Crappie are the headline fish this week. East Okoboji and Spirit Lake both have anglers on quality-sized fish, and Hannen Lake is giving up 10- to 12-inch crappie. Lake Hendricks and Lake Meyer fish are holding around submersed or downed trees and logs, with a small spinner or crankbait doing the work. Lake Macbride has both black and white crappie around brush piles and stump clusters, though the bite is inconsistent day to day — jigs tipped with a minnow, soft plastics, or a bobber-and-minnow rig are all producing. Lost Grove Lake crappie are starting to slide toward deeper water, though shallow fish are still there if you look. Bluegill are solid at Hickory Grove Lake on 1/32- or 1/16-ounce jigs tipped with a nightcrawler, worked 5 to 15 feet down near the flooded timber, and at Lake Hendricks and Lake Meyer on small jigs tipped with waxworm or spike along rock and wood. Spirit Lake perch are running the weedline out to 15 feet on jigs with minnows or wigglers — be ready to chase the schools.
Largemouth bass are cooperating at Lake Hendricks and Lake Meyer. Crank baits and spinner baits along rocky shorelines and drop-offs are getting bit; keep steady tension so you don’t lose one on the retrieve.
Trout ponds are the other story this week. Fresh stockings at Ada Hayden, Lake Petocka and Terra Lake are taking small in-line spinners, spoons and small plastics. Ely Pond, Liberty Centre Pond, Noelridge Park Pond and North Ridge Park Pond are fishing well on inline spinners, white crappie tube jigs or live bait. Big Lake and Gilbert’s Pond want a small jig with a spinner, or an ice jig tipped with a waxworm. Discovery Park Pond, Emma Young Pond and Marr Park Pond stockings have been pushed to Nov. 20 — plan accordingly, and remember the trout fee applies everywhere trout are stocked.
Nothing to report on catfish or walleye this week. With water running 45 to 64 degrees, fish are spread across that whole range depending on the lake — check your thermometer before you pick a depth.
Where the Bite Is On
Everything Iowa DNR staff rated good or excellent this week.
The Full Report
Every water the DNR reported on this week. Tap a section to open it.
Lakes and Reservoirs56 waters
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake Story County
Ramp: Useable
- Good Rainbow Trout — 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.
Atlantic Quarry Pond 1 Cass County
Water 60.0°F · Ramp: 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.
- Fair Rainbow Trout — Mepps’ spinners with a silver blade have been the best bait this week. .
Big Creek Lake Polk County
Ramp: Useable
- Fair Black Crappie — 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.
- Fair Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) — 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.
Big Hollow Lake Des Moines County
Water 62.0°F · Ramp: Useable
- Fair Black Crappie — Crappies are holding to 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. .
Big Lake (Including Gilbert’s Pond) Pottawattamie County
Water 58.0°F · Ramp: 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.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Small jigs with a spinner attached or ice fishing jigs tipped with a waxworm work best.
Black Hawk Lake Sac County
Water 54.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Boat ramp courtesy docks at the state campground have been removed for the season. Docks at Ice House Point boat ramp and the Marina boat ramp are still in place. The fish cleaning station is closed for the cold season.
- Fair Black Crappie — Use a piece of crawler on a jig or a small minnow along the shore in Town Bay and near the inlet bridge area. Fish are up to 12-inches.
- Slow Bluegill — Try a piece of crawler on a jig along Ice House Point shoreline, the stone piers in Town Bay, and near the inlet bridge. Most fish are up to 7-inches.
- Fair Walleye — Use a twister or 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.
Brushy Creek Lake Webster County
Ramp: Useable
- Fair Black Crappie — Find crappie near submerged structure in 5-15 feet of water.
- Fair Walleye — Pick up walleye in 5-15 feet of water using minnows or crawlers.
Clear Lake Cerro Gordo County
Water 55.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Lake level is 1.08 inches over crest. The courtesy dock at the city boat ramp has been removed. The fish cleaning station is closed for the season.
- Fair Walleye — Anglers are having success fishing from the jetties after sunset.
- Fair Yellow Bass
Coralville Reservoir Johnson County
Ramp: Useable
- Fair Black Crappie — Try fishing in brush piles near points.
- Fair White Crappie — Try fishing in brush piles near points.
Crystal Lake Hancock County
Ramp: Useable
The courtesy docks have been removed for the season.
- Slow Black Crappie
Discovery Park Pond Muscatine County
Water 64.0°F · Ramp: Not applicable
The trout stocking is rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — The trout stocking is rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
East Okoboji Lake Dickinson County
Water 45.0°F · Ramp: Useable
The panfish bite has been good, but may have slowed due to falling water temperatures. .
- Good Black Crappie — Anglers are targeting quality-sized fish.
Ely Pond Linn County
Ramp: Not applicable
500 trout were stocked November 3. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Use an inline spinner, white crappie tube jig or live bait. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Emma Young Pond Clinton County
Water 62.0°F · Ramp: Not applicable
The trout stocking is rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — The trout stocking is rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Hannen Lake Benton County
Ramp: Useable
- Good Black Crappie — Anglers are catching 10- to 12-inch crappies.
Hickory Grove Lake Story County
Ramp: Useable
- Fair Black Crappie — Try vertical jigging or slowly trolling small plastics over habitat. Afternoons and early evening bites are best.
- Good Bluegill — 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.
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.) Iowa County
Ramp: Useable
No report received this week.
Lake Anita Cass County
Water 58.0°F · Ramp: Useable
- Slow Black Crappie — Troll the roadbeds or fish along deep tree piles to find black crappies.
- Slow Bluegill — Anglers are catching bluegill slow trolling close to underwater reefs and around the roadbed.
- No report Largemouth Bass — Bass anglers are finding fish in deep tree piles and along the roadbed.
Lake Belva Deer Keokuk County
Water 60.0°F · Ramp: Useable
The water temperature is in the upper 50s in the early mornings. But it’s back into the low 60s most afternoons.
- Fair Black Crappie — 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.
- Fair Bluegill — Bluegills are up in the shallows in the flooded trees and stumps along the northside of the lake. Use a worm and bobber.
- Fair Largemouth Bass — Much like last week: Bass are holding in 4-7 feet of water. Work the flooded trees with some plastics.
Lake Darling Washington County
Water 58.0°F · Ramp: Useable
The water temperature was 58 degrees early this morning. The water remains brown in color. The water level is just above normal.
- Fair Black Crappie — The crappies are split between the rock piles about 4 feet below the surface of the lake and the cedar trees out in the middle of the lake where they spend the winter. With the dirty water, try fishing slowly with a jig and bobber or minnow and bobber.
- Fair Bluegill — Bluegills are holding out around the rock piles in 8 feet of water. Use a bobber and worm.
Lake Geode Henry County
Water 60.0°F · Ramp: Useable
- Fair Black Crappie — Crappie are starting to move off into deeper water; back to the fish habitat in 8 to 10 feet of water.
- Fair Bluegill — 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. Cooler weather might get them to start to move out to their winter spots.
Lake Hendricks Howard County
Ramp: Useable
Water clarity is good to excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s. The bite should continue to improve as water temperatures fall.
- Good Black Crappie — Find crappie around submersed or downed trees or logs. Try a small spinner or crankbait.
- Good Bluegill — Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along rocky structure or woody debris.
- Fair Channel Catfish — Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait under a bobber near the bottom.
- Good Largemouth Bass — Toss a crank or spinner bait along a rocky shoreline or drop-off. Keep tension on the line to prevent losing your lure.
Lake Keomah Mahaska County
Ramp: Useable
Lake Keomah has refilled after a lake renovation last year. Some fish have been stocked for future angling.
Lake Macbride Johnson County
Water 60.0°F · Ramp: Useable
- Good Black Crappie — 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. .
- Fair Muskellunge — Anglers are catching a few.
- Fair Walleye — Try fishing in areas with rock.
- Good White Crappie — 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. .
Lake Meyer Winneshiek County
Ramp: Useable
Water clarity is good to excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s. The bite should continue to improve as water temperatures fall.
- Good Black Crappie — Find crappie around submersed or downed trees or logs. Try a small spinner or crankbait.
- Good Bluegill — Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along rocky structure or woody debris.
- Fair Channel Catfish — Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait under a bobber near the bottom.
- Good Largemouth Bass — Toss a crank or spinner bait along a rocky shoreline or drop-off. Keep tension on the line to prevent losing your lure.
- Fair Northern Pike — Pike are ambush predators with an attitude. Target structure with a spoon or hair jig to tease this feisty fish.
Lake Miami Monroe County
Ramp: Useable
- Slow Black Crappie — Target the cedar tree piles and other submerged structure with small jigs.
- Fair Bluegill — Try small jigs along the fishing jetties and around the submerged cedar tree piles. Fish will move into shallow water as it cools.
Lake Petocka Polk County
Ramp: Not applicable
- Good Rainbow Trout — 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.
Lake Wapello Davis County
Ramp: Useable
- Slow Bluegill — Try small jigs around the cedar tree piles and along the vegetation near the shoreline.
- Fair Largemouth Bass — Use crankbaits and plastics or spinnerbaits along brush piles and rocky shorelines.
Liberty Centre Pond Johnson County
Ramp: Not applicable
1100 trout were stocked November 2. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Use an inline spinner, white crappie tube jig or live bait. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Little River Watershed Lake Decatur County
Ramp: Useable
Docks are in at the main and bait shop ramps.
- Fair Bluegill — Catch Bluegill of all sizes using jigs tipped with live bait near the flooded timber.
Lost Grove Lake Scott County
Water 58.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Lost Grove’s water temperature is back down to the mid 50s. 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.
- Good Black Crappie — Crappies are starting to head back into deeper water. Anglers can still find decent numbers in shallow waters, but the migration to deeper water has started.
- Fair Bluegill — Bluegills are in the shallower 3-5 feet of water. Try worm and bobber or small jigs around the edges of the flooded brush. They are happy to stay put for now.
- Fair Largemouth Bass — Continue to work the edges of the weed beds, and if you can back deep in the flooded timber for those bigger ones. Start switching to jigs and soft plastics with the start of cooler weather.
Marr Park Pond Washington County
Ramp: Not applicable
The trout stocking is rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 11:30 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — The trout stocking is rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 11:30 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Meadow Lake Adair County
Water 60.0°F · Ramp: Useable
- No report Black Crappie
- No report Bluegill
- No report Largemouth Bass
Noelridge Park Pond Linn County
Ramp: Not applicable
1600 trout were stocked November 3. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Use an inline spinner, white crappie tube jig or live bait. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
North Ridge Park Pond Johnson County
Ramp: Not applicable
1100 trout were stocked November 2. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Use an inline spinner, white crappie tube jig or live bait. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
North Twin Lake Calhoun County
Water 53.0°F · Ramp: Useable
- Slow Walleye — Look for walleye near shore. Try throwing twisters or using a minnow under a bobber.
Orient Lake Adair County
Water 59.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Fish surveys this fall showed good numbers of 10- to 11-inch black crappies and 8-inch bluegill.
- No report Black Crappie
- No report Bluegill
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) Wapello County
Ramp: Not applicable
Trout were stocked on Monday, November 2. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Target trout along the shoreline using small spinners or prepared trout bait.
Pleasant Creek Lake Linn County
Water 60.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Modern restrooms and the fish cleaning station are closed for season. Pit latrines are available. Docks will remain in until skim ice.
- No report Black Crappie
- Fair Walleye — Best bite is with jigs after sunset.
- No report Yellow Perch
Prairie Rose Lake Shelby County
Water 58.0°F · Ramp: Useable
- Fair Black Crappie — Find black crappies in the tree piles. Fish will average 9.5-inches.
- Slow Bluegill — Use red worms or nightcrawlers around the tree piles.
- Fair Largemouth Bass
Rathbun Reservoir Appanoose County
Water 61.0°F · Ramp: Useable
The lake level is 906.72. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain, and dry your boat before launching into another water body.
- Slow Black Crappie — Target crappies around brush piles and closer to shore as the water cools.
- Slow Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) — 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.
Rice Lake Winnebago County
Ramp: 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.
Sand Lake Marshall County
Ramp: Useable
2000 trout were stocked October 29. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Fair Rainbow Trout — You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Silver Lake (Dickinson) Dickinson County
Water 45.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Water temperatures have fallen recently.
Silver Lake (Worth) Worth County
Ramp: Useable
The courtesy dock is scheduled to be removed on November 5th. .
- No report Yellow Perch
Spirit Lake Dickinson County
Water 45.0°F · Ramp: Useable
The perch and crappie bite has been good this fall. Anglers are catching good-sized fish. Most boat ramp docks are still in place. Water temperatures have fallen recently.
- Good Black Crappie — Anglers are catching quality-sized fish. .
- Good Yellow Perch — 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.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) Buena Vista County
Water 53.0°F · Ramp: Useable
- Fair Walleye — 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.
- Fair Yellow Perch — Look for yellow perch near shore; use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler. .
Swan Lake Carroll County
Ramp: Useable
- Fair Black Crappie — 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. .
- Fair Bluegill — Use a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore and from the jetties. Fish are 7- to 8-inches.
Terra Lake Polk County
Ramp: Not applicable
- Good Rainbow Trout — 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.
Three Mile Lake Union County
Ramp: Useable
Lake level is 20 inches above normal pool as of November 4.
Triumph Park East Dallas County
Ramp: Not applicable
- Good Rainbow Trout — 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.
Triumph Park West Dallas County
Ramp: Not applicable
- Good Rainbow Trout — 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.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake Union County
Ramp: Useable
Docks are in at the main ramp.
- Fair Black Crappie — Catch Crappie of all sizes using jigs tipped with live bait fished near the flooded timber.
- Fair Bluegill — Catch Bluegill of all sizes with jigs tipped with live bait near the flooded timber.
Viking Lake Montgomery County
Water 60.0°F · Ramp: Useable
- No report Black Crappie — Catch 9-to-10-inch black crappies with minnows under a bobber around the deep tree piles.
- No report Largemouth Bass — Boat anglers are finding largemouth bass in tree piles.
Volga Lake Fayette County
Ramp: Useable
Water clarity is good to excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s. The bite should continue to improve as water temperatures fall.
- Good Black Crappie — Find crappie around submersed or downed trees or logs. Try a small spinner or crankbait.
- Good Bluegill — Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along rocky structure or woody debris.
- Fair Channel Catfish — Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait under a bobber near the bottom. Trophy catfish abound in this waterbody.
- Good Largemouth Bass — Toss a crank or spinner bait along a rocky shoreline or drop-off. Keep tension on the line to prevent losing your lure.
West Okoboji Lake Dickinson County
Water 45.0°F · Ramp: Useable
All ramp docks are still in place. .
- Good Bluegill — The bite has been somewhat variable, but very good when it’s on.
Mississippi River11 waters
Pool 09, Mississippi River Allamakee County
Water 59.0°F · Ramp: Useable
River level is 8.3 feet and expected to rise slightly to 8.5 feet at Lansing. Look for fish along the weed-lines in backwaters. Try fishing along rock and woody structure adjacent to the deep water refuge as fall progresses to winter.
- Fair Black Crappie — Crappie bite is improving. Use light tackle in 4-6 feet of water in trees and stumps in slight current.
- Good Bluegill — Bluegill and other panfish are making their transition to the deeper backwater lakes. Look for fish in 6-10 feet of water in the brush piles and emergent vegetation.
- Excellent Sauger — The bite is picking up as fish move upstream toward the Lock & Dam tailwaters. Vertical jigging with a live minnow has been effective.
- Good Walleye — The bite is picking up as fish move upstream toward the Lock & Dam tailwaters. Vertical jigging with a live minnow has been effective.
- Fair Yellow Perch — Jig small lures or drop shot live bait along wood structure and weedlines. Fish are moving off current to deeper water side channels. .
Pool 10, Mississippi River Clayton County
Water 60.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Water level has risen to 614 feet below Lock and Dam 9, Lynxville and expected to reach 615 feet. Water clarity is diminished. Try fishing the mouths of backwater lakes and sloughs or try the tailwaters of the Lock & Dam. Fall fishing is in full force.
- Fair Black Crappie — Crappie bite is improving. Use light tackle in 4-6 feet of water in trees and stumps in slight current.
- Good Bluegill — Bluegill and other panfish are making their transition to the deeper backwater lakes. Look for fish in 6-10 feet of water in the brush piles and emergent vegetation.
- Excellent Sauger — The bite is picking up as fish move upstream toward the Lock & Dam tailwaters. Vertical jigging with a live minnow has been effective.
- Good Walleye — The bite is picking up as fish move upstream to the Lock and Dams. Vertical jigging with a live minnow has been effective.
- Fair Yellow Perch — Jig small lures or drop shot live bait along wood structure and weedlines. Fish are moving off current to deeper water side channels. .
Pool 11, Mississippi River Clayton County
Water 59.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Water level has risen to 5.7 feet at Guttenberg, Lock & Dam10 tailwaters and is expected to rise another foot. Water clarity is diminished. Fishing in the tailwaters of the Lock and Dam has been consistent this week.
- Fair Black Crappie — Crappie bite is improving. Use light tackle in 4-6 feet of water in trees and stumps in slight current.
- Good Bluegill — Bluegill and other panfish are making their transition to the deeper backwater lakes. Look for fish in 6-10 feet of water in the brush piles and emergent vegetation.
- Excellent Sauger — The bite is picking up as fish move upstream toward the Lock & Dam tailwaters. Vertical jigging with a live minnow has been effective.
- Good Walleye — The bite is picking up as fish move upstream toward the Lock & Dam tailwaters. Vertical jigging with a live minnow has been effective.
- Fair Yellow Perch — Jig small lures or drop shot live bait along wood structure and weedlines. Fish are moving off current to deeper water side channels. .
Pool 12, Mississippi River Dubuque County
Water 58.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Water level is around 5.8 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and is slowly rising. Water temperatures remain in the upper 50s, but should drop over the coming week. Water clarity is fair. Call your local DNR Fisheries office or local bait shops for the latest information.
- Fair Black Crappie — 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. Crappie should be staging to move into backwater areas as water temperatures drop.
- Fair Bluegill — 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. Bluegill should be staging to move into backwater areas soon.
- Fair Freshwater Drum — 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.
- Fair Sauger — 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.
- Fair Walleye — 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.
Pool 13, Mississippi River Jackson County
Water 57.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Water level is around 6.1 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and is slowly rising. Water temperatures remain in the upper 50s, which is warmer than normal for this time of year. Expect water temperatures to drop over the coming week. Water clarity is fair. Call your local DNR Fisheries office or local bait shops for the latest information.
- Fair Black Crappie — 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. Crappie should be staging to move into backwater areas as water temperatures drop.
- Slow Bluegill — 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. Bluegill should be staging to move into backwater areas soon.
- Slow Flathead Catfish — Anglers are catching a few flatheads in the tailwater on blade baits.
- Excellent Freshwater Drum — Anglers are catching numerous freshwater drum on blade baits in the tailwaters.
- Fair Sauger — 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.
- Fair Walleye — 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.
- Fair White Bass — Anglers are catching white bass in the tailwaters on one-eyes or blade baits.
- Fair White Crappie — Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in side channel areas with woody structure. Crappie should be staging to move into backwater areas as the water temperature drops.
Pool 14, Mississippi River Clinton County
Water 57.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Water level is around 5.5 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and is slowly rising. Water temperature has dropped into the upper 50s. Water clarity is fair. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.
- Fair Black Crappie — 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.
- Slow Bluegill — 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. Bluegill should be staging to move into backwater areas. .
- Fair Sauger — Try a three-way rig with live bait on the wing-dams or in the tailwaters.
- Fair Walleye — Try a three-way rig with live bait on the wing-dams or in the tailwaters. Walleye fishing should improve when water temperatures drop.
- Fair White Crappie — Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in side channel areas with woody structure. Crappie should be staging to move into backwater areas soon.
Pool 15, Mississippi River Scott County
Water 60.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Water level is around 4.9 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and is slowly rising. Water clarity is fair. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.
- Fair Smallmouth Bass — Throw inline spinners or crankbaits along rocky areas with some current/current breaks.
- Slow Walleye — 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.
Pool 16, Mississippi River Scott County
Water 61.0°F · Ramp: 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. .
- No report Channel Catfish — 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.
- Slow Sauger — 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.
- Slow Walleye — 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.
- No report White Crappie — 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 County
Water 61.0°F · Ramp: 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.
- No report Channel Catfish — 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.
- No report Sauger — 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. .
- No report Walleye — 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.
- No report White Crappie — 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 County
Water 60.0°F · Ramp: Useable
Tailwater stage is 4.99 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Tailwater stage has been falling the past few days. Flood stage is 15 feet.
- No report Channel Catfish — 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.
- No report Sauger — 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.
- Slow Walleye — 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. .
- No report White Crappie — 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 County
Water 62.0°F · Ramp: 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.
- No report Channel Catfish — 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.
- Slow Sauger — 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.
- Slow Walleye — 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. .
- No report White Crappie — Try vertical jigging with minnows or floating minnows under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels.
Rivers and Streams12 waters
Cedar River (above Nashua) Floyd County
Ramp: Useable
Water levels are stable. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s. For more information, visit https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/05457700.
- Excellent Black Crappie — Find crappie near snags in backwater areas. Try a small spinner or crankbait.
- Fair Channel Catfish — Use worms, dead chubs or minnows under a bobber near the bottom.
- Excellent Smallmouth Bass — 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.
- Excellent Walleye — Use a jig with a live minnow or nightcrawler in a deeper pool along bottom seams during low-light hours or on overcast days.
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids) Linn County
Ramp: Useable
No reports received this week.
- No report Smallmouth Bass
- No report Walleye
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Black Hawk County
Ramp: Useable
River levels are rising on the Cedar River in Black Hawk County. Anglers had been doing well on smallmouth bass and walleye. River conditions will probably be unfavorable by this coming weekend.
- Fair Smallmouth Bass — Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
- Fair Walleye — Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) Johnson County
Ramp: Useable
No reports received this week.
- No report Channel Catfish
- No report Walleye
- No report White Bass
- No report Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass)
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Delaware County
Ramp: Not applicable
Water levels on the Maquoketa River are starting to drop with the recent rainfall. Recent fisheries surveys revealed good to excellent walleye and smallmouth bass populations within Delaware County.
- Slow Smallmouth Bass — Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
- Slow Walleye
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Butler County
Ramp: Useable
No reports on the Shell Rock River this past week; the river is on the rise.
Turkey River (above Clermont) Fayette County
Ramp: Useable
Water levels are stable. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s. For more information, visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-05411850.
- Excellent Smallmouth Bass — 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.
- Excellent Walleye — 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 County
Ramp: Useable
Water levels are stable. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s. For more information, visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-05387500.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Rainbows are hitting lures imitating minnows near the mouth of trout streams.
- Excellent Smallmouth Bass — 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.
- Excellent Walleye — 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 County
Ramp: Useable
Water levels are stable. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is in the 50s.
- Excellent Smallmouth Bass — 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.
- Excellent Walleye — Use a jig with a live minnow or nightcrawler in a deeper pool along bottom seams during low-light hours or on overcast days.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) Buchanan County
Ramp: Not applicable
Water levels are 6.83 feet on the Wapsipinicon River as of today. No reports on the Wapsi this past week.
- Fair Smallmouth Bass — Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
- Fair Walleye — Cast and retrieve jigs and plastics tipped with or without a half of nightcrawler. Crankbaits work well this time of year.
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) Jones County
Ramp: Useable
No reports received this week.
- No report Smallmouth Bass
- No report Walleye
Winnebago River Cerro Gordo County
Ramp: Not applicable
River level is 7.02 feet.
- Fair Smallmouth Bass
Trout Streams6 waters
Baileys Ford Delaware County
Ramp: Not applicable
Spring Branch Creek within Baileys Ford Park is in good condition.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
Big Mill Creek Jackson County
Ramp: Not applicable
The Big Mill Wildlife Management area is popular amongst anglers for both rainbow and brown trout.
- Fair Brown Trout
- Good Rainbow Trout — Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
Delaware County Trout Streams Delaware County
Ramp: Not applicable
Trout streams in Delaware County are in good to excellent condition.
- Good Brown Trout
- Good Rainbow Trout — Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
Dubuque County Trout Streams Dubuque County
Ramp: Not applicable
Trout streams in Dubuque County are in good to excellent condition.
- Fair Brown Trout
- Good Rainbow Trout — Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
Jackson County Trout Streams Jackson County
Ramp: Not applicable
Trout streams in Jackson County are in good to excellent condition.
- Fair Brown Trout
- Good Rainbow Trout — Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
Richmond Springs Delaware County
Ramp: Not applicable
Trout streams in Delaware County are in good to excellent condition.
- Good Brown Trout — Match the hatch with the upcoming warmer weather.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.
Community Fishing Ponds16 waters
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake Story County
Ramp: Useable
- Good Rainbow Trout — 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.
Atlantic Quarry Pond 1 Cass County
Water 60.0°F · Ramp: 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.
- Fair Rainbow Trout — Mepps’ spinners with a silver blade have been the best bait this week. .
Big Lake (Including Gilbert’s Pond) Pottawattamie County
Water 58.0°F · Ramp: 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.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Small jigs with a spinner attached or ice fishing jigs tipped with a waxworm work best.
Discovery Park Pond Muscatine County
Water 64.0°F · Ramp: Not applicable
The trout stocking is rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — The trout stocking is rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Ely Pond Linn County
Ramp: Not applicable
500 trout were stocked November 3. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Use an inline spinner, white crappie tube jig or live bait. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Emma Young Pond Clinton County
Water 62.0°F · Ramp: Not applicable
The trout stocking is rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — The trout stocking is rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Lake Petocka Polk County
Ramp: Not applicable
- Good Rainbow Trout — 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.
Liberty Centre Pond Johnson County
Ramp: Not applicable
1100 trout were stocked November 2. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Use an inline spinner, white crappie tube jig or live bait. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Marr Park Pond Washington County
Ramp: Not applicable
The trout stocking is rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 11:30 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — The trout stocking is rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 11:30 a.m. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Noelridge Park Pond Linn County
Ramp: Not applicable
1600 trout were stocked November 3. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Use an inline spinner, white crappie tube jig or live bait. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
North Ridge Park Pond Johnson County
Ramp: Not applicable
1100 trout were stocked November 2. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Good Rainbow Trout — Use an inline spinner, white crappie tube jig or live bait. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) Wapello County
Ramp: Not applicable
Trout were stocked on Monday, November 2. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Target trout along the shoreline using small spinners or prepared trout bait.
Sand Lake Marshall County
Ramp: Useable
2000 trout were stocked October 29. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Fair Rainbow Trout — You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Terra Lake Polk County
Ramp: Not applicable
- Good Rainbow Trout — 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.
Triumph Park East Dallas County
Ramp: Not applicable
- Good Rainbow Trout — 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.
Triumph Park West Dallas County
Ramp: Not applicable
- Good Rainbow Trout — 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.
Conditions from the Iowa DNR Weekly Fishing Report, compiled from local bait shops, angler creel surveys and park staff, and updated every Thursday. Water changes faster than any report — check conditions before you go.