NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 79 degrees. Water levels are 11 inches below the crest of the spillway. Panfish have moved to deeper habitat. Try fishing the dredge cuts and the rock piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing over the rock piles and from boat in 2-6 feet of water. Anglers have also had success in the fish house in Town Bay. Bluegill – Fair: Pick up 7- to 8-inch bluegill near rock piles and isolated timber near shore. Try floating a bobber with live bait or a jig tipped with a minnow or plastic. Channel Catfish – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try a plastic or crankbait near shallow rock piles and outcroppings. Walleye – Slow: Try fishing offshore near rock piles and dredge cuts.
Brushy Creek Lake
With warmer water temperatures, there is a slight green algae bloom. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish have moved to deeper habitat. Look for suspended fish near isolated brush and rock piles in 5-15 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing around open patches of vegetation along shore in 3-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use a plastic or crankbait in 6-10 feet of water or isolated vegetation along shore. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a minnow/plastic or crankbaits near isolated rock and brush piles in deeper water. Target fish near dusk, dawn or during cold fronts. Yellow Perch – Fair: Look for perch near isolated vegetation and shallow brush piles.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are about 2 feet below the crest of the spillway; use caution when launching boats at the ramps. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are off shore. Try fishing in 3-6 feet of water near rock or structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: This lake has a good population of catchable-sized fish. Use cut bait or crankbaits near shore and around rocky structure. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing off shore; boat anglers are using planer boards and crankbaits.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
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. Channel Catfish – Good: There is a good population of 3-6 pound catfish. Try cut bait, dip baits or crankbaits near shallow rocks. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing the dredge cuts with crankbaits and crawler harnesses. Yellow Bass – Good: Most fish are in 5- to 7-inches. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Swan Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Look for lots of 7-inch bluegill in clearings in the vegetation near shore. Try floating a bobber or use a small jig tipped with live bait or a plastic. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Some lakes are experiencing mild algae blooms with warmer water temperatures. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
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Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Slow; Try drift fishing or troll tube jigs along the north shore.  Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water.
Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Lake level is 2.2 inches below crest. Water clarity is 3 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 – Fair. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or crawlers near rocky areas and vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Good. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig or live bait near vegetation. Best bite is early morning and after sunset.  Yellow Bass – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with bait in 8 to 10 feet of water. Use your electronics to find fish.
Rice Lake
Bluegill – Slow: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 3 to 4 feet of water.   Largemouth Bass – Good. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Slow: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber on the edge of the vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use topwater baits. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Winnebago River
Water level is 5.1 feet.
For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
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East Okoboji Lake
The water temperature is in the upper 70s. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill have moved deeper; spawning has finished. Use a small hook and piece of worm. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.
Lost Island Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper70s. Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Good: Try trolling with spinners over weeds.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair.  Bluegill – Fair. Pumpkinseed – Good.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The lake is currently experiencing a large algae bloom. Black Bullhead – Good. Walleye – Fair: Try trolling with spinners over or off weed lines.
Spirit Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 70s. You may have to move out deeper to find the edge of weed lines. Black Bullhead – Good: Anglers have been very successful fishing the north grade. Black Crappie – Fair: Many nice-sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are still on beds near shore. Try a small hook with a small piece of worm. Walleye – Fair: Leeches and minnows work well. Anglers have been successful with slip bobbers off points and pulling spinners over vegetation. Yellow Perch – Fair.
West Okoboji Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid-70s. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are are moving off beds to deeper water post-spawn. Pumpkinseed – Good. Walleye – Fair: Leeches and minnows work well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Water temperatures are in the middle to upper 70s. Water temperatures have been slow to increase with recent storms. Most area water levels are slightly over crest. The fish bite is moving out to deeper water. Finding weed lines and rock points to fish off has given anglers the most success. Many lakes are starting to experience algae blooms as water temperatures increase. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
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NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are stable, but low. Use caution accessing some boat ramps. Best bite is early morning or late evening. Channel Catfish – Good: Try a dead chub or stink baits 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 it on the bottom.
Decorah District Streams
Area streams are in good condition, but are low. Yellow wild parsnip is blooming. Wash your skin immediately if you come in contact with this plant. Its sap is light sensitive and will cause painful blisters. Brook Trout – Fair: Good hatches of a variety of gnats, mayflies, caddis flies, and midges. Brown Trout - Good: Try flies imitating terrestrial bugs like grasshoppers, ants, and beetles. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: A few streams get too warm to stock rainbow trout during the heat of the summer, specifically July and August. This is an annual occurrence; plenty of fish remain in the streams. Stocking the other streams continues as scheduled.
Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is good. Water temperatures cooled some with recent rain. Temperatures are in the mid-70s. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie suspended in deeper water. Try trolling across the lake. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers fishing near shore are finding gills. Use a small chunk of worm fished under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Find catfish in about 6 to 8 feet of water near stumps or other woody debris. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try a spinnerbait fished along vegetation edges.
Lake Meyer
Water clarity is about 3 feet. Water temperatures are in the mid-70s. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie are suspended in deeper water. Try fishing deeper with a small jig. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small piece of worm under a bobber along vegetation edges. Channel Catfish – Good: Find catfish cruising in 6-8 feet water near stumps or other woody debris early morning or late afternoon. Use a dead chub, cheese bait, or worm fished near the lake bed. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try a spinnerbait in 3-4 feet of water.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water clarity is good to excellent. Water levels are low. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Use a jig with a twister tail 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.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
A construction project at Lidtke Park to repair the boat ramp and improve shoreline angler access will begin after July 4. Water clarity is good to excellent. Water levels are low. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing near undercut banks and current breaks. A flashy jig works well. Fly anglers using streamers are picking up some action. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing is picking up below the dams. Use a jig tipped with a plastic tail or crankbait.
Volga Lake
Lake temperatures are in the upper 70s. Find fish near shore in the early morning and late afternoon. Black Crappie – Good: Troll the deeper open areas of the lake. Crappies are out deep. 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: Use a crank or spinnerbait.
Area interior rivers and streams are low. Recent rainfall didn’t bump rivers up much. Clarity is good on most area rivers and streams. Temperatures in the upper 80s during the day to 60s overnight. Possibility of scattered thunderstorms on Saturday. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
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Brinker Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try early morning or late evening topwater artificial baits.
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers are having success on panfish. Black Crappie – Good: Find structure using electronics and jig colored tube jigs at various depths to locate fish. Bluegill – Good: Use a small jig with a piece of crawler under a slip bobber at various depths to find fish.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish on the river. Channel Catfish – Good: Use crawlers. stink baits, or chicken livers. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try a jig with a twister and half of a crawler or cast crankbaits. Walleye – Good: Use a jig with a twister and half of a crawler or cast crankbaits.
George Wyth Lake
Anglers have been successful trolling for northern pike and walleye. Largemouth Bass – Good: Best bite is early morning or late evening; use top water artificial baits. Northern Pike – Good: Troll in 8-10 feet of water with crankbaits. Walleye – Good: Troll in 8-10 foot of water using crankbaits.
North Prairie Lake
Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber at various depths along the edges of weed beds.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Anglers are catching walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish on the river. Channel Catfish – Good: Use crawlers, stink baits, and chicken livers. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try a jig with a twister and half of a crawler/whole leech or cast crankbaits. Walleye – Good: Use a jig with a twister and half of a crawler/whole leech or cast crankbaits.
South Prairie Lake
Bluegill – Good: Use a piece of crawler under a bobber at various depths along the edges of weed beds.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Anglers are catching walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish on the river. Channel Catfish – Good: Use crawlers, stink baits and chicken livers. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try a jig with a twister and half of a crawler/whole leech or cast crankbaits. Walleye – Fair: Use a jig with a twister and half of a crawler/whole leech or cast crankbaits.
Interior river levels remain low, but are providing catches of walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish. Anglers are targeting area lakes in and around Black Hawk county for largemouth bass and some panfish. Trout streams remain in excellent condition across N.E. Iowa. For more information, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.
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MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain stable. Water temperature is near 76 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Use artificial jigs or a crappie minnow along the fallen trees in 6-8 feet of water. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegill have moved into sloughs and main channel areas; larger sizes are being caught. Float a garden worm under a bobber along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Good: Use crawlers and stink bait in deeper holes off main channel structure. Flathead Catfish – Good: Try crawlers, live bluegill, or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are actively feeding. Try a weighted crawler in moderate current from shore. Use a deep dive crankbait or crayfish to catch large drum. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing the edge of weed beds in backwater and side channel areas. Northern Pike – Good: Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits near the mouths of streams during hot summer days.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast a spinner or crankbaits in current along the rocky shorelines. Walleye – Good: Try a 3-way rig on the wing-dams with a whole crawler or use crankbaits or twister tail jigs off the rocks from shore. 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. Yellow Perch – Good: Use a light jig or crawler in weeded areas with slight current.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 612.4 feet at Lynxville and is expected to remain steady. Water temperature is 80 degrees at the Lynxville dam. Use caution at Sny Magill due to low water. There is a scour hole below the concrete ramp and a rock mound behind the scour. Damage to boat props and trailers is possible. There are several snags at the mouth of Sny Magill creek to avoid. Black Crappie – Fair: Use artificial jigs or a crappie minnow along the fallen trees in 6-8 feet of water. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegill have moved into sloughs and main channel areas; larger sizes are being caught. Float a garden worm under a bobber along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Good: Try crawlers and stink bait in deeper holes off main channel structure. 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. Use a deep dive crankbait or crayfish to catch large drum. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing the edge of weed beds in backwater and side channel areas. Northern Pike – Good: Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits near the mouths of streams during hot summer days. Shorthead Redhorse – Good: Redhorse are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks and around submerged trees. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast a spinner or crankbaits in current along the rocky shorelines. Walleye – Fair: Try a 3-way rig on the wing dams with a whole crawler or use crankbaits or twister tail jigs off the rocks from shore. 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. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a light jig or crawler in weeded areas away with slight current.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 4.1 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to remain there this week. Use caution at the Guttenberg city ramp which drops off in low water. Water temperature is near 77 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Use artificial jigs or a crappie minnow along the fallen trees in 6-8 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill have moved into sloughs and main channel areas; larger sizes are being caught. Float a garden worm under a bobber along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Good: Try crawlers and stink bait in deeper holes off main channel structure. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are actively feeding. Try a weighted crawler in moderate current from shore. Use a deep dive crankbait or crayfish to catch large drum. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing the edge of weed beds in backwater and side channel areas. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits near the mouths of streams during hot summer days. Shorthead Redhorse – Fair: Redhorse are biting; they are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast a spinner or crankbaits in current along the rocky shorelines. Walleye – Good: Try a 3-way rig on the wing dams with a whole crawler or use crankbaits or twister tail jigs off the rocks from shore. 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. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a light jig or crawler in weeded areas with slight current.
Upper Mississippi River water levels have fallen to low levels. Boaters should use caution to avoid backing off the end of ramps. Water temperatures are in the upper 70s to 80 degrees. Water clarity is improved. Fish are using the thick weed-beds along shore this time of year. Low water has fish concentrated, making for good fishing.
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Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level has stabilized to 5.2 feet at Lock and Dam 11 and 7.6 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 78 degrees; water clarity is good. Bluegill – Good: Anglers pitching small jigs with worms are catching gills off the wing dams. Gills are moving around a bit; keep moving if they do not bite right away.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait or stink bait in the current seams or above tree falls. Flathead Catfish – Good: Use live green sunfish, bullheads, or gigging spoons in tailwater areas. Downriver many anglers will fish above big log jams in moderate current areas. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker with a worm rig works best to catch abundant drum. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass are on the feed. Try plastic baits along shoreline weed beds during low water. Hit shady spots when the sun is bright. Northern Pike – Good: Try flashy white spinner baits. Nice-sized pike are being caught this year. Be prepared with long nose pliers and wire jaw spreaders to safely get these toothy fish off your hooks. Pike can be encountered in all habitat types. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Cast inline spinners or crankbaits just off rock points to catch smallmouth feeding in the rocks. Walleye – Good: Walleyes and sauger are being picked up on wing dams. Some sauger are being picked up off rock piles. Most anglers are pulling or throwing crankbaits at higher speeds to start the bite. White Bass – Fair: Try minnows or small spinners in tailwater areas to catch abundant white bass. They have been seen blowing up minnows in tailwater areas. Yellow Perch – Fair: An occasional yellow perch has been reported; surveys show that their populations are very strong in the river.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level at Lock and Dam 13 at Bellevue is stable at near 4.3 feet. Water clarity is good. Water temperature is around 79 degrees. The Iowa DNR ramp is back open; minor maintenance may occur again in the near future. Bluegill – Good: Use worms along rock lines to catch abundant bluegills. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stick bait or worms along rock piles. In the lower parts of the pool, try to concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Flathead Catfish – Good: Anglers are using live bullheads or bluegills to catch flathead catfish in tailwater areas. Jigging spoons are also effective. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker with a worm rig works best to catch abundant drum. Try fishing in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Lots of bass are biting in the marina areas and backwater lakes. Some fish are moving out onto the vegetation lines; use plastic baits. Northern Pike – Good: Use flashy white spinnerbaits. Nice-sized pike are being caught this year. Be prepared with long nose pliers and wire jaw spreaders to safely get these toothy fish off your hooks. Pike can be encountered in all habitat types. Rainbow Trout – No Report: The kids fishing pond is unfishable as the vegetation has taken hold. The pond will be restocked this fall with trout when vegetation clears. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Cast inline spinners just off rock points to catch smallmouth feeding on minnows. Walleye – Good: Some walleyes are being picked up on wing dams; catch has been sporadic. White Bass – Good: White bass are biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level at Fulton is stable at near 4.4 feet, 9.2 feet at Camanche, and near 4.4 feet at LeClaire. Levels are predicted to be stable all week. Water temperature is around 80 degrees. Bluegill - Good: Use worms rigs and a simple bobber along rock lines. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the current seams or along rock lines. The bite has slowed a bit; keep moving if you are not catching fish. Lots of anglers use stink bait; expect bites within 20 minutes or move to other spots. Catfish can be extremely clumped up; you can catch many when you find them. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker with a worm rig works best to catch abundant drum. Need areas with moderate current flow; many areas around boat ramps can be good places to target drum. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass fishing is good along boat ramp areas and newly exposed flooded vegetation lines. Try soft plastics along vegetation lines and brush piles. Northern Pike – Good: Use flashy white spinnerbaits. Nice-sized pike are being caught this year. Be prepared with long nose pliers and wire jaw spreaders to safely get these toothy fish off your hooks. Pike can be encountered in all habitat types. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast inline spinners just off rock points to catch smallmouth feeding in the rocks. Walleye – Good: Lots of trolling being done in side channel areas using crankbaits. White Bass – Good: Try small spinners or jigs in the tailwater to catch abundant white bass and occasional hybrid white bass.
Mississippi River Pool 15Â
The water level at Rock Island is stable at near 4.7 feet. Water clarity is improving. Water temperature is 81 degrees. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stink bait around log jams or rock lines. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Use an egg sinker and worm rig to catch abundant drum. Keep your fish on ice after catching; they make excellent table fare. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try throwing spinners along the rock lines in Pool 15. Lots of rock is available; need somewhat strong current to hold smallmouth bass. White Bass – Good: Try throwing small spinners in the tailwater areas to catch feeding white bass.
The river water levels continue to be stable. Water temperatures are in the low 80s. Good fishing is occurring throughout the district; it’s a perfect time to get on the water. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.
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Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 4.14 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and has been falling slightly the past couple days. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 15. River stage is 10.21 feet at Fairport; flood stage is 14 feet. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill fishing has slowed with the low water conditions. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel. Use dip baits, shad guts, or nightcrawlers. Look for channel catfish around shorelines with rip-rap and current. Try floating leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along the rocks. Walleye – Fair: Reports of walleyes being caught around current breaks along the main channel; use crankbaits. Also look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try fishing with crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. With the low water conditions, look for fish on the outer ends of wing dams. White Bass – Good: Look for white bass in Sylvan Slough around the outfalls of the dams. Try jigs and twister tails or in-line spinners.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 3.41 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has steady the past few days. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 5.48 feet at Muscatine; flood stage is 16 feet. Bluegill – Slow: Fishing for bluegills has slowed in the backwaters. Try a piece of worm under a bobber around brush at Big Timber, Cleveland Slough. and Eagle Fill. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for channel catfish around brush piles in the side channels and main channel. Use dip baits, cut shad, or nightcrawlers. Also look for channel catfish along shorelines with rip-rap and current. Try floating leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along the rocks. Walleye – Fair: Look for walleyes around current breaks. Cast jigs with plastics or crankbaits. Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try fishing the wing dams with three-way rigs and crawlers or casting crankbaits. With the low water conditions, fish the outer end of the wing dams. White Bass – No Report: Look for white bass around current breaks or down by GPC. Cast jigs and plastics or crankbaits.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 3.50 feet at Lock and Dam 17 in New Boston and has been fairly steady. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles at the Huron Island complex. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags in side channels and along the main channel. Use dip baits, cut shad, or nightcrawlers. Look for channel catfish on shorelines with rip-rap and current. Try floating leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along the rocks. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes on the outer ends of the wing dams. White Bass – Slow: White bass fishing has slowed at the outlet of Lake Odessa. Cast crankbaits or jigs and plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 1.53 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and has been fairly steady. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage is 8.97 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 525.62 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. We have not received much for fishing reports for this pool this week. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use dip baits, cut shad, or nightcrawlers. Look for channel catfish around rip-rap shorelines with current. Try floating leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along the rocks.
River stages have been steady to falling slightly the past few days. Main channel water temperature is around 79-80 degrees. Water clarity has been good. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
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SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
The water temperature is about 80 degrees. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies remain in 6-8 feet of water in the flooded timber. Vertical jigging works best. Bluegill – Slow: Look for bluegill in 6-7 feet of water in the flooded brush and trees. Worm and bobber work best in the dense cover. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for catfish along the face of the dam and in the old creek channel, especially out from the boat ramp bay where the old bridge was.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass around the drop-offs to deeper water; this steep sided lake has more than a few of those.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
Extra water coming in from the Cedar has bumped up the river level 8-10 inches; expect it to be heading back down by this weekend.  Channel Catfish – Good: Water temperatures are around 84 degrees. It’s time to break out the stink baits and cut bait. Use the slow current to carry the smell to the catfish; try fishing just above the bigger log jams or just off the backside of the sandbars where the current is rolling off the shallow sand into deeper water.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperatures is 80-81 degrees. Water clarity is just under 8 feet. The water has a green cast. The curly-leaf pondweed has been gone for a while. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing in the early morning; expect to be off the water by 10 a.m. Start trolling in 8-10 feet of water just outside the flooded trees out from the beach and on down towards the dam. Don’t go fast, 1-1.5 mph is about right; just drift. Bluegill – Fair: Try vertically jigging around the trees to a depth of about 10 feet. Drift quietly from spot to spot; use a 1/64 oz jig tipped with a waxworm. Look back in the bays on the south side to find some on the beds. Channel Catfish – Fair: Along the face of the dam is always a good place to catch nice catfish. Don’t forget to try the “Old Pond”. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are working back in the trees during the early morning. Try casting back in there with topwater baits and have some fun. You can hear them splashing around just after the sun gets up.
Lake Darling
The water temperature is between 80-82 degrees. Water clarity is about 2 feet. The water has a green cast. The thermocline bottoms out at 9 feet; don’t fish below that. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies are out in the middle at 6-7.5 feet deep. Try slow trolling. Bluegill - Fair: Still a few active nesting areas; most have returned to deeper water. Try slow trolling with a small jig tipped with bait down 5-6 feet parallel to shore. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fair: Use chicken liver just off the where the riprap ends underwater. Catfish like to cruise along this edge looking for food. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are hunting up in the rock piles in 6-8 feet of water early in the mornings.
Lake Geode
Water temperature is around 82-83 degrees. Water clarity is good with just a little green tint. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are out in deeper water for the summer. Slow troll in 8 to 10 feet of water along the drop-offs  Bluegill – Fair: Work the rock piles and flats in 9-10 feet of water. You might find some spawning beds active yet since bluegills are still in new lake mode. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are out at the drop-offs; they have slid down the slope a little to cooler water to avoid the heat. Best bite is early or just as the sun goes down.
Lost Grove Lake
Lost Grove was treated for Eurasian Watermilfoil on June 29. A lot of weeds have white and/or are gone. Clean all vegetation from your boat and trailer before leaving the boat ramp area. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies are out along the edge of the flooded timber in 8 to 10 feet of water. Try vertical jigging or slow trolling until you find them. Bluegill - Fair: Try slip bobbers and worms off the jetties in 5-6 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Good: Find where the wind is blowing into the rocky shorelines on the points; use chicken liver or stink baits. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try vertically jigging in or along the outer edge of the flooded timber in 12-14 feet of water. Weedless rigged soft plastics can help you keep get out of the snags.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
Water from the North Skunk River raised the level of the Skunk River this week. It’s not expected to stay up much longer; the incoming water has moved down river. Channel Catfish – Good: Most channel cats have finished up nesting and moved to the deeper water around the brush piles and log jams. Look for them off the backends of the sandbars.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319- 694-2430.
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Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Channel Catfish – Fair. Flathead Catfish – Fair. Shovelnose Sturgeon – Fair: Try fishing nightcrawlers along sandbars.
Coralville Reservoir
Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish – Good: Some fish are along chunk rock spawning; others are being caught trolling cut bait. Walleye – Slow: Find some fish on shallower rock.
Diamond Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Look for suspended fish over deeper water. Bluegill – Fair: Some fish are on shallow flats; others are on deeper structure. Channel Catfish -Good: Try crawlers, stink bait or chicken livers. Most fish are 1-2 pounds.
Hannen Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Reports of smaller fish with a few big ones mixed in. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most fish are just under legal length.
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Black Crappie – Fair: Look for fish suspended over deeper water. Bluegill – Fair: Some fish are still shallow; others have moved deep. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink bait or liver. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Kent Park Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing the outside weedline with plastics
Lake Macbride
The 10 hp maximum is in effect. Black Crappie – Slow: Try fishing mid-depth brush or look for fish suspended in open water. Bluegill – Fair: Use small worms or jigs around rocky structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or live bait around shallow rock. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing shallow to mid-depth structure. Walleye – Slow: Troll crankbaits or live bait rigs in 7-15 feet of water. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Look for surface activity around sunrise/sunset.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Fish are suspended about 10 feet down. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.  Walleye – Fair: Try fishing around rock in 10-15 feet of water.
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Some fish have been caught in new pools at the Central City dam removal project.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
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Hawthorn Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs and minnows. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use nightcrawlers or liver along shoreline areas with rock. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use jigs and plastics along rip-rapped shorelines.
Lake Miami
Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs and minnows in the flooded timber. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs near structure. Keep moving until you find active fish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try dead chubs or liver in 4-8 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Use jigs along structure and near shore.
Lake Sugema
Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs around structure and along the shorelines. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs fished in small pockets in the vegetation and along its outer edges.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Use spinnerbaits or jigs along rip-rapped shorelines and the rock jetties. Try topwater lures early and late in the day.
Lake Wapello
Black Crappie – Slow: Drift minnows in deeper water. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs along the shorelines and around structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use liver or nightcrawlers in 4-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try crankbaits or rubber worms in the cedar tree piles.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.29 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. Black Crappie – Fair: Try jig and minnows around structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Target areas with large rocks such as the Bridgeview area or the dam; catfish are spawning. Try dead chubs or nightcrawlers. Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching walleyes trolling bottom bouncers and on crawler harnesses. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit on walleye at Lake Rathbun. All walleyes measuring less than 15-inches must be immediately released unharmed. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Good: Anglers are catching hybrid striped bass trolling or vertically jigging over rock piles.
Red Haw Lake
Visitors are asked to avoid the campground area due to the continued storm damage cleanup. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs; change your retrieval speed until you find active fish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead chubs around the rock jetties and along the dam. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics along the rock jetties and the dam.
Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.
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SOUTHWEST
Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Fair: Try jigging or trolling with nightcrawlers. Concentrate on the upper half of the lake in 10 to 15 feet of water around road beds, points, and humps during the day and shallower in the evenings.Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Cast shad imitating crankbaits, jigs with white twister tails or swim baits, topwater poppers, or silver spoons near feeding schools where small shad are breaking the surface.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait and stink baits fished inside and upstream of log piles and treefalls.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: Try dip baits and cut bait fished in and just above treefalls and log piles.
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Catch suspended crappies slowly trolling 2 inch or smaller twister tail jigs or live minnows in 3 to 6 feet of water.
Red Rock Reservoir
Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching catfish throughout the lake, particularly around structure (rocks, submerged trees, etc.) White Bass – Fair: Try trolling shad imitating crankbaits and spoons.
Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish – Good: Drift or slowly troll cut baits in the upper portion of the reservoir around and just above the mile long bridge. White Bass – Fair: Try trolling shad imitating crankbaits and spoons. The area from the Sandpiper Boat Ramp to the marina bay is a good starting point.
For information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
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Lake Anita
The water temperature is 78 degrees. Black Crappie - Fair: Slow troll open water areas keeping your bait above 10 feet to catch 9-inch black crappies. Bluegill - Good: Troll or drift small jigs to catch 8-inch fish. The campground arm has been the best. Largemouth Bass – Good.
Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is 2 feet low. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try Sonny’s dip bait or cut bait on windy shorelines. Catch catfish of all sizes. Walleye – Fair: Cast or troll crankbaits near the sides of dredge cuts to find actively feeding walleye. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Walleye anglers are picking up an occasional wiper on crankbaits.
Meadow Lake
The DNR is drawing Meadow down 3 feet to improve the size quality of bluegill. The boat ramp is usable. Black Crappie – No Report: Find 9-inch black crappie around cedar tree piles. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching largemouth bass out of tree piles using plastics.
Prairie Rose Lake
Water clarity is 27 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappie around deep structure; fish average 10-inches. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching bluegill in open water areas with nightcrawlers. Fish will average 9-inches. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass can be caught all around the lake.
Viking Lake
The Viking Lake water level is down 8 inches. All boat ramps are usable. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies around deep tree piles. Fish will average 9-inches. There is a large year class of 6-inch black crappie in the lake. Bluegill - Good: Try slow trolling or casting crawlers under a bobber around deep tree piles. Fish will average 8-inches. Channel Catfish – No Report: Viking has a good population of 19- to 22-inch channel catfish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast the shoreline just outside the flooded terrestrial vegetation. Anglers are catching numbers of bass in shallow tree piles.
Willow Lake
Willow lake has very good water clarity. Panfishing has been good this year. Black Crappie – No Report: Look for black crappie in deep tree piles. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills average 8-inches. Largemouth Bass – Good.
For information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.
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Green Valley Lake
Docks are in at the beach and dam boat ramps.  Largemouth Bass – Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20-inches with finesse plastics fished along deep cedar tree brush piles.
Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish – Good: Catch all sizes of channel catfish with nightcrawlers fished along shallow rocky shorelines.
Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try nightcrawlers along the flooded timber to catch channel catfish of all sizes.
Three Mile Lake
Docks are in at main ramp. Bluegill – Slow: Try a jig tipped with a nightcrawler fished on the fish mounds early morning or late evening to catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches. Walleye – Slow: Try trolling crankbaits along main lake points to catch walleye of all sizes. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Try trolling crankbaits along main lake points to catch wipers of all sizes.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The dock is in at main boat ramp. Bluegill – Slow: Try a jig tipped with a nightcrawler fished along the fish mounds early morning or late evening to catch bluegill of all sizes. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 19-inches with finesse plastics along rocky shoreline areas.
Water temperature is in the upper 70s to low 80s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. For more information, call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
