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.
|
|
Mississippi River
Bellevue Management District
Mississippi River water levels are rising slowly across the district with the recent rains. Water clarity is stained. Water temperatures are in the upper 70s. Call your local bait shops or DNR Fisheries office for the latest information. Last updated on 06/11/2026
Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)
- Water Temperature (°F): 77.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 5.9 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and slowly rising. Water clarity is stained from the recent rains. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with woody structure.
- Bluegill – Good: The bite is picking up as water temperatures rise. Use a piece of night crawler fished under a bobber in marinas and backwater areas; anglers are catching many males guarding bedding areas.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a night crawler or dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap. Anglers are catching catfish with leeches fished near shoreline riprap. Some channel cats are being caught on wing dams as well.
- Flathead Catfish – Fair: A few anglers are having success on bank poles with live bait set overnight. Rod and reel anglers are reporting success using live bait in the tailwater area.
- Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Try a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use smaller spinnerbaits along the edges of shallow vegetation in backwater areas.
- Northern Pike – Fair: Use large and flashy spinnerbaits along deeper vegetation edges.
- Sauger – Slow: Use a jig and minnow rig in the tailwaters; focus on current seams.
- Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Use crankbaits along wing dams or other rocky areas.
- Walleye – Fair: Use a three-way rig with live bait on wing-dams or along other rocky structure, or use a jig and minnow rig in the tailwaters. Some anglers are having some success trolling crankbaits.
- White Bass – Good: Cast a white inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows, or try a minnow on a three-way rig in the tailwaters.
Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 6.8 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and slowly rising. Water clarity is stained from the recent rains. Call your local DNR Fisheries office for the latest information.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with woody structure.
- Bluegill – Good: The bite is picking up as water temperatures rise. Use a piece of night crawler fished under a bobber; anglers are catching many males guarding bedding areas.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Use a night crawler or dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap. Anglers are also catching catfish with leeches fished near shoreline riprap. Some channel cats are being caught off of wing-dams.
- Flathead Catfish – Fair: A few anglers are having success on bank poles with live bait set overnight. Rod and reel anglers are reporting success using live bait in the tailwater area.
- Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Try a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current. Anglers are catching drum on one-eyes in the tailwater zone.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use smaller spinnerbaits along the edges of shallow vegetation in backwater areas.
- Northern Pike – Fair: Use large and flashy spinnerbaits along deeper vegetation edges.
- Sauger – Fair: Use a jig and minnow rig in the tailwaters; focus on current seams.
- Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Use crankbaits along wing-dams or other rocky areas.
- Walleye – Fair: Use a three-way rig with live bait on wing-dams or along other rocky structure, or use a jig and minnow rig in the tailwaters. Some anglers are having some success trolling crankbaits.
- White Bass – Good: Cast a white inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows, or try a minnow on a three-way rig in the tailwaters.
- White Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with woody structure.
Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 77.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 6.3 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and slowly rising. Water clarity is stained from the recent rains. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with woody structure.
- Bluegill – Good: Look for bluegill in marinas and backwater lakes. The bite is picking up as water temperatures rise. Use a piece of night crawler fished under a bobber.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Use a night crawler or dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap. Anglers are catching catfish with leeches fished near shoreline riprap. Some channel cats are being caught on wing dams.
- Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Try a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use smaller spinnerbaits along the edges of shallow vegetation in backwater areas.
- Sauger – Fair: Use a jig and minnow rig in the tailwaters; focus on current seams.
- Walleye – Good: Use a three-way rig with live bait on wing-dams or other rocky structure, or use a jig and minnow rig in the tailwaters. Some anglers are having some success trolling crankbaits.
- White Bass – Good: Cast a white inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.
- White Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with woody structure.
Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Water Temperature (°F): 79.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 5.6 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and slowly rising Call your local bait shops for the most current information.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Use a night crawler or dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap. Anglers are also catching catfish with leeches fished near shoreline riprap. Some channel cats are being caught off of wing-dams.
- Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers; they will bite readily this time of year. Use a simple egg sinker and night crawler rig in areas with moderate current.
- Sauger – Fair: Use a jig and minnow rig in the tailwaters; focus on current seams.
- Walleye – Fair: Use a three-way rig with live bait on wing-dams or other rocky structure, or use a jig and minnow rig in the tailwaters.
- White Bass – Good: Cast a white inline spinner or a white jig/plastic combination in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.
|
|
Fairport Management District
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River stages have been on the rise this past week due to recent rains. River stage is forecast to crest over the weekend; that may change with more rain in the forecast. Main channel water temperature is around 80 degrees. The water has muddied up some with the recent rains. Last updated on 06/11/2026
Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 7.44 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and has risen over 1.5 feet this past week. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 8.3 feet over the weekend. That may change with more rain in the forecast. Flood Stage is 15 feet. River stage at Fairport is 10.76 feet; flood stage is 14 feet.
- Bluegill – Status Unsure: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles and logs. Places to try are Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island Complex.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Float leeches or night crawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with some current.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with night crawlers on the wing-dams.
- White Bass – Status Unsure: Cast jigs and twister tails or inline spinner baits in Sylvan Slough or below Lock and Dam 15 along the Davenport River front. Look for current breaks around rocky points.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or jigs/plastics in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Anglers can also catch crappies with minnows under a bobber in Sunset Marina or the Andalusia Island complex.
Pool 17, Mississippi River (Muscatine)
- Water Temperature (°F): 79.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 6.06 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has risen close to 1.5 feet the past few days. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 6.9 feet over the weekend. That may change with more rain in the forecast. Flood stage is 15 feet.
- Bluegill – Status Unsure: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles and logs. Places to try are Big Timber and Cleveland Slough.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Float leeches or night crawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with some current.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with night crawlers on the wing-dams. Anglers can also catch walleye around the outfalls of GPC.
- White Bass – Status Unsure: Try fishing for white bass around the outfalls of GPC. Anglers can also catch white bass on the wing-dams or rocky shorelines with current breaks. Cast jigs and twister tails or inline spinner baits.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or jigs/plastics in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Anglers can also catch crappies with minnows under a bobber in Big Timber or Cleveland Slough.
Pool 18, Mississippi River (Louisa)
- Water Temperature (°F): 80.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 7.92 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and has risen over 2 feet the past couple days. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 8.8 feet over the weekend. That may change with more rain in the forecast. Flood stage is 15 feet.
- Bluegill – Status Unsure: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles and logs.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Float leeches or night crawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with current.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with night crawlers on the wing-dams.
- White Bass – Status Unsure: Cast jigs and twister tails or inline spinner baits on the wing-dams or rocky shorelines with current breaks. Also try fishing for white bass at the outlet of Lake Odessa.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or jigs/plastics in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Anglers can also catch crappies with minnows under a bobber at the Huron Island complex.
Pool 19, Mississippi River (Lee)
- Water Temperature (°F): 79.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 5.15 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and has risen over 2 feet the past couple days. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 5.8 feet by the weekend; that may change with more rain in the forecast. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 10.68 feet; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage at Fort Madison is 526.25 feet; flood stage is 528.0 feet.
- Bluegill – Status Unsure: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles and logs.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Float leeches or night crawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with current.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with night crawlers on the wing-dams.
- White Bass – Status Unsure: Cast inline spinners or jigs and twister tails along rocky points with current.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or jigs/plastics in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Anglers can also catch crappies with minnows under a bobber around brush piles.
|
|
Guttenberg Management District
Water levels on the Upper Mississippi are stable, making for good fishing. Water clarity is slightly stained. The bite has improved with water temperatures rising into the mid-70s this week. Last updated on 06/04/2026
Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)
- Water Temperature (°F): 76.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
River level is 8 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain stable through next week. Water clarity is slightly stained. New Albin Army Road is open; construction to replace the north ramp and add a sidewalk will begin the week of June 8th and take three weeks to complete. The main road and the south ramp will remain open. **Reminder: Crews are working on the Blackhawk Bridge at Lansing. Boaters should use caution in the construction zone. Please slow down for everyone’s safety.
- Black Crappie – Slow: The bite has been slow post spawn. Use a small jig and plastic baits or a live minnow rig in the backwaters.
- Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are spawning and the bite has picked up. Try fishing the warm shallow areas like marinas, dredge cuts and main channel shorelines.
- Channel Catfish – Good: The catfish bite has been steady as water temperatures rise into the 70s. Try stink bait fished off the bottom.
- Flathead Catfish – Good: Flatheads are spawning. Expect the bite to continue to improve. Try a small shiner or bluegill in snags using a heavy weight on the bottom.
- Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are biting everywhere that has some current. Use a bit of crawler fished just off the bottom.
- Largemouth Bass – Excellent
- Northern Pike – Excellent: During hot weather, cast flashy spoons in the cooler water at the mouths of tributary streams.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent
- Walleye – Fair: The walleye bite is picking up as water levels stabilize near normal. Troll a crankbait or three-way rig with a crawler off the wing-dams.
- White Bass – Fair
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Crappies are biting post spawn on small jig tipped with a minnow in deeper water in marina areas.
Pool 10, Mississippi River (Clayton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is 614.1 feet at the Lynxville dam and is expected to fall slightly through next week. Sny Magill landing ramp is open. Water clarity is slightly stained.
- Black Crappie – Slow: The bite has been slow post spawn. Use a small jig and plastic baits or a live minnow rig in the backwaters.
- Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are spawning and the bite has picked up. Try fishing in the warm shallow areas like marinas, dredge cuts and main channel shorelines.
- Channel Catfish – Good: The catfish bite has been steady as water temperatures rise into the 70s. Try stink bait fished off the bottom.
- Flathead Catfish – Good: Flatheads are spawning. Expect the bite to continue to improve. Try a small shiner or bluegill in snags using a heavy weight on the bottom.
- Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are biting everywhere that has some current. Use a bit of crawler fished just off the bottom.
- Largemouth Bass – Excellent
- Northern Pike – Excellent: During hot weather, cast flashy spoons in the cooler water at the mouths of tributary streams.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent
- Walleye – Fair: The walleye bite is picking up as water levels stabilize near normal. Troll a crankbait or three-way rig with a crawler off the wing-dams.
- White Bass – Fair
Pool 11, Mississippi River (Clayton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level has fallen to 5.9 feet at the Lock and Dam below Guttenberg and is expected to fall slightly this week. Boaters should use caution now that water levels are down. Water clarity is slightly stained.
- Black Crappie – Slow: The bite has been slow post spawn. Use a small jig and plastic baits or a live minnow rig in the backwaters.
- Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are spawning and the bite has picked up. Try fishing the warm shallow areas like marinas, dredge cuts and main channel shorelines.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: The catfish bite has been steady as water temperatures rise into the 70s. Try stink bait fished off the bottom.
- Flathead Catfish – Good: Flatheads are spawning. Expect the bite to continue to improve. Try a small shiner or bluegill in snags using a heavy weight on the bottom.
- Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are biting everywhere that has some current. Use a bit of crawler fished just off the bottom.
- Largemouth Bass – Excellent
- Northern Pike – Excellent: During hot weather, cast flashy spoons in the cooler water at the mouths of tributary streams.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent
- Walleye – Fair: The walleye bite is picking up as water levels stabilize near normal. Troll a crankbait or three-way rig with a crawler off the wing-dams.
- White Bass – Fair
|
|
Northeast
Decorah Management District
Temperatures in the 70s to 50s at night this Friday into the weekend. A pop-up shower is possible Saturday. This week’s rain caused many rivers and streams to rise and get muddy. Trout streams with better watersheds will clear faster. Last updated on 06/11/2026
Allamakee County Trout Streams (Allamakee)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams are off-color with higher flows. Try fishing higher in the watershed for best luck. Many streams should clear quickly. Wild parsnip is blooming. Use caution around this plant. If the plant’s sap comes in contact with your skin and is exposed to sunlight, it can cause severe burns.
- Brook Trout – Slow: Skinny water with dense beds of aquatic vegetation to hide in is a brook trout’s favorite hangout. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift.
- Brown Trout – Good: Brown trout love off-color water. A variety of insects are falling in streams or hatching causing a feeding frenzy.
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: 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 minnows, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies.
Cedar River (above Nashua) (Floyd)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are falling with poor clarity after this week’s rains. Water temperature is in the 70s. Bite should pick up later in the weekend when water levels stabilize and clarity improves.
- Black Crappie – Slow
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a hook with a dead chub, night crawler, or chicken liver fished on the bottom.
- Smallmouth Bass – Slow
- Walleye – Slow: Use a jig with a live minnow near the stream bottom in an off channel area. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days.
- White Sucker – Slow
Clayton County Trout Streams (Clayton)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams are off-color with higher flows. Try fishing higher in the watershed for best luck. Many streams should clear quickly. Wild parsnip is blooming. Use caution around this plant. If the plants sap comes in contact with your skin and is exposed to sunlight, it can cause severe burns.
- Brook Trout – Slow: Skinny water with dense beds of aquatic vegetation to hide in is a brook trout’s favorite hangout. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift.
- Brown Trout – Good: Brown trout love off-color water. A variety of insects are falling in streams or hatching causing a feeding frenzy.
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: 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 minnows, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies.
Fayette County Trout Streams (Fayette)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams are off color with higher flows. Try fishing higher in the watershed for best luck. Many streams should clear quickly. Wild parsnip is blooming. Use caution around this plant. If the plant’s sap comes in contact with your skin and is exposed to sunlight, it can cause severe burns.
- Brown Trout – Good: Brown trout love off-color water. A variety of insects are falling in streams or hatching causing a feeding frenzy.
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: 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 minnows, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is good. Weeds are up. Water temperature is in the 70s. Warming temperatures will improve the bite.
- Black Crappie – Good: Find crappie in shallower water. Try a small spinner or crankbait with a slow or varied retrieval.
- Bluegill – Good: Bluegill bite is improving with warming temperatures. Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm or spike or a crawler along weed lines.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait near bottom under a bobber.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Toss a crankbait, spinner bait or top waters along aquatic vegetation with a slow retrieve.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is good. Weeds are up. Water temperature is in the 70s. Warming temperatures will improve the bite.
- Black Crappie – Good: Find crappie in shallower water. Try a small spinner or crankbait with a slow or varied retrieval.
- Bluegill – Good: Bluegill bite is improving with warming temperatures. Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm or spike or a crawler along weed lines.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are hitting worms or dead chubs fished off the bottom.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Toss a crankbait, spinner bait or top waters along aquatic vegetation with a slow retrieve.
- Northern Pike – Good: Pike hang in weedy areas stalking prey. Target weed lines with a spoon or hair jig to tease this feisty fish.
Mitchell County Trout Streams (Mitchell)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams are off-color with higher flows. Try fishing higher in the watershed for best luck. Many streams should clear quickly. Wild parsnip is blooming. Use caution around this plant. If the plant’s sap comes in contact with your skin and is exposed to sunlight, it can cause severe burns.
- Brown Trout – Good: Brown trout love off-color water. A variety of insects are falling in streams or hatching causing a feeding frenzy.
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: 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 minnows, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies.
Turkey River (above Clermont) (Fayette)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are falling with poor clarity after this week’s rains. Water temperature is in the 70s. Bite should pick up later in the weekend when water levels stabilize and clarity improves.
- Smallmouth Bass – Slow
- Walleye – Slow
- White Sucker – Status Unsure
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) (Winneshiek)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are falling with poor clarity after this week’s rains. Water temperature is in the 70s. Bite should pick up later in the weekend when water levels stabilize and clarity improves.
- Smallmouth Bass – Status Unsure
- Walleye – Slow
- White Sucker – Status Unsure
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Fish activity is improving as water temperatures warm. Try fishing over structure or shallower areas.
- Black Crappie – Good: Try a jig head tipped with a minnow or plastic jig from shore near a brush pile.
- Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill bite is improving with warming temperatures. 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
Trout streams are off-color with higher flows. Try fishing higher in the watershed for best luck. Many streams should clear quickly. Wild parsnip is blooming. Use caution around this plant. If the plant’s sap comes in contact with your skin and is exposed to sunlight, it can cause severe burns.
- Brook Trout – Slow: Skinny water with dense beds of aquatic vegetation to hide in is a brook trout’s favorite hangout. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift.
- Brown Trout – Good: Brown trout love off-color water. A variety of insects are falling in streams or hatching causing a feeding frenzy.
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: 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 minnows, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies.
|
|
Manchester Management District
The interior rivers have been hit-and-miss with the recent wet weather. The Maquoketa and Wapsipinicon rivers remain high and muddy; the Cedar and Shell Rock rivers remain fishable. Water temperatures are in the 70s. Anglers are catching, crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass on the lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Trout streams in Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson counties have been hit-and-miss with the recent rainfall events. Contact your local area bait and tackle shops for current reports. Last updated on 06/11/2026
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Spring Branch Creek within Baileys Ford Park has been hit-and-miss with the recent rainfall events.
- Rainbow Trout – Status Unsure: Use small jigs, smaller crankbaits or flashy Mepps spinner baits.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Dubuque County have been hit-and-miss with the recent rainfall events. Anglers are catching both rainbow and brown trout.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Use crankbaits, night crawlers, or flies.
- Rainbow Trout – Status Unsure: Use smaller jigs or flashy Mepps spinner baits.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Jackson County have been hit-and-miss with the recent rainfall events. Anglers are catching both rainbow and brown trout.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Try matching the hatch with the recent onset of warmer weather. Spincast fishing has been good with casting little crankbaits as well.
- Rainbow Trout – Status Unsure: Use smaller jigs or flashy Mepps spinner baits.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are catching bluegill on Big Woods Lake.
- Bluegill – Good: Use a piece of night crawler or worm under a slip bobber at various depths to find bluegill. Casting and retrieving small/tiny hair jigs can be very effective.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) (Black Hawk)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Few reports this past week with the unstable weather conditions.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Try fishing fresh dead bait or live bait near fallen log jams; rivers are favorable for channel catfish.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout stocking scheduled for June 2026 at Dalton Pond has been canceled. A bridge used to access the trout fishing destination is closed due to structural deterioration. Iowa DNR has gathered cost estimates for bridge repair and replacement and is currently determining 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. Trout stocking has not occurred at Dalton Pond since March 31.
- Rainbow Trout – Slow
Delaware County Trout Streams (Delaware)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Delaware County have been hit-and-miss with the recent rainfall events.
Dubuque County Trout Streams (Dubuque)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Dubuque County have been hit-and-miss with the recent rainfall events. Catfish Creek within the upper end of Swiss Valley Park is a very popular area for both rainbow and brown trout.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Try matching the hatch with the recent onset of warmer weather. Spincast fishing has been good along with casting little crankbaits.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Use live bait, smaller crankbaits, or flashy Mepps spinner baits.
- Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No reports this past week for George Wyth Lake.
Jackson County Trout Streams (Jackson)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Jackson County have been hit-and-miss with the recent rainfall events.
- Brown Trout – Status Unsure
- Rainbow Trout – Status Unsure
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) (Delaware)
- Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The Maquoketa River remains high and muddy. No reports on the river this past week.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Try live or fresh dead baits near structure.
Maquoketa River (below Monticello) (Jackson)
- Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No reports on the lower Maquoketa River in Jones and Jackson counties due to unfavorable river conditions.
North Prairie Lake (Black Hawk)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Anglers are catching bluegill and largemouth bass.
- Bluegill – Status Unsure: Try a piece of night crawler or worm under a slip bobber at various depths to find bluegill. Casting and retrieving small/tiny hair jigs can be very effective.
- Largemouth Bass – Status Unsure: Artificial lures like crankbaits, spinner baits or topwater baits work best.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Delaware County have been hit-and-miss with the recent rainfall events. Anglers are catching trout at Richmond Springs in Backbone State Park.
- Rainbow Trout – Status Unsure
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) (Butler)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Water temperature is in the 70s. No fishing reports; conditions are fair and improving for bass and channel catfish.
South Prairie Lake (Black Hawk)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are catching quality-size bluegill and largemouth bass.
- Bluegill – Fair
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) (Buchanan)
- Water Temperature (°F): 73.0
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The Wapsipinicon river remains high and muddy. No reports on the river this past week.
Channel Catfish – Status Unsure
|
|
Northwest
Black Hawk Management District
Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s on most area lakes. Last updated on 06/11/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 76.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Most crappies have moved offshore; anglers are picking up some in the fish house in Town Bay.
- Walleye – Fair: Try drifting or trolling along the dredge cuts and the rock piles in the east basin.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
All boat ramp courtesy docks are in.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappie in 5-15 feet of water near woody structure.
- Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills may still be on beds along shore. Cast a piece of crawler or a small jig under a bobber along weedlines and areas where you see bluegill beds.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use traditional bass lures, weedless lures, and crawlers along shoreline structure and weedlines.
Crawford Creek Impoundment (Ida)
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are on beds, but will likely move to deeper water soon. Bigger fish are 7- to 8-inches long.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Pick up catfish along rocky shorelines and structure this time of year. Use cut bait or crawlers fished on the bottom from shore.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass near shore. Try traditional bass lures along weedlines.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) (Buena Vista)
- Water Temperature (°F): 76.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is about 3 feet.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Look for catfish around rocky shorelines. Use cut bait, stink bait, or a crawler on the bottom.
- Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up fish off shore near the dredge cuts. Use crankbaits and bottom bouncer rigs.
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Bullhead – Fair: Most fish are in 10- to 11-inches; look for them along shore.
- Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig under a bobber or a small piece of crawler under a bobber fished near shore. Most bluegill are 7-inches with a few reaching 8-inches.
|
|
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
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is 5 feet.
- Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Water Temperature (°F): 74.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is 1.2 inches over crest. Water clarity is around 20 inches.
- Black Crappie – Slow
- Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching walleyes on a variety of baits. Try fishing near the rock reefs and submerged vegetation.
- Yellow Bass – Fair: Drift fish live bait.
- Water Temperature (°F): 73.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is 48 inches.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs.
- Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Slow
- Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of submerged vegetation.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing near shore woody habitat or the edge of submerged vegetation. Slow presentations work best with the cool water temperatures.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
River level is 5.31 feet.
Smallmouth Bass – Slow
|
|
Spirit Lake Management District
Lake temperatures have increased significantly over the last week; most lakes are in the mid to upper 70s. Water levels are a couple inches above crest. The bite is fairly good for most species. Fish morality for various fish species has been observed on many lakes due to spawning stress and rapidly rising water temperatures. Last updated on 06/11/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The bass and panfish bite has been good. The northern most basin has a large stand of curly-leaf pondweed, making navigation difficult.
- Black Crappie – Good: Crappie are hanging out in 12-15 feet of water. Anglers are using electronics to stay on top of fish. Try 1/16th and 1/32nd ounce jigs with a minnow or plastic.
- Bluegill – Fair: Many anglers have been successfully fishing from shore or from docks. A simple hook, worm and bobber setup is working for many. An ultralight rod with light monofilament line works best for finicky fish.
- Pumpkinseed – Good: Anglers are catching pumpkinseed while pursuing bluegill.
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake has been very clear this spring with a good amount of plant structure to fish around.
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is currently experiencing an algae bloom.
- Yellow Bass – Fair: Catch lots of 7- to 8-inch bass.
Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is currently at a couple feet. Anglers are catching quality-size bullhead.
- Black Bullhead – Excellent: Anglers are catching large bullhead.
- Walleye – Fair: The bite is slow.
- Water Temperature (°F): 76.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake was very clear this spring, but has started to algae up considerably.
- Bluegill – Good: Anglers have been successfully fishing from shore or from docks. A simple hook, worm and bobber setup is working for many. An ultralight rod with light monofilament line works best for finicky fish.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are catching 20-inch bass.
- Walleye – Good: Walleye can be finicky; leaches work best. Try fishing out deeper along weed lines in 18 feet of water with jig and crawler or twister tail; 1/8 to 1/4 oz jig head works well, but drop down to 1/16 oz if fishing shallow.
- Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are catching 9- to 13-inch fish. Small jigging spoons or Shucks Pilkies/Jigger Minnows tipped with a minnow head or wax worms work well.
- Water Temperature (°F): 72.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity has been down slightly this summer.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are hanging out in 12-15 feet of water.
- Bluegill – Good: Large bluegill have been seen on beds.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are fishing just off the end of docks. Most are using crank or chatter baits.
|
|
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): 77.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is between 7 and 8 feet. The rain is pushing the duckweed around; it should be a little thinner for a few days.
- Bluegill – Fair: The warm water sped the spawning season to a quick close. Most bluegills have moved to deeper water (6 – 7 feet). Use a worm and bobber or try vertical jigging (if you are quiet).
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass wrapped up the nesting season quick this year with 77 – 78 degree water. Most adults are out in deeper water.
- Water Temperature (°F): 80.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water is always very clear as the water enters the lakes up through the sand. You can see fish swimming around from a distance; they can also see you.
- Bluegill – Fair: Despite the 80 degrees water temperature at the surface close to shore, many lakes still have bluegills on spawning beds. Look for them near the scattered weed beds. Try fishing early in the morning to avoid the heat coming off the sand.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: With this clear water, go small and stay away from flashy. They spook very easily. Flyrods or light spinning rods and jigs work best.
Discovery Park Pond (Muscatine)
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Bluegill – Fair: As of last weekend, some bluegills were still guarding the nests; most have moved out to the water about 5-6 feet deep and are cruising around the pond at those depths. Early in the morning you can see them near the surface out about 30 feet from shore.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use night crawlers.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi R) (Louisa)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Since last Monday, the Iowa River has came up over 3 1/2 feet and does seem to be going to slow that rise any time soon.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing using minnows or green sunfish as bait around the brush piles has been good. The bite picked back up after the water level stabilized.
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in the trees in 10 – 12 feet of water.
- Largemouth Bass – Slow: Not seeing any bass still on the nests. They have headed out to deeper water to rest.
- Water Temperature (°F): 74.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
With a little over 5 inches of rain since last Sunday, the lake is running a little over 1 foot high. The water is brown, but there is some water clarity at about 18 inches.
- Bluegill – Status Unsure: With the quickly changing water levels and unstable weather patterns, I would expect the bluegills to hold tight right where they are. In the habitat in 6 to 8 feet of water.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are happy staying right where they are in the habitat in 8-10 feet of water and occasionally sneaking into the rock piles in shallower water to feed on crawdads and baby bluegills and bass.
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Rain water entering the lake is flushing out some of the “green” color (phytoplankton).
- Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies over the habitat in 8 – 10 feet of water.
- Bluegill – Fair: Adult bluegills have moved to the habitat in 8 to 10 feet of water. Lots of little bluegills from this last spawn are swimming around in the shallows. Try vertical jigging over top the habitat with a 1/64 or 1/80 th ounce jig tipped with a red worm or waxworm.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Weed beds are fully developed and topped with filamentous algae. Curly-leaf pondweed hasn’t started to die back; it’s still fairly thick.
- Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have wrapped up nesting; look for them along the outer edges of the weed beds and the brush in 4-5 feet of water.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for bass to be trolling along the deeper edges of the weed beds in the early morning and late evening before heading back out to deeper water (10+ feet) for the balance of the day.
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Some scattered mats of filamentous algae, but not too bad for shoreline anglers.
- Bluegill – Fair: At the end of last week, a few bluegills were still guarding their nests; most had headed out to deeper water.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock) (Washington)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are rising fast with heavy rainfall. Jumped up over 3 feet already this week. Started to slowly fall for about a day and is now heading back up quickly.
|
|
Macbride Management District
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Excellent
- Channel Catfish – Good
- Largemouth Bass – Good
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Slow: A few crappie are suspended around brush piles.
- Bluegill – Good: Anglers are finding bluegill around the edges of curly-leaf pondweed.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing the edges of the curly-leaf pondweed.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair
- Channel Catfish – Good
- Flathead Catfish – Fair
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Spotted bass – Fair
- White Bass – Fair
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- White Crappie – Fair
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Slow
- Bluegill – Good
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) (Jones)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Fair
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair
- Walleye – Fair
|
|
Rathbun Management District
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs; bluegills are moving shallow to spawn.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target rip-rapped shorelines with plastics.
- Ramp Condition: Closed
Lake Keomah underwent a lake restoration this winter and is currently re-filling with water. Fish are being stocked for angling in the future. The boat ramps are currently unusable.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs along the rock jetties and the dam.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target largemouth along the face of the dam and around the fishing jetties.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Slow: Use small jigs along the shoreline as the bluegills move shallow. Also target cedar tree piles.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinnerbaits and plastics around the cedar tree piles.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 906.35 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another water body.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use chubs or night crawlers along areas with rip-rapped shorelines.
- Walleye – Fair: Try crawler harnesses or trolling crankbaits over rocky mounds and along the old river channel.
- White Crappie – Fair: Crappies are moving off shore into a post spawn pattern. Use jigs and minnows along brush piles and other submerged structures.
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Try crankbaits or blade baits along rock piles and submerged points.
|
|
Southwest
Boone Management District
The Bluegill spawn is peaking in Central Iowa, creating good action at most lakes and ponds. Last updated on 06/04/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: The crappie bite is slowing as the spawn winds down. Catch remaining shallow crappies near rock and wood with minnows under a float, or cast or troll chartreuse jig heads with dark plastics.
- Bluegill – Good: Catch spawning bluegill shallow throughout the lake using night crawlers.
- Walleye – Fair: Try leeches on jigs or slowly trolling live bait rigs with leeches or night crawlers. Concentrate on shallow points and humps in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock) (Marion)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Anglers should not trespass by foot or vehicle on the south shore within the construction site below the Scott Street Dam project.
- White Bass – Fair: Cast shad and shiner imitating plastics and blade baits.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Good: Try small pieces of night crawler under floats in shallow areas of the lake.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- White Crappie – Slow: The crappie bite has been slow as the peak spawning period winds down. Switch back to drifting or trolling plastics.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Bluegill – Good: Catch bluegill from the fishing pier and just off the shore in 2 to 4 feet of water using small pieces of night crawler under a bobber.
|
|
Cold Springs Management District
Contact the Cold Springs office with any questions about fishing in the southwest district. Last updated on 06/11/2026
Arrowhead Pond (Pottawattamie)
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is good.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Catch 10-inch crappies around the tree piles in the lake.
- Bluegill – Good: Cast the shoreline to find spawning bluegill. Fish will average 8-inches.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: There is a large population of 10- to 12-inch bass in the lake.
- Water Temperature (°F): 80.0
- 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.
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Slow
- Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning around the entire shoreline at Greenfield. Move often to find active fish.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are actively spawning around the jetties and rocky shorelines.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass anglers are doing well casting the dam and around jetties.
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Troll the roadbeds or fish along deep tree piles to find black crappies. Sorting will be needed for larger fish.
- Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing along the underwater reefs to find spawning bluegills.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass anglers are finding fish in deep tree piles and along the roadbed.
- Water Temperature (°F): 79.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Look for black crappies in the tree piles.
- Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill have moved off the reefs. Slow troll and fish along tree piles to find 8-inch fish.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast the dam and shallow structure for best success.
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is 10 feet.
- Black Crappie – Good: Black crappies are in the tree piles. Fish will average 9.5-inches. Anglers report trolling for larger fish.
- Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are still spawning. Try fishing along the underwater reefs and pea-gravel spawning beds. Mid to late afternoon is the best bite for spawning fish on the reefs.
- Largemouth Bass – Good
|
|
Mt. Ayr Management District
Water temperature is in the mid-70s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. Last updated on 06/10/2026
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Docks are in at all boat ramps.
- Bluegill – Fair: Catch Bluegill of all sizes using jigs tipped with live bait fished along cedar tree brush piles.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch Largemouth Bass up to 18-inches with finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles.
Little River Watershed Lake (Decatur)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Docks are in at the main and bait shop ramps.
- Bluegill – Fair: Catch Bluegill of all sizes with jigs tipped with live bait fished in 10-15 feet of water.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch Largemouth Bass of all sizes using finesse plastics fished along the weedline.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is about 2.4 feet below normal pool as of June 8.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Docks are in at the main ramp.
- Black Crappie – Good: Catch Crappie up to 10-inches using jigs or minnows fished in 10-15 feet of water.
- Bluegill – Good: Catch Bluegill of all sizes with jigs tipped with live bait fished in 10-15 feet of water.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch Largemouth Bass up to 19-inches with finesse plastics along the weedline.
Stay Connected with KCHA News
Add KCHA News as a preferred source on Google to see more local news, weather, and sports in your feed.
Follow us on Facebook for breaking news, severe weather alerts, sports, and more.
