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Mississippi River
Bellevue Management District
Water levels are holding steady across the district. Water temperatures remain in the upper 50s to 60, which is very warm for this time of year. Water clarity is fair. Call your local bait shops for the most current information. Last updated on 10/29/2026
Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)
- Water Temperature (°F): 59.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 4.8 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and is holding steady. Water temperature is back up to 59 degrees. Water clarity is fair. Call your local DNR Fisheries office or local bait shops for the latest information.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in backwater areas with woody structure or along dying vegetation lines, or in side channels where there is a little bit of flow.
- Bluegill – Slow: Try a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber or a small jig in areas with woody structure in backwater areas or side channels with little flow.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dip baits or live bait in areas with woody structure like stump fields and brush piles in side channels or along current seams.
- Freshwater Drum – Fair: Use a simple sinker and nightcrawler rig in areas with moderate current or in the tailwater. Anglers are catching freshwater drum on crankbaits and blade baits.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinnerbaits or in-line spinners along vegetation lines in backwater areas, or along areas with rip-rap.
- Northern Pike – Slow: Try large and flashy spinnerbaits or inline spinners along weedlines in backwater areas.
- Sauger – Fair: Try a three-way rig with live bait or blade baits in the tailwaters. Anglers are catching mostly smaller sauger, but a few keepers can be found. Expect the sauger bite to continue to improve.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Throw inline spinners or crankbaits along rocky areas with some current/current breaks.
- Walleye – Fair: Try a three-way rig with live bait on the wing-dams or in the tailwaters. The bite has been difficult on most days; water temperature needs to drop for walleye fishing to improve.
- Yellow Perch – Slow: Look for the yellow perch bite to improve as water temperatures cool. Focus on dying vegetation lines.
Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)
- Water Temperature (°F): 59.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 4.4 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and is steady. Water temperatures remain in the upper 50s, which is warmer than normal for this time of year. Water clarity is fair. Call your local DNR Fisheries office or local bait shops for the latest information.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in backwater areas with woody structure or along dying vegetation lines, or in side channels where there is a little bit of flow.
- Bluegill – Slow: Try a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber or a small jig in areas with woody structure in backwater areas or slide channels with little flow.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Use dip baits or live bait in areas with woody structure like stump fields and brush piles in side channels or along current seams.
- Flathead Catfish – Slow: Anglers are catching a few flatheads in the tailwater on blade baits.
- Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Anglers are catching numerous freshwater drum on blade baits in the tailwaters.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinnerbaits or in-line spinners along vegetation lines in backwater areas or along areas with rip-rap.
- Northern Pike – Slow: Try large and flashy spinnerbaits or inline spinners along weedlines in backwater areas.
- Sauger – Fair: Try a three-way rig with live bait or blade baits in the tailwaters. Anglers are catching mostly smaller sauger, but a few keepers can be found. Expect the sauger bite to continue to improve.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Throw inline spinners or crankbaits along rocky areas with some current/current breaks.
- Walleye – Fair: Try a three-way rig with live bait on the wing-dams or in the tailwaters. Some anglers have had success pulling double crankbait rigs in the tailwater area. The bite has been difficult on most days, but a few limits are being reported. Expect walleye fishing to improve once the water temperature drops.
- White Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching white bass in the tailwaters on one-eyes or blade baits.
- White Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in side channel areas with woody structure.
Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 4.5 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and is steady. Water temperature is around 60 degrees. Water clarity is fair. 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 side channel areas with woody structure, or along dying lily pads in backwater areas.
- Bluegill – Slow: Try a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber or a small jig in areas with woody structure along the edges of side channels or in backwater areas.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dip baits or live bait in areas with woody structure like stump fields and brush piles in side channels or along current seams.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinnerbaits or in-line spinners along vegetation lines in backwater areas or along areas with rip-rap.
- Sauger – Fair: Try a three-way rig with live bait on the wing-dams or in the tailwaters.
- Walleye – Fair: Try a three-way rig with live bait on the wing-dams or in the tailwaters. Waiting for the water temperatures to drop for walleye fishing to improve.
- White Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in side channel areas with woody structure.
Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Water Temperature (°F): 61.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 4.3 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and is holding fairly steady. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dip baits or live bait in areas with woody structure or along current breaks.
- Freshwater Drum – Good: Use a simple sinker and nightcrawler rig in areas with moderate current or in the tailwater.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Throw inline spinners or crankbaits along rocky areas with some current/current breaks.
- Walleye – Slow: Try a three-way rig with live bait on the wing-dams or in the tailwaters. Expect walleye fishing to improve once the water temperature drops.
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Fairport Management District
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Tailwater stages have been falling slightly the past few days. Main channel water temperature is 61-62 degrees. We have not received any tailwater fishing reports for walleyes and saugers yet. Expect crappie fishing to improve as water temperatures fall. Last updated on 10/29/2026
Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Water Temperature (°F): 61.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 4.96 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and has been fairly steady. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 10.17 feet at Fairport; flood stage is 14 feet. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been slow.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Try fishing for channel catfish on the upstream side of snags along the main channel and side channels or along the upstream side of the wing-dams. Use dip baits, nightcrawlers, or cut shad fished on the bottom.
- Sauger – Slow: Start looking for saugers in the tailwaters below the dam or in Sylvan Slough. Expect the bite to pick up as water temperatures drop. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
- Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing is slow with the muddy water conditions. Try three-way rigs with half a nightcrawler or troll crankbaits on the wing-dams. We have not received any reports for tailwater fishing.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or floating minnows under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels. Places to try are Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island complex.
Pool 17, Mississippi River (Muscatine)
- Water Temperature (°F): 61.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 3.83 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. Tailwater stage has been falling slightly the past few days. Flood stage is 15 feet. We have not received any tailwater fishing reports for walleyes and saugers yet.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Try fishing for channel catfish on the upstream side of snags along the main channel and side channels or along the upstream side of the wing-dams. Use dip baits, nightcrawlers, or cut shad fished on the bottom.
- Sauger – Status Unsure: Expect the tailwater bite to pick up as water temperatures fall. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows below the dam. We have not received any tailwater fishing reports for this pool.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Walleye fishing is slow with the muddy water conditions. Try three-way rigs with half a nightcrawler or troll crankbaits on the wing-dams. We have not received any reports for walleye fishing in the tailwaters.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or floating minnows under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels. Expect the bite to pick up as water temperatures drop. Places to try are Big Timber or Cleveland Slough.
Pool 18, Mississippi River (Louisa)
- Water Temperature (°F): 58.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 6.44 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Tailwater stage has been rising slightly the past few days. Flood stage is 15 feet. We have not received any tailwater fishing reports for walleyes and saugers this week.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Try fishing for channel catfish on the upstream side of snags along the main channel and side channels or along the upstream side of the wing-dams. Use dip baits, nightcrawlers, or cut shad fished on the bottom.
- Sauger – Status Unsure: Expect the tailwater bite for saugers to pick up as water temperatures drop. Try fishing for saugers below the dam. Vertical jig with minnows or troll three-way rigs with minnows. We have not received any tailwater fishing reports for this pool.
- Walleye – Slow: Try fishing for walleyes on the wing-dams. Use three-way rigs with half a nightcrawler or troll crankbaits on the wing-dams. We have not received any tailwater walleye fishing reports. Walleyes can also be caught below the Lock and Dam vertical jigging with minnows.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or floating minnows under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels. Try crappie fishing in the Huron Island complex.
Pool 19, Mississippi River (Lee)
- Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 2.63 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and has been falling the past few days. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage is 8.78 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 525.41 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. We have not received any reports for tailwater fishing walleyes and saugers below Lock 18.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: Try fishing for channel catfish on the upstream side of snags along the main channel and side channels or along the upstream side of the wing-dams. Use dip baits, nightcrawlers, or cut shad fished on the bottom.
- Sauger – Slow: Expect the tailwater bite for saugers to pick up as water temperatures fall. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
- Walleye – Slow: Try fishing with three-way rigs with half a nightcrawler or troll crankbaits on the wing-dams. We have not received any tailwater fishing reports for walleyes. Walleyes can also be caught below the Lock and Dam vertical jigging with minnows.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or floating minnows under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels.
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Guttenberg Management District
Upper Mississippi River water levels remain low and steady. Water clarity has improved. Water temperature has come back up to 60 degrees. Fish are on their fall feeding patterns before they transition to their deep water overwintering spots. Try fishing along wood or rock structure and edges of vegetation lines. Last updated on 10/29/2026
Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)
- Water Temperature (°F): 59.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
River level is expected to remain stable near 8.0 feet at Lansing. Look for fish along the weedlines in backwaters. **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 – Fair: Crappie bite is improving. Use light tackle in 4-6 feet of water in trees and stumps in slight current.
- Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of worm under a bobber near the mouths of backwaters as bluegill begin staging toward their overwintering areas.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cats are still actively feeding into late fall. Jig a worm on the bottom in slow to moderate current eddies in side channels or main channel borders.
- Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Try nightcrawlers weighted on the bottom in moderate current.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth fall feeding is underway. Cast plastics or buzz-baits along thick vegetation in upper portions of backwaters.
- Sauger – Fair: A few sauger are moving upstream toward the Lock & Dam tailwaters.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth bass are prepping for winter and actively feeding along main channel. Use inline spinner-baits along rip-rap.
- Walleye – Good: The walleye bite is picking up as they move upstream toward the Lock & Dam tailwaters.
- Yellow Perch – Slow: Jig small lures or drop shot live bait along the weedlines in backwater lakes.
Pool 10, Mississippi River (Clayton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is 613 feet below Lock and Dam 9, Lynxville and remains steady. Water clarity is good. Try fishing the mouths of backwater lakes and sloughs or try the tailwaters of the Lock & Dam. Fall fishing is starting to pick up.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie bite is improving. Use light tackle in 4-6 feet of water in trees and stumps in slight current.
- Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of worm under a bobber near the mouths of backwaters as bluegill begin staging toward their overwintering areas.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cats are still actively feeding into late fall. Jig a worm on the bottom in slow to moderate current eddies in side channels or main channel borders.
- Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Try nightcrawlers weighted on the bottom in moderate current.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth fall feeding is underway. Cast plastics or buzz-baits along thick vegetation in upper portions of backwaters.
- Sauger – Fair: A few sauger are moving upstream toward the Lock & Dam tailwaters.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth bass are prepping for winter and actively feeding along main channel. Use inline spinner-baits along rip-rap.
- Walleye – Fair: The walleye bite is picking up as they move upstream toward the Lock & Dam tailwaters.
- Yellow Perch – Slow: Jig small lures or drop shot live bait along the weedlines in backwater lakes.
Pool 11, Mississippi River (Clayton)
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level remains low and steady at 4.6 feet at Guttenberg, Lock & Dam10 tailwaters. Water clarity has improved. Fishing in the tailwater areas is starting to pick up.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie bite is improving. Use light tackle in 4-6 feet of water in trees and stumps in slight current.
- Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of worm under a bobber near the mouths of backwaters as bluegill begin staging toward their overwintering areas.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cats are still actively feeding into late fall. Jig a worm on the bottom in slow to moderate current eddies in side channels or main channel borders.
- Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Try nightcrawlers weighted on the bottom in moderate current.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth fall feeding is underway. Cast plastics or buzz-baits along thick vegetation in upper portions of backwaters.
- Sauger – Good: A few sauger are moving upstream toward the Lock & Dam tailwaters.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth bass are prepping for winter and actively feeding along main channel. Use inline spinner-baits along rip-rap.
- Walleye – Good: The walleye bite is picking up as they move upstream toward the Lock & Dam tailwaters .
- Yellow Perch – Slow: Jig small lures or drop shot live bait along the weedlines in backwater lakes.
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Northeast
Decorah Management District
Highs in the 60s with lows in the low 40s create mild, comfortable fishing weather. Chance of showers through the weekend make layering a must for changing conditions. Hunting seasons are open creating a full line-up of outdoor activities. Last updated on 10/28/2026
Allamakee County Trout Streams (Allamakee)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
This is the last week of trout stream stocking until April 2027. Trout streams are in excellent condition. Try fishing the deep pools, runs, and undercut banks. With hunting seasons, wear a blaze orange hat or vest when walking to and from streams on Wildlife Management Areas to help hunters see you.
- Brook Trout – Slow: Brookies love to ambush land bugs from inside aquatic weed pockets. Aim for the 2-inch gap between the weed bed and the open current channel. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift. A large variety of terrestrial insects are hatching with the warmer weather. Matching the hatch is vital to success.
- Brown Trout – Good: Cast flashy spinners, minnow-imitation lures, or bead-head nymphs through deeper pools. If temperatures warm up slightly during mid-day, switch to terrestrials or caddis imitations to catch the hatch.
- Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Tip a hook with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball to fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating terrestrial insects or minnows near pool heads or stream mouths.
Cedar River (above Nashua) (Floyd)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are stable. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s. For more information, visit https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/
- Black Crappie – Excellent: Find crappie near snags in backwater areas. Try a small spinner or crankbait.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use worms, dead chubs or minnows under a bobber near the bottom.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines, current seams and limestone ledges as they move to deeper water. Try a jig tipped with soft plastics or nightcrawler.
- Walleye – Excellent: Use a jig with a live minnow or nightcrawler in a deeper pool along bottom seams during low-light hours or on overcast days.
Clayton County Trout Streams (Clayton)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
This is the last week of trout stream stocking until April 2027. Trout streams are in excellent condition. Try fishing the deep pools, runs, and undercut banks. With hunting seasons, wear a blaze orange hat or vest when walking to and from streams on Wildlife Management Areas to help hunters see you.
- Brook Trout – Slow: Brookies love to ambush land bugs from inside aquatic weed pockets. Aim for the 2-inch gap between the weed bed and the open current channel. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift. A large variety of terrestrial insects are hatching with the warmer weather. Matching the hatch is vital to success.
- Brown Trout – Good: Cast flashy spinners, minnow-imitation lures, or bead-head nymphs through deeper pools. If temperatures warm up slightly during mid-day, switch to terrestrials or caddis imitations to catch the hatch.
- Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Tip a hook with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball to fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating terrestrial insects or minnows near pool heads or stream mouths.
Fayette County Trout Streams (Fayette)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
This is the last week of trout stream stocking until April 2027. Trout streams are in excellent condition. Try fishing the deep pools, runs, and undercut banks. With hunting seasons, wear a blaze orange hat or vest when walking to and from streams on Wildlife Management Areas to help hunters see you.
- Brown Trout – Good: Cast flashy spinners, minnow-imitation lures, or bead-head nymphs through deeper pools. If temperatures warm up slightly during mid-day, switch to terrestrials or caddis imitations to catch the hatch.
- Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Tip a hook with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball to fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating terrestrial insects or minnows near pool heads or stream mouths.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is good to excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s. The bite should continue to improve as water temperatures fall.
- Black Crappie – Good: Find crappie around submersed or downed trees or logs. Try a small spinner or crankbait.
- Bluegill – Good: Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along rocky structure or woody debris.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait under a bobber near the bottom.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Toss a crank or spinner bait along a rocky shoreline or drop-off. Keep tension on the line to prevent losing your lure.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is good to excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s. The bite should continue to improve as water temperatures fall.
- Black Crappie – Good: Find crappie around submersed or downed trees or logs. Try a small spinner or crankbait.
- Bluegill – Good: Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along rocky structure or woody debris.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait under a bobber near the bottom.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Toss a crank or spinner bait along a rocky shoreline or drop-off. Keep tension on the line to prevent losing your lure.
- Northern Pike – Fair: Pike are ambush predators with an attitude. Target structure with a spoon or hair jig to tease this feisty fish.
Mitchell County Trout Streams (Mitchell)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
This is the last week of trout stream stocking until April 2027. Trout streams are in excellent condition. Try fishing the deep pools, runs, and undercut banks. With hunting seasons, wear a blaze orange hat or vest when walking to and from streams on Wildlife Management Areas to help hunters see you.
- Brown Trout – Good: Cast flashy spinners, minnow-imitation lures, or bead-head nymphs through deeper pools. If temperatures warm up slightly during mid-day, switch to terrestrials or caddis imitations to catch the hatch.
- Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Tip a hook with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball to fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating terrestrial insects or minnows near pool heads or stream mouths.
Turkey River (above Clermont) (Fayette)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are stable. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s. For more information, visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines, current seams and limestone ledges as they move to deeper water. Try a jig tipped with soft plastics or a nightcrawler.
- Walleye – Excellent: Use a jig with a live minnow or nightcrawler in a deeper pool along bottom seams during low-light hours or on overcast days.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) (Winneshiek)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are stable. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s. For more information, visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Rainbows are hitting lures imitating minnows near the mouth of trout streams.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines, current seams and limestone ledges as they move to deeper water. Try a jig tipped with soft plastics or nightcrawler.
- Walleye – Excellent: Use a jig with a live minnow or nightcrawler in a deeper pool along bottom seams during low-light hours or on overcast days.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah) (Allamakee)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are stable. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s.
- Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines, current seams and limestone ledges as they move to deeper water. Try a jig tipped with soft plastics or nightcrawler.
- Walleye – Excellent: Use a jig with a live minnow or nightcrawler in a deeper pool along bottom seams during low-light hours or on overcast days.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity is good to excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s. The bite should continue to improve as water temperatures fall.
- Black Crappie – Good: Find crappie around submersed or downed trees or logs. Try a small spinner or crankbait.
- Bluegill – Good: Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along rocky structure or woody debris.
- Channel Catfish – Fair: Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait under a bobber near the bottom. Trophy catfish abound in this waterbody.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Toss a crank or spinner bait along a rocky shoreline or drop-off. Keep tension on the line to prevent losing your lure.
Winneshiek County Trout Streams (Winneshiek)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
This is the last week of trout stream stocking until April 2027. Trout streams are in excellent condition. Try fishing the deep pools, runs, and undercut banks. With hunting seasons, wear a blaze orange hat or vest when walking to and from streams on Wildlife Management Areas to help hunters see you.
- Brook Trout – Slow: Brookies love to ambush land bugs from inside aquatic weed pockets. Aim for the 2-inch gap between the weed bed and the open current channel. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift. A large variety of terrestrial insects are hatching with the warmer weather. Matching the hatch is vital to success.
- Brown Trout – Good: Cast flashy spinners, minnow-imitation lures, or bead-head nymphs through deeper pools. If temperatures warm up slightly during mid-day, switch to terrestrials or caddis imitations to catch the hatch.
- Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Tip a hook with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball to fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating terrestrial insects or minnows near pool heads or stream mouths.
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Manchester Management District
Most interior river water levels continue to fall and are producing good catches of walleye and smallmouth bass. Local area lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo are fair to good for panfish and largemouth bass. Water temperatures are in the lower 60s. Trout streams in Clayton, Dubuque, Delaware and Jackson counties are in good to excellent condition. Contact your local area bait and tackle shops for current and most up to date reports.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Spring Branch Creek within Baileys Ford Park is in good condition.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The Big Mill Wildlife Management area is popular amongst anglers for both rainbow and brown trout.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Match the hatch with the upcoming forecast of warmer weather. Grasshopper patterns are a great choice for mid-day action.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) (Black Hawk)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
River levels are falling on the Cedar River in Black Hawk County. Anglers are doing well on smallmouth bass and walleye. River conditions should be very favorable by this weekend.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
- Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
Delaware County Trout Streams (Delaware)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Delaware County are in good to excellent condition.
- Brown Trout – Good: Match the hatch with the upcoming warmer weather. Grasshoppers are abundant.
- 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.
- Brown Trout – Fair
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
Jackson County Trout Streams (Jackson)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Jackson County are in good to excellent condition.
- Brown Trout – Good: Match the hatch with the upcoming warmer weather. Caddis are almost always a good choice; grasshoppers are abundant in stream corridors.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are catching bass and some crappie.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching bass and some crappie.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast artificial lures or crankbaits along shoreline areas and around the docks.
- White Crappie – Fair: Try fishing around shoreline structure near fallen trees in the 8-10 feet of water jigging colored tube jigs or hair jigs. A live minnow tipped under a slip bobber can be very effective.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) (Delaware)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Water levels on the Maquoketa River are falling with the recent dry weather. Recent fisheries surveys revealed good to excellent walleye and smallmouth bass populations within Delaware County.
- Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
- Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Delaware County are in good to excellent condition.
- Brown Trout – Good: Match the hatch with the upcoming warmer weather.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) (Butler)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers should have some success angling on the Shell Rock River; good to excellent reports on the Cedar River for both walleye and smallmouth bass.
- Smallmouth Bass – Status Unsure: Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) (Buchanan)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Water levels are 6.12 feet on the Wapsipinicon River as of today. Walleye and smallmouth bass fishing should improve as water levels continue to drop.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
- Walleye – Fair: Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
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Northwest
Black Hawk Management District
Water temperatures are in the mid-50s in many lakes throughout the district. Last updated on 10/29/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Pick up crappie from shore. Use a piece of crawler on a jig or a small minnow along shore in Town Bay and near the inlet bridge area. Fish are up to 12-inches.
- Bluegill – Fair: Pick up bluegill from shore with a piece of crawler on a jig. Try along Ice House Point shoreline, the stone piers in Town Bay, and near the inlet bridge. Most fish are up to 7-inches.
- Walleye – Good: Anglers have had luck from shore. Throwing a twister has been productive; also try live bait like a minnow under a bobber from shore. Anglers have had luck near the fish house in Town Bay, along Ice House Point shoreline, and the inlet bridge. Morning and evening bites are best.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near submerged structure in 5-15 feet of water.
- Walleye – Fair: Pick up walleye in 5-15 feet of water using minnows or crawlers.
- Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Walleye – Slow: Look for walleye near shore. Try throwing twisters or using a minnow under a bobber.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) (Buena Vista)
- Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Walleye – Fair: Look for walleye near shore. Try throwing twisters or use a crawler under a bobber along the east shore, the marina, near the inlet, and the jetty at Chautauqua park.
- Yellow Perch – Fair: Look for yellow perch near shore; use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler.
- Water Temperature (°F): 57.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Target black crappie from the fish house and by the jetties this time of year. Most fish are 9- to 10-inches. Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler or minnow fished under a bobber from shore and from the jetties.
- Bluegill – Fair: A recent survey showed good numbers of 7- to 8-inch fish along shore. Use a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore and from the jetties.
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Clear Lake Management District
Contact Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office for information on lakes and rivers in north central Iowa. Last updated on 10/01/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 56.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 0.72 inches below crest. The fish cleaning station is closed for the season.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers are catching crappie off the docks with small jigs around the boat hoists.
- Muskellunge – Good: Fall is an excellent time to target musky. Cast baits near docks and vegetation beds.
- Walleye – Fair
- Yellow Bass – Excellent: Use small jigs, crawlers , and cut bait on the outside edges of vegetation beds. Anglers are catching all sizes of fish.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Good: Drift fish or troll crappie jigs in 8-12 feet of water.
- Bluegill – Good: Small jigs and nightcrawler pieces are working in a variety of depths.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Any water west of the north boat ramp is a waterfowl refuge and is closed to all activity from Sept. 1st through the final day of the duck season. Signs across the lake mark this area.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
River level is 5.21 feet.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair
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Spirit Lake Management District
Lake temperatures are in the upper 50s to low 60s. The fishing bite has been good for many species. Water levels are at crest. Many docks and hoists are out for the season. Last updated on 10/22/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The panfish bite is good.
- Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are targeting quality-sized fish.
Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The perch and crappie bite has been good this fall. Anglers are catching good-sized fish. Boat ramps have been full.
- Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching quality-sized fish.
- Yellow Perch – Good: Anglers are catching perch from the weedline out to 15 feet of water. Some chasing may be needed to stay on top of schools. Jigs with minnows or jigs paired with wigglers work well.
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Good: The bite has been somewhat variable, but very good when it’s on.
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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): 64.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappies in the shallower water along the north side of the lake. Expect most of them to be hanging out in 6-8 feet of water in the flooded trees. Minnows and bobbers work best.
Discovery Park Pond (Muscatine)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The fall trout release will be at 10 a.m. the Saturday {October 31). You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: The fall trout release will be in the north (front) pond on October 31 at 10 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The fall trout release will be at 10 a.m. this Saturday (October 31). You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: The fall trout release will be on October 31 at 10 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature is holding in the low 60s due to the cool nights followed by warm (70s) daytime temperatures.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are holding out in 6 to 8 feet of water along the base of the rip-rap along the dam and in the flooded timber at that same depth from the campground bay to the dam.
- Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are up in the shallows in the flooded trees and stumps along the northside of the lake. Use a worm and bobber.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Much like last week: Bass are holding in 4-7 feet of water. Work the flooded trees with some plastics.
- Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature early this morning (10/29) was 62 degrees. The water is still brown in color. Planktonic algae has died off again.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are in the shallow water around the rocks and the tree falls. Don’t pass by the brush piles across from the main boat ramp. With the stained water, a slower approach such as jigs drifted under bobbers or bobber and minnow works best.
- Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills continue to hold in shallow water (3 to 4 feet) around or over the habitat.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass continue to work the shallows, especially those in the 10- to 15-inch range.
- Water Temperature (°F): 64.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies along the rip-rap in the sunshine and the long mounds across from the beach.
- Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are hanging out in their old favorite fall haunt along the outer edges of the water willow beds. Some bluegills are hanging out around the in-lake silt dam at the upper end of the lake.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: A bunch of aggressive 10- to 12-inch bass (it’s a really big age class) are making their way through the population. Try fishing the edges of the water willows and in the 6-8 feet of water around the artificial fish habitat.
- Water Temperature (°F): 58.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature continues to hold in the upper 50s with the continued warm daytime temperatures. Lost Grove Lake has Eurasian Watermilfoil; make sure you clean off your boat and trailer before you leave the ramp parking lot to prevent its spread.
- Black Crappie – Good: Crappies have moved into the flooded brush and scattered trees in 3 to 6 feet of water. Jigs worked slow or minnow and bobber are working well.
- Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are in the shallower 3-5 feet of water. Try worm and bobber or small jigs around the edges of the flooded brush.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Continue to work the edges of the weed beds, and if you can back deep in the flooded timber for those bigger ones.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The fall trout release will be in the old pond this Saturday (October 31) at 11:30 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: The fall trout release at 11:30 a.m. on October 31. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
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Macbride Management District
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids) (Linn)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No reports received this week.
- Smallmouth Bass – Status Unsure
- Walleye – Status Unsure
Coralville Reservoir (Johnson)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Slow: Try fishing brush piles near points.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure: No reports received this week.
- White Crappie – Slow: Try fishing brush piles near points.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair
- Redear Sunfish – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Look for suspended fish around brush piles.
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Good: Use soft plastics or minnows around the brush piles in mornings or around vegetation in the afternoons.
- Bluegill – Good: Anglers are catching fish with worms below a bobber. Target brush piles early in morning and transition to weed lines in afternoon.
- Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are using creek chubs or dipbait on the north end of the lake.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are using chatter and spinner baits.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No reports received this week.
- Channel Catfish – Status Unsure
- Walleye – Status Unsure
- White Bass – Status Unsure
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Status Unsure
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Good: Bite has been inconsistent with some days better than others. Most anglers are using jigs tipped with a minnow or just soft plastics. Anglers have also been using a bobber and minnow set up. Most anglers are targeting brush piles or clusters of stumps.
- Muskellunge – Fair: Anglers are catching a few.
- Walleye – Fair: Try fishing in areas with rock.
- White Crappie – Good: Bite has been inconsistent with some days better than others. Most anglers are using jigs tipped with a minnow or just soft plastics. Anglers have also been using a bobber and minnow set up. Most anglers are targeting brush piles or clusters of stumps.
- Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Modern restrooms and the fish cleaning station are closed for season. Pit latrines are available. Docks will remain in until skim ice.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Try minnows around brush piles.
- Muskellunge – Fair: Anglers are catching a few.
- Walleye – Fair: Best bite is with jigs after sunset.
- Yellow Perch – Fair: Try minnows or a piece of worm around the coontail beds.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
2000 rainbow trout will be stocked on Oct. 29 at around noon. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) (Jones)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No reports received this week.
- Smallmouth Bass – Status Unsure
- Walleye – Status Unsure
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Rathbun Management District
- Ramp Condition: Closed
Lake Keomah is refilling after a lake renovation last year. Some fish have been stocked for future angling.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Slow: Target the cedar tree piles and other submerged structure with small jigs.
- Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs along the fishing jetties and around the submerged cedar tree piles. Fish will move into shallow water as it cools.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Bluegill – Slow: Try small jigs around the cedar tree piles and along the vegetation near the shoreline.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits and plastics or spinnerbaits along brush piles and rocky shorelines.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) (Wapello)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout will be stocked on Monday, November 2. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Water Temperature (°F): 63.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 905.70 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before you go to another water body.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Target crappies around brush piles and closer to shore as the water cools.
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Try vertically jigging over rock piles or trolling crankbaits. Watch for schools of gizzard shad; hybrid striped bass are probably following them. Use baits that mimic shad, like silver crankbaits or blade baits.
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Southwest
Boone Management District
Central Iowa Lakes have turned over for the fall. Look for fish in deeper habitat. Fall is good time to slowly troll small plastics or vertical jig plastics or minnows over habitat to catch crappies. Fall trout stockings in community ponds have occurred in Ada Hayden Lake, Lake Petocka, Terra Lake and Triumph Park Ponds West and East. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Last updated on 10/29/2026
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake (Story)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Friday, October 23. Cast small in-line spinners, spoons or small plastics. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Try trolling or jigging panfish plastics over roadbeds and brush piles in water less than 15 feet deep. Shore anglers can try the rock fishing jetties in the early mornings and evenings.
- 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. If fishing from shore, concentrate on the shoreline the wind is blowing into.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Try vertical jigging or slowly trolling small plastics over habitat. Afternoons and early evening bites are best.
- Bluegill – Good: Drift or troll 1/32 or 1/16 ounce jig heads tipped with a nightcrawler fished 5 to 15 feet deep near habitat locations and just over the tops of the small flooded trees that grew throughout the lake when it was drawn down.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Friday, October 23. Cast small in-line spinners, spoons or small plastics. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Monday, October 26. Cast small in-line spinners, spoons or small plastics. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Monday, October 26. Cast small in-line spinners, spoons or small plastics. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Monday, October 26. Cast small in-line spinners, spoons or small plastics. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
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Cold Springs Management District
- Water Temperature (°F): 64.0
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
1200 rainbow trout were stocked on October 23rd in pond 1. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The bag limit is 5 trout with possession of 10.
Big Lake (Including Gilbert’s Pond) (Pottawattamie)
- Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
1000 catchable size rainbow trout were stocked on October 27th. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Mepp’s spinners were working well the day of stocking the trout.
- Water Temperature (°F): 61.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Troll the roadbeds or fish along deep tree piles to find black crappies.
- Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching bluegill slow trolling close to underwater reefs and around the roadbed.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass anglers are finding fish in deep tree piles and along the roadbed.
- Water Temperature (°F): 63.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Fair: Slow troll and fish along tree piles to find 8-inch fish.
- Largemouth Bass – Status Unsure
- Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Fish surveys this fall showed very good numbers of 10- to 11-inch black crappies and 8-inch bluegill.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching bluegill with worms under a bobber.
- Water Temperature (°F): 61.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Good: Find black crappies in the tree piles. Fish will average 9.5-inches.
- Bluegill – Fair: Use red worms or nightcrawlers around the tree piles.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Water Temperature (°F): 65.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair: Catch 9-to-10-inch black crappies with minnows under a bobber around the deep tree piles.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Boat anglers are finding largemouth bass in shallow tree piles.
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Mt. Ayr Management District
Water temperature is in the low 60s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. Last updated on 10/28/2026
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 using jigs tipped with live bait near the flooded timber.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is at normal pool as of October 19.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Docks are in at the main ramp.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Catch Crappie of all sizes using jigs tipped with live bait fished near the flooded timber.
- Bluegill – Fair: Catch Bluegill of all sizes with jigs tipped with live bait near the flooded timber.
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