Northeast

Mississippi River Pools 9 to 15: Ice conditions have deteriorated on the Mississippi River in northeast Iowa. The river has risen 4 feet in the last 10 days at Bellevue. The ice is very unstable and water levels are expected to rise another foot this week. Access to the backwater areas is very difficult for anglers-however, in the lake areas without any flowing current, sufficient ice remains. Be very cautious crossing any sloughs or side channels on the Mississippi River. Rising water and rain has opened many areas. NEVER venture onto ice if not sure or if ice looks suspicious. The tailwaters at Guttenberg (Lock and Dam 10) and Lynxville, Wis., (Lock and Dam 9) are open to tailwater walleye and sauger fishing. Parking at the Guttenberg tailwater is limited to a few parking places below the DNR office. Ice has retreated at Lynxville and the boat ramp is open for boat launching. Fishing at both locations has slowed some as rising turbid water has turned off the bite. In Pool 10, some crappies are being caught in Joyce Lake and Mud Hen Lake near Harpers Ferry. Crappies and bluegills are also being taken in Norwegian Lake, but action at Bussey Lake near Guttenberg is slow with a few bluegills, yellow perch and an occasional northern pike being caught. In Pool 11, Swift Slough near Guttenberg and Mud Lake near Dubuque are reporting some crappies and bluegills being caught. In nearly all cases, anglers are using teardrop type lures tipped with a wax worm. A few fish are being caught in Kehough (Pool 12); however, access is very limited/non-existent and anglers are encouraged to use extreme caution. Ice conditions have greatly deteriorated and All-Terrain Vehicles are going through the ice. For those finding good ice, bluegills and crappies are being caught in Brown's Lake (Pool 13).

Alice Wyth, Big Woods, Fisher, George Wyth, and South Prairie lakes (Black Hawk): Ice conditions are fair to poor. Use extreme caution when entering ice. Fishing at this time is not recommended.

For information on fishing in northeast Iowa, call the regional office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.

 

Northwest

Walleye and Muskie season is closed on East Okoboji, West Okoboji and Spirit lakes. Some parts of northwest Iowa had significant rain over the weekend and ice conditions are variable. Extreme care should be taken if going on the ice.

Spirit Lake (Dickinson): Anglers are catching yellow perch using on minnows fishing off the south boat ramp area. Crappie fishing is good at the North Grade and Templar.

West Lake Okoboji (Dickinson): Some yellow perch are being caught between Pocahontas and Eagle points on wax worms and teardrops. Anglers are catching a few bluegills at Emerson Bay and at the north end of the lake.

Black Hawk Lake (Sac): Yellow bass fishing is good in the late afternoon. Use jigging spoons and minnow heads. Most of the Town Bay area is open water from the aeration system and the recent rain.

Crawford Creek (Ida): Bluegill fishing is excellent for 7 to 8-inch fish on wax worms and teardrops.

Brushy Creek (Webster): A few nice walleyes and crappies were caught within the past week. Most of the fish were caught in 30 to 35 feet of water using a small jig and minnow. Some nice bluegills have been caught on the bottom in 10 feet of water.

Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo): Ice conditions are deteriorating rapidly with the warm weather and rain. Use caution and drill test holes to check ice thickness. Walleye fishing is good. Jigging spoons and minnows are both producing fish. Fish the sunrise or sunset times for the best success. Remember the 14-inch minimum length limit for walleyes. Yellow bass are biting. Small spoons and minnows are producing the best.

Silver Lake (Worth): Yellow perch fishing is fair around the jetty and the campground area using minnows. Sorting is required, but 7 to 9-inch fish are available.

For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the regional office in Spirit Lake at 712-336-1840.

 

Southwest

Ice conditions are unsafe in the southern most counties in southwest Iowa due to the warm weather and last week's rain. It is advised to NOT venture out on any remaining ice. Ice Conditions in the northern areas (Boone, Polk, Jasper, Story, and Warren) are variable, but ice fishing is not recommended. If you must go out, be very cautious and drill plenty of test holes.

For more information on fishing in southwest Iowa, call the regional office in Lewis at 712-769-2587.

 

Southeast

Mississippi River Pools 16 to 19: The water temperature at Lock and Dam 16 (Muscatine) is 35 degrees and the river pool stage is 11.42. Water levels are expected to drop gradually over the next several days. Open water fishing continues to be fair for walleye and sauger on jigs tipped with minnows and worms (if available) in the tailwater areas below Dam 15 (Davenport), Dam 16 (Muscatine), Dam 17 (New Boston), Dam 18 (Burlington), and Dam 19 (Keokuk). Anglers are also catching a few channel catfish on shad guts.

Lake Odessa (Louisa): Unsafe ice conditions.

Lake Darling (Washington): Unsafe ice conditions.

Lake Geode (Henry): Unsafe ice conditions.

Lake Belva Deer (Keokuk): Unsafe ice conditions.

Lake Rathbun (Appanoose): Unsafe ice conditions.

Lake Miami (Monroe): Unsafe ice conditions.

Lake Sugema (Van Buren): Unsafe ice conditions.

Lake Wapello (Davis): Unsafe ice conditions.

Lake Macbride (Johnson): Bluegills and small crappies are fairly common biters on jig/wax worm combos and small jigging spoons. Those willing to search are also catching a few larger crappies. Deeper drop-offs and brush piles are producing best. The main ice is still good; watch the outer edges for slushy spots.

Coralville Reservoir (Johnson): The water is very dirty and the current is strong. Fishing conditions are tough.

Smaller Lakes: Due to the warmth and rains, ice conditions are variable to poor, especially around the edges. Fishing is not advised at this time. For details on specific lakes, call your county conservation board for current conditions.

For more information on fishing in southeast Iowa, call the regional office in Brighton at 319-694-2430.