The weekly fishing report is broken down by fisheries regions and management districts – Mississippi River, northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest.
Use the new search and filter options to 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
Bellevue Management District
Mississippi River water levels have crested or are nearing crest from north to south. Water levels are forecast to drop about four feet across the district over the next week. Water clarity remains stained/cloudy. Use caution when navigating; large woody debris is floating down the main channel and side channels. Fishing pressure has been light because of poor river conditions. Last updated on 04/23/2026
Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)
- Water Temperature (°F): 57.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 14.3 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and will fall four or five feet over the next week. Fishing pressure has been light. Use caution when navigating; there is still a fair amount of woody debris floating in the main channel and side channels. Call your local bait shops for the latest information on river conditions.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers caught a few fish in harbor areas during the high water.
- Bluegill – Slow: Anglers caught a few fish in harbor areas during the high water.
- Channel Catfish – Slow: Focus on areas with shallower and warmer water with some woody structure. Use a nightcrawler or dip baits.
- Freshwater Drum – Slow: Expect the drum bite to pick up as water levels fall. Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers; they will bite readily this time of year. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig.
- Northern Pike – Slow: Anglers have caught a few pike in the Dubuque tailwater. Pool 12 has excellent numbers of pike.
- Sauger – Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days.
- Walleye – Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days.
- White Bass – Fair: Shore anglers caught a few white bass recently near the Dubuque tailwater.
Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)
- Water Temperature (°F): 57.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 14.8 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and is forecast to fall about 4 feet over the next week. Water clarity is stained. Fishing pressure has been light. Use caution when navigating; there is still a lot of woody debris on the move with the high water. The boat ramp at the Bellevue Fisheries station is unusable; most other ramps across the pool remain open.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Once water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.
- Bluegill – Slow: Once water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Focus on areas with shallower and warmer water and woody structure. Use a nightcrawler or dip baits.
- Freshwater Drum – Slow: Expect the drum bite to pick up as water levels fall. Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers; they will bite readily this time of year. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig.
- Northern Pike – Slow: Good numbers of pike exist in Pool 13.
- Sauger – Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days.
- Walleye – Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days. Fishing should pick back up once water levels stabilize.
Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 59.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 14.6 feet at Lock and Dam 13; it will crest in the next day or two, then start to steadily fall. Use caution when navigating; watch for large woody debris.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure: Once water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.
- Bluegill – Slow: Once water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.
- Channel Catfish – Slow: Focus on areas with shallower and warmer water and woody structure. Use a nightcrawler or dip baits.
- Freshwater Drum – Slow: Expect the drum bite to pick up as the water levels fall. Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers; they will bite readily this time of year. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig.
- Sauger – Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days.
- Walleye – Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days.
- White Crappie – Slow: Once water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.
Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 10.3 feet at Lock and Dam 14; it will crest in the next day or two, then will start falling steadily. Fishing pressure has been light. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.
- Channel Catfish – Slow
- Freshwater Drum – Slow: Expect the drum bite to pick up as water levels fall. Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers; they will bite readily this time of year. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig.
- Sauger – Slow
- Walleye – Slow
- White Bass – Slow
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Fairport Management District
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River stage has been on the rise with recent heavy rains. Main channel water temperature is 58-60 degrees. Water clarity is poor. Some boat ramps are closed due to high water conditions. Fishing has been slow. Last updated on 04/16/2026
Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Water Temperature (°F): 58.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 13.26 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 14.8 feet by the middle of next week. Flood Stage is 15 feet. River stage at Fairport is 13.35 feet; flood stage is 14 feet. Fishing has been difficult with the high and muddy water conditions.
Pool 17, Mississippi River (Muscatine)
- Water Temperature (°F): 61.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 12.50 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 14.5 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. The boat ramp at Big Timber is closed due to high water. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions.
Pool 18, Mississippi River (Louisa)
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Closed
Tailwater stage has risen to 14.22 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 16 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Toolsboro landing is closed due to high water. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions.
Pool 19, Mississippi River (Lee)
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage has risen to 10.43 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 11.4 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 15.34 feet; flood stage is 15 feet. The Tama Beach and Sullivan Slough boat ramps most likely have water over top of the them.
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Guttenberg Management District
Water levels on the Upper Mississippi are on a steady decline. Water clarity is stained. Water temperatures are rising into the upper 50s to 60. The bite is picking up with the higher water temperatures. Last updated on 04/23/2026
Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)
- Water Temperature (°F): 59.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
River level is 10 feet at Lansing and is on a steady fall. New Albin Army Road has water over the road.
- Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum are biting on a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
- Northern Pike – Fair: Comment: Cast chartreuse colored baits along shorelines and weed edges to hook a post-spawn northern pike.
- Sauger – Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast inline spinners along the rocks in areas with moderate current to catch feeding smallmouth bass.
- Walleye – Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
- White Bass – Fair: Cast an inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.
- Yellow Perch – Slow: Reports of a few perch biting before the rain and rise in water levels. Use jigs tipped with live minnows in off-current areas.
Pool 10, Mississippi River (Clayton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 59.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is 620.9 feet and on a steady decline this week at Lynxville. Sny Magill landing is closed due to water over the road. Water clarity is improving.
- Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum are biting on a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
- Northern Pike – Fair: Comment: Cast chartreuse colored baits along shorelines and weed edges to hook a post-spawn northern pike.
- Sauger – Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast inline spinners along the rocks in areas with moderate current to catch feeding smallmouth bass.
- Walleye – Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
- White Bass – Fair: Cast an inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.
Pool 11, Mississippi River (Clayton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 59.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is 13.3 feet at the Lock and Dam below Guttenberg and is expected to steadily fall. When the lock gates are out, look for fish to move away from the dam to slack water. Try fishing the downstream current seams off the main channel. Water clarity is improving.
- Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum are biting on a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
- Northern Pike – Fair: Cast chartreuse colored baits along shorelines and weed edges to hook a post-spawn northern pike.
- Sauger – Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast inline spinners along the rocks in areas with moderate current to catch feeding smallmouth bass.
- Walleye – Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
- White Bass – Fair: Cast an inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.
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Northeast
Decorah Management District
Conditions will be more seasonal through the weekend. Daytime temperatures will each into the 60s with overnight lows in the 40s. Area river levels are normalizing and clearing. The amount of rain on Thursday evening may affect water quality. Stocking calendars for the 2026 season are available on the DNR Trout Fishing website. Last updated on 04/23/2026
Allamakee County Trout Streams (Allamakee)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Catchable trout stocking season is in full swing. Water levels are elevated, but clear. Third turkey hunting season runs through April 28. Avoid wearing red, white, or blue colors.
- Brown Trout – Good: Fresh inputs from recent rain events improved the bite. Early spring hatches often feature smaller insects. Drop one hook size or use a smaller fly if you are getting rises, but no hookups.
- Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating small crustaceans, midges, mayfly larvae, or caddis flies.
Cedar River (above Nashua) (Floyd)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are falling with improved clarity. Use caution boating; submersed hazards may have moved with recent rain.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Use a hook with a dead chub, fresh dead minnow, or stink bait fished on the bottom.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Find smallies in off-channel areas. Use a small jig or crankbait fished near the bottom.
- Walleye – Good: Use a jig with a live minnow about a foot off the bottom in an off channel area or back eddy.
Clayton County Trout Streams (Clayton)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Catchable trout stocking season is in full swing. Water levels are elevated, but clear. Third turkey hunting season runs through April 28. Avoid wearing red, white, or blue colors.
- Brown Trout – Good: Fresh inputs from recent rain events improved the bite. Early spring hatches often feature smaller insects. Drop one hook size or use a smaller fly if you are getting rises, but no hookups.
- Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating small crustaceans, midges, mayfly larvae, or caddis flies.
Fayette County Trout Streams (Fayette)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Catchable trout stocking season is in full swing. Water levels are elevated, but clear. Third turkey hunting season runs through April 28. Avoid wearing red, white, or blue colors.
- Brown Trout – Good: Fresh inputs from recent rain events improved the bite. Early spring hatches often feature smaller insects. Drop one hook size or use a smaller fly if you are getting rises, but no hookups.
- Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating small crustaceans, midges, mayfly larvae, or caddis flies.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is improving; the water continues to warm.
- Black Crappie – Good: Try a jig head tipped with a minnow or plastic jig fished in deeper water near structure.
- Bluegill – Good: Gills come in shore toward evening to find food near downed logs or trees. Downed logs provide food for aquatic insects and small crustaceans, favorite treats for bluegills, and a safe place to escape predators.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Find bass prowling the shoreline in the evening looking for unsuspecting prey. Use a spinner or crankbait with a slow retrieve from shore.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is improving with 6 to 8 feet visibility. Best bite is in the morning and evening.
- Black Crappie – Good: Find crappie suspended. Try a small spinner or crankbait with a slow or varied retrieval.
- Bluegill – Good: Gills come in shore toward evening to find food near downed logs or trees. Downed logs provide food for aquatic insects and small crustaceans, favorite treats for bluegills, and a safe place to escape predators.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: With warmer water, bass are actively be looking for prey fish. Use a crankbait or a spinner retrieved slowly.
- Northern Pike – Fair: Pike hang in weedy areas stalking prey. Use a spoon or hair jig to tease this feisty fish.
Mitchell County Trout Streams (Mitchell)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Catchable trout stocking season is in full swing. Water levels are elevated, but clear. Third turkey hunting season runs through April 28. Avoid wearing red, white, or blue colors.
- Brown Trout – Good: Fresh inputs from recent rain events improved the bite. Early spring hatches often feature smaller insects. Drop one hook size or use a smaller fly if you are getting rises, but no hookups.
- Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating small crustaceans, midges, mayfly larvae, or caddis flies.
Turkey River (above Clermont) (Fayette)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are falling with improved clarity. Use caution boating; submersed hazards may have moved with recent rain events.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Find smallies in deeper holes near the stream bottom; try to entice them with smaller presentations and a slow retrieve.
- Walleye – Slow: Use a jig with a live minnow about a foot off the bottom in an off channel area or back eddy.
- White Sucker – Excellent: The sucker bite is on with temperatures in the mid to upper 50s. Use a hook or jig tipped with a nightcrawler fished on the bottom.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) (Winneshiek)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are falling. Water clarity is improving as rain events slow. Use caution boating; submersed hazards may have moved with recent high water.
- Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find smallies in deeper holes near the stream bottom; try to entice them with smaller presentations and a slow retrieve.
- Walleye – Fair: Use a jig with a live minnow about a foot off the bottom in an off channel area or a clear water seam. Try fishing deeper or later in the day on clear days.
- White Sucker – Excellent: The sucker bite is on with water temperatures in the mid-50s. Use a jig tipped with a worm fished on the bottom.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Fish activity is improving as the water warms. Try fishing over structure or shallower areas toward evening.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Try a jig head tipped with a minnow or plastic jig from shoreline.
- Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill bite is improving as the water temperature warms. Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm or spike.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are hitting worms or dead chubs fished off bottom.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are hitting spinner baits near structure about 2 to 3 feet below surface.
Winneshiek County Trout Streams (Winneshiek)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Catchable trout stocking season is in full swing. Water levels are elevated, but clear. Third turkey hunting season runs through April 28. Avoid wearing red, white, or blue colors.
- Brook Trout – Slow: Skinny water with dense beds of aquatic vegetation to hide in is a brook trout’s favorite hangout. In tight runs around rocks, currents can pull your line and make your fly look unnatural. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift.
- Brown Trout – Good: Fresh inputs from recent rain events improved the bite. Early spring hatches often feature smaller insects. Drop one hook size or use a smaller fly if you are getting rises, but no hookups.
- Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating small crustaceans, midges, mayfly larvae, or caddis flies.ceholder text.
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Manchester Management District
The Interior rivers are falling and starting to clear. Anglers are catching walleye and smallmouth bass on the Cedar River. Trout streams in Clayton, Delaware and Dubuque counties are in excellent condition; good reports on trout fishing. Contact your local area bait and tackle shops for the most up-to-date reports. Last updated on 04/22/2026
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Anglers are catching rainbow trout.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Anglers are catching both rainbow and brown trout.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) (Black Hawk)
- Water Temperature (°F): 52.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The Cedar River is currently falling. Anglers are catching walleye, smallmouth bass and an occasional northern pike.
- Black Crappie – Good: Try locating structure above impounded dams using electronics to find fish. Use a live minnow under a slip bobber or jigging flashy hair jigs or tube jigs.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure
- Northern Pike – Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spoons or try a live chub or shiner under a bobber near slack water areas.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast and retrieve jigs with plastics tipped with or without a live minnow.
- Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve jigs with plastics tipped with or without a live minnow. Present a slower retrieve with the cooler water temperatures if you are casting crankbaits.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout stocking scheduled for April 2026 at Dalton Pond has been canceled. A bridge used to access the trout fishing destination is closed due to structural deterioration. The Iowa DNR is gathering cost estimates and preliminary plans to determine next steps at Dalton Pond. Local media outlets and this weekly report will be updated with developments. Dalton Pond is currently accessible only as a walk-in fishery.
- Rainbow Trout – Fair
Delaware County Trout Streams (Delaware)
- Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Delaware County are in excellent condition. A recent sample on Spring Branch Creek showed good numbers of quality sized brown trout at the fish hatchery. There have been good reports at Richmond Springs within Backbone Park as well.
- Brown Trout – Good: Try matching the hatch with the recent onset of warmer weather. Spin cast fishing has been good with casting little crankbaits as well.
Dubuque County Trout Streams (Dubuque)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Dubuque County are in excellent condition. Catfish Creek within the upper end of Swiss Valley Park is a very popular area for both rainbow and brown trout.
- Water Temperature (°F): 52.0
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
North Prairie Lake will be stocked with rainbow trout this Saturday, April 25th.
Jackson County Trout Streams (Jackson)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Jackson County are in excellent condition.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) (Delaware)
- Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The Maquoketa River is falling; no fishing reports this past week.
North Prairie Lake (Black Hawk)
- Water Temperature (°F): 52.0
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
North Prairie Lake will be stocked with rainbow trout this Saturday, April 25th.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Anglers are catching trout at Richmond Springs in Backbone State Park.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) (Butler)
- Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No fishing reports this past week on the Shell Rock River.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) (Buchanan)
- Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The Wapsipinicon River is starting to fall, but still remains turbid. No fishing reports this past week.
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Northwest
Black Hawk Management District
Shore fishing is productive on many area lakes. Water temperatures are in the mid-60s. Last updated on 04/23/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 63.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Water Temperature (°F): 63.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappie from shore. Try anywhere in Town Bay, near the fish house, and along Ice House Point shoreline.
- Walleye – Good: Anglers are picking up fish by boat and from shore. Jigs and crawlers work best; anglers are also using crankbaits. Popular places to fish include: Town Bay, along Ice House Point shoreline, North shore, and the east end near the outlet.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Panfish action has started to pick up. Look for crappie near shore in woody structure.
- Walleye – Fair
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) (Buena Vista)
- Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Walleye – Fair: Target walleye along the east shore, north shore, near the inlet, and in the marina as the water temperatures warm up. Use a twister or try a minnow or leach under a bobber from shore.
- White Bass – Fair
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Clear Lake Management District
For information on lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office. Last updated on 04/09/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 58.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 0.84 inches above crest. All courtesy docks are in for the season.
- Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching walleyes on a variety of baits.
- Yellow Bass – Slow: Try small jigs tipped with bait.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The courtesy dock is in for the season.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Try trolling or drift fishing in 5 to 10 feet of water.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Yellow Perch – Status Unsure
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The courtesy dock is in for the season.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Yellow Perch – Slow
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The river level is 6.10 feet.
Northern Pike – Fair: Northern Pike are hitting live bait, jigs and crankbaits.
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Spirit Lake Management District
Boat ramp courtesy docks are in place. Water temperatures have risen significantly. Most lakes are in the upper 50s to low 60s. Many fish species have started to move into shallower water. The walleye season is closed on the Iowa Great Lakes until May 2nd. Last updated on 04/23/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
All ramps are open. The walleye season is closed until May 2nd.
- Black Crappie – Slow
- Bluegill – Fair
- Pumpkinseed – Fair
- Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Some anglers have been catching fish from shore.
- Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers had been reporting lots of smaller yellow bass during the ice season.
Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Boat ramp docks are in. The channel at Templar Park boat ramp is open, allowing easier travel to and from the lake. The walleye season is closed until May 2nd.
- Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching fish in 16 feet of water. Using electronics makes it easy to get on top of fish. Try 1/16th and 1/32nd ounce jigs with a minnow or plastic.
- Bluegill – Good: Some anglers have been successful with hook, worm and bobber from shore.
- Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers were catching good amounts of quality-size, 9- to 13-inch fish during the ice season.
- Water Temperature (°F): 56.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
All ramps should be available for use. The walleye season is closed until May 2nd.
Bluegill – Slow: Anglers had been 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
- Water Temperature (°F): 66.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing slowed down a little as the week has progressed. Anglers are still catching decent numbers in 6-8 feet of water in amongst the flooded timber. Try bobber and minnow or vertical jigging.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: On sunny warm (70+) days, anglers were picking up bass along the north side along the more open shoreline where the sun could get in to warm the water.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi R) (Louisa)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The water level is dropping, but is still only about a foot and a half from being bank full.
- Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Starting to see the curly-leaf pondweed coming up. Water clarity is good.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Bite is hit-and-miss. The last couple of days have been slow for catching crappies. Haven’t seen many up close to shore spawning.
- Bluegill – Fair: Starting to see a good number of smaller bluegills coming into shallow water. No sign of nest building yet.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: A few more boats are chasing bass on sunny warm days. Anglers are catching some decent bass up to 4 pounds. Try working the lures slow and shallow along sun heated rocks.
- Water Temperature (°F): 66.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Surface temperature is 66 degrees; down four feet below the surface at 65 degrees, so the water is mixing. Water clarity is good at about 5 feet, especially after all the wind and rain. Lake level is about 6-8 inches higher than normal.
- Black Crappie – Fair: The crappie bite is fair to slow. Tuesday (4/21), anglers were doing fairly well along the rock piles and brush in 6-7 feet of water; decent catch of eaters with some sorting. Wednesday (4/22) morning the bite was slow and only for the smaller fish; started to pick back up towards the evening.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass are starting to occupy the habitat in the shallower water. The brushpiles and old willow bats in 4 to 5 feet of water are holding good numbers of decent sized fish. Haven’t seen any nesting behavior yet.
- Water Temperature (°F): 67.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Bite has been hit-or-miss; one day they will be along the brush and tree falls near shore, the next they will be back out in the habitat in 8 feet of water. They are not spawning yet.
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Depends on the day. Warm and sunny: hit the tops of the long mounds across from the beach or along the rock shoreline in the sun with crankbaits. Cool and cloudy: work the steeper shorelines where they can stay closer to deeper water.
- Water Temperature (°F): 66.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
All the boat docks repairs are finished and the docks are in at all three ramps. The water pumps have been installed at the fish cleaning stations for the season. Water clarity is good at about 6 feet. Curly-leaf pondweed is starting to grow.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers were picking up crappies in amongst the trees in 6-8 feet of water, but yesterday (4/23) that bite slowed possibly due to the front moving in today (4/24). Use a slip bobber and minnows.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: The evening bite is starting to get established with the warm weather. Most bass are hanging out in 4-6 feet of water around the habitat. No sign of nesting behavior by the males yet.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock) (Washington)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The Skunk River came down about a foot this last week. It is down to about 3 feet below bank full. The current remains fairly fast.
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Macbride Management District
Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow) (Cedar)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Fair
- Flathead Catfish – Slow
- Sauger – Slow
- Walleye – Slow
Coralville Reservoir (Johnson)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Good
- Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing along the rock shorelines.
- Channel Catfish – Good
- Green Sunfish – Fair: Try fishing along the rock shorelines.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- White Crappie – Good
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Rainbow Trout – Slow
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Bluegill – Fair
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Largemouth Bass – Good
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Good: Try fishing around the brush piles along shore.
- Bluegill – Good
- Largemouth Bass – Good
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Fair
- Flathead Catfish – Slow
- Sauger – Slow
- Walleye – Slow
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake) (Iowa)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Slow
- Walleye – Slow
- White Bass – Slow
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow
- Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Largemouth Bass – Good
- Spotted bass – Good
- Walleye – Good
- White Crappie – Good
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Slow
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair
- Walleye – Good
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Rainbow trout will be stocked this Friday, April 24 at noon.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) (Jones)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Sauger – Slow
- Smallmouth Bass – Slow
- Walleye – Fair
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Rathbun Management District
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Target channel catfish early spring.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Largemouth Bass – Status Unsure: Target largemouth along the face of the dam and around the fishing jetties.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Slow: Try cut bait or dead minnows.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers report catching largemouth bass. Target the rip-rapped shorelines using plastics or spinnerbaits.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills will move shallow ss the water temperature warms; use small jigs.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target the brush piles with plastics or along the shoreline with spinnerbaits.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) (Wapello)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Anglers report that mornings and evenings are the best bite. Use gold rooster tails or other in-line spinners. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Water Temperature (°F): 51.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 906.51 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Boat ramps are open and docks are installed; campgrounds are still closed. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another water body.
Walleye – Status Unsure: Walleyes are post-spawn.
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Southwest
Boone Management District
City ponds have warmed up fast. This makes for good Crappie, Bluegill and Largemouth Bass fishing ahead of the larger lakes. Check the Iowa DNR Fishing Atlas to find a public fishing pond near you. Crappie fishing is picking up south of Interstate 80. Last updated on 04/23/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie have not moved shallow in large numbers yet. Try fishing in 5-10 feet of water near wood. The best spring crappie fishing is typically around the second week of May.
- Walleye – Fair: Try jigging or trolling in 10 to 20 feet of water during the day near humps, points and creek channel drop-offs. Catch walleye shallow from shore in the evenings near and after sunset on rocky and sandy shorelines. Cast 1/8oz to 1/4oz jigs tipped with twister tail, straight tail or paddletail swimbaits, or, live bait under lighted floats.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock) (Marion)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
River levels have come down, improving fishing conditions.
- White Bass – Fair: White Bass are moving up the river with the high water. Catch White Bass below Scott Street and Center Street casting shad and shiner imitating plastics and blade baits.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake) (Polk)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
River conditions have improved.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or stink baits fished in slower current near log piles and treefalls.
- Walleye – Fair: Catch Walleye off the main current where the substrate is mostly rock or cobble. Cast jigs with twister tails, swimbaits, straight tail baits or live baits.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- White Crappie – Fair: Cast plastics or minnows under floats near rip-rap, rock and habitat added last summer. Find a habitat location map on the Army Corps of Engineer’s Lake Red Rock website under Fishing Information.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on March 23. Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live bait under floats. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Rainbow Trout – Fair: 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
Contact the Cold Springs office with any questions about fishing in the southwest district. Last updated on 04/07/2026
Big Lake (Including Gilbert’s Pond) (Pottawattamie)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Rainbow Trout – Slow: Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, or live bait, such as waxworms, under a bobber. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Cold Springs Lake was drawn-down and renovated in August 2025. The lake is filling and fish have been restocked. Anglers can expect good fishing again by 2028.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Greenfield Lake will be a good crappie destination this spring.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Cast small jigs around the jetties to catch 10-inch black crappie. The bite will get better as water temperatures warm.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use shad sides on the windy shoreline to catch channel catfish of all sizes.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Bluegills and crappies have moved into the pontoon arm of the lake. Try floating small jigs 2 feet under a bobber.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Sorting is needed for larger fish.
- Bluegill – Fair: Crappie anglers are picking up a few bluegills in the pontoon arm.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Cast cut bait on the roadbed in the south arm of the lake.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies have moved into the canals on the west side of the lake.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Cast cut bait on the windy shoreline.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Slow: Catch 8-inch bluegill with waxworms under a bobber around the underwater trees.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching black crappies around the jetties. Sorting is needed for 10-inch fish.
- Bluegill – Fair: Crappie anglers are catching a few big bluegills around the jetties.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Shore anglers are catching largemouth bass around the jetties and in shallow brush piles.
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Mt. Ayr Management District
Water temperature is in the upper 50s to low 60s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. Last updated on 04/23/2026
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch Largemouth Bass up to 18-inches with finesse plastics along rocky shoreline areas.
Little River Watershed Lake (Decatur)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Docks are in at the main and bait shop ramps.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch Largemouth Bass of all sizes using finesse plastics along rocky shoreline areas.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is about 7 feet below normal pool as of April 19.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Docks are in at the main ramp.
Yellow Perch – Fair: Catch Yellow Perch of all sizes with nightcrawlers along the mudflats.
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