NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid-60s. Anglers are picking up fish in Town Bay, along shore near Ice House Point, the inlet bridge, and near the outlet. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are picking up crappie close to shore along the Ice House Point shoreline, from the fish house in Town Bay, and in the marina with small jigs. Some sorting is needed. Channel Catfish – Fair. Walleye – Good: Anglers are picking up good numbers of 12- to 18-inch walleye along shore and from boats. Yellow Perch – Fair.

Brushy Creek Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 60s. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a jig and minnow in 5-10 feet of water near shore and woody structure. Largemouth Bass – Fair.  Walleye – Fair: Bite is hit-or-miss; a few fish have been in the mid to upper 20-inch range.

North Twin Lake
Water clarity is 4 feet. Water temperatures are in the mid-60s. Water levels remain low; use caution when loading boats at the ramps. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig or a minnow and jig under a bobber along the shore and docks. Largemouth Bass – Good.  Muskellunge – Fair: Anglers are picking up some musky. Fish are under 24 inches. Walleye – Good: Fishing has been productive for boat anglers using planer boards and crankbaits.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water clarity is roughly 4 feet.  All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; and no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a jig or a jig and minnow under a bobber along docks rocky shorelines and in the marina. Walleye – Slow: Use live bait and twisters from shore in the evenings. Try the edges of the dredge cuts with crawler harnesses or crankbaits. Yellow Bass – Fair: Most fish are 5- to 7-inches.Yellow Perch – Slow.

Water temperatures are in the mid-60s in most area lakes.  For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the low 60s. Lake level is 3.1 inches above crest. Water clarity is 6 feet. 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: Anglers are catching crappies around the rush beds and from the jetties. Best bite is in the morning. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a piece of cut bait fished on the bottom from the wind-swept shore. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Good: Anglers are having success fishing a jig and minnow near vegetation or trolling crankbaits in 8 to10 feet of water. Yellow Bass – Good: Try a small jig near vegetation and around the island. Best bite is early morning.

Crystal Lake
Water temperature is in the low 60s. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a minnow or jig near woody habitat. Bluegill – Fair.

Rice Lake
Water temperature is in the low 60s.Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Best bite is after sunset. Yellow Perch – Slow.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Water temperature is in the low 60s.Largemouth Bass – Good. Yellow Perch – Slow.

Winnebago River
Water level is 7.9 feet. Northern Pike – Slow. Walleye – Slow: Use a jig head and minnow along current breaks.

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 in the mid-60s. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair: Try using a small hook and piece of worm. Walleye – Good. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will be needed.

Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair.

Lost Island Lake
Water temperatures are in the lower 60s. Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge being held May 1 – June 30 for prizes given to anglers catching the most walleye. Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Good.

Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair.  Bluegill – Fair.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Courtesy docks are in place. Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge being held May 1 – June 30 for prizes given to anglers catching the most walleye. Walleye – Fair.

Spirit Lake
The water temperature is in the low 60s. All boat ramp docks are in place. The walleye season is open. Black Bullhead – Good. Black Crappie – Fair: Many nice-sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill – Good: Anglers have been very successful fishing the north grade. Walleye – Good: Leaches and minnows work well. Yellow Perch – Fair.

West Okoboji Lake
Water temperatures are in the lower 60s. All docks are in place. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Good: Leaches and minnows work well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Courtesy docks are in for the season. Water temperatures are in the middle to low 60s. Most area water levels are a few inches over crest. The fish bite has been very good across most areas.Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge that runs 5/1 – 6/30 for statewide prizes for anglers. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water clarity is muddy with high flows. Water levels are falling, but up about 3 feet. Water temperatures are on the rise with warmer weather.  Channel Catfish – Good: Try a dead chub or stink baits fished in slack water areas. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Try fishing eddies and current breaks. Walleye – Slow: Use a jig tipped with a minnow or worm below dams. Try using a 3-way with enough weight to keep the weight on the bottom.

Decorah District Streams
Area streams are in good condition. All stocked streams are announced at least once a month. Stocking continues at traditional rates, weekly or bimonthly. When on private property open to fishing, fishing is the only activity allowed. Brook Trout – Fair: Good hatches of a variety of gnats, mayflies, caddis flies, and midges. Brown Trout – Good: Try fishing near or around logs or undercut banks. Spinnerbaits work well. Try using streamers on larger waterbodies. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Use spinnerbaits, hair jigs or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, bread, or cheese floating through deeper holes. Freshly stocked fish are waiting to take your bait.

Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is improving. Water temperature is in the mid-60s. Fish are starting to move shallow to spawn. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie action is picking up as the water warms. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers fishing near shore are finding gills. Use a small chunk of worm fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are starting to spawn in shallow water.

Lake Meyer
Water clarity is about 3 feet. Water temperature is in the low 60s. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie are starting to bite. Use a small jig near shore edges. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Try a spinnerbait fished in 3-4 feet of water.

Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water is muddy with high flows. Water levels are up about 4 feet and stabilizing. Water temperatures in the upper 50s. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Use a jig with a twister tail fished in the eddies and off channel areas. Walleye – Slow: Early morning or late evening bite is best. Try fishing the deeper holes with a crank or spinnerbait. White Sucker – Good: Try fishing the deeper holes with a worm fished near bottom.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water temperatures are in the mid-60s. Water is muddy with high flows. Water levels are up about 1.5 feet and falling. Use caution during early season paddling. Log jams and other strainers may have moved. Hypothermia is still a threat with cooler water temperatures. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Try fishing near undercut banks and current breaks. A flashy jig works well. Fly anglers using streamers are picking up some action. Walleye – Slow: Angling for walleye is picking up below the dams. Use a jig tipped with a plastic tail or crankbait.

Volga Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-60s. Fish activity is improving, especially near shore rocky areas. Black Crappie – Good: Try fishing along the rocky edges in deeper water. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish – Good: Trophy catfish are plentiful in this lake. Use a large crawler fished under a bobber in the evening. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find bass in the shallow bays; use a crank or spinnerbait.

Area interior rivers and streams are up and muddy. Weekend temperatures in the mid-70s during the day to 40s overnight. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers are catching crappie and bluegill as they stage for the upcoming spawn. Black Crappie – Excellent: Cast lighter jigs tipped with plastics or try fishing a minnow under a slip bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use topwater artificial lures or spinnerbaits.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is high and muddy.

George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching crappie as they stage for the upcoming spawn. Black Crappie – Excellent: Cast lighter jigs tipped with plastics.

Lake Delhi
Anglers are catching crappie; some sorting may be needed. Avoid weekends and evenings due to heavy boat traffic. Black Crappie – Good: Cast lighter jigs tipped with plastics near structure or docks.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers are catching walleye and smallmouth bass. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics with a jig or cast and retrieve spinnerbaits. Walleye – Good: Use plastics with a jig.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River is high and muddy.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River is on the rise; no reports this past week.

Some interior rivers are on the rise, check the USGS website for the most recent river levels. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo have been hot for crappie as they are currently spawning in the shallows. Trout streams are in excellent condition. Contact your local bait shop for the most recent angling opportunities. For more information, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 12 feet at Lansing and is expected to drop to 11 feet over the next week. New Albin Army Road and Heytman’s Landing are closed due to water over the road. Lansing Village Creek is inaccessible for larger boats under the railroad bridge. Some lower profile boats are able to clear the R.R. bridge. Fish are biting; look for areas away from the heavy current. Water temperature is near 63 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a light jig or a minnow rig fished along the flooded trees. Bluegill – Good: Try a garden worm under a bobber along shore with less current like marina areas or backwaters. A lot of sorting with nicer sizes being caught.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a crawler or cut bait in the current seams as water temperature rises this week. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Try a weighted crawler in moderate current from shore. Shorthead Redhorse – Good: Redhorse are running; they are fun to catch. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks. Walleye – Slow: 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 10
Water level is near 622.2 feet at Lynxville and is expected to fall below 621 feet this week. Ramps at Bussey Lake, Sny Magill and Noble’s Island are under water and closed. The high water ramp at Harpers Ferry is accessible. The bite is picking up with warmer water temperatures. Water temperature is 65 degrees at the dam. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a light jig or a minnow rig fished along the flooded trees. Bluegill – Good: Try a garden worm under a bobber along shore with less current like marina areas or backwaters.  A lot of sorting with some nicer sizes being caught.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a crawler or cut bait in the current seams as water temperature rises this week. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Use a weighted crawler in moderate current from shore. Shorthead Redhorse – Good: Redhorse are running; they are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks. Walleye – Slow: 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 11
Water level is 13.5 feet at Guttenberg and is predicted to fall to 12 feet over the next week. Guttenberg city ramp, the DNR ramp, Turkey River, and Finleys are under water and closed. Gates are out of the water at the dam. The bite is picking up with the warmer water. Water temperature is in the mid-60s. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a light jig or a minnow rig fished along the flooded trees. Bluegill – Good: Try a garden worm under a bobber along shore with less current like marina areas or backwaters. A lot of sorting with some nicer sizes being caught. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a crawler or cut bait in the current seams as water temperature rises this week. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Try a weighted crawler from shore. Shorthead Redhorse – Fair: Redhorse are running; they are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks. Walleye – Slow: 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.

Upper Mississippi River water levels are slowly receding. Many boat ramps are still flooded and full of mud/debris. Call ahead for local conditions. Fishing is picking up as water temperatures rise into the 60s.

Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is dropping to near 15 feet at Lock and Dam 11 and around 17 feet at the RR bridge. This is considered minor flood stage. Water temperature is around 57 degrees; the water is stained. It will take some time to clean up parks and ramps after the flood recedes. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills will follow along the shorelines, even in flooded water. Channel Catfish – No Report: Expect the channel catfish bite to be good soon as they feed heavily in flooded waters. Freshwater Drum – Good: A simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Walleye – Good: Some nice catches of walleye have been recorded feeding on minnows near shore. White Bass – Good: You can still find fish in flooded conditions; most fish will be along the shorelines. Try minnows or small spinners to catch white bass feeding in these locations. Yellow Perch – No Report: Lots of smaller yellow perch are in the system; this is a good indicator for yellow perch fishing this upcoming year. It is still possible to catch yellow perch along hard shoreline banks, even during flooding conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level at Lock and Dam 12 at Bellevue is dropping to near 15 feet. Water clarity is stained. Water temperature is around 57 degrees. Most boat ramps are flooded out. Water levels have dropped out of all flood stages, but remain very high. It will take some time to clean up boat ramps and parks after the flood. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills will follow along the shorelines, even in flooded water. Channel Catfish – Good: Try to catch channel catfish in places like Middle Sabula Lake, which should not be affected by flood conditions. Fishing in flood waters should yield abundant channel cats. Freshwater Drum – Good: A simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed. Flooding conditions are optimal for successful paddlefish spawns; hopefully this flood will create another strong year class. Rainbow Trout – No Report: Water has receded off the kids fishing pond; most trout probably left the pond during the flood. The area around the pond is very muddy with lots of trash floated in; the pond can still be fished, especially on the west side. It’s a mystery on what fish are in the flood after the flood. Shorthead Redhorse – Excellent: Redhorse are running up the tributary rivers like the Maquoketa; they will make some fun action on an egg sinker worm rig. Yellow Perch – No Report: Smaller yellow perch are in the system; this is a good indicator for yellow perch fishing this upcoming year.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level at Fulton is receding to near 15 feet, 17 feet at Camanche, and near 10 feet at LeClaire. Water temperature is 58 degrees. Water levels are still in minor flood stage, but may fall out of that stage by next week. It will take some time to clean up parks and ramps after floods recede. Bluegill – No Report: Many good reports on all panfish species in Pool 14 over the winter season. Hope this translates into a good open water season. Channel Catfish – No Report: Expect channel catfish fishing to be good over the next few weeks. Freshwater Drum – Good: A simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed. Flooding conditions are optimal for successful paddlefish spawns; hopefully this flood will create another strong year class. Shorthead Redhorse – Good: Redhorse will soon start to bite and will run up rivers like the Wapsipinicon. They can provide good early season fishing action.

Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level at Rock Island is dropping to near 16 feet. Water clarity is stained. Water temperature is 57 degrees. Water level is still in minor flood stage, but should fall out of that stage by next week.

The river is receding throughout the district. The recent snow melt flood was ranked the 3rd highest in this stretch of the river. The Mississippi River is still in action to minor flood stage. It will take some time to clean up all the debris and mud off the parking lots and boat ramps. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 15.30 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is falling. River stage is 15.58 feet at Fairport; flood stage is 14 feet. Most boat ramps are still closed due to the high water conditions. Fishing has been slow.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 14.71 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 16.69 feet at Muscatine; flood stage is 16 feet. Most boat ramps are still closed due to high water.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 15.58 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Most boat ramps are still closed due to high water. Fishing has been slow due to the high water conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 11.66 feet at Lock and Dam 18 and is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage is 16.43 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 528.62 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. Some boat ramps are still closed due to high water conditions. Fishing has been slow due to the high water conditions.

River stages are still above flood stage. Most boat ramps are still closed due to high water. Main channel water temperature is around 64 degrees. Water clarity has been fair. We have not received much for fishing reports due the high water conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
The water temperature was 68 degrees earlier this week. Water clarity is about 7 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are staying out in deeper water. Don’t look for them to come in shallow, the spawn already snuck by. Bluegill – Good: Work the brush piles in 3 to 4 feet of water using small jigs or bobber and worm. Largemouth Bass – Good: Males are on the nests. Try soft plastics tossed back up into the flooded timber near shore over their nests.

Deep Lakes
Water temperatures is around 67 degrees in these old gravel pits. Water clarity is 16-18 feet. Bluegill – Good: Find good near shore habitat and you can get a chance at 10-inch. Water is very clear. Fish are spooky; use caution when approaching or they will run and hide. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lots of males cruising the shallows looking for a good place to build a nest.  Most don’t show the fin wear of having built a nest yet, but it won’t be long.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperatures is 67 degrees. Water clarity is about 8 feet. The curlyleaf pondweed beds are established. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie have moved out to 9 feet of water; they are starting to feed again. They snuck the spawn passed most of the anglers. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on the beds.  Work the holes on the curlyleaf beds. The fish are the ones that made the holes while nest building. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass, especially males, are moving in to shallow water. Many are guarding nests.

Lake Darling
The water temperature was 68 degrees on May 15. Water clarity is 5 feet. Some nice weed beds are forming in the NW corner of the lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies decided to spawn sometime during one of the warm spells; it happened fast. Most, if not all, have returned back to 8-10 feet of water. Spring survey on Monday failed to find any that were still carrying eggs; found a few young of the year crappies. Bluegill – Good: Many bluegills remain out in 5-6 feet of water. You can find the males on the beds in certain spots; the bluegill spawn has started. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Males continue to build nests; the wear and tear on their fins are starting to show.  A few are guarding nests. Females remain out in deeper water.