NORTHWEST

Arrowhead Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try minnows on a small jig fished under a bobber along shore with structure. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills guarding nests near shore in 2-5 feet of water. Use a small jig fished under a bobber.

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is around 70 degrees with about 2 feet of water clarity. Lake level is about 4 inches below the crest of the spillway. Black Crappie – Fair. Use a small bare jig or a jig with a small minnow or piece of crawler in Town Bay around the fish house, along Ice House Point and in the marina. Fish are 8- to 12-inches. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up fish along shore. Use a twister or a leach or minnow fished under a bobber along Ice House Point shoreline, the north shore picnic area, or the east end near the outlet structure. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try a small jig and minnow or piece of crawler fished under a bobber. Anglers are having luck fishing around the fish house in Town Bay. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

Brushy Creek Lake
Water levels remain about 2-3 feet low. The second dock at the west ramp is in and is installed at its normal anchor point. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use crawlers or minnows on a jig near shore in 5-10 feet of water. Some sorting is needed. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a bare tube jig or a small jig and minnow fished under a bobber near shore. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass anglers are doing well along shore and structure.

North Twin Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try a tube jig or a minnow fished on a small jig under a bobber along shore and docks. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish for catfish along shore with cut bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Walleye – Fair: Try a leech or minnow fished under a bobber from shore.

Swan Lake (Carroll County)
Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. Water clarity is around 2 feet. Bluegill: Fair: Fish are 7- to 8-inches. Use a small jig fished under a bobber near shore. Black Crappie: Fair: Fish are 6- to 10-inches. Most have moved off shore. Largemouth Bass:  Fair.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are around 70 degrees. Water clarity is about 8 feet. If fishing from shore, evenings or low light conditions may be most productive due to the water clarity.  Offshore bite for walleye and white bass has picked up. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a tube jig or a jig and small minnow under a bobber near shore. Channel Catfish – Slow: Use cut bait or dipped catfish baits fished on the bottom along shore. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing has been fair to good in the main lake. Try trolling along the dredge cuts. Anglers have picked up a few walleye from shore with a minnow or leech fished under a bobber. White Bass – Fair: Fish are being picked up while trolling along the dredge cuts with crankbaits and spinners with crawlers.

Water temperatures are in the low 70’s in most district lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small minnow or tube jig fished from the causeway. Best bite is early morning. Yellow Bass – Fair: Drift fish a tube jig. Bluegill – Slow.

Bluebill Lake
Crappies are biting on minnows fished off the jetty. Use a slip bobber to position your bait above the brush piles. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass anglers are catching fish on a variety of baits. Make long cast to fish the vegetation edge with the really clear water.

Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the lower 70’s. Black Crappie – Good: Use a small minnow fished in the open pockets in the rushes. Early morning bite is best. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a minnow or crawler fished near vegetation on the north shore. Also try slip bobber fishing a leech on the rock reefs. Shore anglers are having success fishing minnows from docks. Best bite is after sunset. Yellow Bass – Fair: Shore anglers are having success fishing small jigs from the jetties and docks. The bite at the Island is still going; best bite is at first light. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small piece of crawler below a bobber in open areas of vegetation. White Bass – Slow.

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small minnow or tube jig fished on the outside edge of the vegetation or near woody habitat. Bluegill –Slow: Use a piece of crawler under a bobber fished  near the vegetation edge. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

Lake Smith
Anglers are catching crappies and bluegills along the shoreline rocks. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.

Lower Pine Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are biting on a variety of baits. Try fishing near the woody habitat. Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber near shore.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use dark colored plastics fished around vegetation and near the jetty. Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber fished near vegetation.

Upper Pine Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs or a minnow fished near the downed trees. Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. If you don’t get a bite right away, try slowly reeling in your bobber.

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 muskellunge and walleye seasons are open. The water temperature is 66 degrees. Leaches with a slip bobber are a simple way to get some success out fishing with kids. Try this setup in about 8 feet or less of water. The current water temperature is 60 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing close to docks and hoists. Trolling weed lines has been successful for many anglers. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are starting to be found in shallower water and around docks and hoists. Leaches or worms and a simple bobber setup work well.

Lost Island Lake
Anglers have had consistent success with yellow perch and a few other species this spring. Yellow Perch – Good.  Bluegill – Fair.  Black Crappie – Fair.  Walleye – Fair.

Minnewashta Lake
Panfishing has been good for anglers trolling weed lines, as well as fishing docks and hoists near shore. Black Crappie – Fair: A nice crappie bite can be found with a little movement around the lake. Bluegill – Fair. Pumpkinseed – Good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Fair.

Spirit Lake
The muskellunge and walleye seasons are open. The walleye bite has been hit-or-miss most nights. Perch and panfish are making their way in shallower, making shoreline and dock fishing advantageous. The water temperature is 65 degrees. Yellow Perch – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Bite is hit-or-miss at dusk.

West Okoboji Lake
The muskellunge and walleye seasons are open. The water temperature is 63 degrees. Try fishing for panfish in 8 feet or less and around docks and hoists. Anglers slowly trolling weed lines have been successful catching a variety of species. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are starting to be found in shallower water and around docks and hoists. Leaches or worms and a simple bobber setup work well. Black Crappie – Fair.

The muskellunge and walleye seasons on West Okoboji, East Okoboji, and Spirit Lakes, as well as all Iowa-Minnesota border waters, are open. Slowly trolling weed lines close to shore can catch a variety of species such as panfish and bass. The extended forecast has cooler temperatures with highs in the 50’s and 60’s. Lake levels are currently lower making navigation and launching more difficult. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Big Woods Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Use colored tube jigs or a crappie minnow under a slip bobber fished off of the jetties in 4-8 feet of water.

Brinker Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. Black Crappie – Good: Cast or vertical jig with colored tube jigs or a crappie minnow under a slip bobber fished in 4-8 feet of water.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers are catching bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and channel catfish. Best bite is mid-afternoon to late evening. Black Crappie – Good: Try colored tube jigs or a crappie minnow under a slip bobber fished over structure in 3-5 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Use a piece of crawler under a bobber or cast a light jig; bluegill are starting to move on spawning beds. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits or spinnerbaits off the jetties or the dam. Channel Catfish – Good: Try nightcrawlers, stink baits or leopard frogs fished off of the bottom.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching channel catfish, smallmouth bass and a few walleyes on the Cedar River. Channel Catfish – Good: Try nightcrawlers. cut baits or stink baits fished on the bottom. Walleye – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a nightcrawler fished off the current breaks and near submerged wood structure.

George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching panfish and largemouth bass. Black Crappie – Good: Cast or vertical jig colored tube jigs or a crappie minnow under a slip bobber fished in 4-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try topwater baits or spinnerbaits; best bite is early morning or late evening.

Lake Delhi|
Anglers are catching crappie. Fish early or late evening to avoid heavy boat traffic. Black Crappie – Fair: Cast or vertical jig colored tube jigs or a crappie minnow under a slip bobber fished in 4-8 feet of water near submerged wood structure.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers are catching walleye and smallmouth bass on the Maquoketa River. Walleye – Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig tipped with a nightcrawler. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast jigs, spinnerbaits or crankbaits.

North Prairie Lake
Anglers are catching a few bass. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try topwater baits or spinnerbaits; best bite is early morning or late evening.

Plainfield Lake
Anglers are catching a few crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Cast or vertical jig colored tube jigs or crappie minnow under a slip bobber fished in 4-8 feet of water.

South Prairie Lake
Anglers are catching primarily bluegill and a few crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Cast or vertical jig colored tube jigs or a crappie minnow under a slip bobber fished in 4-8 feet of water along the edge of weed beds. Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber or cast a light jig or use a flyrod; bluegill are starting to move on spawning beds.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Northern Pike – Excellent: Try live baits under a bobber or artificial spinnerbaits.

Interior rivers bumped up with isolated rainfall events, but are still providing fair to good angling opportunities for smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Rivers should be in good condition for the upcoming weekend. Lakes are starting to produce some crappie. Trout streams are in excellent condition and providing some insect hatches with the warmer weather. For further information contact your area bait and tackle shops. Call the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276 for more information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Lansing water has risen slightly to 8.6 feet. Water temperature is near 71 degrees. The Lansing Village Creek and Heytman’s Landing boat ramps are very shallow. Boaters are urged to use caution or use alternative ramps. Yellow Perch – Good: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4 to 12 feet of water with jig and a minnow or piece of worm. Northern Pike – Good: Try fishing in backwaters near springs or incoming streams as the water temperature rises. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish areas with moderate to slow current amongst the trees in backwaters. Look for them to move into warmer shallows as the temperature rises. Walleye – Good: Find walleye on the wing dams or look for current breaks along structure in side channel areas. Sauger – Slow: Fishing below the Lock & Dams has slowed. Look for current breaks along side channel areas. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of worm under a bobber fished in areas with little to no current. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or a nightcrawler fished off the bottom in areas of moderate current in side channels. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth action is picking up with the warmer water temperatures. Try a flashy spinnerbait fished in the upper portion of backwater lakes. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try spinners or crankbaits fished in main channel rock piles along the tips of islands. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Drum fishing is picking up in the main channel areas; use a crawler fished off the bottom. Flathead Catfish – Excellent: Some nice flatheads have been reported this week. Use a sunfish or crawlers fished on the bottom in the main channel.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Lynxville water level is 616 feet and is expected to rise a foot this week. Water temperature is 73 degrees at Lynxville dam. Sauger – Slow: Fishing below the Lock & Dams has slowed. Look for current breaks along side channel areas. Walleye – Fair: Find walleye on the wing dams or look for current breaks along structure in side channel areas. Yellow Perch – Good: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4 to 12 feet of water with jig and a minnow or piece of worm. Northern Pike – Good: Try fishing in backwaters near springs or incoming streams as the water temperature rises. Black Crappie – Slow: Try fishing in areas with moderate to slow current amongst the trees in backwaters. Look for them to move into warmer shallows as the temperature rises. Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of worm under a bobber in areas with little to no current. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or a nightcrawler fished off the bottom in areas of moderate current in side channels. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth action is picking up with the warmer water temperatures. Use a flashy spinnerbait fished in the upper portion of backwater lakes. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try spinners or crankbaits fished in main channel rock piles along the tips of islands. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Drum fishing is picking up in the main channel areas; use a crawler fished off the bottom. Flathead Catfish – Excellent: Some nice flatheads have been reported this week. Use a sunfish or crawlers fished on the bottom in the main channel.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 7.5 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to reach 8.7 feet this week. Water temperature is 67 degrees at the Guttenberg dam. Sauger – Slow: Fishing below the Lock & Dams has slowed. Look for current breaks along side channel areas. Walleye – Fair: Find walleye on the wing dams or look for current breaks along structure in side channel areas. Yellow Perch – Good: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4 to 12 feet of water with a jig and a minnow or piece of worm. Northern Pike – Good: Try fishing in backwaters near springs or incoming streams as the water temperature rises. Black Crappie – Slow: Try fishing in areas with moderate to slow current amongst the trees in backwaters. Look for them to move into warmer shallows as the temperature rises. Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of worm under a slip bobber in areas with little to no current. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or a nightcrawler fished off the bottom in areas of moderate current in side channels. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth action is picking up with the warmer water temperatures. Use a flashy spinnerbait fished in the upper portion of backwater lakes. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try spinners or crankbaits fished in main channel rock piles along the tips of islands. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Drum fishing is picking up in the main channel areas; use a crawler fished off the bottom. Flathead Catfish – Excellent: Some nice flatheads have been reported this week. Use a sunfish or crawlers fished on the bottom in the main channel.

Upper Mississippi River levels are predicted to bump up slightly this week. Water is a bit stained with temperatures near 70 degrees this week. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept.  Combined walleye/sauger daily limit 6/possession 12.

Boaters Urged to Use Caution at Island Restoration Project Near Marquette, Iowa
Island restoration/construction continues on the McGregor Lake Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project located in Pool 10 between Marquette, Iowa and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Mechanical dredging in the East Channel and hydraulic dredging operations at the entrance to McGregor Lake is ongoing. Boaters are urged to use caution and enter McGregor Lake at the designated crossing to pass over the hydraulic dredge pipe. The dredge pipe is marked with buoys stating “Danger Pipeline – DO NOT CROSS”.

Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is expected to rise this week. Water levels are 7.3 feet at the Lock and Dam and 9.6 feet at the railroad bridge. The water temperature is around 72 degrees. Water clarity is good, but lots of flowing algae is limiting fishing at times. Walleye – Good: A slow spring for walleyes, but the population structure of walleyes looks sound. Try crankbaits around exposed wing dams. The bite picked up las week for larger slot fish. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: The bass bite is on in the backwaters. Fish are aggressive and hitting on most spinnerbaits. Try fishing in the shallow sun and wind-soaked backwater areas. Northern Pike – Good: Cast gaudy spinnerbaits along vegetation lines in the backwater areas. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few yellow perch are being reported incidentally by anglers catching bluegills. Channel Catfish – Excellent: The catfishing has started on the Mississippi River with most anglers using worms or cut bait. Bluegill – Good: Lots of bluegills are being found in backwater areas. Try fishing in shallow sun-soaked backwater areas in 1 to 4 feet of water. Bowfin – Excellent: Bowfin are super aggressive and can be caught on spinners or worms in backwater areas. Bowfin are excellent fighting fish. Black Crappie – Fair: The cool weather set back the crappie movement into the shallow waters to spawn. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are on the bite.  Use an egg sinker and worm rig in moderate current areas; areas around boat launches can be productive. White Crappie – Fair. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Try fishing along rock lines or day markers.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is 7.7 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam and is rising. Water temperature is around 72 degrees in main channel. The water clarity is good. All boat ramps are open and in good condition to launch. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Walleye – Fair: A slow spring for walleyes, but the population structure of walleyes looks sound. Try throwing crankbaits around newly exposed wing dams. Northern Pike – Good: Use gaudy white spinners in Crooked Slough, South Sabula Lake, Spring Lake and near Mickelson Landing. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are being reported by anglers who are catching bluegills. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: The bass bite is on in the backwaters. Fish are aggressive and hitting on most spinnerbaits. Try fishing the shallow sun and wind-soaked backwater areas. Bluegill – Excellent: Lots of bluegills are being found in backwater areas. Try fishing the shallow sun and wind-soaked backwater areas in 1 to 4 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Try worms or cut baits in near shore moderate current areas. Floating a bobber along rock lines is starting to work on nicer pre-spawning channel cats. Bowfin – Excellent: Bowfin are readily being taken in backwater areas on small spinners or worms. They are a hard fighting fish and can be fun to catch. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Catch as many drum as you want in near shore tailwater areas using an egg sinker and worm rig. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie moved out of the shallows after the week’s cool temperatures. Crappies are moving into the shallows a bit; some anglers report decent catches while others are still struggling to find them. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Fishing along rock lines with moderate current is usually the best method to catch smallmouth bass. White Crappie – Slow. Flathead Catfish – No Report: Rumors of people starting to catch flathead catfish, but no verified reports. Flatheads bite best on live bait such as a live green sunfish or small bullhead.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level at the Fulton Lock and Dam is rising and is 7.1 feet, 10.7 feet at Camanche and 6.1 feet at Le Claire. Water temperature is around 73 degrees in the main channel. Water clarity is good. Paddlefish – No Report: The paddlefish season is closed for the year. Walleye – Slow: A slow spring for walleyes, but the population structure of walleyes looks sound. Try throwing crankbaits around newly exposed rock wing dams. The bite on walleyes in Pool 14 picked up a bit the last week or so, mostly larger slot fish. Northern Pike – Good: Pike are being caught in backwater areas such as the Rock Creek complex near Camanche. Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch are being taken incidentally when fishing for bluegills. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: The bass bite is on in the backwaters. Fish are aggressive and hitting on most spinnerbaits. try fishing the shallow sun and wind-soaked backwater areas. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use worms and cut bait along the banks and boat ramp access areas. Bowfin – Excellent: Bowfin are on the bite in backwater areas and can readily be caught on small spinners or worms. Bluegill – Excellent: Lots of bluegills are being found in backwater areas. Try fishing in shallow sun-soaked backwater areas in 1 to 4 feet of water. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Catch lots of freshwater drum in near shore areas using an egg sinker and worm rig.  Black Crappie – No Report: Expect crappies to move back in the shallows very soon, especially when night temperatures warm up a bit. White Crappie – Slow: Still picking up a few, but expect them to move into the shallows to spawn this week as temperatures warm. Flathead Catfish – No Report: Rumors of people starting to catch flathead catfish, but no verified reports. Flatheads bite best on live bait such as a live green sunfish or small bullhead.

Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 7.8 feet at Rock Island and is rising. The water temperature is near 73 degrees. Water clarity is good. Channel Catfish – Good: Cut shad bait works best for early season catfish. Also try floating a bobber and worms around rock piles for pre-spawning catfish. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Catch lots of freshwater drum in near shore areas using an egg sinker and worm rig. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Expect smallies to move in along the rock shoreline and the bite to pick up as the water temperature warms.

Water temperature is in the low 70’s in the main channel. The water is rising. Water clarity is good. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 7.75 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 8.9 feet by June 1st. Flood stage is 15 feet. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes were caught in Sylvan Slough trolling crankbaits. Also look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try trolling three-way rigs with crawlers or trolling crankbaits. White Crappie – Fair: Some crappies were caught in Sunset Marina. Try jigs and plastics or minnows under a bobber. White Bass – Good: White bass are being caught along the Davenport River front. Cast jigs and twister tails or crankbaits. Channel Catfish – Good: Some channel catfish are being caught along the main channel above Sunset Marina. Use nightcrawlers or leeches. Also try floating bobbers with crawlers or leeches along rip-rap shorelines. White Crappie – Fair: Some crappies were caught in Sunset Marina. Try jigs and plastics or minnows under a bobber. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber fished around brush piles.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 6.29 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 7.2 feet by June 1st. Flood stage is 15 feet. Walleye – Fair: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try trolling three-way rigs with crawlers or trolling crankbaits. Trolling crankbaits by GPC can produce fish at times as well. White Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and plastics or minnows under a bobber fished around brush piles in Big Timber or Cleveland Slough. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish along rocky shorelines; use nightcrawlers or leeches under a bobber. Also look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel or side channels. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles; try pieces of worm under a bobber.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 7.41 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 8.9 feet by June 1st. Flood stage is 15 feet. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try trolling three-way rigs with crawlers or trolling crankbaits. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and plastics or minnows fished under a bobber around brush piles. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish along rip-rap shorelines. Try floating bobbers with crawlers or leeches. Also look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel or side channels. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles; use pieces of worm under a bobber.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 4.4 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 5.5 feet by June 1st. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try trolling three-way rigs with crawlers or trolling crankbaits. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Use jigs and plastics or minnows under a bobber. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish along rip-rap shoreline. Try floating bobbers with nightcrawlers or leeches. Also look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegill in the backwaters around brush piles; use pieces of worm under a bobber.

Tailwater stages have been rising the past few days. Main channel is muddy with recent rains. Main channel water temperature is around 73 degrees. Heavy rain in the forecast, so river conditions may change. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Water level is up with all the rain and is still working its way out of the lake. Water temperatures is 62 degrees. Water clarity is 26 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Mostly  small fish in shallow; bigger fish are out amongst the trees in about 10 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Work the shallows on the north side for the feeding bass on a nice sunny day. Males are moving in shallow to set up nesting territories. Bluegill – Fair: Some decent fish are moving into the shallows to set up nests. They are around the islands and where trees are hanging down into the water.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
Iowa River water level is holding steady and is forecast to continue to hold steady. Flathead Catfish – No Report: With the steady water levels and the warmer water temperatures, it’s a good weekend to set some bank lines. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing is picking up. Try fishing off the sandbars in the evening to take advantage of the warmer water just off of them and the bait fish it attracts.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature was 70 degrees. Water clarity is 8+ feet. Curly-leaf pondweed beds are thick this year; it will start to die back after some more hot weather. Largemouth Bass – Good: Males are building nests