NORTHWEST
Arrowhead Lake
The lake is ice-free.
Black Hawk Lake
The lake is open. A few anglers have picked up bluegill and crappie in Town Bay since it opened up. More reports will be available as we receive them. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Black Hawk Pit
Black Hawk Pits are ice-free.
Brushy Creek Lake
The lake has just recently opened up; unsafe ice conditions.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
As of March 11th, most of the main lake is still covered with ice; unsafe ice conditions. The Marina is open. Anglers are starting to fish in the marina.
Many lakes in the district are ice-free, except for a few larger water bodies. Unsafe ice conditions. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Rainbow Trout – Excellent: 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
There are many areas of open water. Any remaining ice is deteriorating quickly; unsafe ice conditions. Black Crappie – Fair: Wader fish open pockets in the rushes. Bluegill – Fair: Wader fish open pockets in the rushes.
Lower Pine Lake
There is no open water on Upper or Lower Pine Lake; unsafe ice conditions.
Upper Pine Lake
There is no open water on Upper or Lower Pine Lake; unsafe ice conditions.
Winnebago River
The northern pike bite should pick up; try fishing a chub in slack water below dams and where smaller creeks enter the river.
Ice conditions are rapidly deteriorating on all area waterbodies with the warm temperatures and high winds. Ice fishing is not recommended. For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Center Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions.
East Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is closed. Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions
Ingham Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated; unsafe ice conditions.
Lost Island Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions.
Minnewashta Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions.
Spirit Lake
The walleye season is closed. Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions. Yellow Perch – Fair.
West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is closed. Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions.
The walleye season is closed on Spirit, East Okoboji and West Okoboji Lake. Ice fishing is not recommended. Recent warm temperatures have quickly deteriorated much of the ice in the area. The extended forecast calls for continued warm temperatures with highs in the 40s and 50s. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Ice conditions in impoundments on the river are rapidly declining. Ice fishing is not recommended. Water is sitting on top of ice and is pulling away from shoreline. Ice is out of main channel and below dams. Water is dirty. Walleye – Slow: Anglers are fishing below dams with some success; use live bait.
Decorah District Streams
Much of the snow melted this week with warmer weather and rain. Many streams are off-color, but will clear depending on the quality of the watershed. Gravel roads are messy and rutted. Trout stocking season starts April 1. All catchable trout stockings will be unannounced due to COVID-19 precautions. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Get tackle in front of fish and imitate prey movements. Minnow worm midge and caddis flies work well this time of year. Brown Trout – Good: Meltwater inputs on warmer days will spur a bite. Use tackle imitating forage fish or midges; fish the edge of a weed bed or large rock. Brook Trout – Slow: Try flies imitating prey drifting down in pool edges and heads. Fish the hatch on sunny afternoons.
Lake Hendricks
Ice conditions are rapidly declining. Ice fishing is not recommended. Ice is pulling away from shoreline and opening more around aerator due to wave action from wind.
Lake Meyer
Ice conditions are rapidly declining. Ice fishing is not recommended. Ice is pulling away from shoreline; a frost heave is running the length of the lake.
Volga Lake
Ice conditions are rapidly declining and pulling away from shoreline. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Ice conditions are rapidly declining on all area waterbodies with the recent warm-up and rainfall. Ice fishing is not recommended. Area river water levels are up; clarity is poor with ice mainly on impounded areas. Mixed precipitation forecast for Saturday night into Monday with highs into low 50’s to upper 20’s. To reduce the spread of aquatic nuisance species, throw unused bait in the trash. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is mostly open with recent warm temperatures. Anglers are getting after walleyes with success. Walleye – Fair: Cast and retrieve jig and plastics tipped with or without a minnow. Concentrate on pools and current breaks.
Manchester District Streams
All area Manchester trout streams are dropping from recent snowmelt and should be in good shape by the upcoming weekend. Brown Trout – Good: Spring Branch Creek is a favorite amongst anglers for quality and trophy-sized brown trout.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River in Delaware County remains high and muddy after recent snowmelt.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)The Shell Rock River is mostly open; reports of anglers catching a few walleyes. Walleye – Fair: Cast and retrieve jig and plastics tipped with or without a minnow. Concentrate on pools and current breaks.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The river has stabilized after the recent runoff. Reports of anglers catching northern pike on the Wapsipinicon River. Northern Pike – Good: Cast and retrieve large spinnerbaits or fish a live shiner or chub under a bobber near off-channel areas.
Ice conditions are deteriorating quickly with the recent warmer temperatures. Ice fishing is not recommended. Rivers are starting to open. Anglers are beginning to pick up a few walleyes. For further information contact your area bait and tackle shops. All field stations and fish hatcheries remain closed. Call the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276 for more information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level at Lansing has risen to 8.5 feet and is predicted to rise another foot by late next week. Use caution; shoreline edges are unsafe. Boat ramp at Genoa is open, but some ice chunks still floating down. Yellow Perch – Good: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4-12 feet of water with a jig and minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Use bright colored jigs tipped with waxworms in shallow backwaters. Northern Pike -Fair: Pike will be starting to feed in pre-spawn stages. Try tip-ups baited with a minnow or shiners in shallow backwater lakes. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use tip-ups baited with minnows in backwaters. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie bite is best in shallow backwaters fishing just below the ice surface.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Lynxville water level is 616.3 feet and is expected to rise 2 feet over the next week. Use caution; shoreline edges are unsafe. Lynxville still had ice chunks coming down as of March 11. Sauger – Slow: Try vertical jigging with jigs in tailwaters of the Lock and Dam. Walleye – Slow: Use jigging spoons or a jig tipped with a minnow in tailwaters of Lock and Dams. Yellow Perch – Good: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4-12 feet of water with a jig and minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Use bright colored jigs tipped with waxworms in shallow backwaters. Northern Pike – Fair: Pike will be starting to feed in pre-spawn stages. Try tip-ups baited with a minnow or shiners in warm and shallow backwater lakes. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use tip-ups baited with minnows in backwaters. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie bite is best in shallow backwaters fishing just below the ice surface.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 8.1 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to rise to 11 feet by late next week. Use caution; shoreline edges are unsafe. Iowa DNR ramp and the Landing are open. Sauger – Slow: Try vertical jigging with jigs in tailwaters of the Lock and Dam. Walleye – Slow: Use jigging spoons or a jig tipped with a minnow in tailwaters of Lock and Dams. Yellow Perch – Good: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4-12 feet of water with a jig and minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Use bright colored jigs tipped with waxworms in shallow backwaters. Northern Pike – Fair: Pike will be starting to feed in pre-spawn stages. Try tip-ups baited with a minnow or shiners in warm and shallow backwater lakes. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use tip-ups baited with minnows in backwaters. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie bite is best in shallow backwaters fishing just below the ice surface.
Main channel is starting to break up with a lot of ice chunks floating down. Backwater ice anglers should use caution; ice has deteriorated and water levels are rising. 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 level is expected to rise this week. Water levels are 8.4 feet at the Lock and Dam and 10.7 feet at the RR bridge. The water temperature is around 33 degrees. Water clarity is good. Bluegill – Good: Most ice fishing in backwater lakes has been eliminated with the warm weather, but pockets remain. Walleye – Slow: The ramp at Hawthorne is open, but ice packs have been coming through occasionally. Yellow Perch – Good: Reports of lots of late ice yellow perch.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is 9.7 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam and is rising. Water temperature is around 33 degrees. Water clarity is good. The Bellevue City ramp may have some large ice chunks around the ramp; it is open to launch. Bluegill – No Report: Ice fishing for gills and other panfish was picking up, but the warm weather eliminated most of the ice fishing spots. Paddlefish – Good: Paddlefish season is open; check snagging rules before you go out. Walleye – Slow: Most anglers are pulling a minnow rig.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level at the Fulton Lock and Dam is rising at 9.5 feet, 12.3 feet at Camanche and 7.2 feet at LeClaire. Water temperature is around 33 degrees. Water clarity is good. Bluegill – Good: Ice fishing for bluegills really picked up during the warmer weather, but most of the ice fishing spots were eliminated. Paddlefish – Good: Paddlefish season is open; check snagging rules before you go out. Walleye – Slow: Most anglers are pulling a minnow rig.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is 10.3 feet at Rock Island and is rising. The water temperature is near 33 degrees. Water clarity is good.
Water temperature in the main channel is around 33 degrees. Water level is rising throughout the district. Lots of changes on the river with all the melting. If you have any fishing questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-880-8781.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 10.44 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and has risen close to 3 feet since last weekend. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 10.9 feet by the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 15. The Marquette St. boat ramp is open. Anglers will have to access the ramp at Gaines St. by Modern Woodmen Park. Unsafe ice conditions. Sauger – Slow: Look for saugers below the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – Slow: Look for walleyes below the dam or Sylvan Slough. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 9.24 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has risen close to 3 feet since last weekend. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 9.8 feet over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. The ramp at Muscatine is open; some anglers were out tailwater fishing earlier this week. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been slow with the rising river conditions. Unsafe ice conditions. Sauger – Slow: Look for saugers below the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – Slow: Look for walleyes below the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 11.24 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 12.6 feet by the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates at the Lock and Dam are out of the water. Tailwater fishing for walleye and saugers has been slow with the rising river conditions. The Toolsboro landing is open. Unsafe ice conditions. Sauger – No Report: Look for saugers below the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes below the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 7.47 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 8.5 feet by the weekend. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18 . River stage is 12.01 feet at Burlington and is forecast to reach 13.2 feet over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet at Burlington. Unsafe ice conditions. Sauger – Slow: Tailwater fishing for saugers has been slow with the rising river levels. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing below the dam has been slow with the rising river levels.
Tailwater stages have been on the rise. Tailwater stages have risen close to 3 feet since last weekend. Water clarity is poor. Some boats out have been out tailwater fishing for walleye and saugers. Unsafe ice conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended. Rotten ice is all around the edges; at least one person has gotten wet. Open water areas are growing in size.
Lake Belva Deer
Ice fishing is not recommended. The inlets are all open and running water. More open water every day.
Lake Darling
Ice fishing is not recommended. Nearly all of the shoreline ice is gone; the upper ends and the north side is completely open. The boat ramps remain iced in.
Lost Grove Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Diamond Lake
The edges of the lake are thawing; unsafe ice conditions.
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
The river has opened up; unsafe ice conditions in the backwaters.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake is mostly ice-free, other than the coves. The Corps will not drop the level to spring pool and it will remain at summer pool of 683 feet. Channel Catfish – Fair: Some fish are being caught at the upper end of the lake, mostly around the 218 bridge. Use dead shad or cut bait. Windblown flats can also be good this time of year.
Hannen Lake
Most of the lake is still ice covered; unsafe ice conditions.
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
The edges are thawing; unsafe ice conditions.
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
The river has opened up and is at normal conditions.
Lake Macbride
As of March 11, the lake is 95 percent ice covered, but it is getting dark and slushy; unsafe ice conditions. There is a sizable area east of the causeway and along the dam where shoreline fishing is possible.
Otter Creek Lake
The shorelines are thawing; unsafe ice conditions.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The edges are starting to thaw; unsafe ice conditions.
