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 dropped considerably since last week and are falling very slowly across the district. Water clarity remains stained. Water temperatures have risen back into the lower 70s, and will continue to rise with much higher air temperatures forecast for next week. Call your local bait shops or DNR Fisheries office for the latest information. Last updated on 06/25/2026
Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)
- Water Temperature (°F): 69.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level has fallen to around 6.1 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and is still slowly falling. Water clarity is stained. Look for a considerable spike in water temperatures over the next week. Call your local DNR Fisheries office for the latest information.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with woody structure.
- Bluegill – Slow: Use a piece of nightcrawler fished under a bobber in areas with woody structure.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Use a nightcrawler or dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap.
- Flathead Catfish – Slow: 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 – Good: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig in areas with moderate current.
- Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use smaller spinnerbaits along the edges of shallow vegetation in backwater areas.
- Northern Pike – Slow: 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 were 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): 73.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level has fallen over two feet since last week to around 6.4 feet at the Bellevue tailwater. Water clarity is stained. Look for water temperatures to continue to rise over the next week. Call your local DNR Fisheries office for the latest information.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with woody structure.
- Bluegill – Fair: Use a piece of nightcrawler fished under a bobber in areas with woody structure or along main channel borders.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a nightcrawler or dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap. Channel cats can also be found on wing-dams.
- Flathead Catfish – Slow: 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 – Good: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig in areas with moderate current.
- Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use smaller spinnerbaits along the edges of shallow vegetation in backwater areas.
- Northern Pike – Slow: 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 – Status Unsure: 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 were 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): 73.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level has dropped to around 5.8 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and is forecast to remain fairly steady. Water clarity is stained. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Status Unsure
- Channel Catfish – Good: Use dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap.
- Freshwater Drum – Fair: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig in areas with moderate current.
- Largemouth Bass – Status Unsure
- \Sauger – Slow
- 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. Some anglers are having success trolling crankbaits.
- White Bass – Good: Cast a white inline spinner or a white jig/plastic combination in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure
Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 5.2 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and is forecast to remain fairly steady. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Use dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap.
- Freshwater Drum – Fair: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig in areas with moderate current.
- Sauger – Slow
- Walleye – Slow
- White Bass – Good: Cast a white inline spinner or a white jig/plastic combination in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.
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Fairport Management District
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River stages have been falling this past week. Main channel water temperature is around 70 degrees. Water clarity is poor. Fishing will be difficult with the muddy water conditions. Last updated on 06/24/2026
Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 7.21 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood Stage is 15 feet. River stage is 10.30 feet at Fairport; flood stage is 14 feet. Fishing will be difficult with the muddy water conditions.
- 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 nightcrawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with some current.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers on the wing-dams. Fishing will be difficult with the muddy water conditions.
- 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): 70.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 6.16 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall over the weekend. 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 nightcrawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with some current.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers on the wing-dams. Anglers can also catch walleye around the outfalls of GPC. Fishing will be difficult with the muddy water conditions.
- 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): 70.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 9.33 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. Fishing will be difficult with the muddy water conditions.
- 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 nightcrawlers on the wing-dams. Fishing will be difficult with the muddy water conditions.
- 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): 71.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 6.84 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage is 12.36 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 526.82 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. Fishing will be difficult with the muddy water conditions.
- 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 nightcrawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with current.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers on the wing-dams. Fishing will be difficult with the muddy water conditions.
- 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.
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Guttenberg Management District
Water levels on the Upper Mississippi are stabilizing this week. Water clarity is slightly improved after recent rainfall. Water temperature is in the lower 70s. Last updated on 06/24/2026
Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)
- Water Temperature (°F): 73.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
River level is 8.1 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain stready over the next week. Water clarity is improving. New Albin Army Road is open; construction to replace the north ramp and add a sidewalk will start this week 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 slower with cloudier water conditions. Use a live bait in the backwaters with less current.
- Bluegill – Fair: 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 upper 70s. Try stink bait fished off the bottom.
- Flathead Catfish – Good: Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn. 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 – Fair: The bite is off with poor visibility due the recent heavy rains. Try fishing along the weed edges in clearer water at the upper ends of backwaters.
- Northern Pike – Excellent: During hot weather, cast flashy spoons in the cooler water at the mouths of tributary streams.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits along rocked main channel shorelines.
- Walleye – Fair: Expect the walleye bite to pick up as water levels stabilize near normal. Troll a crankbait or three-way rig with a crawler off the wing-dams.
- White Bass – Status Unsure
- 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): 74.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is 614.4 feet at the Lynxville dam and is expected to remain steady next week. Water temperature is near 74 degrees. Sny Magill landing ramp is open. Water clarity is slightly stained.
- Black Crappie – Slow: The bite has been slower with cloudier water conditions. Use a live bait in the backwaters with less current.
- Bluegill – Good: 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 upper 70s. Try cut bait or stink bait fished off the bottom.
- Flathead Catfish – Fair: Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn. 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 – Slow: The bite is off with poor visibility due the recent heavy rains. Try fishing along the weed edges in clearer water at upper ends of backwaters.
- Northern Pike – Excellent: During hot weather, cast flashy spoons in the cooler water at the mouths of tributary streams.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits along rocked main channel shorelines.
- Walleye – Fair: Expect the walleye bite to pick up as water levels stabilize near normal. Troll a crankbait or three-way rig with a crawler off the wing-dams.
- White Bass – Status Unsure
Pool 11, Mississippi River (Clayton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 72.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is 6.1 feet and expected to remain stable over the next week at the Lock and Dam below Guttenberg. Water clarity is slightly stained from recent rains. Water temperature is near 72 degrees.
- Black Crappie – Slow: The bite has been slower with cloudier water conditions. Use a live bait in the backwaters with less current.
- Bluegill – Good: Try fishing in the warm shallow areas like marinas, dredge cuts and main channel shorelines.
- Channel Catfish – Excellent: The catfish bite has been steady as water temperatures rise into the upper 70s. Try stink bait fished off the bottom.
- Flathead Catfish – Good: Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn. 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 – Slow: The bite is off with poor visibility due the recent heavy rains. Try fishing along the weed edges in clearer water at upper ends of backwaters.
- Northern Pike – Slow: During hot weather, cast flashy spoons in the cooler water at the mouths of tributary streams.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits along rocked main channel shorelines.
- Walleye – Fair: Expect the walleye bite to pick up as water levels stabilize near normal. Troll a crankbait or three-way rig with a crawler off the wing-dams.
- White Bass – Fair
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Northeast
Decorah Management District
Temperatures will rise into the low 90s by Sunday. Showers are possible overnight Saturday. Most rivers and streams are stable with improved clarity. Rivers are producing more fish than lakes. Last updated on 06/25/2026
Allamakee County Trout Streams (Allamakee)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams are in good condition. Wild or yellow 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: Brook Trout water generally consists of dense beds of aquatic vegetation, cobble-gravel substrate, and narrow channels making them difficult to fish. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift. With the warmer weather, a large variety of insects are hatching. Matching the hatch is vital to success.
- Brown Trout – Good: Brown trout love off-color water and are less picky under these conditions. Good hatches of mayflies, caddis, midges, and scuds are occurring. Terrestrial insects are turning on. If you encounter a finicky brownie, the secret is variety—pack a box stocked with various patterns and sizes.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: 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 stable with improved clarity. Water temperature is in the 70s.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near snags in backwater areas. Try a small spinner or crankbait.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish are spawning. Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait near bottom under a bobber.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines or limestone ledges. A variety of lures are working well.
- Walleye – Slow: Use a jig with a live minnow or a twister tail in a deeper pool near the stream bottom. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days.
Clayton County Trout Streams (Clayton)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams arebin good condition. Wild or yellow 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: Brook Trout water generally consists of dense beds of aquatic vegetation, cobble-gravel substrate, and narrow channels making them difficult to fish. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift. With the warmer weather, a large variety of insects are hatching. Matching the hatch is vital to success.
- Brown Trout – Good: Brown trout love off-color water and are less picky under these conditions. Good hatches of mayflies, caddis, midges, and scuds are occurring. Terrestrial insects are turning on. If you encounter a finicky brownie, the secret is variety—pack a box stocked with various patterns and sizes.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: 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 in good condition. Wild or yellow 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 and are less picky under these conditions. Good hatches of mayflies, caddis, midges, and scuds are occurring. Terrestrial insects are turning on. If you encounter a finicky brownie, the secret is variety—pack a box stocked with various patterns and sizes.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: 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 limited and off-color. Weeds are up. Water temperature is in the 70s. Warming temperatures will improve the bite.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie in deeper water. Try trolling small spinner or crankbait.
- Bluegill – Slow: Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along weedlines.
- Channel Catfish – Slow: Catfish are spawning. Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait near bottom under a bobber.
- Largemouth Bass – Slow: Toss a crank or spinner bait along the edge of a plant bed or rocky shoreline. Keep tension on the line to prevent lure loss.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is limited and off-color. Weeds are up. Water temperature is in the 70s. Warming temperatures will improve the bite.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie in deeper water. Try trolling small spinner or crankbait.
- Bluegill – Slow: Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along weedlines.
- Channel Catfish – Slow: Catfish are spawning. Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait near bottom under a bobber.
- Largemouth Bass – Slow: Toss a crank or spinner bait along the edge of a plant bed or rocky shoreline. Keep tension on the line to prevent lure loss.
- Northern Pike – Slow: 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 in good condition. Wild or yellow 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 and are less picky under these conditions. Good hatches of mayflies, caddis, midges, and scuds are occurring. Terrestrial insects are turning on. If you encounter a finicky brownie, the secret is variety—pack a box stocked with various patterns and sizes.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: 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 stable with improved clarity. Water temperature is in the 70s.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines or limestone ledges. A variety of lures are working well.
- Walleye – Slow: Use a jig with a live minnow or a twister tail in a deeper pool near the stream bottom. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) (Winneshiek)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are stable with improved clarity. Water temperature is in the 70s.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines or limestone ledges. A variety of lures working well.
- Walleye – Slow: Use a jig with a live minnow or a twister tail in a deeper pool near the stream bottom. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is limited and off-color. Fish activity improves as water temperatures warm. Try fishing over structure or shallower areas.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie in deeper water. Try trolling small spinner or crankbait.
- Bluegill – Slow: Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along weedlines.
- Channel Catfish – Slow: Catfish are spawning. Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait near bottom under a bobber.
- Largemouth Bass – Slow: Toss a crank or spinner bait along the edge of a rocky shoreline or steep depth contour. Keep tension on your line to prevent losing your lure.
Winneshiek County Trout Streams (Winneshiek)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams are in good condition. Wild or yellow 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: Brook Trout water generally consists of dense beds of aquatic vegetation, cobble-gravel substrate, and narrow channels making them difficult to fish. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift. With the warmer weather, a large variety of insects are hatching. Matching the hatch is vital to success.
- Brown Trout – Good: Brown trout love off-color water and are less picky under these conditions. Good hatches of mayflies, caddis, midges, and scuds are occurring. Terrestrial insects are turning on. If you encounter a finicky brownie, the secret is variety—pack a box stocked with various patterns and sizes.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: 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.
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Manchester Management District
Interior river water levels are dropping with improved water clarity, making for good angling opportunities this weekend. Water temperatures are in the upper 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 are in good to excellent conditions. Contact your local area bait and tackle shops for current reports. Last updated on 06/25/2026
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Spring Branch Creek within Baileys Ford Park is in good to excellent condition.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Dubuque County are in good to excellent condition. Anglers are catching both rainbow and brown trout.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Try matching the hatch with the upcoming forecast of warmer weather ahead.
- Rainbow Trout – Status Unsure: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Jackson County are in good to excellent condition. The Big Mill Wildlife Management areas is popular amongst anglers for both rainbow and brown trout.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Try matching the hatch with the upcoming forecast of warmer weather ahead.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are catching bluegill, crappie and largemouth bass.
- Black Crappie – Good: Try jigging colored tube jigs or a live minnow under a slip bobber.
- Bluegill – Good
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No reports on Brinker Lake this past week.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Try fishing fresh dead bait or live bait near fallen log jams.
- Largemouth Bass – Status Unsure
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) (Black Hawk)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Few reports this past week with unstable weather conditions. River conditions are good for channel catfish and smallmouth bass.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Try fishing fresh dead bait or live bait near fallen log jams.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
- 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 – Status Unsure
Delaware County Trout Streams (Delaware)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Delaware County are in good to excellent condition.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Try matching the hatch with the upcoming forecast of warmer weather ahead.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
Dubuque County Trout Streams (Dubuque)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Dubuque County are in good to excellent condition. Catfish Creek within the upper end of Swiss Valley Park and Bankston Creek are popular areas for both rainbow and brown trout.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Try matching the hatch with the upcoming forecast of warmer weather ahead.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water conditions are good. Anglers are catching bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. Use live minnows to catch crappie and redworms to catch bluegill.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Try live minnows on jigs or slip bobber rigs.
- Bluegill – Slow
Jackson County Trout Streams (Jackson)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Jackson County are in good to excellent condition. The Big Mill Wildlife Management areas is popular amongst anglers for both rainbow and brown trout.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Try matching the hatch with the upcoming forecast of warmer weather ahead.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) (Delaware)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Anglers are picking up walleye and smallmouth bass as the river conditions vastly improve.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Try live or fresh dead baits near structure.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with a half of a nightcrawler.
- Walleye – Good: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with a half of a nightcrawler.
Maquoketa River (below Monticello) (Jackson)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are picking up walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish as river conditions improve.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Try live or fresh dead baits near structure.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with a half of a nightcrawler.
- Walleye – Fair: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with a half of a nightcrawler.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Delaware County are in good to excellent condition.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) (Butler)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Water temperature is in the 70s. No fishing reports; conditions are good and improving for bass, walleye and channel catfish.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Try live or fresh dead baits near structure.
- Smallmouth Bass – Status Unsure: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with a half of a nightcrawler.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with a half of a nightcrawler.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) (Buchanan)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The Wapsipinicon has dropped to 5.51 feet and should provide fair to good angling opportunities this weekend.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Try live or fresh dead baits near structure.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with a half of a nightcrawler.
- Walleye – Fair: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with a half of a nightcrawler.
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Northwest
Black Hawk Management District
Water temperatures are in the mid-70s on most area lakes. Last updated on 06/25/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 74.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Most crappies have moved offshore; anglers are picking up some in the fish house in Town Bay.
- Bluegill – Fair: Pick up bluegill from shore near patches of vegetation. Use a peice of crawler on a jig fished under a bobber. Most fish are 7-inches.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Pick up catfish along rocky shorelines and the rock piles out deeper. Use cut bait or crawlers fished on or near the bottom.
- 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 near woody structure in 10-15 feet of water. Use a small minnow on a jig.
- Bluegill – Fair: Most bluegills have moved off shore; look for fish in 5-15 feet of water near woody structure and along weedlines.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use traditional bass lures, weedless lures, and crawlers along shoreline structure and weedlines.
Crawford Creek Impoundment (Ida)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair: Pick up bluegills along the weedlines in 5-10 feet of water and near submerged brush piles. 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): 73.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- 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, a jig tipped with a minnow fished just off the bottom, or a bottom bouncer with a crawler harness.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Bullhead – Fair: Most fish are 10- to 11-inches; use a piece of crawler fished on the bottom.
- Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig under a bobber or a small piece of crawler under a bobber fished in the deeper water off the jetties. Most bluegill are 7-inches with a few reaching 8-inches.
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Clear Lake Management District
- Contact Person: Scott Grummer – 641-357-3517
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): 73.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is 2.4 inches below crest. Water clarity is around 15 inches.
- Black Crappie – Slow
- Walleye – Fair: 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 a small jig or minnow.
- Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs.
- Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Submerged aquatic vegetation is thick in areas.
- Bluegill – Fair
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use topwater and weedless baits.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Submerged aquatic vegetation is thick in areas.
- Bluegill – Fair
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use topwater and weedless baits.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Best bite is early morning.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
River level is 4.89 feet.
- Smallmouth Bass – Slow
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Spirit Lake Management District
Lake temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s. Water temperatures have stayed lower due to cooler nights. Water levels are a couple inches above crest. The bite is fairly good for most species. Last updated on 06/25/2026
- 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
- 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): 73.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Bullhead – Good
- Yellow Perch – Good
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is currently experiencing an algae bloom.
- Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching many fish around 7-8 inches.
Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake has started to green up significantly. Anglers are catching quality-size bullheads.
- Black Bullhead – Excellent: Anglers are catching larger bullhead.
- Walleye – Fair
- 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.
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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): 77.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing along the edges of the trees in deeper water, especially down and out from the campground. Look for suspended fish at a depth of 10 – 12 feet. Try slow trolling just out from the edges of the flooded timber with a twistertail jig or a rooster tail spinner weighed down with a splitshot or two to get it down there.
- Bluegill – Fair: Most bluegills are out in deeper water (6 – 7 feet). Use a worm and bobber or try vertical jigging (if you are quiet).
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi R) (Louisa)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The Iowa River returned to less than bank full levels earlier this week, but still more than high enough and fast enough to be dangerout for boaters who gets careless. Forecast to drop fairly quickly the next few days.
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature is up to 77 degrees in the afternoon. The water is getting a definite green color from a planktonic algae bloom. Water clarity is down to 36 inches.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Standard Summer Crappie pattern for Belva Deer: Anglers are catching crappies slow trolling in 10-14 feet of water at the lower end (beach and down towards the dam) of the lake; most are caught before 10 am.
- Bluegill – Fair: A few bluegills are still in 4-5 feet of water around some of the rock piles and along the face of the dam. Most are out in 12 to 14 feet of water in the trees. Try vertical jigging with small jigs tipped with a waxworm.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most of the curly-leaf pondweed has died back for the summer as usual. A few bass have stayed in shallow around the rockpiles and cedar trees in 4 to 5 feet of water; the rest have moved out to deeper water.
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are returning to normal; the water is still tinted brown and getting a definite green to the top foot or two as another planktonic algae bloom is starting up.
- Bluegill – Fair: Look for the bluegills over the rock piles in 6-8 feet of water. They will be about 4 feet down along the tops of the rock piles.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Some smaller bass (10- to-12-inch) are still hanging out around the tree falls and brush piles in shallower water. The bigger ones are hanging out in deeper water, but still close to the steeper shoreline where they can access the shallow rocks to feed during the cooler times of the day. Use crawdad crankbaits and soft plastics.
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The green water color is starting to come back after the rains had flushed out some of the phytoplankton.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers continue to pick up crappies over the habitat in 8 – 10 feet of water; no change from last week.
- Bluegill – Fair: Most of the bigger bluegills are out in the fish habitat in 8 to 10 feet of water.
- Water Temperature (°F): 76.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The Eurasian Watermilfoil in the lake has overtaken the curly-leaf pondweed and has formed some really thick beds. Clean, drain and dry your boat, trailer and equipment before you leave the boat ramp area.
- Bluegill – Fair: A majority of the bigger bluegills are out in deeper water in 12 -14 feet. A few are still hiding in the outer edges of the weed beds in 4 to 5 feet of water.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: The 12-to-15-inch bass continue to hunt the young of the year fish along the edges of the weeds. Most bigger bass are still recovering from the spawn and the back-and-forth weather out in deeper water.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock) (Washington)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The Skunk River is holding steady at about 2 feet below bank full.
- Water Temperature (°F): 77.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is almost 11 feet.
- Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are starting to move to deeper tree piles a little further out.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: The rock jetties along the dam are holding some spawning channel catfish.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Good numbers of bass are holding in the tree falls along the shoreline hunting the little bluegills hiding there. Look for them to be out deeper during the heat of the day.
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Macbride Management District
Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow) (Cedar)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Channel Catfish – Fair
- Flathead Catfish – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Largemouth Bass – Good
Coralville Reservoir (Johnson)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair
- Channel Catfish – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Bluegill – Fair
- Largemouth Bass – Good
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Largemouth Bass – Good
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Good
- Channel Catfish – Fair
- Largemouth Bass – Good
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Slow
- Bluegill – Fair
- Largemouth Bass – Good
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Fair
- Flathead Catfish – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Largemouth Bass – Good
- White Crappie – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair
- Largemouth Bass – Good
- Walleye – Fair
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Rathbun Management District
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs along brush piles and submerged rock piles.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try spinnerbaits along rip-rapped shorelines.
- 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 – Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline. Also target cedar tree piles in deeper water.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinnerbaits and plastics around the cedar tree piles.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 909.09 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 nightcrawlers 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.
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Southwest
Boone Management District
The Bluegill spawn is wrapping. Channel and Flathead Catfish are becoming more catchable during their spawning period through early July. Last updated on 06/18/2026
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Try trolling or jigging panfish plastics over roadbeds and brush piles in water less than 15 feet deep.
- Walleye – Fair: Try leeches on jigs or slowly trolling live bait rigs with leeches or nightcrawlers. Concentrate on shallow points and humps in 10 to 15 feet of water.
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Use jigs with shad imitating plastics. Look for surface feeding activity or use electronics to find concentrated schools of gizzard shad.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock) (Marion)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut baits or dip baits near wood debris and riprap.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake) (Polk)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut baits or dip baits near wood debris and deep cutbanks.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Good: Try drifting or still fishing cutbaits. Look for concentrations of catfish near rock and riprap during their spawning through late June.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- White Crappie – Fair: Try drifting or slowly trolling 1/16 to 1/8 jigs tipped 2inch or less twister tail or paddle tail plastics.
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Cold Springs Management District
- Contact Person: Mark Boucher or John Lorenzen – 712-769-2587
Contact the Cold Springs office with any questions about fishing in the southwest district. Last updated on 06/25/2026
Arrowhead Pond (Pottawattamie)
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Arrowhead park has excellent access for shoreline anglers.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Catch 10-inch crappies around the tree piles in the lake.
- Bluegill – Fair: Catch 8-inch bluegill with a nightcrawler under a bobber.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: There is a large population of 10- to 12-inch bass in the lake.
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- 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: Slow troll open water areas to find schools of black crappie.
- Bluegill – Fair
- 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): 76.0
- 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: Slow troll creek channels and around the roadbeds to find post-spawn 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. Late afternoon bite is best.
- Bluegill – Slow: 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 – Fair: Black crappies are in the tree piles. Fish will average 9.5-inches. Anglers report trolling for larger fish.
- Bluegill – Fair: Most bluegills have moved off spawning locations and can be caught trolling or drifting.
- Largemouth Bass – Good
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Mt. Ayr Management District
Water temperature is in the mid-70s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. Last updated on 06/24/2026
- 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 – Slow: 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 – Slow: 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 back to normal pool as of June 15.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Docks are in at the main ramp.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Catch Crappie up to 10-inches using jigs or minnows fished in 10-15 feet of water.
- Bluegill – Fair: Catch Bluegill of all sizes with jigs tipped with live bait fished in 10-15 feet of water.
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