The weekly fishing report is broken down by fisheries regions and management districts – Mississippi River, northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest. You can check the activity of your favorite lake, pond, river and stream within each region, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), and simple tips and tricks for targeting those fish.
Click on “View entire message” at the bottom of this email so you can view all fisheries regions and management district reports.
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- Mississippi River
- Northeast
- Northwest
- Southeast
- Southwest
- DNR accepting comments on proposed hunting, fishing, trapping fee increase
Mississippi River
Bellevue Management District
The Mississippi River is steadily rising. Water temperatures have jumped considerably over the last week. Water temperatures should moderate some with the colder weather in the forecast. The walleye/sauger bite has been good across the district. The Mississippi River paddlefish snagging season is open until April 15. Some larger paddlefish have moved in to tailwater areas with recent changes in river conditions. There is a 33-inch maximum length limit with a daily limit of two and a possession limit of four. Please consult the DNR website or the 2026 Iowa Fishing Regulations booklet (page 11) for more information on this unique angling opportunity. Call your locat bait shops or Iowa DNR Fisheries office for the latest information on river conditions. Last updated on 03/12/2026
Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 39.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 8.2 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and is on the rise. Boat ramps are open and the walleye/sauger bite has picked up as the water temperatures have risen. Call your local bait shops for the latest information.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Status Unsure
- Sauger – Good: Fishing pressure has increased with decent catches reported. Use a jig and a minnow or a jig/plastic presentation.
- Walleye – Good: Angling pressure has increased over the past couple of weeks; fishing has been good. Anglers are having success with jig and minnow or jig and plastic presentations.
Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 39.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 8.9 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and is on the rise. The walleye/sauger bite has picked up as the water temperatures have risen. The paddlefish snagging season is open until April 15. There is a 33-inch maximum length limit with a daily limit of two and a possession limit of four. Please consult the DNR website or the 2026 Iowa Fishing Regulations booklet (page 11) for more information on this unique angling opportunity.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Status Unsure
- Sauger – Good: Anglers are having success with jig and minnow or jig and plastic presentations.
- Walleye – Good: Angling pressure has increased over the past couple of weeks; fishing has been good. Anglers are having success with jig and minnow or jig and plastic presentations.
Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 39.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 7.9 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and is on the rise. The walleye/sauger bite has picked up as the water temperatures have risen. The paddlefish snagging season is open until April 15. There is a 33-inch maximum length limit with a daily limit of two and a possession limit of four. Please consult the DNR website or the 2026 Iowa Fishing Regulations booklet (page 11) for more information on this unique angling opportunity.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Status Unsure
- Sauger – Good: Anglers are having success with jig and minnow or jig and plastic presentations.
- Walleye – Good: Anglers are having success with jig and minnow or jig and plastic presentations.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure
Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 42.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 6.3 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and is on the rise. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.
- Sauger – Good: Anglers are having success with jig and minnow or jig and plastic presentations.
- Walleye – Good: Anglers are having success with jig and minnow or jig and plastic presentations.
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Fairport Management District
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River stages are on the rise due to recent rains. Main channel water temperature is around 42-45 degrees. Water clarity is poor; there is some leaves and debris floating in the water. Last updated on 03/12/2026
Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 42.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 8.37 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 9.7 feet over the weekend. Flood Stage is 15 feet. The Marquette St. boat ramp is open.
- Sauger – Slow: Sauger fishing below Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities has been slow with the rising river conditions. Try vertical jigging with minnows or nightcrawlers.
- Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing below Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities has been slow with the rising river conditions. Try vertical jigging with minnows or nightcrawlers.
Pool 17, Mississippi River (Muscatine)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 45.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 6.99 feet at Lock and Dam 16. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 8.2 feet over the weekend. The boat ramps in Muscatine are open. There has been some tailwater fishing for walleye and sauger.
- Sauger – Slow: Tailwater fishing for saugers has been slow with the rising river conditions. Try vertical jigging with minnows or nightcrawlers or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
- Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing below the dam has been slow with the rising river conditions. Try vertical jigging with minnows or nightcrawlers or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Pool 18, Mississippi River (Louisa)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 44.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage has risen to 8.72 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 10.1 feet over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been slow.
- Paddlefish – Slow: Paddlefish fishing below Lock and Dam 17 is being reported as slow.
- Sauger – Slow: Tailwater fishing has been slow with the rising river levels. Try vertical jigging below the dam with minnows or nightcrawlers.
- Walleye – Slow: Tailwater fishing for walleyes will be slow with the rising river levels. Try vertical jigging below the dam with minnows or nightcrawlers.
Pool 19, Mississippi River (Lee)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 43.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage has fallen to 5.38 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 6.8 feet by early next week. We have not received any walleye and sauger fishing reports for this pool. The Tama Beach boat ramp is being reported as open.
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Guttenberg Management District
Main channel ice flows have cleared; boat ramps are now open. The bite has picked up this week; anglers are catching walleye and sauger below the Lock and Dams. Water levels are expected to rise through next week. Last updated on 03/12/2026
Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
River level is 8.6 feet at Lansing and is rising. Anglers have transitioned into open water fishing with the main channel open.
Pool 10, Mississippi River (Clayton)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
River level is 617.4 feet at Lynxville and expected to rise over the next week. Fishing in the tailwaters at the Lock and Dam has been successful.
Pool 11, Mississippi River (Clayton)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater is near 9.0 feet at Guttenberg and on the rise. Guttenberg boat ramps are ice-free this week; boats are fishing the tailwaters at the lock and dam with success. Courtesy docks are in.
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Northeast
Decorah Management District
Decorah area lake and pond ice continues to recede from the shoreline. Ice conditions are deteriorating fast. Predicted snow amounts and high winds will likely take out any remaining ice. Weekend temperatures in the 40s for highs to low teens. Anglers continue to report slightly better catches on open water on rivers and streams. Last updated on 03/12/2026
Allamakee County Trout Streams (Allamakee)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The upcoming weekend and week may create problems accessing your favorite stream. We suggest you use this time scouting new areas. Catchable trout stocking season is just around the corner. Stocking calendars will be available on-line soon.
- Brown Trout – Good: Afternoon insect hatches are becoming more numerous. A wider variety of fly offerings will work for a finicky brown trout this time of year.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Area streams hold plenty of carryover stocked trout to keep anglers busy through the off season. Use spinner baits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm floated through deeper holes.
Cedar River (above Nashua) (Floyd)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice is present in backwater areas, but it’s receding from the shoreline with rapidly changing conditions.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Use a hook with a dead chub or fresh dead minnow fished on the bottom.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Find smallies in off-channel areas. Use a small jig or crankbait fished near the bottom.
- Walleye – Good: Use a jig with plastic tail and a live minnow about a foot off the bottom in an off channel area.
Clayton County Trout Streams (Clayton)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The upcoming weekend and week may create problems accessing your favorite stream. We suggest you use this time scouting new areas. Catchable trout stocking season is just around the corner. Stocking calendars will be available on-line soon.
- Brown Trout – Good: Afternoon insect hatches are becoming more numerous. A wider variety of fly offerings will work for a finicky brown trout this time of year.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Area streams hold plenty of carryover stocked trout to keep anglers busy through the off season. Use spinner baits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm floated through deeper holes.
Fayette County Trout Streams (Fayette)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The upcoming weekend and week may create problems accessing your favorite stream. We suggest you use this time scouting new areas. Catchable trout stocking season is just around the corner. Stocking calendars will be available on-line soon.
- Brown Trout – Good: Afternoon insect hatches are becoming more numerous. A wider variety of fly offerings will work for a finicky brown trout this time of year.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Area streams hold plenty of carryover stocked trout to keep anglers busy through the off season. Use spinner baits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm floated through deeper holes.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
The lake is about 50% ice covered, but it should quickly melt with windy conditions and forecast snow.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Status Unsure
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Ice is receding from the shoreline. Ice conditions are poor. Few anglers are out.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Status Unsure
Mitchell County Trout Streams (Mitchell)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The upcoming weekend and week may create problems accessing your favorite stream. We suggest you use this time scouting new areas. Catchable trout stocking season is just around the corner. Stocking calendars will be available on-line soon.
- Brown Trout – Good: Afternoon insect hatches are becoming more numerous. A wider variety of fly offerings will work for a finicky brown trout this time of year.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Area streams hold plenty of carryover stocked trout to keep anglers busy through the off season. Use spinner baits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm floated through deeper holes.
Turkey River (above Clermont) (Fayette)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Vernon Springs impoundment near Cresco is about 50% open and quickly breaking away. Use caution when going out on the ice. Ice depths change fast in areas with currents. The river below the impoundment is open. Anglers may find fish in these areas.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use a jig or crankbait fished near bottom.
- Walleye – Fair: Find walleye in deeper holes or near areas with structure.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) (Winneshiek)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Use care when accessing areas with current. Snags and other obstructions may have moved as ice went out.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallies in deeper holes near the stream bottom; try to entice them with smaller presentations and a slow retrieve.
- Walleye – Fair: Find walleye in deeper holes. Use a jig tipped with a minnow.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Ice receded about 20 feet from shore. No anglers are out.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Status Unsure
Winneshiek County Trout Streams (Winneshiek)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The upcoming weekend and week may create problems accessing your favorite stream. We suggest you use this time scouting new areas. Catchable trout stocking season is just around the corner. Stocking calendars will be available on-line soon.
- Brook Trout – Slow: Skinny water with lots of aquatic vegetation to hide in is a brook trout’s favorite hangout. Try fishing the edges of the weed beds or runs and around rocks. Move your bait or fly in front of the fish.
- Brown Trout – Good: Afternoon insect hatches are becoming more numerous. A wider variety of fly offerings will work for a finicky brown trout this time of year.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Area streams hold plenty of carryover stocked trout to keep anglers busy through the off season. Use spinner baits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm floated through deeper holes.
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Manchester Management District
All interior river boat ramps are now accessible. There have been no reports on the interior rivers; most are starting to recede after last weekend’s rainfall event. Trout streams in Clayton, Delaware and Dubuque counties are mostly in good to excellent condition. Contact your local area bait and tackle shops for the most up-to-date reports. Last updated on 03/12/2026
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) (Black Hawk)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
All boat ramps in both Black Hawk and Bremer counties are now accessible with the recent onset of warmer weather. There have been no reports of fishing with the recent bump in river levels after last week’s rainfall event.
Delaware County Trout Streams (Delaware)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Near freezing and below temperatures are in the extended forecast through Tuesday of next week. Most trout streams remain in excellent condition in Delaware County. There has been some fishing activity on Spring Branch Creek above and below the Manchester Fish Hatchery.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Flyfishing and spinfishing are both effective. Use dry flies, nymphs, jigs or flashy lures. On warmer days, try matching the insect hatch with dry flies.
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: Flyfishing and spinfishing are both effective. Use dry flies, nymphs, jigs or flashy lures. On warmer days, try matching the insect hatch with dry flies.
Dubuque County Trout Streams (Dubuque)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Near freezing and below temperatures are in the extended forecast through Tuesday of next week. Trout streams remain in excellent condition in Dubuque County. Swiss Valley Park is a favorite trout stream for many anglers; it offers both rainbow trout and brown trout opportunities.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Flyfishing and spinfishing are both effective. Use dry flies, nymphs, jigs or flashy lures. On warmer days, try matching the insect hatch with dry flies.
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: Flyfishing and spinfishing are both effective. Use dry flies, nymphs, jigs or flashy lures. On warmer days, try matching the insect hatch with dry flies.
Jackson County Trout Streams (Jackson)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Near freezing and below temperatures are in the extended forecast through Tuesday of next week. Big Mill Creek just outside of Bellevue is a very popular place amongst anglers for both rainbow and brown trout and provides easy access on most of the stream.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Flyfishing and spinfishing are both effective. Use dry flies, nymphs, jigs or flashy lures. On warmer days, try matching the insect hatch with dry flies.
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: Flyfishing and spinfishing are both effective. Use dry flies, nymphs, jigs or flashy lures. On warmer days, try matching the insect hatch with dry flies.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) (Delaware)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The Maquoketa River is falling after last week’s rainfall event. Angling conditions should improve for the upcoming weekend as river levels continue to fall.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) (Butler)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 30.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Boat ramps on the Shell Rock River should be accessible with the recent onset of warmer weather. The river is currently dropping and may provide some angling opportunities by the upcoming weekend.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) (Buchanan)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Boat ramps on the Wapsipinicon River are now accessible with the recent onset of warmer weather. The river is currently at 7.85 feet and falling. There have been no fishing reports for this past week.
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Northwest
Black Hawk Management District
Lakes in the district are ice-free; with the exception of a few lakes that may have temporary skim ice following these colder nights. Last updated on 03/12/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is ice-free.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is ice-free. The dock at the Ice House Point boat ramp is in. Anglers have picked up a few crappie in Town Bay and around the fish house. Water levels are several inches over the crest of the spillway.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is ice-free.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is ice-free. The courtesy docks are in at the west and south boat ramps.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is ice-free. Water levels are several inches over the crest of the spillway.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) (Buena Vista)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is ice-free. Water temperatures are in the low 40s in the marina.
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Clear Lake Management District
Area lakes are mostly ice-free. For additional information about lakes and rivers in north-central Iowa, please contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office. Last updated on 03/12/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 40.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake was declared ice-free on March 11.
- Walleye – Slow: Anglers are having some success fishing from the jetties.
- Yellow Bass – Slow: Best bite is late afternoon.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Status Unsure
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Status Unsure
- Yellow Perch – Status Unsure
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Status Unsure
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
River level is 5.98 feet.
Northern Pike – Slow: Northern Pike are starting to bite.
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Spirit Lake Management District
The walleye season is closed on the Iowa Great Lakes until May 2nd. Most lakes are ice-free; some have capped back over with ice due to cold nights. Access points are limited until all ramp docks are put in place. Last updated on 03/12/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 40.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
The walleye season is closed until May 2nd. The lake is ice-free.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers were successful hole hopping to catch quality-size fish during the ice season.
- Bluegill – Fair: Anglers were successful hole hopping to catch quality-size fish during the ice season.
- Pumpkinseed – Fair: Anglers were successful hole hopping to catch quality-size fish during the ice season.
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 40.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
The lake is ice-free.
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 40.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
The lake is ice-free.
- Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers report lots of smaller yellow bass during the ice season.
Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 40.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
The lake is ice-free.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 40.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The walleye season is closed until May 2nd. The lake is ice-free. A few anglers have started to get on the lake via boat. No courtesy docks are in place, making launching a boat more difficult. Porta-potty units are available at Marble Beach and Mini-Wakan boat ramps.
- Black Crappie – Fair: With a little movement, anglers were catching crappie on jigs with minnows or plastics during the ice season.
- Yellow Perch – Good: Anglers were catching good amounts of quality-size, 9- to 13-inch fish during the ice season.
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 40.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
The walleye season is closed until May 2nd. Most of the lake is ice-free.
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers were successful on the major bays during the ice season.
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Southeast
Lake Darling Management District
For more information on these lakes and ponds, call the Lake Darling Fisheries at 319-694-2430. Last updated on 03/04/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers are catching a few crappies along the edges of the flooded timber on the north side of the lake; not in shallow, but down 6 or 7 feet.
Jefferson Co. Park New Pond (Jefferson)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The spring trout release will be at 10 am on Thursday, March 19. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Rainbow Trout – Excellent: The spring trout release will be at 10 am on Thursday, March 19. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature has been bouncing around in the 40s, depending on the weather.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Use cut bait to tempt channel catfish along the face of the dam on a sunny day with a west wind blowing into the dam.
- Largemouth Bass – Slow: Anglers are picking up a few bass along the north side of the lake on the warmest days.
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature was still holding onto 48 degrees as of Wednesday morning (3/11). Do not expect that to last much longer.
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
A few boats have been out on the lake; mostly just to get out on the open water.
- Largemouth Bass – Slow: Anglers are catching a few bass on soft plastics or jigs worked fairly slow on the warmest days.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The spring trout release will be at 10 am on Thursday, March 19. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Rainbow Trout – Excellent: The spring trout release will be on March 19 at 10 am. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 42.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature is getting into the low 40s on the warmest days.
- Largemouth Bass – Slow: Anglers are picking up a few bass; mostly still out in 10 to 12 feet of water on soft plastics and jigs worked slowly.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The spring trout release will be on March 19 at noon (12pm). You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Rainbow Trout – Excellent: The spring trout release will be at noon on March 19. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
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Macbride Management District
Most lakes are open; could be a few remaining areas of ice. Last updated on 03/09/2026
Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow) (Cedar)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Sauger – Slow
- Walleye – Fair
- White Bass – Slow
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids) (Linn)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Walleye – Fair
Coralville Reservoir (Johnson)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
There are still some wind-driven ice sheets in the bays.
- Black Crappie – Slow
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use gizzard shad in wind-blown shorelines and bridges with the warmest water.
- White Crappie – Slow
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Fair
- Sauger – Slow
- Saugeye – Slow
- Walleye – Fair
- White Bass – Fair
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Walleye – Slow: Try fishing in rock areas at sunset.
- White Crappie – Fair: Try fishing around brush piles and stump fields.
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Walleye – Slow: Try fishing in rock areas after sunset.
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) (Jones)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Northern Pike – Slow: Walleye anglers are catching a few pike.
- Walleye – Fair
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Rathbun Management District
The lakes are ice-free. Water temperatures are in the upper 30s to low 40s. Last updated on 03/12/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Target channel catfish first thing in the spring.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Closed
Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project. Please stay out of the lakebed.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is ice-free. Target channel catfish on wind-blown shorelines.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Open water conditions exist. Channel catfish are usually the first fish to start biting in the spring.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Channel catfish are usually the first fish to catch in the spring.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) (Wapello)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout will be stocked on Saturday, March 21. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is ice-free. Lake level is 904.59 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Boat ramps are open; campgrounds are still closed. No docks are installed. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another water body.
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Southwest
Boone Management District
All lakes in Central Iowa are ice-free. Last updated on 03/11/2026
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake (Story)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Plenty of trout remain from the winter stocking for open water anglers. Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live baits, such as waxworms, under floats. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
As of March 4, the upper portion of Big Creek Lake was open water. The lower half of the lake was still ice covered.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock) (Marion)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Des Moines River levels have risen sharply in the last week, but are starting to fall again.
- Walleye – Slow: The increased river level paused the fair to good bite in Des Moines. Once river levels come down a couple more feet, try fishing below the dams and deep, slow pools with rip-rap and cobble bottom. Cast 1/8 to 1/2 ounce jigs tipped with paddle tail or straight tail swim baits, twister tails or minnows.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake) (Polk)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The Des Moines River experienced a sharp rise in the past week. Water levels and clarity may improve slightly by the weekend of March 14.
- Walleye – Slow: High water paused the bite. Once river levels come down a couple more feet, try fishing in deep, slow pools with rip-rap and cobble bottom. Cast 1/8 to 1/2 ounce jigs tipped with paddle tail or straight tail swim baits, twister tails or minnows.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Plenty of trout remain from the winter stocking for open water anglers. Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live baits, such as waxworms, under floats. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Rainbow Trout will be stocked in Terra Lake on Monday, March 16 at noon. This date may change due to forecast poor weather conditions for transporting the trout. Monitor the Iowa DNR fishing report page for updates. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: After the trout are stocked on March 16, cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live baits, such as waxworms, under floats.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Plenty of trout remain from the winter stocking for open water anglers. Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live baits, such as waxworms, under floats. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Rainbow Trout – Good: Plenty of trout remain from the winter stocking for open water anglers. Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live baits, such as waxworms, under floats. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
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Cold Springs Management District
Lakes in the southwest district are ice-free. Last updated on 03/04/2026
Big Lake (Including Gilbert’s Pond) (Pottawattamie)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
There are plenty of trout left to catch at Big Lake due to poor ice conditions soon after the winter stocking. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: Throw small spinners or waxworms under a bobber. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Cold Springs Lake was drawn down and renovated in August 2025. The lake is filling and the fish restocked. Anglers can expect good fishing again by 2028.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Greenfield is a good destination for ice-out channel catfish.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers are catching a few black crappie off the jetties. Fish are averaging 9-inches.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Use shad sides on the windy shoreline to catch channel catfish of all sizes.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Bluegills and crappies will move into the pontoon arm of the lake when water temperatures warm. Try floating small jigs 2 feet under a bobber.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Status Unsure
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Shore anglers do well casting cut bait on the roadbed in the south arm of the lake.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers report catching 8.5 inch bluegill with waxworms under a bobber.
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Mt. Ayr Management District
Mount Ayr district lakes are ice-free. Water temperature is in the low to mid-40s. Last updated on 03/12/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait fished along wind-blown shores to catch all sizes of catfish.
Little River Watershed Lake (Decatur)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Docks are in at the main and bait shop ramps.
- Walleye – Slow: Anglers are catching a few Walleye near the dam on crankbaits.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Lake level is about 9 feet below normal pool as of March 4.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Docks are in at the main ramp.
Black Crappie – Slow: Use jigs tipped with a minnow fished near deep cedar tree brush piles to catch all sizes of crappie.
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