NORTHWEST

Arrowhead Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try minnows on a small jig fished in deeper water near structure. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in deeper water near structure. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try a variety of bass baits along weed edges.

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is in the low 80’s. Water clarity is around 2 feet. Lake level is about 10 inches below the crest of the spillway. Black Crappie – Fair. Some black crappie are still being picked up along Ice House Point near woody structure and from the fish house. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – Slow: If fishing from shore, use a twister or a leech or live minnow fished under a bobber.  If fishing from boat, try near the rock pile off Cottonwood Point, along the dredge shelf out in front of Denison Beach, and the steeper contours out from shore near Lakewood Point. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try traditional bass baits fished along shore in areas with rocks or vegetation or along docks.

Brushy Creek Lake
Water levels are at the crest of the spillway. 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: Pick up fish in 10-15 feet of water. Walleye – Slow: Use a live minnow or leech fished near rock and woody structure. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try weedless lures along vegetation edges and traditional bass lures anywhere with woody structure. Black Crappie – Fair: Some crappie are still being found near shore, but most are being picked up in about 15 feet of water.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water clarity is around 3 to 5 feet in most areas. Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut bait or troll crankbaits along shore; catfish are spawning. Walleye – Fair: The shore bite has slowed. Anglers are still picking up fish mid-lake while trolling along the dredge cuts using crankbaits and spinners with crawlers during mid-day. If fishing from shore, try a leech or crawler 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. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Pick up largemouth bass along shore in areas with vegetation and along docks with traditional bass lures or weedless lures. Bluegill – Fair: Try minnows or crawlers fished on a small jig under a bobber near vegetation edges and along docks.

Swan Lake (Carroll County)
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 lower 80’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 – Fair: Use a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber near shore.

Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-70’s. The lake is 2.64 inches low. Black Crappie – Slow. 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 after sunset. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler or cut bait fished on the rock reefs. Best bite is early morning. Channel Catfish – Fair.

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 Cornelia
Channel Catfish – Good: Try crawlers and chicken liver.

Rice Lake
Use a kayak to access open areas in the vegetation or try fishing off the dock by the beach. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Yellow Perch – Fair.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Use a kayak to access open areas in the vegetation. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

Upper Pine Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Use your electronics to find suspended fish or drift fish a tube jig. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

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. Many anglers have had success with slip bobbers/spoons. Vertical jigging and drop shot fishing is working better and better lately. Fish are moving off shore making fishing by boat your best bet. A fair bluegill/crappie/yellow bass bite can be found trolling weed lines. Black Crappie – Fair: Bite has improved in and around docks and hoists. Crappie are hard to target specifically, but can be caught mixed with other panfish. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill have started to move off their beds out of 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
Find most fish species further off shore. Yellow Perch – Good.  Bluegill – Fair.  Black Crappie – Fair.  Walleye – Fair.

Minnewashta Lake
Panfishing has been good for anglers trolling weed lines. Vertical jigging is improving. 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: Try using slip bobbers and finding weed lines.

Spirit Lake
The water temperature is 79 degrees. Fishing has been hit-or-miss lately. Perch and panfish bites have been fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Bites from morning till 11:00 and mid-afternoon have been seen. Depths vary depending on the time of day. Walleye – Fair: Bite is hit-or-miss at dusk. Use slip bobbers along weed edges.

West Okoboji Lake
The water temperature is 78 degrees. Fish are moving just off shore, making shore fishing harder. Anglers slowly trolling weedlines have been successful catching a variety of species. Vertical jigging is improving lately. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are starting to be found in shallower water as they move off their beds. 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.

Stay safe this 4th of July weekend as many new or unexperienced boaters take to the water! With the increased amount of boat traffic, early mornings or late evenings will be the best times to try fishing. Fish are moving just off shore, making trolling and fishing by boat your best bet for success. The panfish/perch bite has been relatively good lately. The extended forecast calls for a weekend of hot temperatures with highs in the 80’s and 90’s. 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 – Good: A variety of baits are working for catfish, especially in warmer water. Walleye – Slow: Find walleye in deeper holes. Use jigs tipped with minnow or ringworms.

Decorah District Streams
Take time to enjoy and keep cool on one of Iowa’s many trout streams. Hatchery grounds are open to visitors. Trout stream stocking continue to be unannounced, but streams are stocked regularly with lots of fish. Wild Parsnip is in full 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. Try terrestrial flies like grasshoppers crickets and ants. Brown Trout – Good: Streams are full of brown trout; a wide variety of insects are hatching. Try terrestrial flies like grasshoppers, crickets, and ants. Brook Trout – Good: Eleven streams have naturally reproducing populations with public access; learn more on our Trout Fishing webpage.

Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is declining with lack of rain and warming temperatures. Water temperatures is in the low 80’s. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a hook tipped with a minnow or small spinner slowly trolling behind a kayak or canoe for suspended fish. 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 and rocky shoreline. Worms and chicken livers work well. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use a topwater lure along vegetated edges.

Lake Meyer
Water clarity is good. Water temperatures is in the upper 70’s. Panfish and bass moved off beds to deeper water. 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 low. 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 a spinnerbait. Walleye – Slow: Find fish in deeper holes; use jigs or spinnerbaits.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are low. 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 a 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 poor. Water temperatures are in the low 80’s. 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: Fish have moved off beds. Find bluegill near drop-offs and around brush. Use a small hook and worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try a crankbait or jerkbait fished along depth gradients.

Chance of showers and thunderstorms through the weekend with high temperatures in the low 80’s and 60’s for lows. Area rivers and streams remain low with fish concentrated in the pockets. 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 – Good: Try a crappie minnow or waxworms 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 river bottom above tree snags. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky shorelines or woody structure. Walleye – Fair: Cast a jig and plastic tipped with a minnow near woody structure or off current breaks.

George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching crappie and bluegill. 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.

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 – Fair: Use a half of nightcrawler tipped on a jig or cast crankbaits Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky shorelines or woody structure.

Martens Lake
Anglers are catching northern pike. Northern Pike – Good: Float live chubs or shiners under a bobber in the vegetation.

North Prairie Lake
Anglers are catching largemouth bass. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast and retrieve topwater baits, spinnerbaits or crankbaits early morning or late evening.

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)
Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky shorelines or near woody structure.

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. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast and retrieve topwater baits, spinnerbaits or crankbaits early morning or late evening.

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 panfish. 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 8.4 feet. Water temperature is near 80 degrees. The Lansing Village Creek and Heytman’s Landing boat ramps are very shallow. Boaters are urged to use caution or use alternative ramps. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish areas with moderate to slow current amongst the trees in backwaters. Look for crappie to move into warmer shallows as the temperature rises. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of worm under a bobber fished in areas with some current. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use cut bait or a leeches 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. 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 – Fair: Jig and a minnow or piece of worm in areas of vegetation.

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. Walleye – Fair: Find walleye on the wing dams or look for current breaks along structure in side channel areas. Yellow Perch – Fair: Jig a minnow or piece of worm in areas of vegetation.  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 crappie to move into warmer shallows as the temperature rises. Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of worm under a bobber in areas with some current. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or leeches 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 – Fair: Try spinners or crankbaits fished in main channel rock piles along the tips of islands. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum fishing is picking up in the main channel areas; use a crawler fished off the bottom. Flathead Catfish – Good: Some nice flatheads have been reported this week. Use a sunfish or crawler fished on the bottom in the main channel.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 6.5 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to bump up then gradually fall this week. Boaters are urged to use caution when backing trailers in due to shallow water conditions. Water temperature is 71 degrees at the Guttenberg dam. Walleye – Fair: Find walleye on the wing dams or look for current breaks along structure in side channel areas. Yellow Perch – Fair: Jig a minnow or piece of worm in areas of vegetation. 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 some 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 – Excellent: Drum fishing is picking up in the main channel areas; use a crawler fished off the bottom. Flathead Catfish – Good: 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 remain at extremely low levels. Localized rains have muddied the water and carried a lot of debris down. Boaters are urged to use caution due to low water to avoid backing off the end of ramps. 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 up from last week. Water levels are 6.5 feet at the Lock and Dam and 9.0 feet at the railroad bridge. The water temperature is around 80 degrees. Water clarity is good. Be careful boating as there are many obstructions in the Mississippi due to low water. Be careful not to back off the ends of any ramp. Use the minimum amount of water necessary to float your boat off the trailer. Walleye – Good: The walleye bite has picked up a bit with the cooler water temperatures. Most anglers are targeting them on wing dams. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass have moved to the opening of major backwater complexes with the low water. Try to find deeper water in sloughs near the backwaters and you will find largemouth bass stacked up. Northern Pike – Good: Cast gaudy spinnerbaits near the mouths of cooler water streams; pike will seek out cooler water. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Catfish are biting when the cottonwoods are shedding cotton. Use leaches, worms or stink bait in 8-10 feet of water; move closer to the bank towards evening.  Also try floating a worm and bobber along rock lines.  Flathead Catfish – Good: Smaller flathead catfish are being caught in the tailwaters and on the wing dams.  Most anglers are catching them on jigs or crankbaits. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills have moved out of the backwaters and are along channel edges and the inside parts of wing dams. 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: Some black and white crappies are being taken near tree snags in deeper moderate flowing sloughs; use a small jig and minnow. 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. You will catch a lot of other species as well on an egg sinker rig. Use large crayfish for bait to catch large drum. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try fishing along rock lines or day markers with strong current.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is 6.6 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam and is steady. Water temperature is around 79 degrees in the main channel. The water clarity is good. Water level is  low; be careful when boating as there are many obstructions. Be careful not to back off the ends of any ramp. Use the minimum amount of water necessary to float your boat off the trailer. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Walleye – Good: Most anglers are targeting walleyes on wing dams.  Northern Pike – Fair: Cast gaudy spinnerbaits near the mouths of cooler water streams; pike will seek out cooler water in the summer. Spring areas like Lainsville Slough or along the sand dunes area can cool water enough for northern pike. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are being reported by anglers who are catching bluegills. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass have moved to the opening of major backwater complexes with the low water. Try to find deeper water in sloughs near the backwaters and you will find largemouth bass stacked up. Bluegill – Good: Some bluegill catches are being reported on the inside edges of wing dams.  Channel Catfish – Excellent: Catfish are biting when the cottonwoods are shedding cotton. Use leaches, worms or stink bait in 8-10 feet of water; move closer to the bank towards evening.  Also try floating a worm and bobber along rock lines. 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: Drum are still on the bite.  Use an egg sinker and worm rig in moderate current areas or areas around boat launches. You will catch a lot of other species as well on an egg sinker rig.  Use large crayfish for bait to catch large drum.  Black Crappie – Fair: Some black and white crappies are being taken near tree snags in deeper moderate flowing sloughs; use a small jig and minnow. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fishing along rock lines with moderate to strong current is usually the best method to catch smallmouth bass. Flathead Catfish – Good: Smaller flatheads can be taken on worms and egg sinker rigs. Use live bullheads or green sunfish for bait to catch larger flatheads. White Bass – Fair: White bass can be found in the tailwaters at times using flashy spinners or small spoons.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level at the Fulton Lock and Dam is steady and is 6.4 feet, 10.5 feet at Camanche and 5.3 feet at Le Claire. Water temperature is around 79 degrees in the main channel. Water clarity is good. Water level is low; be careful when boating as there are many obstructions. Be careful not to back off the ends of any ramp. Use the minimum amount of water necessary to float your boat off the trailer. Paddlefish – No Report: The paddlefish season is closed for the year. Walleye – Good: Most anglers are targeting them on wing dams. Northern Pike –  Fair: Cast gaudy spinnerbaits near the mouths of cooler water streams; pike will seek out cooler water when the river temperatures get this hot. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass have moved to the opening of major backwater complexes with the low water. Try to find deeper water in sloughs near the backwaters and you will find largemouth bass stacked up. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Catfish are biting when the cottonwoods are shedding cotton. Use leaches, worms or stink bait in 8-10 feet of water; move closer to the bank towards evening.  Also try floating a worm and bobber along rock lines. Flathead Catfish – Good: Flatheads bite best on live bait like a live green sunfish or small bullhead.  Smaller flatheads are being caught out of the tailwaters, usually on jigs.   Bowfin – Excellent: Bowfin are on the bite in backwater areas and can readily be caught on small spinners or worms. Bluegill – Fair: The yo-yo water temperatures affected bluegills and reports are all over the place. Find most bluegills on the inside corners of wing dams. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are still on the bite.  Use an egg sinker and worm rig in moderate current areas or areas around boat launches. You will catch a lot of other species as well on an egg sinker rig.  Use large crayfish for bait to catch large drum. White Crappie – Fair: Some black and white crappies are being taken near tree snags in deeper moderate flowing sloughs; use a small jig and minnow. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Throw small crankbaits up along rocky shorelines with some stronger currents. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Some nice 5- to 7-pound hybrids are being caught in the tailwater area by anglers using inline spinners.

Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 7.7 feet at Rock Island and is rising The water temperature is near 80 degrees. Water clarity is good. Water level is low; be careful when boating as there are many obstructions. Be careful not to back off the ends of any ramp. Use the minimum amount of water necessary to float your boat off the trailer. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Catfish are biting when the cottonwoods are shedding cotton. Use leaches, worms or stink bait in 8-10 feet of water; move closer to the bank towards evening.  Also try floating a worm and bobber along rock lines. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are still on the bite.  Use an egg sinker and worm rig in moderate current areas or areas around boat launches. You will catch a lot of other species as well on an egg sinker rig.  Use large crayfish for bait to catch large drum. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try a spinnerbait or crankbait fished along the rock lines. Flathead Catfish – Good: Flatheads bite best on live bait like a live green sunfish or small bullhead. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – No Report: Try a shiny spoon or spinner fished in the tailwater for this hard fighting fish.

Water temperature is back up to near 80 degrees. The water is steady to rising in some areas and the clarity is good. River levels are up nearly a foot from last week, but still low. Use caution when boating as there are many obstructions. It is easy to back your trailer off the ends of ramps at these levels. Try to put the trailer in the minimum water needed to float the boat. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 7.04 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is forecast to reach 7.7 feet by July 3. Flood stage is 15 feet. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around snags and brush piles along the main channel or side channels. Use crawlers or stink baits. Also try anchoring above the wing dams and fishing with stink bait or crawlers. Walleye – Fair: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try trolling three-way rigs with crawlers or trolling crankbaits. White Crappie – No Report: With the warmer water temperatures, try a jig and minnow or minnows under a bobber fished in the brush piles in the side channels. 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 5.32 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is forecast to reach 5.6 feet by Friday Flood stage is 15 feet. White Crappie – No Report: Try a jig and minnow or minnows under a bobber fished in the brush piles in the 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. 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. Also try anchoring above the wing dams and fishing with stink bait or crawlers. 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 6.04 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is forecast to reach 6.5 feet. 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 side channels around brush piles. Try jigs and plastics or minnows fished under a bobber around brush piles. Some crappies are also being caught at the outlet of Lake Odessa. 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.