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Mississippi River
Bellevue Management District
- Contact Person: Dave Bierman – 563-872-5495
Water levels are low and forecast to hold steady; use caution when navigating in off channel areas. Main channel temperatures are in the lower 40s across the district and are steadily dropping. Water clarity is fair. The fall walleye/sauger tailwater bite is picking up with some limits reported. Water temperatures are slightly cooler in backwater areas; look for panfish in these areas. Last updated on 11/13/2025
Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)
- Water Temperature (°F): 43.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 4.9 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and holding steady. Water temperatures are steadily dropping. Use caution when navigating in off channel areas.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Use a minnow or small plastic on a crappie rig in the tree piles in sloughs near backwater overwintering areas.
- Bluegill – Slow: Look for bluegill in backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Bluegill are on the move into overwintering areas.
- Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Try spinnerbaits or swim jigs along dying weed edges or crankbaits along rocky structures or edges of dredge cuts in backwater areas. Also try pitching jigs into woody structure.
- Sauger – Good: Saugers are biting in the tailwaters of the Lock and Dam. Vertical jig live minnows, hair jigs or twister tails.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast inline spinners or crankbaits as close as possible to rock piles or shoreline rip-rap.
- Walleye – Good: Anglers are focusing on the tailwater area as temperatures drop. Use minnows or crawlers on a jig with a twister tail. Hair jigs can also be effective.
- White Bass – Good: Use a small inline spinner or small white jig with a twister tail. One eyes can also be effective in deeper water.
Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)
- Water Temperature (°F): 42.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 4.7 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and holding steady. Water temperatures are steadily dropping. The tailwater bite is on for walleye, sauger, and white bass. Use caution when navigating in off channel areas.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Use a minnow or small plastic on a crappie rig in the tree piles in sloughs near backwater overwintering areas.
- Bluegill – Slow: Look for bluegill in backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Bluegill are on the move into overwintering areas.
- Largemouth Bass – Excellent: The bite has picked up. Try spinnerbaits or swim jigs along dying weed edges or crankbaits along rocky structures or edges of dredge cuts in backwater areas. Also try pitching jigs into woody structure.
- Sauger – Good: The sauger bite in the tailwaters of the Lock and Dam has picked up as water temperatures drop. Vertical jig live minnows, twister tails or one eyes.
- Walleye – Good: Use minnows or crawlers on a three-way rig. Hair jigs have been effective. The tailwater bite has picked up over the past week, with some limits reported.
- White Bass – Excellent: Look for feeding schools of white bass in the tailwaters or along rocky shorelines. Watch for them to start breaking water; cast your rig into the area. Use a small inline spinner or small white jig with a twister tail. One eyes have been effective in deeper water.
- White Crappie – Slow: Use a minnow or small plastic on a crappie rig in the tree piles in sloughs near backwater overwintering areas.
Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 43.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 4.5 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and holding steady. Water temperatures are steadily dropping. The tailwater bite has picked up. Use caution when navigating in off channel areas.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Try swim jigs along dying weed edges or crankbaits along rocky structures or edges of dredge cuts in backwater areas. Also try pitching a jig into wood piles and snags.
- Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find smallmouths along rock lines with moderate current; use small crankbaits or spinners.
- Walleye – Good: Use live minnows or troll crawlers on a three-way rig. Hair jigs and paddle tails are effective. The tailwater bite has picked up.
- White Bass – Fair: Try one eyes in the tailwaters in 18-24 feet of water.
- White Crappie – Slow: Look for crappies in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles and snags; use minnows or plastics under a bobber. Crappie will move into overwintering areas soon.
Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Water Temperature (°F): 45.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 4.5 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and is forecast to remain fairly stable. The fall walleye/sauger tailwater bite has picked up.
- Sauger – Good: Try a jig and minnow rig or a jig and twister tail in the tailwaters. Hair jigs can be effective.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try spinners or crankbaits along shoreline rip-rap and lateral rock.
Walleye – Good: Try a jig and minnow rig or a jig and twister tail in the tailwaters.
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Fairport Management District
- Contact Person: Andy Fowler – 563-263-5062
Tailwater stages have been fairly steady and forecast to stay steady. Main channel water temperature is 45 degrees. Water clarity is fair. Last updated on 11/13/2025
Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Water Temperature (°F): 45.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 4.93 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and forecast to stay fairly steady. Flood stage is 15 feet.
- Bluegill – Status Unsure: Look for bluegills in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Use pieces of worm under a bobber.
- Walleye – Slow: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits, jigs with minnows or plastics or troll crankbaits on the wing dams. Tailwater fishing for walleyes has been slow; expect fishing to pick up as water temperatures drop.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Look for crappies in the backwater and side channels around brush piles. Try vertical jigging with minnows/plastics or minnows under a bobber. Places to try are Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island complex.
Pool 17, Mississippi River (Muscatine)
- Water Temperature (°F): 46.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 3.73 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and forecast to stay fairly steady. Flood stage is 15 feet.
- Bluegill – Status Unsure: Try pieces of worm under a bobber in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Cast jigs and minnows/plastics on the wing-dams. Cast or troll crankbaits on the upstream side of the wing dam. We have not received any reports of tailwater fishing for walleyes. Expect the tailwater bite to improve as water temperatures start to fall.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Use jigs and minnows/plastics or minnows under a bobber in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Places to try are Big Timber and Cleveland Slough.
Pool 18, Mississippi River (Louisa)
- Water Temperature (°F): 46.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 4.02 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and forecast to stay fairly steady. Flood stage is 15 feet.
- Bluegill – Status Unsure: Try pieces of worm under a bobber in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Places to try are the Huron Island complex.
- Walleye – Slow: Cast jigs and minnows/plastics on the wing dams. Cast or troll crankbaits on the upstream side of the wing dam. We have not received any reports of tailwater fishing for walleyes. Expect the tailwater bite to improve as water temperatures start to fall.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Vertical jig with minnows or plastics or fish with minnows under a bobber in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Places to try are the Huron Island complex.
Pool 19, Mississippi River (Lee)
- Water Temperature (°F): 47.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 1.75 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and forecast to stay fairly steady. Flood stage is 10 feet.
- Bluegill – Status Unsure: Look for bluegills in the backwaters as water temperatures drop. Try pieces of worm under a bobber in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Cast jigs and minnows/plastics on the wing dams. Cast or troll crankbaits on the upstream side of the wing dam. We have not received any reports of tailwater fishing for walleyes. Expect the tailwater bite to improve as water temperatures start to fall.
White Crappie – Status Unsure: Look for crappies in the backwaters as water temperatures drop. Vertical jig with minnows/plastics or minnows under a bobber in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles.
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Guttenberg Management District
- Contact Person: Karen Osterkamp – 563-252-1156
Water temperatures are falling into the lower 40s. Water levels remain low and stable. We are transitioning to winter fishing with many fish already in or near overwintering areas. Last updated on 11/13/2025
Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)
- Water Temperature (°F): 49.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is 7.9 feet at Lansing and remains stable. Fall fishing has been good in backwater lakes as fish move into overwintering spots.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie bite is mixed as fish head into overwintering areas. Look for crappie near mouths of backwater areas.
- Bluegill – Fair: Most bluegills should have moved into overwintering areas. Use small jigs and bobbers to detect light bites.
- Channel Catfish – Slow
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth should have mostly moved into overwintering areas. Work shorelines slowly with shad imitation lures.
- Northern Pike – Fair: Try slow retrieving crankbaits along backwater shorelines.
- Sauger – Good: Anglers are catching nice-sized sauger vertical jigging live bait.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are still actively feeding on rocky shorelines. Look for them to move toward deep water holes near wing dams.
- Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing in tailwaters has been good. Most fish being caught vertical jigging live bait; try trolling crankbaits in deep water to find pockets of active fish.
Pool 10, Mississippi River (Clayton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is 612.9 feet at the Lynxville Dam and expected to remain stable. Water clarity is good.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie bite is mixed as fish head into overwintering areas. Look for crappie near mouths of backwater areas.
- Bluegill – Fair: Most bluegills should have moved into overwintering areas. Use small jigs and bobbers to detect light bites.
- Channel Catfish – Slow
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth should have mostly moved into overwintering areas. Work shorelines slowly with shad imitation lures.
- Northern Pike – Fair: Try slow retrieving crankbaits along backwater shorelines.
- Sauger – Good: Anglers are catching nice-sized sauger vertical jigging live bait.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are still actively feeding on rocky shorelines. Look for them to move toward deep water holes near wing dams.
- Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing in tailwaters has been good. Most fish being caught vertical jigging live bait; try trolling crankbaits in deep water to find pockets of active fish.
Pool 11, Mississippi River (Clayton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 49.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is 4.7 at Lock and Dam 10 at Guttenberg and expected to remain stable. Water clarity is good. The bite is improving below the Lock and Dam.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie bite is mixed as fish head into overwintering areas. Look for crappie near mouths of backwater areas.
- Bluegill – Fair: Most bluegills should have moved into overwintering areas. Use small jigs and bobbers to detect light bites.
- Channel Catfish – Slow
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth should have mostly moved into overwintering areas. Work shorelines slowly with shad imitation lures.
- Northern Pike – Fair: Try slow retrieving crankbaits along backwater shorelines.
- Sauger – Good: Anglers are catching nice-sized sauger vertical jigging live bait.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are still actively feeding on rocky shorelines. Look for them to movr toward deep water holes near wing dams.
- Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing in tailwaters has been good. Most fish being caught vertical jigging live bait; try trolling crankbaits in deep water to find pockets of active fish.
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Northeast
Decorah Management District
- Contact Person: Caleb Schnitzler – 563-382-8324
Weekend daytime temperatures will warm into the low 60s, falling to the 20s at night. Water levels on many area rivers and streams are normal to low for this time of year. Water clarity is excellent. Last updated on 11/13/2025
Allamakee County Trout Streams (Allamakee)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The Trout Team thanks the dedicated anglers, generous landowners, and loyal supporters who contributed to the success of our program. Your support and kind words ensure our program remains strong and vibrant. Hunting seasons are open in many wildlife management areas that contain trout streams; anglers may observe increased activity on these shared lands. For your safety, dress appropriately (e.g., wear bright colors). Please respect all users of these shared natural resources.
- Brook Trout – Slow: Brook trout spawn is nearing completion. Brook trout spawn in similar locations as brown trout. Walk around these clean, gravelly areas. Brook and Brown trout eggs incubate in these areas for several months.
- Brown Trout – Good: Brown trout spawning is nearing an end for the year. Walk around clean, gravelly spots in stream bottom; these are trout nests or redds. Browns should start biting again. Use larger flies imitating smaller fish.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: With the close of the catchable trout stocking season, area streams still hold plenty of carryover trout to keep anglers busy through the off season. Use spinner baits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, bread, or cheese floated through deeper holes.
Cedar River (above Nashua) (Floyd)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are stable with good to excellent clarity. With clear water, fish overcast days and at dawn or dusk.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use crank baits or jigs tipped with plastic tails in back eddies or off channel areas. Hit-or-miss action.
- Walleye – Good: Walleye are moving to deeper holes; use jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is improving as water temperatures fall.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small minnow under a bobber or a small bladed lure slowly retrieved.
- Bluegill – Fair: Shoreline anglers are finding success using a small piece of worm on a hook under a bobber.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity should improve as water temperatures continue to cool.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small bladed lure slowly retrieved.
- Bluegill – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a small piece of worm or waxworm under a bobber in about 6 feet of water or shallower.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) (Winneshiek)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are stable with excellent clarity. Try fishing overcast days or at dawn and dusk due to clear water.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use jigs tipped with a worm or plastic tails near rocky outcroppings or ledges. Bass are moving to deeper water for the winter.
- Walleye – Fair: Walleye are moving to overwintering holes. Use a crank or spinner bait through a deeper hole.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is improving with cooler temperatures. Find fish shallower later in evening after sunny days.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Use a tube jig tipped with a minnow under a bobber. Find fish around submersed trees or rocky edges.
- Bluegill – Fair: A small piece of worm or waxworm on a small jig works well.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use a crank or spinner bait with a slow retrieve along a steep depth contour.
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Manchester Management District
- Contact Person: Dan Kirby – 563-927-3276
Most interior rivers are providing fair to good walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike fishing. A few anglers are targeting lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo without much success. Contact your local bait shops for the most recent hot spots. Last updated on 11/13/2025
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) (Black Hawk)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are doing fair to good on smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and a few crappie on the Cedar River. Focus your efforts in the deeper portions of the river as water temperatures decline and fish move into overwintering areas.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Target structure in deeper slack/backwater areas on the Cedar River. Try a minnow under a slip bobber or vertical jigging smaller hair jigs.
- Northern Pike – Good: Cast and retrieve spinner baits or flashy spoons.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with a nightcrawler/minnow or float a nightcrawler under a slip bobber.
- Walleye – Good: Use live or artificial baits; fish are very susceptible with low river levels.
- White Crappie – Fair: Target structure in deeper slack/backwater areas on the Cedar River. Try a minnow under a slip bobber or vertical jigging smaller hair jigs.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) (Delaware)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The Maquoketa River is in excellent condition. Anglers are catching walleye and smallmouth bass in Delaware County. Focus your efforts in the deeper portions of the river as water temperatures decline and fish move into overwintering areas.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with a nightcrawler/minnow or float a nightcrawler under a slip bobber.
- Walleye – Fair: Use live or artificial baits; fish are very susceptible with low river levels.
Maquoketa River (below Monticello) (Jackson)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are catching smallmouth bass and walleye on the lower Maquoketa River. Focus your efforts in the deeper portions of the river as water temperatures decline and fish move into overwintering areas.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Anglers are doing well using a snell rig tipped with a minnow or floating a nightcrawler under a slip bobber.
- Walleye – Excellent: Anglers are doing well using a snell rig tipped with a minnow or floating a nightcrawler under a slip bobber.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) (Butler)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are focusing on walleye and smallmouth bass on the Shell Rock River. Focus your efforts in the deeper portions of the river as water temperatures decline and fish move into overwintering areas.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with or without a nightcrawler or float a nightcrawler under a slip bobber.
- Walleye – Good: Use live or artificial baits; fish are very susceptible with low river levels.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) (Buchanan)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are focusing on walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike on the Wapsipinicon River. Focus your efforts in the deeper portions of the river as water temperatures decline and fish move into overwintering areas.
- Northern Pike – Good: Cast and retrieve spinner baits or flashy spoons.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with a nightcrawler or float a nightcrawler under a slip bobber.
Walleye – Good: Use live or artificial baits; fish are very susceptible with low river levels.
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Northwest
Black Hawk Management District
- Contact Person: Ben Wallace – 712-657-2638
Water temperatures are in the low 40s in most area lakes. Last updated on 11/13/2025
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The boat ramp courtesy dock has been removed for the season.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Rainbow Trout – Fair: Rainbow trout were stocked earlier this fall. Use a small hook with a nightcrawler or corn under a small bobber, or cast small spinners.
- Water Temperature (°F): 41.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The fish cleaning station is closed for the season. The courtesy docks at the south ramp and Ice House Point boat ramps have been removed for the season. The dock at the marina will remain in year-round.
- Black Bullhead – Fair
- Black Crappie – Fair: Try from the fish house in Town Bay and near the stone piers. Most fish are smaller; a few keepers are being picked up.
- Channel Catfish – Fair
- Walleye – Good: The bite has picked up. Anglers are catching fish along Ice House Point, Town Bay, and the east end near the outlet. Jigs and minnows work well.
- Water Temperature (°F): 41.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
North and East docks are removed for the season. The docks at the south and west ramps will remain in year-round.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Rainbow Trout – Fair: Rainbow trout were stocked earlier this fall. Use a small hook with a nightcrawler or corn under a small bobber, or cast small spinners.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Courtesy docks at the South and Southeast boat ramps have been removed for the season.
- Black Bullhead – Fair
- Yellow Bass – Fair: Use a piece of crawler on a small hook or a jig under a bobber near shore. Catch bass up to 8-inches.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) (Buena Vista)
- Water Temperature (°F): 41.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Channel Catfish – Fair
Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching walleye from shore. Evening bite is best.
White Bass – Fair
Yellow Perch – Fair: Keepers are in the 9-inch range.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie – Fair
Bluegill – Fair
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Clear Lake Management District
- Contact Person: Scott Grummer – 641-357-3517
For additional information, contact Clear Lake Fisheries Office at 641-357-3517. Last updated on 11/13/2025
- Water Temperature (°F): 41.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 2.2 inches below crest. The courtesy docks at the City and Ritz ramp have been removed for the season. The McIntosh and Ventura docks are scheduled to be pulled later this week.
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- Walleye – Fair: Use crankbaits and live bait rigs near vegetation. Shore anglers are catching walleyes fishing from the jetties. Best bite is early morning and evenings.
- Yellow Bass – Good
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The courtesy dock at the boat ramp has been removed.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Any water west of the north boat ramp is a waterfowl refuge and is closed to all activities from September 1st through the final day of the duck season.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Bluegill – Good
Yellow Perch – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
River level is 5 feet.
Smallmouth Bass – Fair
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Spirit Lake Management District
- Contact Person: Jed Siegwarth – 712-330-2542
Water temperatures are dropping with consistent cooler weather; most areas are in the low 50s to 40s. Fishing has been good for a variety of species. Fish are moving shallower. Most private docks and hoists have been removed from the lake. Most courtesy docks have been pulled at boat ramps for the season. Docks at Triboji, Upper Gar and Templar ramp are in all season. Last updated on 11/10/2025
- Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Most boat ramp docks have been pulled for the year making access more difficult. The dock at Upper Gar Boat ramp is in all season. Anglers are catching various panfish species.
- Black Crappie – Fair
- Bluegill – Good
- Yellow Bass – Good
- Yellow Perch – Fair: Many fish have been observed; sorting will most likely be needed.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is slowly clearing up as temperatures fall. Walleye anglers report good size fish.
- Walleye – Fair
Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)
- Water Temperature (°F): 52.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Most courtesy ramp docks have been pulled for the season. The Templar Lagoon boat ramp dock is still available for use.
- Black Crappie – Excellent: Anglers are catching crappie on jigs with minnows or plastics in 8-12 feet of water.
- Bluegill – Fair
- Walleye – Good: Anglers are using crawlers and following weed lines.
- Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers report catching greater numbers of fish recently.
- Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The boat ramp dock at Triboji is still in place.
- Black Crappie – Fair
- Bluegill – Good
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Southeast
Lake Darling Management District
- Contact Person: Vance Polton – 319-694-2430
For more information on these lakes and ponds, call the Lake Darling Fisheries at 319-694-2430. Last updated on 11/10/2025
- Water Temperature (°F): 56.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature is in the mid-50s during the afternoons. A few degrees cooler in the mornings, fluctuating several degrees during the day.
- Rainbow Trout – Status Unsure: The fall community trout stocking has been rescheduled for Nov. 14 at 10 a.m.
- Water Temperature (°F): 51.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The water temperature is going up during the daytime as afternoon high air temperatures have been in the mid to upper 60s. The water cools back down at night.
- Black Crappie – Good: Some boat anglers are doing well catching crappies over top the deeper brush piles with a jig and minnow.
- Bluegill – Fair: Most bluegills have moved to deeper habitat in 8-10 feet of water. Try the rock piles off lagoon point and the brush piles across from the main boat ramp. Start down sizing your baits to smaller jigs (1/64 oz) and waxworms or red worms.
- Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature is in the low 50s, reaching the mid-50s during sunny afternoons.
- Rainbow Trout – Status Unsure: The fall trout stocking has been rescheduled for November 14th at noon.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature is in the mid-50s.
Rainbow Trout – Status Unsure: The fall community trout stocking has been rescheduled for Nov. 14 at noon.
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Macbride Management District
- Contact Person: D. J. Vogeler or Chris Mack – 319-624-3615
Water temperatures are in the low 50s across the management area. Last updated on 11/13/2025
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids) (Linn)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing rock shorelines with deeper holes.
Walleye – Fair: Try fishing rock shorelines and deeper holes with current seams.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing around brush piles.
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing brush piles along shorelines.
Coralville Reservoir (Johnson)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing in brush piles and along rock ledges.
Largemouth Bass – Fair
Spotted bass – Fair: Try fishing in brush piles and rocks.
Walleye – Slow: Try fishing along rock points.
White Crappie – Fair: Try fishing brush piles and rock ledges.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing along pallet structures.
Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try fishing rock shoreline areas with brush piles or wood pallets.
Redear Sunfish – Fair: Try fishing along pallet structures.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie are schooled around points and rock jetties.
Largemouth Bass – Fair
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Sauger – Slow: Use soft plastics along deep holes with rock and current seams.
Saugeye – Slow: Use soft plastics along deep holes with rock and current seams.
Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use soft plastics along deep holes with rock and current seams.
Spotted bass – Fair: Use soft plastics or crank baits along rock shorelines and brush piles.
Walleye – Fair: Use soft plastics along deep holes with rock and current seams.
White Bass – Fair: Try soft plastics or minnows below the dams.
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Try soft plastics or minnows below the dams.
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake) (Iowa)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Walleye – Fair: Try fishing creek mouths or rocky shorelines.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing brush piles. Look for crappie along shore and in deeper water areas.
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing rock shorelines and brush piles.
Spotted bass – Fair: Try fishing rock shorelines and brush piles.
Walleye – Fair: Try fishing rock shorelines and brush piles.
White Crappie – Fair: Try fishing brush piles. Find crappie along shore and in deeper water areas.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Rainbow Trout – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try fishing around brush piles.
Muskellunge – Slow: Try fishing around brush piles.
Walleye – Fair: Try fishing along wind-blown shorelines after sunset.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Rainbow Trout – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Rainbow Trout – Fair: Try fishing around standing vegetation or brush piles.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing rock areas and brush piles.
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing rock areas, brush piles or patches of cattail along the shoreline.
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) (Jones)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Northern Pike – Slow: Anglers are catching a few pike while fishing for smallmouth and walleye.
Sauger – Slow: Use soft plastics along deep holes with rock and current seams.
Smallmouth Bass – Fair
Walleye – Fair: Try fishing rock shorelines and deeper holes with current seams.
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Rathbun Management District
- Contact Person: Rathbun Fish Hatchery personnel – 641-647-2406
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie – Slow: Try small jigs around the submerged structure and around the jetties.
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs along the shorelines and in openings in the vegetation.
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics around the jetties and along the face of the dam.
- Ramp Condition: Closed
Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project. Please stay out of the lakebed.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie – Slow: Try small jigs along the face of the dam and around the docks.
Bluegill – Slow: Use small jigs around the cedar trees piles or along the shoreline.
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target areas of the lake with rip-rap such as the jetties and along the face of the dam.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie – Fair: Try jig and minnow combos. Look for suspended fish in 6-8 feet of water. Crappies should start to move shallow as the water cools.
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs in the open areas around the vegetation.
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics around the fishing jetties and along any rip-rapped shoreline.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie – Fair: Use jigs around the cedar tree piles or target suspended fish in 6-8 feet of water.
Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills around structure; use small jigs.
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinnerbaits and plastics around the cedar tree piles.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) (Wapello)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout were stocked on Tuesday, November 4th. Try spinners or a chunk of nightcrawler. Target schools of trout as they swim past around the edge of the pond.
- Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 904.54 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another water body. The boat ramps at Prairie Ridge and Honey Creek Resort are closed. The campgrounds at Bridgeview, Prairie Ridge and Island View are closed for the season.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Target brush piles and other underwater areas with structure.
- Channel Catfish – Slow: Try cut bait along the shoreline is 4-8 feet of water.
- Walleye – Slow: Use crankbaits around rock piles and the old river channel.
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Try vertically jigging over rock piles or trolling crankbaits.
White Oak Conservation Area Lake (Mahaska)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try crankbaits around the rock jetty or along the face of the dam.
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Southwest
Boone Management District
- Contact Person: Andy Otting – 515-204-5885
November is a good time to target walleye in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. Last updated on 11/10/2025
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake (Story)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Monday, Nov. 3. Cast small in-line spinners, spoons, twister tail jigs and live baits under floats.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
All docks are out, except the Williams Drive Boat Ramp. This dock will remain in until just before ice cover.
- Walleye – Fair: Try jigging or trolling nightcrawlers or shad imitating plastics off jetties and around points and humps deeper during the day at depths of 8 to 15 feet and shallower in the evenings at 3 to 10 feet deep.
- White Crappie – Good: Try small panfish plastics or live minnows suspended above sunken cedar trees. Use the same baits in the evenings just before dark on the rock jetties to catch crappies feeding shallow.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock) (Marion)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Walleye – Good: Catch walleyes below the dams and in deeper water with slow current near rip-rap or wood. Cast 1/8 to 1/2 ounce jigs tipped with minnows, twister tails or swim baits that imitate small shad or shiners.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake) (Polk)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The boat ramp at Ledges State Park is closed for repairs.
- Walleye – Good: Catch walleye through the fall jigging 1/16 to 1/4 ounce jigs with twister tails, swim baits or live minnows on current seams in depths greater than 5 feet. Look for deep outside bends, and where ravines have deposited large amounts of cobble into the river channel.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Friday, Oct. 31. Cast small in-line spinners, spoons, twister tail jigs and live baits under floats.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
White Crappie – Fair: Try slowly trolling panfish plastics in coves off the main lake or still fishing over artificial structure. Find a map of the structures on the Army Corps of Engineer’s Lake Red Rock Homepage under Fishing Information.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Monday, Oct. 27. Cast small in-line spinners, spoons, twister tail jigs and live baits under floats.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Monday, Oct. 27. Cast small in-line spinners, spoons, twister tail jigs and live baits under floats.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Monday, Oct. 27. Cast small in-line spinners, spoons, twister tail jigs and live baits under floats.
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Cold Springs Management District
- Contact Person: Mark Boucher or John Lorenzen – 712-769-2587
Big Lake (Including Gilbert’s Pond) (Pottawattamie)
- Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Rainbow Trout – Good: Use small spinners, twister tails or live bait.
Farm Creek Lake (a.k.a. Young’s Pond) (Pottawattamie)
- Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Shore anglers are doing well casting along the dam and around the rock jetties.
- Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie – Fair: Slow troll the creek channel to find 8- to 9-inch black crappie.
Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching bluegill around the rock piles out from the campground.
Largemouth Bass – Status Unsure
- Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie – Fair: Target the tree piles with small plastics to catch 10-inch black crappie.
Bluegill – Slow: Anglers are catching a few bluegill east of the beach on the rock piles with nightcrawlers.
Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie – Status Unsure: Try minnows under a bobber in the flooded trees. Fish will average 9-inches.
Bluegill – Slow
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Mt. Ayr Management District
- Contact Person: Andy Jansen – 641-464-3108
Water temperature is in the low to mid-50s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. Last updated on 10/29/2025
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The dock is in at the main boat ramp.
Largemouth Bass – Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 19-inches with finesse plastics around rocky shorelines.
Little River Watershed Lake (Decatur)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The dock is in at the main boat ramp.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Catch crappie of all sizes with a jig tipped with live bait near deep cedar tree brushpiles.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is about 7 feet below normal pool.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Yellow Perch – Fair: Catch all sizes of yellow perch with jigs tipped with live bait in shallow coves.
