NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 50s. Water levels are 12 inches below the crest of the spillway. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are starting to pick up more crappie.  Try in and around the fish house in Town Bay and along Ice House Point shoreline. Fish are up to 10- to 12-inches. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Good: Shore anglers are picking up fish with twisters and crankbaits along Ice House Point shoreline and near the outlet on the east side of the lake. Best bite is in the evening, right before dark.

Brushy Creek Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s. Black Crappie – Fair: Pick up crappie along shore and near submerged structure; fish are 5-inches up to 13-inches. Crappie action will pick up as water temperatures continue to climb. Largemouth Bass – Fair.  Walleye – Fair: Use twisters, crankbaits or live bait. Yellow Perch – Slow.

Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
Water levels are high with recent rains.  Some portions of the river are outside of its banks.

North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 bridge near Auburn)
Water levels have risen; turbidity has increased with recent rains.

North Twin Lake
Water levels are 2-3 feet low. The courtesy dock on the South ramp is installed.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water clarity is about 12 inches. Water temperature is around 55 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are starting to pick up a few perch in the marina.  More fish should move in as water temperatures continue to warm. Walleye – Fair: Pick up walleye along the east shore near the inlet and in the marina.  White Bass – Fair.  Yellow Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Slow: Anglers have picked up some perch in the marina.

Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s in many area lakes. River levels are on the rise with recent rains. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
Lake levels are rising with recent rains. Water level is 6 inches below the spillway. Water temperature is 52 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: A few crappie have moved into rush the beds; try small jigs and live bait fished slowly. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are in the rush beds; pitch jigs and plastics in vegetation pockets. Walleye – Fair: Anglers continue to catch walleye near shallow rocky habitat with jigs and live bait.  Evening fishing is the most productive. Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are starting to catch yellow bass while targeting other species.  Action should improve when water temperatures warm into the 60s.

Crystal Lake
Black Bullhead – Good: Try fishing wind-blown shorelines at dark with nightcrawlers. Black Crappie– Fair: Crappie will move shallow as the water warms; use small jigs and live bait.

Silver Lake (Worth)
A new dock has been ordered and will be installed before Memorial Day. Largemouth Bass – Good: Slow retrieved bass baits work best with the current cooler water temperatures.

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 lake level is 4 inches above crest. The walleye season opens May 4. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will most likely be needed.

Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and afternoon.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good.

Spirit Lake
The lake level is right around crest and is expected to start flowing over the spillway with forecast rains. The walleye season opens May 4. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are finding quality-size fish. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Good: Sorting may be needed.

West Okoboji Lake
The lake level is 4 inches above crest. The walleye season opens May 4. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Area water temperatures are slowly rising to the low to mid-50s. Most area lakes are at or above crest and should continue to rise with forecast rains. Most courtesy docks are in place. The walleye season on the Iowa Great Lakes opens on May 4. Expect heavier traffic at some ramps. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
River level us up about a foot with recent rain. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a chunk of dead chub on the stream bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Find smallies below the dams or backwaters around structure; use spinnerbaits or crankbaits. Walleye – Good: Walleye are moving out of their overwintering holes; use live bait.

Decorah District Streams
With turkey season in full swing, avoid wearing red, white, or blue; turkey hunting ends May 12. Flows on most streams are up with good water clarity. Check the on-line trout stream stocking calendar to find out which streams will be stocked each week. Brook Trout – Fair: Use midge, caddis fly or mayfly patterns for insects hatching streamside. Brown Trout – Good: Off-color water favors brown trout activity. Try spinner or crankbaits near or around logs or undercut banks. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Use small spinnerbaits, hair jigs or hooks tipped with imitation eggs or a worm floated past structure. Freshly stocked fish are waiting to take your bait.

Lake Hendricks
Water temperature is around 60 degrees with about 3 feet clarity. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near woody debris; use a small jib tipped with a minnow under a bobber.  Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills around woody structure in about 4 feet of water; try a small tube jig under a bobber.

Lake Meyer
Water temperature is in the upper 50s; water is clear. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing in deeper water just off drop-offs or the edge of vegetation. Bluegill – Fair: Shore fishing is better in the evening when the water warms. Use a tube jig with a small piece of worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Bass are moving to warmer water in the evening. Use a crankbait with a slow retrieve.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are stabilizing with good clarity. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallies in back eddies or along current breaks. Walleye – Fair: Find walleye below the dams along current breaks; use live baits.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are slowly rising with recent rain. Water clarity remains good. Brown Trout – Good: Find16- to 18-inch trout below dams near rock ledges and current breaks. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching 10- to 12-inch bass below dams with live bait. Walleye – Fair: Find walleye around dams and current breaks; use live bait.

Volga Lake
Water clarity is good with temperatures in the 60s. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near rocky shoreline or around woody habitat. Bluegill – Fair: Use a tube jig with a small piece of worm under a bobber along the rocky shoreline.

Weekend temperatures in the 60’s to 40’s for lows; rain possible on Saturday. Turkey season is in full swing until May 12. For additional information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Big Woods Lake
Anglers are catching some crappie as water temperatures increase. Black Crappie – Good: Cast and retrieve colored 1/32 ounce jigs.

Brinker Lake
Anglers are catching some crappie as water temperatures increase. Black Crappie – Good: Cast and retrieve colored 1/32 ounce jigs.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching a few walleye, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, crappie and northern pike. Black Crappie – Fair: Cast and retrieve colored 1/32 ounce jigs. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are biting well; use chubs for bait. Northern Pike – Fair: Most catches are from anglers targeting walleye. Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow. Walleye – Fair: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.

George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching some crappie as water temperatures increase. Black Crappie – Fair: Cast and retrieve colored 1/32 ounce jigs.

Heritage Pond
Rainbow trout were recently stocked. Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy lures or jigs with tinsel. Also try fishing a piece of worm or waxworm under a slip bobber. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Lake Delhi
Reports of anglers catching black crappie. Black Crappie – Good: Find woody structure on the river around Manchester. Try vertical jigging a lead head jig tipped with a colored tube jig.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Reports of walleye and black crappie being caught; try fishing below the Lake Delhi Dam and the Manchester whitewater park. Black Crappie – Fair: Find woody structure on the river around Manchester. Try vertical jigging a lead head jig tipped with a colored tube jig. Walleye – Fair: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.

North Prairie Lake
Rainbow trout were stocked recently. Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy lures or jigs with tinsel. Also try fishing a piece of worm or waxworm under a slip bobber. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
We have received no fishing information on this water body this week. Walleye – No Report: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Reports of anglers catching smallmouth bass and walleyes. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow. Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow..

Angling has picked up on interior rivers as they recede. Reports of anglers catching crappie and bluegill on the surrounding Black Hawk County area lakes. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. Catchable trout stockings are fully underway. For further information contact your local bait shops for most recent information. Contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276 for more information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8.6 feet at Lansing and is predicted to reach 9.9 feet next week. Water temperature is 58 degrees. Water clarity is cloudy. Black Crappie – Slow: Try light tackle and small plastic baits in the flooded timber as the river rises. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill will start to stage in the shallows to feed pre-spawn as water temperatures rise to near 60 degrees. Use light tackle close to shore in cover. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers. Flathead Catfish – Slow: Look for flathead fishing to pick up as they prepare for the spawn in the next few weeks. Freshwater Drum – Good: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along main channel and side channel current.  Northern Pike – No Report: Northern pike fishing will pick up as they finish the spawn. Try fishing the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Sauger – Slow: Tailwater fishing has tapered off. Try jigs tipped with a minnow or crawlers on three-way rigs along the upper side of wing-dams. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines. Walleye – Slow: Tailwater fishing has tapered off. Use jigs tipped with a minnow or crawlers on three-way rigs along the upper side of wing-dams. Yellow Perch – Slow.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 617.1 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to reach near 619.4 feet. Water temperature is 60 degrees at the Lock & Dam in Lynxville. Black Crappie – Slow: Use light tackle and small plastic baits in the flooded timber as the river rises. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill will start to stage in the shallows to feed pre-spawn as water temperatures rise to near 60 degrees. Use light tackle close to shore in cover. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers. Flathead Catfish – Slow: Look for the flathead fishing to pick up as they prepare for the spawn in the next few weeks. Freshwater Drum – Good: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along the main channel and side channel current. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing the upper portions of backwaters away from current. Sauger – Slow: Tailwater fishing has tapered off. Use jigs tipped with a minnow or crawlers on three-way rigs along upper side of wing-dams. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines or at the spillway. Walleye – Slow: Tailwater fishing has tapered off. Use jigs tipped with a minnow or crawlers on three-way rigs along the upper side of wing-dams. White Bass – Fair: Throw inline spinners along current breaks.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level at Guttenberg has risen to near 9 feet in the tailwaters and is expected to reach 11.2 feet. Water clarity is diminished. Water temperature is 55 degrees. Tailwater fishing at the Lock & Dam has been a challenge with wind and more turbulence this week. Black Crappie – Slow: Use light tackle and small plastic baits in the flooded timber as the river rises. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill will start to stage in the shallows to feed pre-spawn as water temperatures rise to near 60 degrees. Use light tackle close to shore in cover. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers. Flathead Catfish – Slow: Look for flathead fishing to pick up as they prepare for the spawn in the next few weeks. Freshwater Drum – Good: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along the main channel and side channel current. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing the upper portions of backwaters away from current. Sauger – Slow. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines. Walleye – Slow: The walleye spawn is coming to an end. Try hair jigs tipped with a minnow in the tailwaters or off tips of deeper wing-dams. White Bass – Fair: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Yellow Perch – Slow: Try plastics or live minnows and worms from shore at the Guttenberg boat ramp.

Upper Mississippi River levels are predicted to rise with recent rainfall. Water temperature is in the upper 50s to 60s. Water quality has diminished. Try fishing along current breaks or areas with little current as the river is rising.

Mississippi River Pool 12
The river is rising at Dubuque at near 8.2 feet at Lock and Dam 11 and 10.5 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 57 degrees. Water clarity is good. Black Bullhead – Good: Worm on the bottom is catching some black bullheads; they bite readily early in the season. Muddy backwater areas are best. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching a few black crappie on wood in deeper backwater lakes. The bite picked up the past few weeks as they think about spawning. Bluegill – Good: Reports of smallish bluegills in the Marinas areas. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Fish Use an egg sinker worm rig in areas of modest current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass fishing has taken off with anglers concentrating near backwater shorelines as they prepare to spawn. Northern Pike – Good: Try minnow imitation lures; the bite has  picked up. Sauger – Slow: It is an off and on Spring for walleyes and sauger. Usually not a lot of big fish being caught, but many small fish bodes well into the future. Shovelnose sturgeon – Fair: Anglers have caught some shovelnose sturgeon on worms in the Dubuque tailwaters. Yellow Perch – Fair: It should be a good year for yellow perch; this spawning season might be difficult for them. They like to spawn in flooded vegetated areas.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is rising to near 9.1 feet at Bellevue. Water clarity is good. Water temperature is around 57 degrees. Black Crappie – Good: Find wood in deeper backwater areas. Most anglers are using small minnows for bait. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are starting to bite well; use worm rigs. Brown Bullhead – Good: Anglers are catching black and brown bullhead with egg sinker and worm rigs. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish can be caught, especially in rising and dirty water. Any prepared smelly bait should attract abundant catfish. Move often if you do not get bites. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Use an egg sinker worm rig in areas of modest current. Largemouth Bass – Good: The bite is picking up nicely with anglers using small jigs and spinners. Northern Pike – Good: Reports of pike hitting on minnow imitation lures. Pike more than 30 inches are being reported. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: The kids trout pond north of the DNR fisheries station is stocked with trout and can provide fun action for kids throughout early Spring. Time is limited; the pond will soon be covered with aquatic vegetation and difficult to fish. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Look for feeding smallmouth on rocky habitats with good flows. Wing-dams and day markers provide excellent habitat. Walleye – Slow: Walleye usually bite poorly for a few weeks after they are done spawning. Yellow Perch – Fair: Reports of yellow perch being caught on worm rigs in backwater lakes and small tributary streams.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is rising to near 8.5 feet at Fulton, 11.7 feet at Camanche and 6.5 feet at LeClair. Water clarity is fair. Water temperature is around 58 degrees. Black Crappie – Good: Find wood in deeper backwater lakes. Bite should return when the water warms. Bluegill – Good: Reports of smallish bluegills being caught in backwater lakes. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching some catfish. Seems early, but anglers who target them can have good catches. Try cheese baits or cut shad. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: The bite is on; use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass have moved along the shorelines in backwater areas; they are easily targeted with a variety of lures and natural baits. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed for the year. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Look for feeding smallmouth on rocky habitats with good flows. Wing-dams and day markers provide excellent habitat. Walleye – Slow: The bite has been tough as usual during the spawning season.

Mississippi River Pool 15 
The water level is rising to near 9.5 feet at Rock Island. Water clarity is fair. Water temperature is around 59 degrees. Channel Catfish – Good: Try a worm or catfish bait in the shallows as the water rises. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A worm and sinker rig works best to catch abundant drum. Try fishing current eddies or areas of modest current.

Quality fishing is ramping up on the Mississippi River for multiple species. Get out and enjoy the bounty the Mississippi River has to offer. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 9.44 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is forecast to reach 11.0 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Look for bass up shallow in the backwaters around brush piles in Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island complex. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing below the Lock and Dam is being reported as slow. Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast jigs and plastics or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies to move up shallow. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in brush piles at Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island complex.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 8.15 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is forecast to reach 9.3 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater fishing has been slow. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Look for bass to move up shallow around brush and logs as water temperatures rise. Walleye – Slow: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast jigs and plastics or troll crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles in Big Timber. Try minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 9.55 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is forecast to reach 10.9 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Look for bass to move up shallow around brush and logs as water temperatures rise; trying fishing at Huron Island. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast jigs and plastics or troll crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies to move up shallow. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in brush piles at the Huron Island complex.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 6.44 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is forecast to stay fairly steady. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. River stage is 11.84 feet at Burlington. Flood stage is 15 feet at Burlington. River stage is 526.33 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.00 feet. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Look for bass up shallow in the backwaters around brush piles and logs. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast jigs and plastics or troll crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in brush piles.

Mississippi River levels are forecast to rise over the weekend. Main channel water temperature is 61-63 degrees. Water clarity is fair. Look for crappies to move up shallow in the backwaters. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is around 60 degrees. Water is fairly clear. Curlyleaf pondweed is starting to grow.  Some duckweed is starting to show up, but not bad yet. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies in 6 to 7 feet of water; they aren’t in a rush to spawn.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is in the upper 50s. Water remains clear despite the rains. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappies in the trees in 10 to 12 feet of water; they aren’t in a rush to spawn. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are sneaking in shallow to feed when the sun is out and warm then retreat to deeper water the rest of the time.

Lake Darling
Water temperature is 61 degrees. Water remains high and muddy from last weekend’s heavy 3 + inches of rain. Road construction continues; you have to come from the west to get to the lake. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies don’t like the muddy water. They have not started their spawning run. Find one group in 6-7 feet of water and another in 8-10 feet over the habitat.  Bluegill – Fair: Most have retreated to the rock piles in 6-8 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish like the extra water. Try nightcrawlers and minnows around the in-lake silt dams, especially around the weirs.