish are being caught over brush piles or suspended over/along deeper rock. Muskellunge – Fair: Try jerk baits fished in rock banks, points, and reefs.

Pleasant Creek Lake
The docks at main ramp and the bait shop ramp will stay in until ice up. Pit toilets are still available at main ramp. Black Crappie – Slow: A few fish are being caught around brush piles. Muskellunge – Slow: Try jerkbaits along the dam and over rock reefs, banks, and points.

Fishing reports have been scarce since the cool down. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.