NORTHWEST
Arrowhead Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try minnows on a small jig fished in deeper water near structure. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills nesting along shore in areas 2-6 feet deep. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try a variety of bass baits along weed edges.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is around 80 degrees. Lake level is about 7 inches below the crest of the spillway. Black Crappie – Fair. Some black crappie are still being picked up along the shore of Ice House Point near woody structure and from the fish house. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – Fair: Walleye bite has slowed with the heat. Use a twister thrown from shore or a leech or live minnow fished under a bobber along Ice House Point, the north shore and along shore near the outlet. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try traditional bass baits fished along shore in areas with rocks or vegetation or along docks.
Browns Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching some walleye from the new fishing pier with a live minnow under a bobber. Try slow trolling a spinner baited with a minnow.
Brushy Creek Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a small jig and crawler or minnow under a bobber along shore or drifted near structure in 10-15 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills nesting up in near shore areas. Walleye – Fair: Use a live minnow or leech near rock and woody structure. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try weedless lures along vegetation edges and traditional bass lures anywhere with woody structure.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Water temperature is in the upper 70’s. Water clarity is around 15 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills up to 9 inches are on nests along shore in 1-4 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try weedless lures along vegetation edges.
Moorehead Park Pond
Water clarity is around 9 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are nesting in near shore areas. Fish are 7- to 8-inches.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the upper 70’s. Water clarity is about 8 feet. If fishing from shore, after dusk or low light conditions may be most productive with the water clarity. Offshore bite for walleye and white bass has picked up. Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut bait or troll crankbaits along shore; catfish are spawning. Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing has been productive in the main lake all times of the day and along shore after dusk. Try trolling crankbaits and spinners with crawlers along the dredge cuts. If fishing from shore, try a leech fished under a bobber in areas with a rocky substrate in the evening or after dusk. White Bass – Fair: Troll along the dredge cuts with crankbaits and spinners with crawlers. Anglers are also picking up fish from shore with crawlers fished under a bobber.
Swan Lake (Carroll County)
Water temperatures is around 80 degrees. 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.
Water temperatures are in the upper 70’s in most district lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: 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 – Good: Use a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber near shore.
Briggs Woods Lake
Water temperature is in the low 70’s. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on the beds near shore. Try a small piece of crawler or jig in 2-3 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the lower 80’s. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of crawler below a bobber in open areas of vegetation near shore. Walleye – Fair: Use 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 early morning. Yellow Bass – Slow: Anglers are still catching fish around the Island; use small hair jigs. Best bite is at first light.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small minnow or tube jig fished on the outside edge of the vegetation or along the old road bed. Bluegill – Fair: 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.
Upper Pine Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs or a minnow fished near the downed trees. Morning bite is best. 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 water temperature is 79 degrees. The curlyleaf pondweed has started to die back allowing for easier fishing and promoting native aquatic vegetation to grow. Leeches or worms 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. Crappie are hard to target specifically, but can be caught mixed with other panfish. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are starting to make beds in the shallows. Leeches or worms and a simple bobber setup work well. Pumpkinseed – Good: Fun and easier to catch from most docks. Use a small hook, bobber and piece of worm.
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 weedlines, 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)
Silver Lake is starting to green up due to an algae bloom. Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
The lake has started to green up significantly due to an algae bloom. The walleye bite has been hit-or-miss most nights. The day bite has been poor. Bluegill are starting to sit on beds. The water temperature is 79 degrees. Yellow Perch – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Bite is hit-or-miss at dusk.
West Okoboji Lake
The water temperature is 75 degrees. Try fishing for panfish in 8 feet or less and around docks and hoists. Anglers slowly trolling weedlines have been successful catching a variety of species. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are starting to be found in shallower water and around docks and hoists. Leeches or worms and a simple bobber setup work well. Black Crappie – Fair: Hard to target specifically, but crappie can be caught while picking through other panfish.
The day bite trolling for walleye in the area has been very slow. The panfish/perch bite has been very good lately. The extended forecast calls for continued warm temperatures with highs in the 80’s and 90’s. Water temperatures have risen significantly with most being in the 70’s to 80’s. This quick increase has been tough on fish that are already stressed due to spawning. This has caused noticeable mortality of some fish. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are low. Use caution when boating, submersed hazards may be closer to or exposed during low water. Channel Catfish – Fair: A variety of baits are working for catfish, especially in warmer water. Walleye – Slow: Find fish in deeper holes. Use jigs tipped with minnow or ringworms.
Decorah District Streams
Take time to enjoy one of Iowa’s many trout streams this weekend. Hatchery grounds are open to visitors. Trout stream stocking continue to be unannounced, but streams are being stocked. Wild Parsnip is beginning to bloom; use care around this plant, it can cause skin to blister. Rainbow Trout – Good: All streams continue to receive their weekly trout stocking. Rainbows are easy to catch on a hook tipped with a worm, cheese, or bread fished under a bobber. They will also come to a variety of flies. Brown Trout – Good: Streams are full of brown trout and a wide variety of insects are hatching. Make sure your tackle or fly box is filled with a variety to match. Brook Trout – Good: Eleven streams have naturally reproducing populations with public access; learn more on our Trout Fishing webpage.
Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is good. Water temperatures is in the mid-70’s. Bass and bluegill are spawning. Bluegill – Good: Find fish near shore. Bluegills build nests or shallow depressions in shallow water. Try a small piece of worm on a small hook under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Find catfish near stumps or deeper water. Worms and chicken livers work well. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are spawning in shallow water; aggressive fish guard nests. Use a topwater lure along vegetated edges.
Lake Meyer
Water clarity is excellent. Water temperatures is in the mid-70’s. Bluegills and bass are on spawning beds. Bluegill – Good: Try a small hook tipped with a small piece of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are near large rocky crevasses. Use a worm or chunk of chicken liver. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use a topwater lure or crankbait to catch an aggressive fish.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are quickly falling. Use caution when on the water; currents may pull paddlers into log jams. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find bass in eddies or near rock ledges; use spinnerbait. Walleye – Slow: Find fish in deeper holes; use jigs or spinnerbaits.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are falling. Water temperature is in the mid-70’s. A few more rock bars are exposed. Be prepared to walk watercraft through riffles. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find fish near rock ledges or back eddies; use small crankbait or spinnerbait. Walleye – Slow: Find fish in deeper holes; use jigs tipped with a minnow or natural-colored plastics.
Volga Lake
Water clarity is good. Water temperatures are in the upper 70’s. Bass and bluegills are spawning. Channel Catfish – Good: Find catfish near stumps and logs. Use a worm fished near bottom under a bobber. Don’t expect a quick tug, but hang on to your pole in case a big one takes the bait. Bluegill – Good: Look for bluegill in shallow water. Use a small hook and worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Aggressive fish are shallow. Try a slow sinking crankbait or jerkbait.
Hot, hazy and humid with a slight chance of afternoon showers forecast for this weekend. Area rivers and streams remain low. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Big Woods Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or jigging colored tube jigs in 6-8 feet of water over structure.
Brinker Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or jigging colored tube jigs in 6-8 feet of water over structure.
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers are catching largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or jigging colored tube jigs in 6-8 feet of water over structure. Bluegill – Good: Use a piece of worm on a small hook under a slip bobber over bluegill spawning beds. Channel Catfish – Good: Try crawlers, leopard frogs, livers or stink baits fished off the lake bottom. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits off of the jetties or face of the dam.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Channel Catfish – Good: Try crawlers, leopard frogs, livers or stink baits fished off the bottom above tree snags. Walleye – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a nightcrawler fished off the current breaks and near submerged wood structure. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky shorelines or woody structure.
George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching crappies. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or jigging colored tube jigs in 6-8 feet of water over structure.
Harold Getty Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or jigging colored tube jigs in 6-8 feet of water over structure.
Manchester District Streams
Trout streams in NE Iowa are in excellent condition and provide great angling opportunities for rainbow and brown trout.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Channel Catfish– Good: Try crawlers, leopard frogs, livers or stink baits fished off the river bottom above tree snags. Walleye – Good: Use a half of nigh crawler tipped on a jig or cast crankbaits Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky shorelines or woody structure.
Plainfield Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or jigging colored tube jigs in 6-8 feet of water over structure.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
No fishing reports on the Shell Rock River this past week.
South Prairie Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or jigging colored tube jigs in 6-8 feet of water over structure.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Channel Catfish– Good: Try crawlers, leopard frogs, livers or stink baits fished off the river bottom above tree snags. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky shorelines or woody structure.
Angling conditions are ideal as both interior rivers and trout streams remain in excellent condition. Area Black Hawk County lakes are producing catches of crappie. Call or stop into your local bait shops for local fishing information. Call the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276 for more information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Lansing water level remains stable near 7.9 feet. Water temperature is near 80 degrees. The Lansing Village Creek and Heytman’s Landing boat ramps are very shallow. 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. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of worm under a bobber fished in areas with little to no current. Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut bait or a nightcrawler fished off the bottom in areas of moderate current in side channels. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some nice flatheads have been reported this week. Use a sunfish or crawlers fished on the bottom in the main channel. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum fishing is picking up in the main channel areas; use a crawler fished off the bottom. 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. Northern Pike – Good: Try fishing in backwaters near springs or incoming streams as the water temperature rises. Sauger – No Report: Fishing below the Lock & Dams has slowed. Look for current breaks along side channel areas. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try spinners or crankbaits fished in main channel rock piles along the tips of islands. Walleye – Fair: Find walleye on the wing dams or look for current breaks along structure in side channel areas. Yellow Perch – Slow: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4 to 12 feet of water with jig and a minnow or piece of worm.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Lynxville water level is 614.5 feet and is expected to fall slightly this week. Boaters are urged to use caution when backing trailers in due to shallow water conditions. Water temperature is 80 degrees at the Lynxville dam. 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 – Good: Try cut bait or a nightcrawler fished off the bottom in areas of moderate current in side channels. Flathead Catfish – Good: Some nice flatheads have been reported this week. Use a sunfish or crawlers fished on the bottom in the main channel. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum fishing is picking up in the main channel areas; use a crawler fished off the bottom. 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. Northern Pike – Good: Try fishing in backwaters near springs or incoming streams as the water temperature rises. Sauger – Slow: Fishing below the Lock & Dams has slowed. Look for current breaks along side channel areas. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try spinners or crankbaits fished in main channel rock piles along the tips of islands. Walleye – Fair: Find walleye on the wing dams or look for current breaks along structure in side channel areas. Yellow Perch – Slow: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4-12 feet of water with jig and a minnow or piece of worm.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 6.1 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to fall slightly this week. Boaters are urged to use caution when backing trailers in due to shallow water conditions. Water temperature is 73 degrees at the Guttenberg dam. 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. Flathead Catfish – Good: Some nice flatheads have been reported this week. Use a sunfish or crawlers fished on the bottom in the main channel. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum fishing is picking up in the main channel areas; use a crawler fished off the bottom. 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. Northern Pike – Good: Try fishing in backwaters near springs or incoming streams as the water temperature rises. Sauger – No Report: Fishing below the Lock & Dams has slowed. Look for current breaks along side channel areas. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try spinners or crankbaits fished in main channel rock piles along the tips of islands. Walleye – Fair: Find walleye on the wing dams or look for current breaks along structure in side channel areas. Yellow Perch – Slow: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4-12 feet of water with a jig and a minnow or piece of worm.
Upper Mississippi River levels are expected to fall slightly then level off this week. Boaters are urged to use caution due to low water to avoid backing off the end of ramps. Water temperature is near 80 degrees. 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.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is expected to recede this week. Water levels are 8.1 feet at the Lock and Dam and 10.3 feet at the railroad bridge. The water temperature is around 72 degrees. Water clarity is good. Black Crappie – Fair: The cool weather set back crappie movement spawning; they should be nearly done with spawning. Bluegill – Good: The yo-yo water temperatures affected bluegills and reports are all over the place. Try fishing in shallow sun-soaked backwater areas in 1-4 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. Channel Catfish – Excellent: The catfishing has started on the Mississippi River with most anglers using worms or cut bait. Some cats are being caught by floating a bobber and worms along rock lines. 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. 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. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing along rock lines or day markers. Walleye – Good: The walleye bite picked up this past week for larger slot fish after a slow start this year. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few yellow perch are being reported incidentally by anglers catching bluegills.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is 9 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam and is receding. Water temperature is around 73 degrees in the main channel. The water clarity is good. All boat ramps are open and in good condition to launch. 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. Bluegill – Good: The yo-yo water temperatures affected bluegills and reports are all over the place. Try fishing in shallow sun-soaked backwater areas in 1-4 feet of water. 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. 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. Common Carp – Excellent: Carp are starting to roll in the backwater areas such as Green Island; it’s an excellent time for bow fishing. Please do not leave your shot carp or buffalo on the bank as that is considered littering. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Anglers are starting to catch flathead on live bait such as green sunfish or bullheads. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Catch as many drum as you want in near shore tailwater areas using an egg sinker and worm rig. 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. Lots of bass in the tailwater as well hitting on crankbaits and spinners. Northern Pike – Good: Use gaudy white spinners in Crooked Slough, South Sabula Lake, Spring Lake and near Mickelson Landing. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fishing along rock lines with moderate current is usually the best method to catch smallmouth bass. Walleye – Good: Try throwing crankbaits around newly exposed wing dams. The walleye bite has picked up after a slow start this year. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are being reported by anglers who are catching bluegills.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level at the Fulton Lock and Dam is receding and is 8.1 feet, 11.4 feet at Camanche and 6.3 feet at Le Claire. Water temperature is around 73 degrees in the main channel. Water clarity is good. Bluegill – Fair: The yo-yo water temperatures affected bluegills and reports are all over the place. Fish in shallow sun soaked backwater areas in 1-4 feet of water. Bowfin – Excellent: Bowfin are on the bite in backwater areas and can readily be caught on small spinners or worms. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use worms and cut bait along the banks and boat ramp access areas. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flatheads bite best on live bait such as a live green sunfish or small bullhead. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Catch lots of freshwater drum in near shore areas using an egg sinker and worm rig. 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. Some are being taken in the tailwater area on spinners. Northern Pike – Good: Pike are being caught in backwater areas such as the Rock Creek complex near Camanche. Paddlefish – No Report: The paddlefish season is closed for the year. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Throw small crankbaits up along rocky shorelines with some stronger currents. Walleye – Good: 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. White Crappie – Slow: Still picking up a few, but expect them to move into the shallows to spawn this week as temperatures warm. Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch are being taken incidentally when fishing for bluegills.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 7.8 feet at Rock Island and is receding 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. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flatheads bite best on live bait such as a live green sunfish or small bullhead. 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 73 degrees in the main channel. The water is receding. 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 6.30 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is falling. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall to 5.8 feet over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber fished around brush piles. 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. 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 Bass – Good: White bass are being caught along the Davenport River front. Cast crankbaits or jigs and twister tails. White Crappie – Fair: Some crappies were caught in Sunset Marina. Try jigs and plastics or minnows under a bobber.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 4.95 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is forecast to stay fairly steady through the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles; try pieces of worm under a bobber. 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. 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.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 5.97 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is forecast to fall to 5.5 over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles; use pieces of worm under a bobber. 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. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try trolling three-way rigs with crawlers or trolling crankbaits. White Bass – Fair: Some white bass are being caught below Lock and Dam 17. Cast jigs and twisters or in-line spinners. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and plastics or minnows fished under a bobber around brush piles.
