NORTHWEST
Clear Lake
Very little fishing activity this week. Anglers should experience good yellow bass action once there is adequate ice for foot travel.
Blue Pit
1,500 rainbow trout were stocked Nov. 21. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Anglers using small jigs are catching trout. Fish the corners of the pit in the mornings and evenings for the best opportunities.
Mild weather has kept ice from forming on north central Iowa water bodies. Cooler temperatures should start ice formation in the coming week. Contact the Clear Lake Fisheries office at 641-357-3517 for the most recent information.
Big Spirit Lake
The recent warm spell has melted what little ice had accumulated and a few fish are being caught. Both boat and shore anglers have taken advantage of the warmer weather targeting mostly walleye and perch.
With the warm weather we faced in the last week all the lakes are open.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Skim ice is forming over shallow areas and bays.
Lake Hendricks
The edges of the lake have ice making it difficult to access the water.
Lake Meyer
Ice has gone out and no one has been on.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Walleye - Good: The bite is spotty and has been occurring in the evening. A jig tipped with soft plastics and a slow return has been successful with soft biting walleye.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Very few people have been out this week. Anglers still report catching walleye using a slow presentation with jigs tipped with plastics worms.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
River is open again and anglers have been using boats to get to some backwater areas. Crappie - Good: Anglers are finding crappies in back or slack water areas around brush piles. Minnows continue to work well. Walleye - Fair: Walleye have been hitting on hooks tipped with minnows and a few are using jigs tipped with plastics below the dam in Nashua.
Decorah District Streams
There are still Blue Wing Olives hatching on northeast Iowa streams in the afternoons, but hatches are slowing as colder winter weather approaches. Streamers, wet fly and nymph fishing has been good in the absence of dry fly hatches. Wooly Buggers, classic streamer and wet fly patterns and small nymphs have all been effective in hooking trout.
Ice went out on most of our lakes and rivers but a week of cold weather should help ice form quickly. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and continue to produce fish. For more information, contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Fishing on the Cedar River for walleye and smallmouth bass has been good in Bremer and Black Hawk counties, in the deeper overwintering areas. Some crappies were taken earlier this week in shallow water near rocks fishing a minnow under a slip bobber. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been doing well on smallmouth while fishing for walleye so stick with the same techniques fishing with plastics and live baits. Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing had been good earlier this week but cooling temps may change patterns. A minnow under a slip bobber in two feet of water near rocks had been productive. Walleye - Good: Fish plastic baits for larger walleye but live bait has been productive as well.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Walleye fishing on the Shell Rock River has been good in the deeper overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been doing well on smallmouth while fishing for walleye so stick with the same techniques fishing with plastics and live baits. Walleye - Good: Fish plastic baits for larger walleye but live bait has been productive as well.
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Anglers have been catching walleye, smallmouth bass and crappies on the Wapsipinicon River in Buchanan County. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been doing well on smallmouth while fishing for walleye so stick with the same techniques fishing with plastics and live baits. Crappie - Fair: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber near structure. Walleye - Good: Fish plastic baits for larger walleye but live bait has been productive as well.
Walleye fishing the interior rivers still remains good with bonus catches of smallmouth bass. Concentrate on the deeper overwintering holes. Weather conditions are turning cold, river conditions may begin to deteriorate quickly as lakes should only improve for making ice. Trout streams remain low but in good condition. Call the Manchester District Office at 563-927-3276 for further information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Lansing river stage is 8 feet and stable over the next week. Crappie - Good: Fish jigs into any woody structure in backwater sloughs. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try fishing minnows along side channel areas with some vegetation to pick up some nice perch. Sauger - Good: Vertical jigging with a minnow in the tail waters has been successful. Walleye - Slow: A few walleyes are being caught in deeper side channel sloughs and in the lock and dam tail waters
Mississippi River Pool 10
Lynxville river stage is at 13 feet and expected to fall slightly over the next week. Crappie - Good: Sauger - Good: Vertical jigging with a minnow in the tail waters has been successful. Walleye - Fair: Walleye are biting on jig and minnow fished along drop-offs in the tail water areas.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River stage at Lock and Dam 10 in Guttenberg is 4.9 feet and expected to fall slightly in the following week. White Bass - Fair: Walleye and sager anglers are picking up some white bass on jigs along the rocks in the tail waters. Sauger - Good: Vertical jigging with a minnow in the tail waters has been successful. Walleye - Slow: Walleye are biting on jig and minnow fished along drop-offs in the tail water areas.
Water temperature is dropping with some thin ice forming in the backwater areas. The open tail water fishing for walleye and sauger has been slow with some success vertical jigging. Water levels remain extremely low on the Mississippi River. Water temperature is in the 30s. Boaters should continue to use caution launching in low water conditions to avoid backing off the ends of ramps.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water is clear and temperature is in upper 30s. Water level at Dubuque dam rose slightly this week and is presently at 4.8 feet. Crappie - Good: Most anglers are using small minnows in deep slow moving sloughs or backwater areas. Fish seem to be in the brush piles one day and gone the next. Sauger - Good: Some sauger are being caught tail waters with anglers using a jig and minnow. Many anglers are letting these large females back for next year's spawn production. Walleye - Good: Some nice walleyes are being reported on the wing dams and in the tail water. On wing dams most anglers are using three-way rigs with a crankbait. In the tail waters many are using a jig and minnow.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water is very clear and the temperature is in the upper 30s. Water level at Bellevue dam rose slightly this week and is presently at 4.2 feet. Be careful of backing off ALL ramps. The ramp at the Bellevue Fisheries Station, south of Bellevue, is closed for repairs. Crappie - Fair: Most anglers are using small minnows in deep slow-moving sloughs or backwater areas. Crappies are lethargic as water cools so fish very slowly giving fish time to take your minnow. Sauger - Good: Numerous smaller saugers are showing up in tail water areas with anglers using a jig and minnow. Just a few decent sized fish are being reported. Walleye - Good: Some walleyes are being reported on the wing dams and in the tail water. On wing dams most anglers are using three-way rigs with crankbaits. Anglers are often concentrating on the tips of the wing dams with areas of stronger current.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water is clear with a temperature in the upper 30s. Water level at the dam in Fulton is 4.3 feet. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some bass were caught fishing slowly in the sunny backwater, marina and sand pit areas in Pool 14. Sauger - Good: Some sauger were being reported in the tail water areas on a jig and minnow. Walleye - Good: Some nicer walleye are being caught on the tips of the wing dams where people can find a little more current. Anglers are pitching jigs on these wing dam tips.
Mississippi River Pool 15
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Water temperature is in upper 30s. Water levels are still low at all locations but we had a slight improvement from last week's report. Still beware backing off any ramp as you can easily put your axles over the ends of the ramps. Also, beware of wing dams when motoring near the main channel.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 3.97 feet. River stages are still low so anglers should use caution when boating. White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough while targeting saugers. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina floating minnows under a bobber. Try fishing around the docks or submerged brush piles. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina floating minnows under a bobber. Try fishing around the docks or any brush sticking out of the water. We have not received any crappie reports for the Andalusia Island complex but anglers should target brush piles in the backwaters and side channels. Some areas may be difficult to access with the low water conditions. Sauger - Slow: Sauger fishing below Lock and Dam 15 and in Sylvan Slough has been slow.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 3.17 feet. River stages are still low so anglers should use caution when boating. Crappie - No Report: We have received no information for this pool this week. Anglers should look for crappies in the backwaters or side channels around brush piles or fallen trees. Try floating a minnow under a bobber around the brush piles or vertical jigging with small jigs and minnows or plastics. Sauger - Fair: A few saugers are being caught in the tail waters at Muscatine vertical jigging with minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 2.79 feet. River stages are still low so anglers should use caution when boating. Crappie - Good: Crappies are being caught in the backwaters and flowing sloughs. Try fishing around brush piles and submerged logs in the backwaters and sloughs with small jigs tipped with a minnow or plastic. Some of the backwaters may be difficult to access with the low water conditions. Places to try would be around Huron Island and Campbell's Island. Sauger - Fair: Some saugers are being caught below Lock and Dam 17 (New Boston) vertical jigging with minnows. Most of the fish have been on the smaller side with some nicer fish being caught as well.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 0.85 feet. River levels are still low so anglers should use caution when boating. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in the backwaters. Try vertical jigging with minnows around brush piles and logs. Sauger - Slow: Some saugers are being caught below Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Try fishing with jigs and minnows.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River stages are still low so anglers should use caution when boating. Main channel water temperature has been around 44 degrees. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another waterbody. For more fishing information contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake of the Hills
The boat ramp is closed until further notice while the county conservation board does repairs on it. Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park that you can use live minnows. Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout remain very active and readily catchable if you can find them.
Railroad Lake
The water level remains low after the county lowered it to do repairs. The repairs to the ramp are completed but the dock will remain out of the water until the new decking is put on it. Live minnows are not permitted on this lake. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers continue to pull out a few bluegills in the same spots as they are catching crappies. Crappie - Slow: Anglers are still picking up a few crappies around the brush piles.
Wilson Lake
Rainbow Trout - Good: Anglers are still catching trout. Look for the culverts and the brush piles in 6 to 8 feet of water. They're easy to see. Bluegill - Fair: The brush piles are producing some bluegills.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.
Lake Macbride
There has been very little activity on the lake and no reports available. Water temperature is in the low 40s.
Central Park Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: A few bass are being caught.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Outflow from the Coralville dam is 150 cubic feet per second. Walleye - Fair: Use a jig and minnow in wintering holes below the tube.
Water temperature is around 40 degrees in area lakes/rivers. There has been very little fishing activity on the lakes. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Red Haw Lake
Fishing activity has slowed with the cooler water temperatures. Try small jigs for bluegill and largemouth bass.
Lake Sugema
Fishing activity has slowed. Try minnows under a bobber for crappie along the flooded timber or along the dam.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is 903.16 feet with 904 feet being normal. The surface water temperature is 43 degrees. Very little fishing activity has been occurring with the colder temperatures. Try minnows for crappies either by jigging or under a slip bobber. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body.
For questions regarding fishing in south central Iowa, call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.
SOUTHWEST
Red Rock Reservoir
Crappie - Fair: Good fall crappie fishing can be had around the docks in the marina using tube jigs with minnows or wax worms.
Lake Petoka
Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Rainbow trout stocked at the beginning of November will remain in good numbers and actively bite through the fall and winter. Popular methods of catching them include inline spinners, twister tail jigs, small tube jigs, casting spoons, live minnows and wax worms.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Good: Rainbow trout stocked in the north pit will remain in good numbers and actively bite through the fall and winter. Popular methods of catching them include inline spinners, twister tail jigs, small tube jigs, casting spoons, live minnows and wax worms.
Banner Lake (south)
Rainbow Trout - Good: Rainbow trout stocked in mid-October will remain in good numbers and actively bite through the fall and winter. Popular methods of catching them include inline spinners, twister tail jigs, small tube jigs, casting spoons, live minnows and wax worms.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye - Fair: Anglers have been taking some good walleye from the river this fall in usual locations below the dams. Also target any holes deeper than 6 feet with slow current.
Most central Iowa anglers are waiting for cold temperatures to return to start the ice fishing season. Some good open water opportunities remain with river walleyes, reservoir crappies and the urban trout stockings. For questions on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.
Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond)
Rainbow trout were stocked in October to provide some excellent fall fishing. Anglers are still catching an occasional trout from the pond. Additional trout will be stocked this winter under safe ice conditions in January. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Trout can be caught on a variety of jigs and plastic baits. White twister tails have been a good choice to start with.
Lake Manawa
Crappies are being caught in the canals. Crappie - Good: Crappies can be caught using minnows under a bobber. Warm sunny days are best.
Water temperature is below 40 degrees. Anglers are catching crappie on warm days in shallow bays or coves. For more information call the district office at Cold Springs at 712-769-2587
Little River Watershed Lake
The water level is down about 12 feet to allow completion of a shoreline stabilization project. Fish have been restocked and are growing fast.
Fogle Lake S.W.A.
The water level is down about 7 feet to allow boat ramp repairs and to crowd fish to increase predation. The repairs are complete. The water level will be allowed to rise as run-off occurs. The ramp is usable with care and ice fishing access should be normal.
Sands Timber Lake (Blockton Reservoir)
The lake has been drained to allow construction of a wetland and shoreline stabilization to be completed.
Green Valley Lake
The water level is still down about 3 feet. The ramps are easily accessible.
Summitt Lake
The spillway replacement project is complete but run-off has not refilled the lake. Restocking and boating will occur when water levels rise.
Three Mile Lake
The water level is down about 3 feet but the ramps are easily usable.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The water level is down about 3.5 feet but access is easy. Crappie - Good: A lot of crappies are coming out of the flooded trees in about 12 feet of water. Anglers are using side-scan fish finders to locate schools.
The water temperature is in the upper 30s. A few anglers are still finding fish in 8 to 14 feet of water.
Clear Lake
Very little fishing activity this week. Anglers should experience good yellow bass action once there is adequate ice for foot travel.
Blue Pit
1,500 rainbow trout were stocked Nov. 21. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Anglers using small jigs are catching trout. Fish the corners of the pit in the mornings and evenings for the best opportunities.
Mild weather has kept ice from forming on north central Iowa water bodies. Cooler temperatures should start ice formation in the coming week. Contact the Clear Lake Fisheries office at 641-357-3517 for the most recent information.
Big Spirit Lake
The recent warm spell has melted what little ice had accumulated and a few fish are being caught. Both boat and shore anglers have taken advantage of the warmer weather targeting mostly walleye and perch.
With the warm weather we faced in the last week all the lakes are open.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Skim ice is forming over shallow areas and bays.
Lake Hendricks
The edges of the lake have ice making it difficult to access the water.
Lake Meyer
Ice has gone out and no one has been on.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Walleye - Good: The bite is spotty and has been occurring in the evening. A jig tipped with soft plastics and a slow return has been successful with soft biting walleye.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Very few people have been out this week. Anglers still report catching walleye using a slow presentation with jigs tipped with plastics worms.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
River is open again and anglers have been using boats to get to some backwater areas. Crappie - Good: Anglers are finding crappies in back or slack water areas around brush piles. Minnows continue to work well. Walleye - Fair: Walleye have been hitting on hooks tipped with minnows and a few are using jigs tipped with plastics below the dam in Nashua.
Decorah District Streams
There are still Blue Wing Olives hatching on northeast Iowa streams in the afternoons, but hatches are slowing as colder winter weather approaches. Streamers, wet fly and nymph fishing has been good in the absence of dry fly hatches. Wooly Buggers, classic streamer and wet fly patterns and small nymphs have all been effective in hooking trout.
Ice went out on most of our lakes and rivers but a week of cold weather should help ice form quickly. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and continue to produce fish. For more information, contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Fishing on the Cedar River for walleye and smallmouth bass has been good in Bremer and Black Hawk counties, in the deeper overwintering areas. Some crappies were taken earlier this week in shallow water near rocks fishing a minnow under a slip bobber. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been doing well on smallmouth while fishing for walleye so stick with the same techniques fishing with plastics and live baits. Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing had been good earlier this week but cooling temps may change patterns. A minnow under a slip bobber in two feet of water near rocks had been productive. Walleye - Good: Fish plastic baits for larger walleye but live bait has been productive as well.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Walleye fishing on the Shell Rock River has been good in the deeper overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been doing well on smallmouth while fishing for walleye so stick with the same techniques fishing with plastics and live baits. Walleye - Good: Fish plastic baits for larger walleye but live bait has been productive as well.
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Anglers have been catching walleye, smallmouth bass and crappies on the Wapsipinicon River in Buchanan County. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been doing well on smallmouth while fishing for walleye so stick with the same techniques fishing with plastics and live baits. Crappie - Fair: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber near structure. Walleye - Good: Fish plastic baits for larger walleye but live bait has been productive as well.
Walleye fishing the interior rivers still remains good with bonus catches of smallmouth bass. Concentrate on the deeper overwintering holes. Weather conditions are turning cold, river conditions may begin to deteriorate quickly as lakes should only improve for making ice. Trout streams remain low but in good condition. Call the Manchester District Office at 563-927-3276 for further information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Lansing river stage is 8 feet and stable over the next week. Crappie - Good: Fish jigs into any woody structure in backwater sloughs. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try fishing minnows along side channel areas with some vegetation to pick up some nice perch. Sauger - Good: Vertical jigging with a minnow in the tail waters has been successful. Walleye - Slow: A few walleyes are being caught in deeper side channel sloughs and in the lock and dam tail waters
Mississippi River Pool 10
Lynxville river stage is at 13 feet and expected to fall slightly over the next week. Crappie - Good: Sauger - Good: Vertical jigging with a minnow in the tail waters has been successful. Walleye - Fair: Walleye are biting on jig and minnow fished along drop-offs in the tail water areas.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River stage at Lock and Dam 10 in Guttenberg is 4.9 feet and expected to fall slightly in the following week. White Bass - Fair: Walleye and sager anglers are picking up some white bass on jigs along the rocks in the tail waters. Sauger - Good: Vertical jigging with a minnow in the tail waters has been successful. Walleye - Slow: Walleye are biting on jig and minnow fished along drop-offs in the tail water areas.
Water temperature is dropping with some thin ice forming in the backwater areas. The open tail water fishing for walleye and sauger has been slow with some success vertical jigging. Water levels remain extremely low on the Mississippi River. Water temperature is in the 30s. Boaters should continue to use caution launching in low water conditions to avoid backing off the ends of ramps.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water is clear and temperature is in upper 30s. Water level at Dubuque dam rose slightly this week and is presently at 4.8 feet. Crappie - Good: Most anglers are using small minnows in deep slow moving sloughs or backwater areas. Fish seem to be in the brush piles one day and gone the next. Sauger - Good: Some sauger are being caught tail waters with anglers using a jig and minnow. Many anglers are letting these large females back for next year's spawn production. Walleye - Good: Some nice walleyes are being reported on the wing dams and in the tail water. On wing dams most anglers are using three-way rigs with a crankbait. In the tail waters many are using a jig and minnow.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water is very clear and the temperature is in the upper 30s. Water level at Bellevue dam rose slightly this week and is presently at 4.2 feet. Be careful of backing off ALL ramps. The ramp at the Bellevue Fisheries Station, south of Bellevue, is closed for repairs. Crappie - Fair: Most anglers are using small minnows in deep slow-moving sloughs or backwater areas. Crappies are lethargic as water cools so fish very slowly giving fish time to take your minnow. Sauger - Good: Numerous smaller saugers are showing up in tail water areas with anglers using a jig and minnow. Just a few decent sized fish are being reported. Walleye - Good: Some walleyes are being reported on the wing dams and in the tail water. On wing dams most anglers are using three-way rigs with crankbaits. Anglers are often concentrating on the tips of the wing dams with areas of stronger current.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water is clear with a temperature in the upper 30s. Water level at the dam in Fulton is 4.3 feet. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some bass were caught fishing slowly in the sunny backwater, marina and sand pit areas in Pool 14. Sauger - Good: Some sauger were being reported in the tail water areas on a jig and minnow. Walleye - Good: Some nicer walleye are being caught on the tips of the wing dams where people can find a little more current. Anglers are pitching jigs on these wing dam tips.
Mississippi River Pool 15
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Water temperature is in upper 30s. Water levels are still low at all locations but we had a slight improvement from last week's report. Still beware backing off any ramp as you can easily put your axles over the ends of the ramps. Also, beware of wing dams when motoring near the main channel.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 3.97 feet. River stages are still low so anglers should use caution when boating. White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough while targeting saugers. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina floating minnows under a bobber. Try fishing around the docks or submerged brush piles. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina floating minnows under a bobber. Try fishing around the docks or any brush sticking out of the water. We have not received any crappie reports for the Andalusia Island complex but anglers should target brush piles in the backwaters and side channels. Some areas may be difficult to access with the low water conditions. Sauger - Slow: Sauger fishing below Lock and Dam 15 and in Sylvan Slough has been slow.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 3.17 feet. River stages are still low so anglers should use caution when boating. Crappie - No Report: We have received no information for this pool this week. Anglers should look for crappies in the backwaters or side channels around brush piles or fallen trees. Try floating a minnow under a bobber around the brush piles or vertical jigging with small jigs and minnows or plastics. Sauger - Fair: A few saugers are being caught in the tail waters at Muscatine vertical jigging with minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 2.79 feet. River stages are still low so anglers should use caution when boating. Crappie - Good: Crappies are being caught in the backwaters and flowing sloughs. Try fishing around brush piles and submerged logs in the backwaters and sloughs with small jigs tipped with a minnow or plastic. Some of the backwaters may be difficult to access with the low water conditions. Places to try would be around Huron Island and Campbell's Island. Sauger - Fair: Some saugers are being caught below Lock and Dam 17 (New Boston) vertical jigging with minnows. Most of the fish have been on the smaller side with some nicer fish being caught as well.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 0.85 feet. River levels are still low so anglers should use caution when boating. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in the backwaters. Try vertical jigging with minnows around brush piles and logs. Sauger - Slow: Some saugers are being caught below Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Try fishing with jigs and minnows.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River stages are still low so anglers should use caution when boating. Main channel water temperature has been around 44 degrees. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another waterbody. For more fishing information contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake of the Hills
The boat ramp is closed until further notice while the county conservation board does repairs on it. Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park that you can use live minnows. Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout remain very active and readily catchable if you can find them.
Railroad Lake
The water level remains low after the county lowered it to do repairs. The repairs to the ramp are completed but the dock will remain out of the water until the new decking is put on it. Live minnows are not permitted on this lake. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers continue to pull out a few bluegills in the same spots as they are catching crappies. Crappie - Slow: Anglers are still picking up a few crappies around the brush piles.
Wilson Lake
Rainbow Trout - Good: Anglers are still catching trout. Look for the culverts and the brush piles in 6 to 8 feet of water. They're easy to see. Bluegill - Fair: The brush piles are producing some bluegills.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.
Lake Macbride
There has been very little activity on the lake and no reports available. Water temperature is in the low 40s.
Central Park Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: A few bass are being caught.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Outflow from the Coralville dam is 150 cubic feet per second. Walleye - Fair: Use a jig and minnow in wintering holes below the tube.
Water temperature is around 40 degrees in area lakes/rivers. There has been very little fishing activity on the lakes. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Red Haw Lake
Fishing activity has slowed with the cooler water temperatures. Try small jigs for bluegill and largemouth bass.
Lake Sugema
Fishing activity has slowed. Try minnows under a bobber for crappie along the flooded timber or along the dam.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is 903.16 feet with 904 feet being normal. The surface water temperature is 43 degrees. Very little fishing activity has been occurring with the colder temperatures. Try minnows for crappies either by jigging or under a slip bobber. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body.
For questions regarding fishing in south central Iowa, call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.
SOUTHWEST
Red Rock Reservoir
Crappie - Fair: Good fall crappie fishing can be had around the docks in the marina using tube jigs with minnows or wax worms.
Lake Petoka
Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Rainbow trout stocked at the beginning of November will remain in good numbers and actively bite through the fall and winter. Popular methods of catching them include inline spinners, twister tail jigs, small tube jigs, casting spoons, live minnows and wax worms.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Good: Rainbow trout stocked in the north pit will remain in good numbers and actively bite through the fall and winter. Popular methods of catching them include inline spinners, twister tail jigs, small tube jigs, casting spoons, live minnows and wax worms.
Banner Lake (south)
Rainbow Trout - Good: Rainbow trout stocked in mid-October will remain in good numbers and actively bite through the fall and winter. Popular methods of catching them include inline spinners, twister tail jigs, small tube jigs, casting spoons, live minnows and wax worms.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye - Fair: Anglers have been taking some good walleye from the river this fall in usual locations below the dams. Also target any holes deeper than 6 feet with slow current.
Most central Iowa anglers are waiting for cold temperatures to return to start the ice fishing season. Some good open water opportunities remain with river walleyes, reservoir crappies and the urban trout stockings. For questions on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.
Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond)
Rainbow trout were stocked in October to provide some excellent fall fishing. Anglers are still catching an occasional trout from the pond. Additional trout will be stocked this winter under safe ice conditions in January. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Trout can be caught on a variety of jigs and plastic baits. White twister tails have been a good choice to start with.
Lake Manawa
Crappies are being caught in the canals. Crappie - Good: Crappies can be caught using minnows under a bobber. Warm sunny days are best.
Water temperature is below 40 degrees. Anglers are catching crappie on warm days in shallow bays or coves. For more information call the district office at Cold Springs at 712-769-2587
Little River Watershed Lake
The water level is down about 12 feet to allow completion of a shoreline stabilization project. Fish have been restocked and are growing fast.
Fogle Lake S.W.A.
The water level is down about 7 feet to allow boat ramp repairs and to crowd fish to increase predation. The repairs are complete. The water level will be allowed to rise as run-off occurs. The ramp is usable with care and ice fishing access should be normal.
Sands Timber Lake (Blockton Reservoir)
The lake has been drained to allow construction of a wetland and shoreline stabilization to be completed.
Green Valley Lake
The water level is still down about 3 feet. The ramps are easily accessible.
Summitt Lake
The spillway replacement project is complete but run-off has not refilled the lake. Restocking and boating will occur when water levels rise.
Three Mile Lake
The water level is down about 3 feet but the ramps are easily usable.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The water level is down about 3.5 feet but access is easy. Crappie - Good: A lot of crappies are coming out of the flooded trees in about 12 feet of water. Anglers are using side-scan fish finders to locate schools.
The water temperature is in the upper 30s. A few anglers are still finding fish in 8 to 14 feet of water.
