NORTHWEST

Arrowhead Lake
Water temperature is in the lower 60s. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie along shore near woody structure; use small jigs and minnows. Bluegill – Fair: As the water warms up again this week, expect to see bluegill nests along shore and in areas of 2-6 feet of water with gravel/sand. These can be great areas to target larger bluegill with a small jig fished under a bobber.

Black Hawk Lake
The dredge is working in the east basin of the lake. The floating and submerged portions of pipe is marked with buoys. Dredge barges are marked with buoys; boaters should use caution and stay away from the equipment and pipe. Water levels are about 9 inches below the crest of the spillway. Surface water temperature is around 60 degrees, but will likely warm up fast with the warmer weather expected throughout the weekend. Water clarity is roughly 1.5 feet. Black Crappie – Good: Most fish are 8- to 11-inches. Find fish close to shore in 1-3 feet of water.  Use small hair jigs (with or without bait), small live minnows or marabou jigs fished from shore. Areas along the stone pier, the fish house and along Ice House Point are the most popular spots; fish are being seen anywhere along rocky shorelines and dock/boat lift poles. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills along shore.  Fish are 6- to 7-inches.  Areas along shore in Town Bay and near the stone piers may be most productive. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching fish from shore and by boat.  Boat anglers are trolling crankbaits with good success.  Shore anglers are doing well using twisters or shallow diving crankbaits.  Water clarity is roughly 3 feet.  Also try leaches or crawler fished under a bobber from shore.

Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie action has picked up; they are being caught from the jetty and along shore in 5-20 feet of water near submerged trees. Use a small jig (with or without bait) or small minnows on a jig. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use plastics and traditional bass lures along submerged woody structure near shore. Walleye – Fair: Shore anglers are having luck near the beach and at the north end. Try throwing twisters or fishing with minnows or leaches under a bobber. Yellow Perch – Slow.

North Twin Lake
Water levels are about a foot below the crest of the spillway; use caution when launching boats.  Water temperatures are in the mid 60s. Water clarity is roughly 1.5 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are near shore. Fish are 7- to 12-inches.  Use small jigs and minnows from shore near downed trees in the water and along the docks by dock and lift poles. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are close to shore.  Most fish are 7- to 8-inches.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Surface water temperatures are in the low 60s. All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair: Use small live minnows and small jigs along shore docks, lifts and anywhere with rocky structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Storm Lake has a good population of 3-5 pound catfish.  Try cut bait, liver or crawlers fished on the bottom along shore. Walleye – Fair: The walleye action has picked up. Try fishing from shore with a lead head with a twister tail.  Also try a jig with a crawler or tipped with a minnow.  Shallow diving crankbaits can also work well from shore. Boat anglers are having luck with crawler harnesses and trolling crankbaits.

Surface water temperatures have dropped into the lower 60s in most area lakes, but will quickly warm up with the higher temperatures expected this weekend. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Try small tube jigs fished along downed shoreline trees and the causeway area. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use small jigs or bobbers with live bait.

Clear Lake
The lake is 2.8 inches above crest. Water temperatures are in the low 60s. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. No more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie have moved into rush beds to spawn. Use small jigs and minnows fished in open pockets of the rush beds. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or crawlers on the wind-swept shore and spots where water is flowing into the lake. Walleye – Good: Try crankbaits trolled over the top of aquatic vegetation in the western basin. Spinner rigs and slip bobbers with live bait are also providing good action. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow Bass have moved in to spawn on shallow rocky shorelines.  Use small jigs or plastics. Best bite is  early morning.

Lake Smith
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie have moved near shore to spawn.  Try small jigs along the dam and off the fishing piers. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits and spinnerbaits along the shoreline.

Rice Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a piece of nightcrawler. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are starting to move into shoreline areas to spawn. Use small jigs tipped with a piece of crawler. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Try crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs.

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
Lake temperature is in the mid-60s. The water level is 3 inches over crest. The walleye season is open. There has been a fairly good crappie and bluegill bite recently. Fish are moving shallower. Trolling has been working very well. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps. Yellow Bass – Fair.

Lost Island Lake
Many anglers have been successful lately; some sorting may be needed depending on which species you are targeting.  Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair.

Minnewashta Lake
Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good; some sorting may be needed. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The late afternoon bite has been good lately. Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps.

Spirit Lake
Water temperature is in the low 60s. The lake is 18 inches below crest, making launching boats more difficult. Courtesy docks are in place. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Fair.  Walleye – Fair: Use spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps. Yellow Perch – Fair.

West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is in the lower 60s. The water level is 3 inches over crest. The panfish bite has been good around docks and hoists; many species of fish are starting to move in shallower. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Smallmouth Bass – Fair.

Courtesy docks are in place. Water temperatures have cooled a bit due to the recent cool weather and rain. Most lakes are in the mid-50s to mid-60s. Forecast hot and windy conditions should bring water temperatures up quickly again. Area water levels are around crest. Water clarity has been fairly good on most area lakes. Bass and panfish are moving to shallower water from the basins, making shore and dock fishing easier. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are on the rise with recent rainfall. Clarity may decline as overland water reaches the river. Fish eddies and current breaks. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a hook loaded with a crawler or chub. Northern Pike – Fair: Find pike in shallow vegetated areas out of current. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Find smallies below the dams; use a hook tipped with a ringworm, twister tail or nightcrawler.  Walleye – Good: Try worms or minnows under a slip bobber with enough weight to get your bait near the bottom.

Decorah District Streams
The 2022 Trout Stream Stocking calendar is available on our Trout Fishing webpage. Streams are in decent condition, even with recent rain. As overland water reaches streams, clarity will decline. Streams with better watersheds will clear faster. Brook Trout – Good: Numerous insect hatches on sunny afternoons. Use midge, caddis, mayfly or scud patterns for hungry brookies. Brown Trout – Excellent: Rain water flowing into streams is bringing a fresh supply of food for curious brownies. Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits near or around structure. Midge and gnat hatches remain strong. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Freshly stocked rainbow trout are waiting for anglers. Use small spinnerbaits, hair jigs or hooks tipped with a worm or minnow floating past structure or around large rocks.

Lake Hendricks
Water temperatures are cooling after recent rain and cooler temperatures. Clarity is improving. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie in 6 to 8 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are building nests or shallow depressions in the soft substrate to lay their eggs. Try a small piece of worm to catch one of these beauties. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a worm on a hook just off the bottom near stumps. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find fish near shore with crankbaits or jig tipped with a brightly colored plastic tail.

Lake Meyer
Anglers are finding hit-and-miss action as the water warms. Aquatic vegetation density is sparse. Water temperature is in the mid-60s. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie in 6 to 8 feet of water around submersed vegetation. Bluegill – Fair: Water temperatures are still cool. Find a cove out of the wind. Use an ice fishing jig tipped with a small piece of worm. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a chunk of worm or squished minnow fished off the bottom near stumps or other woody debris. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Pre-spawn bass are in shallow. Try crankbaits or a jig with plastic tail.

North Bear Creek
Bridge replacement work is starting on the Sacquitne Bridge on 360th St. Stream access and parking lot remain open; be courteous to workers. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Stocked weekly from April through October.

Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water levels are rising. Water temperatures is in the low 60s. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Try fishing the eddies and drop-offs. Walleye – Good: Find walleye in current breaks or eddies; use crankbaits or spinnerbaits. White Sucker – Good: Use a piece of worm on a hook fished on the stream bottom.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are rising slowly with improved clarity. Water temperatures are in the low 60s. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find deeper holes and eddies. Try fishing near the bottom. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching 10-inch walleye with a jig tipped with a natural colored twister tail in the edges of eddies. White Sucker – Good: Sucker fishing is heating up with warmer temperatures. Find fish off the bottom using a jig tipped with a worm.

Volga Lake
Water temperatures are warming slowly. Docks are in. The main park road will be closed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to install a culvert. Access to park from Heron Rd. See park bulletin for more information. Black Crappie – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with plastic tails or minnows off jetties. Bluegill – Fair:  Anglers are finding gills off the jetties. Try a small piece of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Trophy-sized catfish are abundant in this lake. Use a dead chub or squished minnow fished off the bottom near woody debris. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits and a slow retrieve in drop-offs and around brush piles and other attracting structures.

Chance of showers through the weekend. Temperatures are warming with highs in the upper 80s to 60s by Monday. Area river and stream water levels are rising with recent rain; most are relatively clear. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Alice Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching crappie.

Big Woods Lake
Anglers are catching crappie with the spawn underway. Black Crappie – Fair: The lake is up, but concentrate your efforts in the shallows near structure; use a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or cast colored tube jigs. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast spinnerbaits, crankbaits or topwater baits.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers are catching bass, bluegill and crappie. Black Crappie – Good: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or cast colored tube jigs in the shallows near structure. Bluegill – Excellent: Use a piece of worm or crawler under a slip bobber in shallow water areas off of the jetties or cove areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits, crankbaits or topwater baits.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching walleye, channel catfish and smallmouth bass. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anchor above tree snags using stink bait, cut baits or chicken livers. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky shoreline areas. Walleye – Fair: Cast a jig and plastic tipped with a half crawler or crankbaits.

George Wyth Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits, crankbaits or topwater baits. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast bucktail spinnerbaits or troll crankbaits.

Lake Delhi
Anglers are catching crappie and bass. Concentrate on areas along the shoreline with fallen trees or rocky shoreline. Black Crappie – Good: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or cast colored tube jigs in the shallows near structure. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits, crankbaits or topwater baits.

Manchester District Streams
Manchester District trout streams are in excellent condition. Next week’s weather forecast should produce intense hatches for topwater fly fishing action. Brown Trout – Good: Use small jigs or spinnerbaits. Try fly fishing topwater with the upcoming warm weather. Rainbow Trout – Good: Try small jigs or spinnerbaits.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Reports walleye and smallmouth bass being caught on the Maquoketa River. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky shoreline areas. Walleye – Fair: Cast a jig and plastic tipped with a half crawler or crankbaits.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports of anglers catching channel catfish, walleye and smallmouth bass on the Shell Rock River. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for fallen tree snags anchoring above; use chicken livers or stink bait rigs. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky shoreline areas. Walleye – Fair: Cast a jig and plastic tipped with a half crawler or crankbaits.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Anglers are catching walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish on the Wapsipinicon River. Channel Catfish – Fair: Look for fallen tree snags anchoring above; use chicken livers or stink bait rigs. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky shoreline areas. Walleye – Fair: Cast a jig and plastic tipped with a half crawler or crankbaits.

Interior rivers and cold water trout streams are in excellent condition. Anglers are catching some walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish on the interior rivers. Black Hawk County area lakes are winding down for crappie with the recent spawn. Contact your local area bait shops for the most recent hot spots. For more information, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 12.4 feet at Lansing and is expected to recede slowly after the Memorial Day weekend. Ramps have some water over them. Water is muddy; some debris is coming downriver. Water temperature is 62 degrees. Army road is closed due to high water. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies in the flooded timber on crappie rigs with minnows. Bluegill – Good: Use light tackle tipped with piece of worm in areas away from current along the weed edges in backwaters. Channel Catfish – Good: Expect the catfish bite to pick up with a warm-up in temperatures. Try cut bait or crawlers fished along current breaks of side channels. Flathead Catfish – Good: The flathead bite is picking up with the warmer temperatures. Try a shiner or small bluegill for bait. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Freshwater drum bite is coming on. Use a weighted crawler rig in the current anywhere from shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast jigs or jerk baits in woody cover in the shallows of backwaters. Northern Pike – Slow: Cast crankbaits off vegetation lines or near the mouth of tributary streams. Sauger – Fair: Use hair jigs with minnows in slacker current near tailwater areas. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouth are getting more active along main channel rock structure. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along the faster current. Walleye – Fair: Try hair jigs or drifting a crawler on three-way rigs in current breaks and structure near shoreline of the tailwaters or side channel structure. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch bite has slowed this week. Try jigging minnows or a piece of crawler; avoid the heavy current.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 622.4 feet at Lynxville  and is expected to slowly recede after Memorial Day. Ramps have some water over them. Water is muddy; some debris is coming downriver. Rollers are out at the dam. Water temperature is 64 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies in the flooded timber on crappie rigs with minnows. Bluegill – Good: Use light tackle tipped with piece of worm in areas away from current along the weed edges in backwaters. Channel Catfish – Good: Expect the catfish bite to pick up with a warm-up in temperatures. Try cut bait or crawlers fished along current breaks of side channels. Flathead Catfish – Good: The flathead bite is picking up with the warmer temperatures. Try a shiner or small bluegill for bait. Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum bite is coming on. Use a weighted crawler rig in the current anywhere from shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast jigs or jerk baits in woody cover in the shallows of backwaters. Northern Pike –  Fair: Cast crankbaits off vegetation lines or near the mouth of tributary streams.. Sauger – Slow: Try hair jigs with minnows in slacker current near tailwater areas. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouth are getting more active along main channel rock structure. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along the faster current.  Walleye – Slow: Use hair jigs or drift a crawler on three-way rigs in current breaks and structure near shoreline of the tailwaters or side channel structure. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch bite has slowed this week. Try jigging minnows or a piece of crawler; avoid the heavy current.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 13.1 feet and is expected to slowly recede after Memorial Day. Ramps have some water over them.  Water is muddy; some debris is coming downriver. Rollers are out at the dam. Water temperature is near 58 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies in the flooded timber on crappie rigs with minnows. Bluegill – Good: Use light tackle tipped with piece of worm in areas away from current along the weed edges in backwaters. Channel Catfish – Good: Expect the catfish bite to pick up with a warm-up in temperatures. Try cut bait or crawlers fished along current breaks of side channels.  Flathead Catfish – Good: The flathead bite is picking up with the warmer temperatures. Try a shiner or small bluegill for bait. Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum bite is coming on. Use a weighted crawler rig in the current anywhere from shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast jigs or crankbaits in woody cover in the shallows of backwaters. Northern Pike – Slow: Cast crankbaits off vegetation lines or near the mouth of tributary streams. Sauger – Slow: Try hair jigs with minnows in slacker current near tailwater areas. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouth are getting more active along main channel rock structure. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along the faster current.  Walleye –  Slow: Use hair jigs or drift a crawler on three-way rigs in current breaks and structure near shoreline of the tailwaters or side channel structure. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch bite has slowed this week. Try jigging minnows or use a piece of crawler.

Upper Mississippi River levels remain high this week. Anglers report a mixed bag of species with warmer temperatures in the 60s. Water clarity is reduced with some debris moving down river. 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. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are 13.2 feet at the Lock and Dam and 15.0 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is good. Water levels are rising. Water temperature is around 62 degrees. Water is approaching low action flood stage at the RR bridge. Bluegill – Good: Check various harbors in Dubuque for bluegills; use a worm and bobber in 3 feet or less of water. Bobber and worm rigs work best. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cats are starting to bite and being picked up occasionally by bluegill anglers in the backwaters. Catfish spawning is just around the corner. Flathead Catfish – Good: Banklines are starting to appear up and down the river.  Most anglers are using live bullheads for bait. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Lots of drum are taken in areas of moderate current with a egg sinker and worm rig. Keep fish on ice if you plan to eat them; they can be very good table fare. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass of all sizes are being reported mostly from backwater areas on spinnerbaits and swimbaits. Northern Pike – Good: Some nice pike are being reported on spinnerbaits. Find fish along the newly established vegetation lines. Sauger – Fair: Walleye and sauger angling has started out slow in Pool 12; most anglers are using jig and minnow rigs. Angling improved this week; a few nice catches were reported. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use a spinnerbait or crankbait along rock lines with moderate current. White Crappie – Fair: Crappie are being taken in marina areas and backwaters. Use a minnow attached to small jig head in 3 feet of water or less. Bite seems to be tailing off. Yellow Perch – Good: Spring can be a good season to hit tailwater yellow perch. Minnow heads and worms are the preferred bait. Keep the worm short and straight on your hooks.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level at the Bellevue Lock is rising at near 13.7 feet. The water temperature is around 62 degrees. Boat ramps are open; some debris is floating due to higher water. The Bellevue DNR ramp is experiencing some minor flooding. The Lock and Dam gates are open. Bluegill – Good: Try a simple bobber and worm in the Sabula area backwaters. Channel Catfish – Good: The channel cat bite has started; most anglers are using prepared catfish baits or cut shad. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Lots of drum are taken in areas of moderate current with a egg sinker and worm rig. Keep your fish on ice if plan to eat them; they can be very good table fare. Largemouth Bass – Good: Nice bass are being caught in the Spring Lake area; other places in the pool are producing bass of all sizes.  Most anglers are using spinnerbaits or swimbaits. Northern Pike – Good: Use gaudy white spinners . Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Rainbow Trout – Good: Now is your final opportunity to fish the Bellevue Kids pond until this fall.  Some trout remain in the pond, but it will soon be covered in vegetation.  Windy days are the best to fish as the floating vegetation will blow to one end of the pond. Smallmouth Bass– Fair: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along rock lines. Walleye – Fair: The bite has been slow, but is picking up. Anglers are often targeting larger sloughs with crankbaits.  White Bass – Fair: Small white bass have been reported in the tailwater area; anglers are using small white jigs or spinners. White Crappie – Fair: Use small minnows in brush piles in backwater areas. The fish will be shallow in 1 to 3 feet of water. The bite seems is tailing off, but some nice fish were found this spring. Yellow Perch – Good: The bite has been good at times; most anglers are using worms for bait.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level at the Fulton Lock and Dam is rising at 12.5 feet, 14.8 feet at Camanche, and 8.8 feet at Le Claire. Water temperature is around 62 degrees in the main channel. Water clarity is good. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on the bite throughout Pool 14; use a simple bobber and worm rig in 3 feet of water or less. Channel Catfish – Good: Try prepared cut bait or stink bait.  They are preparing to spawn and can be very vulnerable to angling right now. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Lots of drum are taken in areas of moderate current with an egg sinker and worm rig. Keep your fish on ice if you plan to eat them; they can be very good table fare. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lots of bass of all sizes are being taken out of the larger backwater areas like Sunfish Lake and the Rock Creek Complex. Northern Pike – No Report: Pike are plentiful in Pool 14; anglers fishing northerns or even crappies will run across them. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Walleye – Good: Walleye angling has been picking up in the past few weeks with nice fish being reported. Several reports of fish that are above the slot limit being caught.  Anglers are mainly using crankbaits. White Crappie – Good: Some crappie are being taken in marina areas around docks. A few reported around the fallen trees at Rock Creek. Yellow Perch – No Report: Lots of small perch are in the system; the future for yellow perch fishing looks bright in Pool 14. Yellow perch are often caught by anglers fishing bluegills and crappies.

Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is rising at 12.3 feet at Rock Island. The water temperature is near 64 degrees. Water clarity is fair. Bluegill – No Report: Try marina areas as few backwaters exist on Pool 15. Channel Catfish – Good: Pool 15 is home to a large population of channel catfish.  The channel cats bite has just started with most anglers picking them up on worms and prepared cut baits. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Lots of drum are taken in areas of moderate current with an egg sinker and worm rig. Keep your fish on ice if you plan to eat them; they can be very good table fare.

River is slightly high, but the water has been fairly clear; lots of fishing opportunities are available. Water levels are are rising. Water temperatures are in the the lower 60s throughout the district. If you have angling questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Management Station at 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 12.65 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is rising. River stage is forecast to reach 13.5 feet by Monday. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina; use pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught on crawlers and stink baits around brush piles and snags. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow with the highwater conditions. Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with crawlers.  White Bass – No Report: Look for white bass in Sylvan Slough. Use jigs and twister tails. Some white bass are also being caught in Sunset Marina. White Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber. Look for fish around brush piles in Sunset Marina or the Andalusia Island complex.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 10.56 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 12.5 feet by Monday. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. The ramp at Big Timber is closed due to high water. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try jigs and plastics or pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles at Big Timber and Cleveland Slough. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow with the higher water conditions. Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. Some walleye can also be caught fishing along GPC.  White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Use jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber around brush piles in Big Timber and Cleveland Slough.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 12.00 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. River stage is forecast to reach 13.6 feet by Tuesday. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. Fishing has been slow. The Toolsboro ramp is closed due to high water. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber or jigs and plastics around brush piles. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags. Use stink bait and crawlers. Walleye – Slow: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber around brush piles at Huron Island and Belle Pocket.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 8.32 feet at Lock and Dam 18 and is rising. River stage is forecast to reach 9.4 feet by next week. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 13.59 feet and forecast to reach 14.4 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage at Burlington is 15 feet. River stage at Fort Madison is 526.88 feet; flood stage is 528 feet. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week.

River stages have been rising the past few days. River stages are forecast to rise throughout the weekend. Main channel water clarity is fair to poor. Water temperature is 64 degrees. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.